ABOUT

Holly Bridges

The Anxiety Reframe Technique® is an internationally recognised, award winning technique designed for relaxation and restoration.

HOLLY BRIDGES

Creator of Anxiety Reframe Technique

Holly Bridges is an author, therapist, and internationally respected innovator in the field of autism support, somatic neurotherapy, and trauma recovery.

She is a wife, mother of two, cat lover, author, educator and the creator of A.R.T.® (Anxiety Reframe Technique). A.R.T. is a world-class therapeutic approach that draws from Polyvagal Theory, brain plasticity, somatic practice, and a unique method Holly calls neuroceptive listening. Designed initially for autistic individuals, A.R.T. has become a breakthrough in working with freeze, inertia, and deep states of nervous system shut-down across a wide range of conditions.

In her work, Holly uncovers patterns others often miss, translating complex emotional and psychological states into clear insight. Grounded yet expansive, she combines investigative depth with strategic clarity, helping people recognize truths lying beneath the surface.

Origins of A.R.T.

Holly Bridges combines deep clinical knowledge with lived experience. After years studying psychology, neuroscience, somatics, and spirituality, discovering the Polyvagal Theory brought clarity to her work. Over 15 years, she has refined the Anxiety Reframe Technique (A.R.T.) into an elegant, accessible method for people often considered 'hard to treat' - those in profound shutdown, with low interoception, or limited verbal capacity.

With a background in psychology, women’s studies, and youth work, Holly has field experience in youth services and the autism sector, including roles supporting post-school transitions and community inclusion under the NDIS. She was nominated for the Australian National Disability Awards in 2014 and received the NDS Excellence in Innovation Award in 2018.

Holly’s approach bridges science and embodiment, logic and intuition. Her work, now recognized internationally, is documented in her whitepaper Bridging the Gap: Exploring the Impact of A.R.T. on Autistic Inertia and ADHD Paralysis. Originally developed for neurodivergent needs, A.R.T. is now applied across anxiety, chronic dysregulation, aged care, and dorsal vagal shutdown -restoring dignity, trust, and possibility to those long misunderstood.

Through online programs, workshops, and intensive sessions, Holly teaches that listening to the body with respect reveals the way forward.

See Holly's more indepth writings here: Beneath the Surface / Substack

Recommendations for Holly Bridges

KANE BLACKMAN

National Disability Service (NDS) Commission Secretary

"The Insurance Commission sponsors the Excellence in Innovation Award at the Disability Support Awards because we want to promote new and improved care approaches that can improve the lives of Australians. Innovation is key in ensuring the disability sector continues to deliver effective and efficient outcomes to people living with a disability. Holly Bridges’ work has been acknowledged by the Australian government’s disability insurer for ‘Excellence In Innovation’. Ms Bridges won the award for her neuroplasticity work that helps people with disabilities improve their physical and social presentations. Ms Bridges has also been recognised internationally for her book ‘Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism’ which outlines this work."

DR. GERARD COSTA

Former Director, Centre for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health.
Montclair State University, New Jersey

“Holly is an incredible thinker and a sought-after consultant and interventionist with neurodiverse children and families. However her skills as a writer and presenter are extraordinary.

She is warm, engaging and energetic with the capacity to teach about very complex topics in very understandable ways.

One of her special gifts as a presenter is her use of simple line drawings of human and brain/nervous system structures and functions, making the complex interactions come alive, making incredible sense to participants with varying levels of knowledge.

Holly is one of those rare “translators” of science into application and practice. She teaches professionals and families and supports those with developmental difficulties with deep understanding, passion and care.

She is a gift to our work.”

PROFESSOR STEPHEN PORGES

Professor of Psychiatry.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“I became acquainted with Holly in 2014, when she contacted me to evaluate a prepublication copy of her book, Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism: How the Polyvagal Theory and Brain Plasticity Help Us Make Sense of Autism.

Since I developed Polyvagal Theory, I was curious how she would distill the concepts of theory into an accessible volume that would be helpful to those on the autism spectrum, their families, and the therapists and educators who support them. In reading her book, I realized that Holly had a gifted presentation style that enabled her to communicate the optimistic and important principles of the Polyvagal Theory.

Holly continues to refine her clinical style, embodying aspects of Polyvagal Theory, that enable her to support her clients’ journey to have richer lives and to experience the benefits being safe enough to co-regulate with others.

Focusing on witnessing the client’s biobehavioral state and providing cues of safety through own presence and accessibility, she has successfully expanded the range of the social behavior and resilience”.

DR. SREE THAMBURAJA

Consultant Forensic Psychologist, FRCPsych

As a Forensic Psychiatrist, understanding the impact of trauma has led me down many paths of therapies as treatment modalities. The search for a therapy modality that ‘speaks’ to the body is like the proverbial needle in the haystack. Holly Bridges’ approach via A.R,T is that needle. Over the last 2 years, I have had the opportunity to learn from the Express and ART in-depth program to better understand Holly’s work.

Nothing prepared me for the unexpected way ART works or rather ‘communicates’ with the body. It is an interesting approach combining Neurology principles with Eastern medicine approach that is not only gentle but potent for the nervous system to rediscover its purpose, balance and resilience. As a Psychiatrist, A.R.T exercises and vocabulary has given many patients with chronic mental health issues the much needed ‘exhale’, the words describing their experience living in and with their bodies. A.R.T in many ways is a portable toolkit for clinicians wishing to work with patients in a therapeutically non intrusive way”.

DR. MAARTEN AALBEERSE

Somatic Therapist, France

"Holly Bridges was among the first who was aware that the Polyvagal model needed to be expanded, in ways Prof. Porges himself now also recognises. I have watched Holly diligently refine and progress her novel therapy with a high degree of integrity over the past seven years."

PROFESSOR EMERITUS TARQUAM MCKENNA

BEd., PGradDipDramaEd, MEd, PGradDipArts, MA (HolyNames), MA (ECowan), PhD, MTESOL

I highly recommend Holly Bridges. Her innovative technique and book have significantly advanced the field. Holly's deep commitment and unique approach make her work both impactful and accessible.

DR. WENDY ALLEN

BSc(Med) MBBS MPH FRACP

Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Allergist

Holly delivers her therapy expertly and with immense thought and empathy. Her ability to engage online with extremely sensitive and fragile individuals is to be highly commended.

DR LEKKIE HOPKINS

Feminist academic and grandmother

Holly’s work is astonishingly effective and apparently very simple. The results are extraordinary.

NELLE FRANCES

Autism Therapist | Creator of the Sensory Detective® Program

Holly Bridges offers a new, embodied language for supporting autistic people through trauma, shutdown and deep nervous system overwhelm.

SEJLA MURDOCH

Senior Psychologist, Deputy Director, Australian NeuroFeedback Institute

Ms. Bridges' skilful implementation of Polyvagal Theory in her practice is truly exemplary, demonstrating a rare ability to foster a sense of safety and connection in her clients.

SELA WEAVER

Somatic Psychotherapist

Holly offers something that no one I’ve ever met before has discovered. She has a profound and personal understanding of the embodiment of our threat response to the difficulties and challenges of our lives, and has invented a way to make contact with it.

SUSANN KEATING

Registered Psychologist, General Psychology Services

Holly Bridges’ neurodiverse therapeutic approach, celebrates diversity, tapping into the innate intelligence and helping them to make the most of their gifts.

LOUISE ‘LOU’ GRANT

Counselling Psychologist / Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Holly’s work aligns with the growing neurobiological evidence that treatment tailored to change occurring in regions of the brain beyond language are potent and enduring. Holly has extended her sphere of influence in the field, with tenacity and integrity.

Anxiety Reframe Technique / A.R.T.

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A.R.T. POLYVAGAL - DIGITAL FLIPCHART

'A clear and accessible explanation of the Polyvagal Theory, brought to life with Holly Bridges’ signature stick figures and playful, body-wise illustrations'

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