Interview with Elisabeth Carlsson, Nutritional Therapist
Since talking with several nutritional therapists at the Integrative and Personalised Medicine (IPM) Conference last year, I’ve been wanting to explore further the beneficial connection between sophrology and nutritional therapy. To shed light on this topic, I recently interviewed Elisabeth Carlsson, a nutritional therapist who has worked with a sophrology practitioner.
Liz: To start Elisabeth, could you tell us a little bit about your work as a nutritional therapist?
Elisabeth: Of course. I work with clients, mostly women but also some men, who often come to me with chronic conditions such as gut issues, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, PCOS, menopause-related symptoms, and hormonal imbalances. Many of them experience significant stress and emotional anxiety. While functional testing provides valuable insights, much of my work involves looking at their lifestyle and diet and making small, manageable adjustments. Interestingly, clients often come in wanting to lose weight, but through our work together, we uncover underlying health issues that need to be addressed first. Typically, I see clients over a three-month period, giving us time to implement meaningful changes.
Liz: You’ve also worked with a sophrology practitioner and experienced sophrology for yourself. How did you find that? What benefits did you experience?
Elisabeth: Yes, I worked with Christine Halfpenny over six sessions, each lasting about an hour. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not naturally drawn to mindfulness or meditation—I tend to prefer being outdoors, working in the garden, or going for a walk. But I also recognized that I needed some form of mindfulness in my life because I’m always on the go.
What I loved about sophrology was the combination of movement, breathing exercises, and visualisations. It felt practical and structured, which worked well for me. While I have a solid understanding of mindfulness and spirituality, I need a practical approach to fully engage with it. Many people struggle to sit quietly and meditate because their thoughts keep racing. Sophrology, however, offers a more structured way to cultivate mindfulness, making it more accessible to people like me.
Liz: That’s really interesting. There’s so much focus on meditation and yoga these days, but it sounds like you found that sophrology offers something different.
Elisabeth: Exactly! Many people enjoy activities like running to clear their minds, but for some, high-intensity exercise can be an additional stressor on the body. Sophrology, on the other hand, provides a way to release stress without adding more strain. It makes mindfulness more approachable for those who struggle with traditional meditation.
What I like the best with Sophrology is that it has that element of movement to sort of ‘detox’ the negative energy, or stress, that is buzzing around our bodies. And then breathwork to get some of that life force and positive energy in. I see the movement as a kind of activation of a process.
Plus, Christine was an excellent teacher—her ability to hold space and guide the process made a huge difference.
Liz: Holding space for clients is also an essential part of your work as a nutritional therapist, isn’t it?
Elisabeth: Absolutely. Our work involves a lot of science and research, but we also have to sit with people who are in significant pain, carrying heavy emotional burdens. Some of their stories are truly heartbreaking. Many of my clients have been dismissed by doctors, and for the first time, they feel truly heard when they come to see me. That in itself can be incredibly healing.
Sophrology isn’t just valuable for my clients—it’s also beneficial for professionals like me. Supporting others through their health journeys requires emotional resilience, and sophrology helps with nervous system regulation, ensuring that we, as practitioners, don’t absorb too much of our clients’ stress.
Liz: How do you see sophrology complementing the work you do with clients?
Elisabeth: I think it’s a perfect complement because so much of health and recovery is about becoming more aware of habits and behaviours. Mindfulness and breathing exercises can feel stressful for some people because they’re not used to being still. Sophrology, with its combination of movement and relaxation techniques, helps people ease into a more mindful state.
For example, clients often don’t realize how their eating habits contribute to discomfort. Through sophrology, they can become more aware—like noticing that eating too quickly causes stomach pain or that practicing a simple movement before a meal helps them feel more relaxed. Similarly, when stress levels rise, instead of feeling overwhelmed, they can use specific exercises to release nervous energy and find calm.
I think it’s important to point out from a Nutrition perspective that being in a more relaxed state helps to improve our digestive capacity, i.e. increases our stomach acid so we can break down and absorb nutrients more easily. Being a relaxed state makes you more aware of your actions which helps with motivation. When we care a bit more about ourselves on a deeper level then we will be better at self-care and choosing what nourishes us rather than depletes us.
Supporting someone’s nervous system can be a key cornerstone in their improving their health. Often this is the most important and most difficult thing to implement.
In my experience, sophrology provides practical tools for nervous system regulation, making it easier for clients to implement lifestyle changes and achieve better health outcomes.
Liz: That makes so much sense. Thank you so much for sharing your insights today! It’s clear that sophrology and nutritional therapy can be a powerful combination for achieving overall well-being. If our readers want to connect with you or learn more, where can they find you?
Elisabeth: They can visit my website at www.elisabethcarlsson.com .Or join me on Instagram, or Facebook where I regularly post nutritional information, top cooking tips, lifestyle advice and inspiration.
I also highly recommended Christine Halfpenny for experiencing sophrology and you can reach her at: www.BeAtOneSophro.com