My story

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I've always been interested in the connection between body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and have been exploring holistic pathways to healing since 1987.

During this time, I've worked and studied with a wide range of holistic, integrative teachers and practitioners, and have been deeply affected by the profound ways this work is able to impact a person. I've repeatedly seen how a holistic, integrative approach can access things that can't be reached through just talking or other conventional modes of therapy, and how it can support a deeper level of growth and change.

My formal training includes Internal Family Systems, Somatic Trauma Resolution, Attachment Re-patterning, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, and Polarity Therapy, along with a wide range of other body-mind-spirit therapeutic approaches (all trainings are listed below & here).  I love the rich array of tools and resources I have gained through all of my educational experiences, and value the different options and versatility they offer for addressing the varied concerns of my clients.
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In my own life, working from a body-mind-spirit angle has been key to my personal process of transformation and growth.  Engaging my own history and wounds using the same holistic approaches I practice has helped me fully land in my body, step into my true self, find my passion and power, and cultivate much greater health, well-being, and joy.  And helping others make these kinds of deep inner changes is definitely my "calling".

Personally, I bring a deep kindness, compassion, and perceptiveness to my work, along with the ability to hold an honoring space for the hardest places inside.  I am skilled in engaging clients physically, energetically, verbally, and emotionally, and it's my passion and purpose to share this work and support others in their process of healing and growth. 

I also teach classes and workshops in InterPlay and transformational creative expression, along with various body-mind-spirit techniques for individual use.  And I continue my own healing journey thru on-going personal sessions, consultations, and training.

I look forward to talking with you and hearing how I can support you.  Call 231-421-3120 for more info, or sign up below for a free initial ~30 minute consultation.
Education & Training includes:
 
Internal Family Systems
Certified IFS Practitioner - Level 3 Trained
  • Basic IFS, Exiles, and Advanced courses (Jay Early, 2018-19)
  • IFS Level 1 (Trainers: Kay Gardner & Jory Agate, IFS Institute, 2020-21)
  • IFS Level 2: Deepening & Expanding (Trainers: Kay Gardner & Kathy Cox, IFS Institute, 2021)
  • IFS Level 2: Addictions & Eating Disorders (Trainers: Mary Kruger & Kathy Cox, IFS Institute, 2021)
  • IFS Level 2: Anxiety, Depression, & Shame (Trainers: Ann Sinko, Mike Elkin, & Galit Arad-Trutner, IFS Institute, 2024)
  • IFS Level 3 (Trainers: Dick Schwartz, IFS Founder & Alexia Rothman, IFS Institute, 2022)
  • IFS Couples Work (Dick Schwartz, IFS-CA masterclass, 2020)
  • Accessing & Living From Self (Loch Kelly, IFS-CA masterclass, 2020)
  • Self-Led Therapist (Osnat Arbel, Life Architect, 2020)​
  • Somatic IFS (Susan McConnell, IFS-UK, 2021)
  • IFS & Attachment Wounds (Osnat Arbel, Life Architect, 2021)
  • IFS with Groups (Chris Burris, 2021)
  • IFS & Chronic Pain (Dick Schwartz, IFS-CA masterclass, 2021)
  • Befriending Difficult Protectors in IFS (Mike Elkin, Life Architect, 2022)
  • Gifts of Our Exiles: Reconnecting With Our True Self (Paul Neustadt, Life Architect, 2022)
  • Anxiety, Depression, & Shame (Ann Sinko & Mike Elkin, IFS-CA Masterclass, 2022)
  • Transcending Trauma with IFS (Frank Anderson, Life Architect, 2022)
  • Self Energy & Self-Like Parts (Pamela Krause, Life Architect, 2022)
  • Direct Access - An Essential Skill (Fran Booth, Life Architect, 2022)
  • The Others Within Us - Unattached Burdens & Guides - Group Consultation Series (Bob Falconer, 2023)
  • Drawing Into Self - Exploring IFS Parts Work thru Intuitive Drawing:
    ~ Foundation 1 - The 1-to-1 session (Ruth Culver, April 2024)
    ~ Foundation 2 - The Conference Table (Ruth Culver, April 2024)
    ~ Foundation 3 - Exploring the Survive/Thrive Spiral (Ruth Culver, June 2024)
  • IFS Skills Building Workshop Series (Seth Kopald, 2024)
  • Therapeutic Relationship & Power of Presence (Paul Neustadt, Life Architect, 2024)
  • On-going 1-on-1 IFS consultation (with Elina Falck, Certified Level 3 IFS Therapist & Assistant Trainer Mentee, 2022 to present)
  • On-going personal IFS sessions (with Edwina Breitzke, Certified Level 2 IFS Therapist, 2023 to present)
  • On-going monthly IFS Level 3 Peer Support group (2022 to present)
  • Previous 1-on-1 IFS consultation (with Paul Neustadt, IFS Lead Trainer, 2022-23)
  • Previous personal IFS sessions (with Seth Kopald, Certified Level 3 IFS Practitioner, 2019-2022)

Somatic Trauma Resolution
  • Somatic Experiencing - Basic Principles (Somatic Experiencing International, 2019)
  • Somatic Experiencing - 3 Year Professional Training (Somatic Experiencing International):
    ~ 1st year:  Beginning Modules 1-3 (Trainers: Linda Stelte & Maureen Gallagher, 2022)
    ~ 2nd year: Intermediate Modules 1-3 (Trainers: Maureen Gallagher & Shideh Lennon, 2023)
  • Somatic Experiencing On-going monthly Peer Support group (November 2023 to present)
  • Brainspotting Phase 1 (Trainers: Pie Frey & Christine Ranck, 2021)
  • Brainspotting Phase 2 (Trainer: Melanie Young, 2022)
  • Brainspotting - Embodied Learning Circle for Phase 2 (Trainers: Nancy Tung & Joy Myong, 2022)
  • Brainspotting - From Freeze to Thaw: Unlocking Trauma in the Body (Trainers: Mary Jane O’Rourke & Serene Calkins, 2022)
  • Brainspotting - Expansion Brainspotting (Trainers:  Lisa Larson & Kelly Larson, 2022)
  • Brainspotting & Parts Work (Trainers: Cherie Lindberg & Cynthia Schwartzberg, 2022)
  • Brainspotting - On-going personal sessions (with Certified BSP Therapist & Consultant Tamara Baker, 2022 to present)
  • Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors (Janina Fischer, PESI, 2020)
  • Healing Developmental Trauma - Therapy Mastermind Circle (Diane Poole Heller, 2018)
  • Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) - Level 1 Basic Training (Trainer: Gordon Barclay, 2021)
  • The Arc of Healing Trauma (Frank Anderson, 2022)
  • Transcending Trauma with IFS (Frank Anderson, Life Architect, 2022)
  • EFT for Trauma Healing - Tapping Out of Trauma (Craig Weiner & Suzanne Fageol, 2015)

Attachment Healing & Repatterning 
  • IFS & Attachment Wounds (Osnat Arbel, Life Architect, 2021)
  • Presencing Secure Attachment - Therapy Mastermind Circle (Diane Poole Heller, 2017)
  • Healing Developmental Trauma - Therapy Mastermind Circle (Diane Poole Heller, 2018)
  • Healing Your Attachment Wounds (Diane Poole Heller, 2019)
  • Diane Poole Heller's "Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience" (DARE) trainings:
    ~ DARE 1:  Fundamentals of Attachment Styles (Alicen Halquist & Daniel Vose, 2019)
    ~ DARE 2:  Creating Healthy Adult Relationships (Alicen Halquist & Daniel Vose, 2019)

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy 
Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist (RCST / BCST)
~ 2-Year BCST Foundation training (Colorado School of Energy Studies, 1998-2000)
 Trainers:  Anna Chitty, John Chitty, & Scott Zamarut:
  • Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy bodywork
  • Somatic resourcing & Somatic trauma resolution (Based on Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing)
  • Pre- and peri-natal birth psychology (Based on work of William Emerson & Ray Castellino)
  • Polyvagal Theory
  • Focusing and verbal skills for body-centered therapists
 ~ 2-Year BCST Supervision (2000-2002, Renee Rutz, RCST & BCPP)
  • Twice-monthly supervised client sessions to build and enhance clinical and perceptual skills
  • Weekly individual sessions for personal growth and an embodied experience of the work
 ~ "Getting In Touch - Blessing of Insecurity" advanced BCST course (Trainer: Mike Boxhall, 2006, Duncton Mill, UK)

Polarity Therapy 
Board Certified Polarity Practitioner (BCPP)
~ Associate (APP) and Advanced (RPP) Polarity trainings (Colorado School of Energy Studies, 1998):
Trainers:  Anna Chitty, John Chitty, & Scott Zamarut:
  • Polarity Bodywork
  • Polarity Energy Movement Exercises
  • Polarity counseling and verbal skills for body-centered therapists
  • Polarity Cleansing & Health Building Diet
  • Somatic resourcing & Somatic trauma resolution
  • Pre- and peri-natal birth psychology
  • Gestalt Two-Chair Technique

Somatic Therapy 
~ Somatic Therapy Program (Heartwood Institute, 1997-98):
  • Hendricks Body-Centered Therapy
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Hanna Somatics
  • Breathwork
  • Movement Healing techniques
  • Body-centered verbal processing techniques
  • Reichian Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Upledger Craniosacral 1 & 2

Inner Relationship Focusing 
  • Level 1 & Level 2 (Ann Weiser Cornell, Focusing Resources, 2000, 2008)
  • Introducing Focusing to Others (Ann Weiser Cornell, Focusing Resources, 2009)
  • Radical Gentleness (Ann Weiser Cornell, Focusing Resources, 2013)
  • Introduction to Treasure Maps to the Soul (Ann Weiser Cornell & Barbara McGavin, 2005)
  • One year of weekly personal Inner Relationship Focusing sessions (with Barbara McGavin, Co-creator & teacher of Inner Relationship Focusing & Treasure Maps to the Soul, 2007).
 
InterPlay - "An Active Creative Path to Unlock the Wisdom of the Body"
Certified InterPlay Leader & Life Practice Program Leader
  • InterPlay Tools Online (2015)
  • Life Practice Program (2015)
  • Leadership Training Program (2015-17)
  • Leader of Life Practice Program (2020)

Additional Training
  • Emotional Freedom Technique / Meridian Tapping (with Gary Craig, Dawson Church, Jessica & Nick Ortner, and others, 2009-present)
  • Matrix Reimprinting (with Stefan Gonick, 2013)
  • Psychodrama (with Ed Schreiber of the Zerka T. Moreno Foundation, 2012)
  • Family Constellations (with Mark Wolynn of the Family Constellation Institute, 2010)
  • Reference Point Therapy (2009)
  • Rosen Method:
    ~ 3-day Introduction to the Rosen Method (Connecticut, 1996)
    ~ 7-day Intensive (Marco Island, Florida, 1996)
    ~ 7-day Intensive (La Madera, NM, 1997)
  • The Inanna Workshop - Reclaiming Lost Aspects of Self - Transformational Theatre workshop with Voices of the Earth (Leslie Ayvazian, Olympia Dukakis, Joan MacIntosh, & Remi Messenger, Omega Institute, 1994)

To learn more:

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