- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
- Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist
- Restorative Exercise Specialist – Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Massage Therapist
Practicing since 1998.
Personal History
In 1994, in my early 20’s, I suffered from a Repetitive Strain Injury. It hurt my arms and hands to bring a fork to my mouth or dial the telephone, and I gave up the computer completely. I went to many doctors and therapists, but at that time, few practitioners knew how to treat this type of injury. Symptoms varied so much I couldn’t tell if it was getting better, worse, or staying the same.
Over time, I recovered through a combination of my own exploration of my body, myofascial therapies, physical therapy, and various movement arts. The process of healing taught me as much as my formal training. I remember after giving up on one more therapist, I joined a gym and spent hours in the pool, hot tub, and sauna developing a routine for myself that felt good and did not hurt. One day in the sauna I discovered that a particular combination of slow, steady stretch and pressure on my neck felt unusually satisfying, though somewhat painful. My arms felt better afterwards, and they did not get worse again. Later, I learned that without realizing it I had inactivated trigger points in my scalene muscles in my neck, which commonly cause pain in the arms. I walked out of that sauna solidly on the path to becoming a bodyworker, able to help others as well as myself.
This experience of pain, dysfunction, self-discovery, and healing left me fascinated by the human body, the emotional and mental aspects of living with and recovering from chronic pain, and the power of skillful touch-based therapies to effect deep change. I entered the field professionally in 1998 and have not stopped learning since. First, I studied myofascial and craniosacral therapies, as well as massage, because they were the approaches that had helped me most directly. In order to respond more effectively to my clients living with the effects of trauma, I became a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). These studies continue, branching into developmental trauma and shame, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology and other somatic approaches to healing. In order to help clients assess their own bodies and make their self-care as effective as possible, I studied alignment and restorative exercise with the folks at Nutritious Movement, Inc.
Myofascial and craniosacral therapies, Somatic Experiencing, and restorative exercise for alignment are the main techniques and bodies of knowledge I rely on in order to make a difference. These practices and studies are fascinating to me in and of themselves, but I am devoted to this work because of my clients. I get to see my clients – and you, perhaps – light up with relief, hope, or curiosity where there had been pain and distress. I am grateful beyond words for the delight and joy, meaning and value, in the work I get to do every day.
Professional History
Full-time private practice, 2003 – present
Part-time private practice, 1998 – 2003
Berkeley, CA and other locations
Staff therapist 1999-2003
Myofascial Pain Treatment Center, San Francisco CA
Certificate Trainings
- Certified Restorative Exercise Specialist (2016)
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (2014)
- Board Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (2002, renewed 2008 & 2015)
- Certified Somatic Therapist (1998) Included basic certification to practice Massage Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Somatic Therapy, and Polarity Therapy; and additional training in deep-tissue massage, myofascial release, cranio-sacral therapy, body-mind counseling, and breathwork.
Additional Training
2010-2017 Craniosacral Therapy.
Biodynamic, visionary, and structural approaches with Ellen Mossman.
2007-2016 Somatics and Trauma
Somatic Practices with Kathy Kain
Introduction to Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury with Dave Berger.
Repairing Early Trauma, Attachment, and Shame with Kathy Kain, Maggie Phillips, Caryn Scotto d’Luzia.
Touch, Bodywork and Psychotherapy with Bill Bowen.
Rosen Method Bodywork at the Rosen Institute, year-long training.
Prior Education and employment
BA in American Deaf Studies at Harvard University (1993)
Public health research associate, AIDS related research (1995-1997)
