Offerings
Somatic Experiencing™
Somatic Experiencing™ is a term coined by Peter Levine to describe the therapeutic process he developed to support the body in healing from trauma of all kinds.
The basic premise of Somatic Experiencing™ (SE) is that the body, or soma, holds a record of traumatic events in the case of both emotional and physical trauma. This can cause unwanted and often unknown impacts on daily functions and relationships. By taking time to truly slow things down and pay attention to the minute details of the body’s subtle language, we can begin to understand what the body needs in order to find healing and grow our capacity for presence and connection.
Our physical and mental health depends on the normal function of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When it’s time to activate, motivate, engage, and awaken, we need our sympathetic nervous system to get things moving towards our goals and away from danger. When it’s time to regulate, settle, rest and digest, we need our para-sympathetic nervous system to calm and soothe us into a more easeful place, where we might find connection with other beings. As a species, human beings (and most beings, whether animal, plant, mycelial or microbial) are designed to co-regulate when we find ourselves out of balance. This intelligent, co-operative system is often disrupted by our high-speed, solitary and disconnected culture. SE therapy offers a unique opportunity for purposeful co-regulation, deep listening, and focused support. The question in trauma work is, “What didn’t get to happen?,” and we use many tools to uncover this, and bring an activated nervous system into a more regulated state.
Although SE has a modern name, including this buzzword, “somatics,” it is an age-old process, using the most deeply human tools: self-awareness and relational attunement. This process is informed by many healing traditions (specifically Reiki: the Japanese metaphysical practice of manipulating Qi in the body to create more ease and flow). In addition to these subtle awareness tools, SE also utilizes reassuring touch, imagery and movement to support homeostasis and healing for the nervous system, and therefore the whole human being.
I have been in training with the Somatic Experiencing Institute since the spring of 2020, when it became apparent that healing from trauma was becoming a primary need in our communities. I had been receiving SE therapy myself for a few years, and found it absolutely transformed my ability to self-regulate, and helped me find a sense of stability within that I hadn’t ever experienced before.
I am currently in the Advanced year and plan to complete my 3-year training in April of 2023. I will be offering sessions at a discounted rate until I receive my SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner) certification.
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Somatic Experiencing sessions are currently offered virtually, using Zoom until the magic happens and I am able to rent a physical space.
If you are local, and would like an in-person session, please contact me to discuss possibilites.
Book a 60 min. Somatic Experiencing session:
Intuitive Card Readings
An Intuitive Card Reading is a method of using pictorial cards as self-reflection tools, to assist you in understanding your inner process.
In my readings, I primarily use tarot cards, choosing from a few decks (including The Mary El deck, The Wildwood Tarot, and others). I also read Lenormand cards (The Seeker’s Lenormand deck, based on a 200-year-old French deck, made up of 36 cards). I use these for larger, annual readings (all 36 cards for the Grand Tableau), and occasionally to bring some closure at the end of a tarot reading.
Tarot cards have been used for almost 600 years, as a tool for divination and inner exploration. I use a combination of traditional archetypal interpretations, and attunement with my client. I do NOT use these cards as divination tools. This is more like a therapeutic exploratory conversation with visual, archetypal touchstones.
I offer readings from 30-90 minutes long. For virtual sessions, I will record the video, and email it to you. If you prefer not to use Zoom, I can always do a reading via email and send you typed notes and pictures of the spread. I have found this actually works quite well.
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All Intuitive Card Readings are offered virtually, using Zoom, unless you specify that you are local, and would like an in-person reading.
Ritual Support
Ritual has long been a human tool for strengthening our bonds to Self and Other, and to the natural and spiritual worlds. In a modern culture that lacks the foundation of these traditions and rituals, we often find ourselves lost, and grasping at anything nearby that can ease that desperate longing for deeper connection.
My work here is to bring my passion for creating and facilitating ritual to all those who recognize this need, and are not yet sure how to meet it. I offer support during times of transition, ranging from Birth to Death. These can include, marriage, cord-cutting, birthing, coming-of-age, dying, grief support, and community and personal rituals of all types.
I also offer my services to those undergoing personal transformational rituals, with guidance for preparation and integration (based on my own experience, and supporting others), and my grounding presence and musical container (where desired).
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Book a 30 min. Ritual Support consultation if you are:
looking to receive advice on designing your own ritual
OR
looking to hire me to design a ritual for/with you
Ritual Music
Throughout the world, and throughout human history, music has been an integral part of creating ritual space. I specialize in creating ritual music for many different types of environments. I write and share ritual music, both instrumental and vocal, for group ritual, funeral rites, and for personal rites of passage. I play many stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, baritone ukulele, nyckelharpa, kraviklyre etc.) and feel passionate about creating soundscapes that open the heart and soothe the spirit.
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Hear more of my musical endeavors through Mother Marrow.
Project Consultation
Many clients come to me with an idea for a creative project they need some support with, or that could use my specific skill set.
I also do custom work for people who want to hire me to make ritual clothing or other ritual (and occasional mundane) objects for them. I have created wedding dresses, buckskin clothing, baby blankets, cloaks and shawls, pouches, embroidered work, woven straps for baskets and instruments, and many more. I also enjoy mending pre-existing ritual clothing and special objects.
If you have a project like this that you are interested in receiving support with, or hiring me to create for you, please book a 30 min. consultation slot to see if we are a good fit, or to get some quick design advice. Longer support consultations can be booked AFTER the initial consultation. A consultation is not a guarantee that I will take on the project. Please bring me projects you think would be a good fit for my joy and gifts, as well as yours.
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Please peruse my custom work gallery, before you book a consultation.
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Book a 30 min. Project Consultation if you are:
looking to receive advice on a creative project
OR
looking to hire me to create something for/with you