Trauma-Informed Somatic Work Session

  • My approach is rooted in the biological imperatives of the human body and mind. By connecting with the autonomic nervous system and the brain, we tap into the power of neuroplasticity. Emotions, expressed through bodily sensations, play a crucial role in our lives. Unaddressed emotions can leave imprints at a cellular level, impacting our behavior and functioning. We refer to this imprint as "Trauma Print," but prefer the term "dis-regulation" to avoid negative associations.

Counseling (stress/grief/infant/elderly) Sessions

  • Grief counseling offers a safe and empathetic space for meaningful conversations about personal struggles. It is a cognitive, non-judgmental approach that helps individuals reflect on their difficulties and explore solutions. Different from coaching or therapy, its aim is to guide individuals towards serenity and self-awareness. If needed, somatic sessions can be incorporated for deeper emotional release.

Body Mind Centering® Inspired Movement Sessions (BMC)

  • BMC (Body-Mind Centering) is an experiential somatic practice developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. Through movement, touch, voice, and visualization, we embody anatomical, physiological, and psychophysical principles. In these sessions, I guide participants, or "Movers," using BMC techniques and insights from the Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges. We explore movement from different perspectives, fostering authentic embodiment. Mindful of the Mover's emotional and neurological state, we delve into their body-mind connection, enhancing self-awareness and exploration.

Infant Developmental Movement Educator / New Born & Parent sessions (IDME)

  • IDME sessions offer guidance and awareness for caregivers and babies, supporting their physical, physiological, and emotional development. We observe and learn the baby's rhythms, movements, and expressions, while caregivers gain insights on safe interaction. Creating a nurturing environment, we focus on the baby's full development and understanding their developmental phases. Building a strong caregiver-baby bond is central to these sessions, providing caregivers with dedicated time to harmonize with nature's process of growth.

After years of personal experience in this field, I strongly urge anyone seeking pain relief to explore healing processes that resonate with them. Engaging in self-healing allows us to gain a profound understanding of our biological and physiological functioning, which directly influences our psychological and emotional well-being.

Our understanding of natural healing processes and movements is vital in everyday life, freeing us from pain and enabling us to be fully present in different phases of life. Though we can't control the external world, we have the power to cultivate resilience and flexibility within our body, brain, and mind. This empowers us to reduce the impact of external factors, gain a deeper understanding, and embark on a journey of self-healing for greater well-being.

– Leslie

I draw inspiration from the Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges, a renowned psychiatrist and scientist. I am also deeply influenced by experts in the field of trauma, such as Bessel van der Kolk, author of "The Body Keeps the Score," Gabor Maté, addiction expert and author of "When the Body Says No" and "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts," and Daniel J. Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry and co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center.

In addition, I have been shaped by modalities and theories including Norman Doidge's Neuroplasticity of the brain, Peter A. Levine's Somatic Experiencing, John Bowlby's Attachment Theory, Eugene Gendlin's Focusing, Richard Schwartz's Internal Family System, and others. These influences have informed my work as a Somatic Trauma-Informed Coach and (Grief) Counselor.

Trauma-Informed Somatic Work Session

This body/brain/mind approach is founded upon the inherent biological imperatives of the human being. By establishing a connection with both the autonomic nervous system and the brain, we unlock the potential to harness the remarkable capacities of neuroplasticity.

Emotions are a fundamental aspect of human experience, expressed through bodily sensations. However, if these emotions go unacknowledged, unregulated, or unresolved over time, they become imprinted on a cellular level in the body. This can lead to patterns of behavior that hinder our ability to function effectively in life and society.

We refer to this imprint as "Trauma Print," although I prefer the term "dis-regulation" to avoid the negative connotations associated with trauma in mainstream understanding.

When the body fails to regulate past events that have triggered negative emotional experiences, it can manifest in various ways, including intense physical pain, chronic pain, illnesses, as well as mental discomfort such as burnout, anxiety, or depression. These manifestations are the result of unresolved trauma imprinted in the body and brain.

Acknowledging our own struggles is the crucial first step towards healing. However, it is essential to take action and engage in sessions or therapeutic interventions to effectively release this suffering. The unfolding dialogue between the deep brain and the nervous system, with the mind as a witness, holds the key to unlocking and releasing suppressed emotions that underlie any form of struggle we may be experiencing.

Body Mind Centering® Inspired Movement Sessions (BMC)

BMC (Body-Mind Centering®) is a somatic approach developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. It is an experiential practice that involves embodying anatomical, physiological, and psychophysical principles through movement, touch, voice, and visualization.

In these sessions, I guide and encourage the participant, known as the "Mover," to explore their body and mind using techniques and modalities derived from BMC courses. Additionally, I incorporate insights from the Polyvagal Theory by neuroscientist Stephen Porges.

By approaching movement from various perspectives, such as sensory perception, neurocellular patterns, reflexes, and embryology, the goal is to facilitate authentic and embodied movement. Throughout the session, we also pay close attention to the participant's current emotional and neurological state, ensuring a mindful exploration of their body-mind connection.

Counseling Sessions

Grief counseling offers a cognitive, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach that provides individuals with an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about their personal situations and struggles. It creates a safe space and dedicated time to reflect on ourselves and explore potential solutions to our current difficulties.

Grief counseling is distinct from coaching or therapy, as its primary focus lies in guiding individuals towards a more serene and self-aware version of themselves. However, should the need arise or the realization emerge during the sessions that deeper emotional release through somatic approaches is beneficial, it becomes possible to incorporate or transition towards somatic sessions, as described above.

Infant Developmental Movement Educator (IDME)

IDME sessions are classes for babies and their caregivers, offering new awareness and guidance throughout the baby's physical, physiological, and emotional development.

In these sessions, we observe and learn the rhythms, movements, sounds, and expressions of the baby. Caregivers gain valuable insights on how to safely carry, support, and interact with the baby, while being mindful of their own physical and emotional well-being. We focus on creating a nurturing environment that fosters the baby's full development.

The sessions also emphasize understanding the baby's developmental phases and patterns. The caregiver-baby relationship takes center stage, as we prioritize nurturing a strong bond.

Through IDME sessions, caregivers have dedicated time to (re)learn how to harmonize with nature's process of building the baby into a fully grown adult.