Like many of you reading this, my past reaction to uncomfortable, painful or traumatic life experiences was to close myself off, contain to maintain, disassociate, shut down, overthink or a myriad of other coping methods.  This moved my focus OUT of the body a lot of the time because being in the body was not safe (the truth sometimes) or did not seem/feel safe even if objectively it was.

I have been looking for a way to feel safe in my body for decades even though most of that time I didn't fully understand that was what I was looking for.  I did know that I didn't want to be angry all of the time so I began going to therapy.  I did not have a good experience with the first two therapists so naturally decided to become one.

I got a degree in Psychology then another in Counseling, wanting to do a better job for others than I had experienced as a client.  Also, I was still looking for answers for myself.  After I began working as a counselor, I was invited to a 10 day silent meditation retreat. It was followed by a 3 day event for therapists/counselors on Vipassana Meditation and Therapy presented by Dr. Paul Fleischman. That Labor Day weekend, Dr Fleischman (and others) talked about how paying attention to the body AND staying in the present is valuable for each of us who are wanting to make changes. The conversations that I had and things I learned during that event shifted the direction of my own explorations.

Eventually my exploration resulted in a ten session series of rolfing (Structural Integration).  At the first session, I realized that it was the BODY that had been missing from the counseling approach that I had been taught. Also during that session the rolfer and I had an interesting conversation which ended with her saying "I think you should become a rolfer." and  "You have to go to Massage school first."

It seemed right even though I didn't know why. I had already sold my house and given away alot of possessions so I was ready for something different.

I attended Florida School of Massage where I learned about the body AND how to safely experience touch, both giving and receiving.  I also discovered how good I am at listening to bodies.. as well as people ...and my intuition ...and spirit helpers.  I transitioned into bodywork as one who listens with her hands AS well as ears, eyes, sixth sense.

I continue to cultivate the ability to listen and I continue to add to the toolbox of modalities I offer (as you can see in the long list below.) There was a slight shift (or expansion) in my offerings after traveling to London in 2017 for coaching training with Nicki and Tony Vee where I learned to listen in a different way, listening for the thoughts and beliefs that might be operating in the background. 

If we can change our thoughts, so much can change in the body.

When we change our thoughts, so much can change in our lives.

In 2020 my work shifted again, from in-person to remote sessions.  With that transition I discovered a new level of safety for myself and the women I work with, having sessions from the comfort of our own homes. Prior to 2020, many clients (and I) hadn't realized how much being in the same room with someone was affecting our ability to settle (*the majority of women I have worked with over the last 20+ years have a history of trauma). When we transitioned to remote sessions, there was a noticeable difference. This has resulted in more effective change.

I continue to work remotely except for a few long-time house-call massage clients in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

When I am not working, I am often hiking, listening to live music, reading, chanting, meditating, in silent retreat or traveling.  If you see me out and about, introduce yourself....or contact me here.

Education and Affiliations:

Penn State University , Masters in Counselor Education

Penn State University, Bachelors in Psychology

Florida School of Massage, Massage and Hydrotherapy 

200 hour Yoga Teacher Training

MasterCoach Training

Member, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals 

Member, The International Association of Healthcare Practitioners

West Virginia Massage License 2010-2696 

Specific bodywork courses/workshops:

CCST, UK    Advanced Distant Cranio-sacral Integration

Suzanne Scurlock and Lori Chinitz,  Long Distance Healing   

Eric Moya, Working with Chronic Depletion 

Stan Gerome, Upledger SomatoEmotional Release 

Ellen Lenson, Visionary CranioSacral Work®

Jim Gallas, Barefoot Shiatsu at Esalen Institute

Tim Hutton, Upledger SomatoEmotional Release 

Karen Axelrod, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy

Giorgia Milne, Visionary CranioSacral Work®

Hugh Milne, Visionary CranioSacral Work®

Cate Miller, Intuitive Enhancement in Bodywork

Shunji Morimoto, Shiatsu

Claire Marie Miller, Integrative Reflexology® Certification

Susan Cotta, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy 

In addition to the Qualifications listed above, I have also been influenced by many healers and teachers including Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, S.N. Goenka, the Thirteen Grandmothers, Byron Katie, Jan Frazier, Norman Scrimshaw, Jo Schneiderman, Kellie Finn, Michael Loomis, Michael Broas, Karen Ball as well as those listed below with Specific courses/workshops:

Laura Day, Practical Intuition BootCamp

Heather Hobbs, 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training

Leslie Howard, Yoga for the Pelvic Floor®

Ann Kite, 5Rhythms®

Susan Wisniewski, Usui/Holy Fire Reiki 1, 2 & Master

Kimberley Lovell, ThetaHealing®, Advanced Training

Jonathan Horan, 5Rhythms® at Esalen Institute

Gestalt Therapy Intensive at Esalen Institute

Dr. Judith Orloff, Surrender to the Power of Intuition

Paul Sivert, Essentials of Shamanism

Dana and Shana Robinson, The Way of the Shaman; Extraction Healing; Shamanism and the Spirits of Nature

Sobonfu Some, Grief Ritual

Diane Haworth, ThetaHealing®, Advanced Cert

Peter Blum, Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Byron Katie, Loving What is 

Emilie Conrad, Continuum Movement

Debja Steinberger, KineticWave Movement®

Peter Hendrick, Therapeutic Breathwork

Yoga Studies at Amritapuri Ashram, Kerala, India

Community Emergency Response Team Training, Greenfield, MA

Hospice Volunteer Training, Greenfield, MA