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Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy 2nd Edition

Sep – Dec 2024

25.5 CEs

You can apply for CE hours until September 24th.

There’s a $50 fee to cover administrative costs.

Join our 3-Month Online Training and learn core concepts of somatic therapy, gain effective somatic tools, and integrate them into your practice.

13 Teachers

13 Workshops

Practice Facilitators

25.5 CE hours

55 Hours in Total

Live + Recording

EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES:

13 Guided Somatic Explorations

13 Practice Circles

Demo Sessions

Q&A Sessions

Case Consultations

$1087
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Bringing the body into the therapy process

Being aware of the importance of bringing the body into the therapy process, you may have asked yourself these questions:

How to effectively introduce somatic techniques into your therapy room (regardless of the modality you use)?

How to invite clients to experience somatic interventions (especially those, who are hesitant to try new things)?

How to effectively use somatic techniques while working online?

How to choose the right somatic tools for specific issues?

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We have prepared a 3-month (55 hours) online training with
some of the leading minds in the field of somatic therapy to provide detailed answers
to these questions.

About our 3-Month Somatic Therapy Training

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Training in a nutshell

The program spans a total of 55 hours, including 13 sessions, each lasting 3.5 hours. It also features 4 hours of pre-recorded videos and 6 hours dedicated to case consultation studies (in 2025).

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World-class faculty

Frank Anderson, Jacqueline Compton, Deb Dana, Janina Fisher, Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Gabor Maté, Elia Mrak, Liana Netto, Alexia Rothman, Vincentia Schroeter, Linda Thai, Giten Tonkov.

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13 Experiential Workshops

with hands-on learning, demonstrations, Q&A, group work and sharing.

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13 Practice Circles

meetings for guided experientials, student connection, and support from Practice Facilitators.

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A carefully curated selection of techniques

from leading modalities like Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, Bioenergetic Analysis and Breathwork.

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13 Guided Somatic Explorations

to move, open up to your body and create a deep relationship with it.

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A Certificate of Completion

after completing the training for all participants.

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6 hours of Pre-recorded Videos

available before the start of the training.

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6 hours of Case Consultation Calls in 2025

for personalized guidance with somatic therapy issues that arise in your practice.

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By attending this training, you will:

  • Acquire a set of somatic skills and tools, learn how and when to use them, and how to integrate them into a therapy session regardless of your primary therapy modality.
  • Gain confidence in explaining and introducing somatic work, even to clients who are hesitant and skeptical (along with a list of strategies for dealing with client objections to somatic techniques).
  • Learn how to safely use somatic techniques both in-person and online.
  • Experience somatic explorations on your own, allowing you to connect with your body and truly embody the somatic approach to psychotherapy.
  • Support your clients in recognizing and processing trauma that has been stored in the body.
  • Connect with like-minded mental health professionals in a safe space for practice, sharing, Q&A, and networking.
  • Save time researching various somatic tools and be introduced to ones that are known to be effective, useful, and easy to integrate into your practice.
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Sign up for the interest list for the next edition.

Program Structure

The program spans a total of 55 hours, including 13 sessions, each lasting 3.5 hours. It also features 4 hours of pre-recorded videos and 6 hours dedicated to case consultation studies (in 2025).

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13 Live Sessions

3.5 hours each

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Case Consultation Calls

6 hours

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Prerecorded Videos

4 hours

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55 hours in Total

Program Structure

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Workshops

2 hours

Short Break

10 minutes

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Guided Somatic Explorations

30 minutes

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Practice Circles

50 minutes

Each session kicks off with an engaging two-hour workshop*. Afterward, you’ll have a chance to reconnect with your body during a guided somatic exploration. Following a brief ten-minute break, join our practice circle to collaborate and deepen your skills in small, facilitator-supported groups.

 

All Workshops and Guided Somatic Explorations are taking place live and will be recorded.

*The only exceptions will be sessions 8 and 12 ending with interviews.

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During this 3-month training, we will meet once a week on Tuesday.

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Meet the teachers who will lead the training

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Janina Fisher

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Janina Fisher, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor at Harvard Medical School. An international expert on the treatment of trauma, she is an Advisory Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation.

 

Dr. Fisher is the author of Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation (2017), Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: a Workbook for Survivors and Therapists (2021), and The Living Legacy Instructional Flip Chart (2022).

 

She is best known for her work on integrating mindfulness-based and somatic interventions into trauma treatment.

 

More information can be found on her website: www.janinafisher.com.

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Gabor Maté

Compassionate Inquiry

Gabor Maté (pronounced GAH-bor MAH-tay) is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness.

 

The bestselling author of four books published in thirty languages, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. His book on addiction received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction. For his ground- breaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver.

 

His books include In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No; The Cost of Hidden Stress; Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder; and (with Gordon Neufeld) Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers; the International Best-Seller, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture.

 

To learn more, join his e-news here: https://www.drgabormate.com

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Deb Dana

Polyvagal Theory

Deb Dana, LCSW is a clinician, consultant, and author specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma and creating ways of working that honor the role of the autonomic nervous system.

 

She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and an advisor to Unyte. Deb is the developer of the signature Rhythm of Regulation Clinical Training Series and is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both understandable and accessible for clinicians and curious people alike.

 

Deb’s clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices, the Polyvagal Flip Chart, the Polyvagal Card Deck, and Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety. She partners with Sounds True to bring her polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory.

 

Deb can be contacted via her website: www.rhythmofregulation.com

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Peter Levine

Somatic Experiencing®

Peter A Levine is the developer of Somatic Experiencing®, a naturalistic and neurobiological approach to healing trauma. He holds doctorates in both Biophysics and Psychology.

 

He is the Founder and President of the Ergos Institute for Somatic Education and the Founder and Advisor for Somatic Experiencing International. Dr. Levine is the author of several best-selling books on trauma, including Waking the Tiger, Healing Trauma (published in over 29 languages).

 

He has received Lifetime Achievement awards from Psychotherapy Networker and from the US Association for Body-Oriented Psychotherapy.
He continues to teach trauma healing workshops internationally.

 

Peter’s new book, An Autobiography of Trauma:
A Healing Journey
, is available in leading bookstores. Learn more about Peter and Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) at somaticexperiencing.com.

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Linda Thai

Multi-Modality Trauma Specialist

Linda Thai LMSW (she, her) is a trauma therapist who specializes in cutting-edge brain- and body-based modalities for the healing of complex developmental trauma. As an educator and consultant, she is gifted with the capacity to contextualize, synthesize, and communicate complex and nuanced issues pertaining to trauma, attachment, and the nervous system, including the impact of oppressive systems on identity, mental health, and well-being.

 

Linda is passionate about breaking the cycle of historical and intergenerational trauma at the individual and community levels and deeply believes in the healing power of coming together in a community to grieve. Born in Vietnam, raised in Australia, and now living in Alaska, Linda is a former child refugee who is not only redefining what it means to be Vietnamese, to be Australian, and to be a United States-ian… she is redefining what it means to be wounded and whole and a healer.

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Bessel van der Kolk

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Bessel A. van der Kolk M.D. is a pioneer clinician, researcher, and teacher in the area of posttraumatic stress. His work uniquely integrates developmental, neurobiological, psychodynamic, somatic, and interpersonal aspects of the impact of trauma and its treatment.

 

His #1 New York Times Science bestseller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma (translated in 38 languages), transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, psychedelic therapy, psychodrama, mindfulness techniques, parts work, yoga, and bodywork. Dr. van der Kolk and his various collaborators have published extensively on the impact of trauma on development, such as dissociative problems, borderline personality and self-mutilation, cognitive development, memory, and the psychobiology of trauma. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles on such diverse topics as neuroimaging, self-injury, memory, neurofeedback, Developmental Trauma, yoga, theater, and EMDR.

 

He is the founder of the Trauma Center (now the Trauma Research Foundation) in Boston, MA; past President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School, and Principal Investigator Boston site of MAPS-sponsored MDMA-assisted psychotherapy study. He regularly teaches at universities and hospitals around the world. Visit traumaresearchfoundation.org and besselvanderkolk.com for more information.

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Frank Anderson

IFS Therapy

Frank Anderson is a world-renowned trauma expert, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, global speaker, and acclaimed best-selling author of Transcending Trauma. Dr Anderson has a long affiliation with Bessel van der Kolk at the Trauma Research Foundation and is a lead trainer at the IFS Institute under Richard Schwartz. He is passionate about teaching brain-based psychotherapy and integrating current neuroscience knowledge with cutting-edge models of therapy.

 

Dr. Anderson believes that traumatic events can have a lasting effect on the health and well-being of individuals and that addressing these events will help lead people down a path of hope, love, and forgiveness.

 

He is the director and co-founder of the Trauma Institute and Trauma-Informed Media, organizations that provide educational resources and promote trauma awareness. As a result of his early childhood experiences and personal journey transformation, he is dedicated to bringing more compassion, unity, and trauma healing to the world.

 

He splits his time between Boston and Los Angeles where he lives with his husband and two sons.

 

To explore Dr. Anderson’s work and discover his latest book To Be Loved – a deeply personal memoir about healing – visit his website at FrankAndersonMD.com and follow him on Instagram at frank_andersonmd.

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Jacquie Compton

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Jacquie Compton (she/they) RP, RCAT, is a trauma therapist, educator, clinical consultant, and poet. She is an art therapist, a certified advanced practitioner in sensorimotor psychotherapy, and an SPI-approved clinical consultant.

 

Jacquie is a faculty member and clinical supervisor at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, where she teaches courses on trauma-informed practice, embodiment, anti-oppressive practice, and cultural humility in art therapy. She is also a trainer with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.

 

With over 16 years of clinical experience, she continues developing a trauma-focused, decolonizing practice incorporating art-based and somatic-based approaches.

 

Her approach is deeply rooted in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, decolonizing, feminist, and trauma-informed practices. Jacquie believes in the embodiment of practices beyond the therapeutic relationship and welcomes others to experience the beauty of being in a relationship with themselves, others, and the world around them with and through the wisdom of body.

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Liana Netto

Somatic Experiencing

Clinical psychologist with an emphasis on somatic approach and Jungian analytical psychology, PhD in Medicine and Health. Teaches and supervises authorial workshops and Somatic Experiencing courses nationally and internationally. Author of the books Psychotherapeutic Practices and Resilience (2012) and Extended Dialogues with Somatic Experiencing (2015). Coordinator and supervisor, since 2011, of Desenvolve: Social Project and Clinical-school, dedicated to freely serving the vulnerable population of Bahia-Brazil, with brief psychotherapy sessions.

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Giten Tonkov

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Founder & Director, BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Institute, Co-Founder & Director of the Integral Body Institute in Poland, Lead Facilitator BBTRI Trainings.

 

Developer of the BioDynamic Breath & Trauma Release System®, Giten shares a mastery of body-oriented therapies that has evolved from over 20 years of learning, exploration, and work with countless clients and groups around the world. His passion for life, humility, and love for people has inspired his own personal journey and the creation of his “6-Element” approach to healing. Giten continually leads practitioner trainings and experiential workshops with his unique blend of creativity, depth and playfulness, while growing the BioDynamic Breath & Trauma Release Institute and its global community of friends and colleagues.
Giten is a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1994 (Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, New York), and certified Breath & Body Oriented Therapist since 2001 (Diamond Breath School, Miasto Meditation Institute, Italy), as well as a former Osho Multiversity Therapist (OSHO Meditation Resort, Pune, India). He was born in Ukraine and lived in New York for 24 years, before finding his current home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.

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Alexia Rothman

Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems

Dr. Alexia Rothman is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Atlanta, GA, since 2004. She is a Certified Internal Family Systems therapist, an international speaker and educator on the IFS model, and an IFSI-approved professional consultant. Dr. Rothman has received extensive training in IFS, primarily from Dr. Richard Schwartz.

 

She has served on staff for multiple Level 1, 2, and 3 experiential IFS trainings, and she offers workshops on the IFS model throughout the U.S. and internationally. She co-hosted the IFS-informed podcast miniseries, Explorations in Psychotherapy, and co-hosts the IFS podcast, IFS Masters.

 

Dr. Rothman is a United States Presidential Scholar who graduated summa cum laude from Emory University as a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she was an Edwin W. Pauley Fellow and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She has held adjunct faculty positions at Emory University and Agnes Scott College.

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Vincentia Schroeter

Bioenergetic analysis

Dr. Vincentia Schroeter is a licensed psychotherapist in the USA, specializing in Bioenergetic Analysis. She was the coordinating trainer of the Southern California Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (SCIBA) for many years and past editor (2008-2018) of the clinical journal of Bioenergetics.

 

As a member of the international faculty, she has taught in Europe, South America, Canada, and Asia.

 

Vin has written three books: Bend Into Shape, Techniques for Bioenergetic Therapists (co-author: Barbara Thomson) (2011); Communication Breakthrough, How Using Brain Science and Listening to Body Cues Can Transform Your Relationships (2018); and Tilt: Seeking Balance in Troubled Times (2021).

Workshop Schedule

During this opening workshop of our series, Vincentia Schroeter will share her personal journey and passion for somatic psychotherapy, setting the stage for a transformative learning experience. This session introduces the fundamental concepts of somatic therapy and outlines the comprehensive structure of the training, encompassing three dynamic modules.

 

Vincentia will discuss the unique contributions from various faculty members, each bringing specialized techniques and approaches tailored to diverse therapeutic needs. She will explain the distinct advantages of somatic therapy compared to traditional talk therapy and delve into the importance of trauma-focused care, distinguishing between developmental and acute trauma and how these impact the therapeutic process.

 

A key component of this workshop is understanding the ‘window of tolerance’ in the autonomic nervous system and its significance in managing trauma responses. Participants will engage in an experiential activity to learn how to assess stress on a body level, providing practical skills applicable in therapy sessions.

Vincentia will also guide participants on how to introduce somatic techniques into their therapy practices effectively. This includes going at a pace that is comfortable for clients and using one’s own body awareness to enhance the therapeutic relationship.

 

The workshop will conclude with a summary and an open Q&A session, allowing for deeper discussion and clarification of concepts introduced. This introductory session is designed for therapists at all levels of experience, from those new to somatic techniques to seasoned practitioners seeking to integrate new methods into their work.

In this engaging workshop, Dr. Frank Anderson will guide you through the complex landscape of trauma from a neurobiological perspective, focusing on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD and dissociation. Participants will explore the nuances of the body’s survival responses—including fight, flight, freeze, and others—and their impact on self-identity and trauma.

 

Key Components of the Workshop:

1. Understanding the Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation:
– Delve into how trauma affects brain function and behavior, and how these alterations manifest in trauma-related disorders.
– Discuss the relationship between self-identity and trauma, with an emphasis on fostering empathy and compassion. This segment will also introduce an exercise that will be further explored in Practice Circles.

2. Analyzing Extreme Reactions and Responses:
– Witness two live mini-demonstrations, each lasting 15 minutes, showcasing hyperactivated and hypoactivated responses from individuals experiencing extreme emotional reactions.
– Dr. Anderson will explain the interventions used during these demonstrations, providing insight into their practical applications in therapy.

3. Exploring Preverbal and Attachment Trauma:
– Investigate trauma that occurs before language development and its long-term effects on attachment and relational patterns.

4. Integrating Trauma Models with Somatic Techniques:
– Learn how to effectively integrate various trauma therapy models with somatic approaches, enhancing therapeutic outcomes by addressing both mind and body components.

 

This workshop is designed for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of the biological underpinnings of trauma and to enhance their therapeutic techniques with a somatically integrated approach.

This workshop, led by Janina Fisher, focuses on the relationship between trauma and bodily responses, providing insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of trauma. The session will highlight how therapists can use the body’s wisdom in the healing process.

 

Core Concepts Covered:
The Triune Brain: The structure of the brain and its different parts’ responses to trauma will be outlined, providing a foundation for understanding clients’ reactions during stressful events.
Neurobiology of Trauma: Changes in the brain resulting from traumatic experiences and their influence on behavior and emotional regulation will be explored.

Dynamics of Post-Traumatic States: The workshop will explain the states of hyper-arousal and hypo-arousal common in trauma survivors, including their symptoms and impacts on daily functioning.

Non-verbal Body Memory: The storage of trauma in non-verbal body memory and its significance in somatic therapy will be highlighted.
Window of Tolerance: The concept of the window of tolerance in relation to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and its relevance in maintaining emotional and physiological balance will be presented.

The Triggering System: The triggers that can lead to traumatic re-experiencing and strategies for managing these in therapeutic settings will be outlined.
Top-Down and Bottom-Up Interventions: Cognitive (top-down) interventions contrasted with somatic (bottom-up) approaches will be presented, including guidelines on when and how to use each effectively.
Using the Body as a Source of Information: Techniques for helping clients tap into their bodily sensations as a source of information and a path to recovery will be covered.

Brief Introduction to the ANS: A concise overview of the autonomic nervous system, emphasizing its role in trauma response and recovery, will be included.
The workshop is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical understanding through discussions and demonstrations, guided by Janina Fisher’s expertise. Participants will gain the tools necessary to apply body-based techniques in their therapeutic approaches, enhancing their ability to support trauma recovery.

In this dynamic session led by Vincentia Schroeter, participants will delve into the critical aspects of somatic therapy that help release stored body energy. This workshop builds on the foundational knowledge established in the first three sessions and seeks to consolidate key teachings from Vincentia, Janina Fisher, and Frank Anderson.

 

Vincentia will offer a comprehensive summary of the previous content and introduce advanced strategies to effectively address and manage client objections to somatic work. Understanding client resistance is crucial for fostering a therapeutic environment conducive to somatic healing.

 

An essential part of this workshop will focus on the role of touch in somatic therapy, discussing ethical considerations and anatomical insights. This segment will help therapists understand the powerful impact of physical interaction within the therapeutic boundaries.

A highlight of the session is the experiential learning segment using Bioenergetics exercises designed by Vincentia. Participants will engage in activities such as the ‘pillow toss’ exercise to help identify and localize body tension. There will be opportunities to observe or participate in demonstrations, especially with individuals who might be triggered by such exercises, providing real-time insights into handling intense emotional responses.

 

The workshop will also preview the upcoming content in Module Two, which covers a range of somatic techniques including Polyvagal Theory (PVT), integration of PVT with Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, insights from an interview with Gabor Maté, Somatic Experiencing (SE), Breathwork, and Mindfulness.

 

The session will conclude with an open Q&A segment, allowing participants to ask questions and clarify any doubts, ensuring a thorough understanding of the techniques and concepts discussed. This workshop is designed to deepen your practical skills and theoretical knowledge, equipping you with the tools to unlock and manage the energy stored in the body through somatic practices.

Join Deb Dana for an insightful workshop on the practical applications of Polyvagal Theory in therapeutic settings. This session will explore how an understanding of the nervous system can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes, particularly for clients dealing with emotions and trauma.

 

Deb Dana will start with an introduction to Polyvagal Theory, highlighting its emphasis on the nervous system’s crucial role in shaping our experiences of safety and threat. She will discuss the three organizing principles of the theory, providing a foundational understanding that will inform the rest of the session.

 

The workshop will include a detailed overview of the nervous system, helping participants appreciate its complexity and the pivotal role it plays in emotional regulation and trauma response. This understanding is key to applying Polyvagal Theory effectively in therapeutic practices.

 

A central focus of the session will be on “Creating Anchors and Touchstones.” Deb will guide participants on how to establish personal anchors—relationships or memories that provide safety and grounding. Additionally, she will discuss how to use touchstones, which are physical objects or reminders that can help individuals return to a state of regulation during times of distress.

 

Applying theory to therapy will be thoroughly covered, with Deb illustrating how therapists can use insights from Polyvagal Theory to enhance their therapeutic relationships and techniques. This segment will emphasize the importance of recognizing and responding to clients’ physiological states to foster a sense of safety and connection in therapy.

 

A live demonstration will provide a real-time example of how Polyvagal Theory can be integrated into therapeutic practice, offering participants a clear, practical perspective on the approaches discussed.

 

The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session, allowing for an interactive discussion where participants can ask questions, seek clarification, and discuss their insights based on the day’s learning.

 

This workshop is ideal for therapists who wish to deepen their understanding of Polyvagal Theory and learn concrete tools to improve their practice, making therapy a more dynamic and responsive experience for their clients.

More info soon.

Explore the profound impact of incorporating the body into therapeutic practice with Jacqueline Compton in this transformative workshop on Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. This session invites participants on a journey towards self-awareness and mastery over somatic techniques that tap into the body’s inherent wisdom.

 

Jacqueline will delve into the foundational aspects of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, emphasizing how this approach utilizes the body as a primary entry point in the healing process. By focusing on the body’s wisdom, participants will learn how to access deep-seated emotional responses and begin the process of transformation from within.

 

Key aspects of the workshop include:

– Developing Somatic Inquiry Skills: Learn to engage with and interpret the body’s signals and messages to better understand clients’ experiences and challenges.
– Understanding Bottom-Up Processing: This approach integrates the body’s sensory experiences with cognitive processes, facilitating a holistic healing environment.
– Cultivating Presence and Mindfulness:Enhance your ability to remain present and connected in therapeutic settings, improving both personal and client outcomes.
– Deepening Self-Reflection: Through exercises in curiosity and mindfulness, participants will increase their capacity for self-awareness, a critical skill in fostering personal and client growth.

 

The session will begin with a centering practice that connects participants to the earth, grounding them in preparation for deeper exploratory work. A pivotal part of the workshop will be a 10-minute demonstration addressing common challenges such as feeling overwhelmed by bodily awareness or unsure of how to connect with the body. Following the demo, there will be an interactive discussion with the client about their experience, providing insights into how these techniques can be adapted and applied.

 

Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in various experientials designed for the whole group. These activities will not only demonstrate the practical application of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy techniques but also allow participants to experience firsthand the transformative potential of engaging the body in therapeutic work.

 

This workshop is an excellent opportunity for practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of somatic practices and integrate them effectively into their therapeutic repertoire. Join Jacqueline Compton to explore how the nuanced interplay of body and mind can lead to profound client transformations.

Workshop 8 (5.11) with Gabor (ET time zone):

 

11:00 – 11:30 – Guided Somatic Explorations

11:30 – 12:20 – Practice Circles

12:20 – 12:35 – Break

12:35 – 13:00 – Workshop: Vincentia Schroeter

13:00 – 14:30 – Interview: Vincentia Schroeter + Gabor Maté

 

Join us for a compelling session featuring Vincentia Schroeter and renowned author and speaker Gabor Maté. This workshop is structured into two parts, beginning with a 30-minute presentation by Vincentia Schroeter, followed by an insightful interview with Gabor Maté discussing his pivotal work in “When the Body Says No.”

 

Vincentia Schroeter (12:35 – 13:00 ET):
Vincentia will set the stage with a foundational presentation on the intersection of biology and stress, and how relationships impact our physiological state. Her talk will cover:

 

– The Biology of Stress: Understanding how chronic stress affects our bodies and the role of the nervous system in managing stress.
– The Biology of Relationship: Exploring how our interactions and emotional connections influence our health and stress levels.
– The 7 A’s of Healing: An overview of these crucial steps in the healing process, emphasizing their relevance in somatic therapy.
– An introduction to Somatic Therapy principles, illustrating how this modality engages the body in the healing process, particularly in relation to stress and trauma.

 

Gabor Maté + Vincentia Schroeter (13:00 ET):
The second half of the workshop features a dynamic interview with Gabor Maté, led by Vincentia Schroeter. They will delve deep into the themes of Maté’s book “When the Body Says No,” exploring the critical links between emotional stress, repression, and the manifestation of physical illness. Gabor Maté will share insights from his extensive research and clinical experience, discussing:

 

– How unresolved emotional issues impact health, leading to chronic illness and autoimmune diseases.
– Strategies for recognizing and interrupting patterns of stress and repression that compromise our health.
– The importance of awareness, compassion, and understanding in healing and maintaining wellness.

 

This interview will also address practical applications of these concepts in therapy, providing therapists with tools to help clients connect their emotional and physical health.

 

The session promises to be an enriching experience, offering profound insights into the complex relationship between our emotions, our bodies, and our health. It is an essential workshop for healthcare professionals, therapists, and anyone interested in the profound impact of emotional health on physical well-being.

This workshop presents an in-depth exploration of Somatic Experiencing (SE), a body-oriented therapeutic approach focused on relieving and resolving the symptoms of trauma. Led by Liana Netto, the session will cover the fundamental principles of SE, providing therapists with practical tools and strategies to enhance the healing process for trauma survivors.

 

Key Concepts and Practices:

 

  • Basics of Somatic Experiencing: The session will cover the foundational elements of SE, including its core principles and distinctive approach compared to other trauma therapies.
  • Nervous System Curve: The workshop will explain the natural arc of the nervous system’s response to stress and trauma, and how SE aims to restore balance to these responses.
  • Management of Fight, Flight, and Freeze Responses: The session will explore techniques that assist clients in regulating and resolving the typical trauma reactions of fight, flight, and freeze.
  • Orienting Response: The orienting response in trauma therapy will be explained, which helps clients become aware of their environment to ground themselves in the present moment.
  • Healthy Aggression: The concept of healthy aggression will be presented as a therapeutic tool, which involves enabling clients to access and express pent-up survival energies in a controlled manner.
  • Integration and Pendulation: The workshop will cover these two critical SE techniques. Pendulation involves moving clients between states of dysregulation and regulation to teach the nervous system to manage arousal autonomously, while integration focuses on incorporating these experiences into a cohesive whole.
  • Timeline and Cue Processing for Trauma: The use of a timeline as a practical tool to process trauma, especially shock trauma, will be detailed. This method helps clients map out their traumatic experiences and systematically work through them.

 

This session will equip therapists with a deeper understanding of Somatic Experiencing and effective strategies for addressing trauma, utilizing the body’s innate wisdom and resilience to facilitate recovery in a supportive and compassionate manner.

Dive deep into the transformative practice of Biodynamic Breathwork in this comprehensive workshop led by Giten Tonkov. This session is meticulously designed to equip therapists and counselors with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate breathwork into their therapeutic practices, specifically for trauma release.

 

Didactics:
Giten Tonkov will start the workshop with an educational segment explaining the fundamentals of Biodynamic Breathwork. This will include:

 

– An overview of what Biodynamic Breathwork is, highlighting the six core elements and the underlying supporting principles that guide the practice.
– Techniques such as working with the ‘felt sense,’ which involves tuning into one’s innate bodily sensations to process emotions and traumas.
– The concepts of pendulation and titration in therapy, which help clients manage their emotional experiences without becoming overwhelmed.
– Methods for identifying and tracking bodily sensations and the specific language that can be used to articulate these experiences, which are crucial for staying present and engaged during therapeutic sessions.

Guided Experiential:
Following the didactic portion, participants will engage in a guided experiential session. This practical component allows participants to apply the techniques discussed, focusing on how to use breathwork to access and release stored trauma in the body. This session is designed to be a personal exploration, offering participants a first-hand experience of the healing potential of Biodynamic Breathwork.

 

Sharing & Q&A:
The workshop will conclude with a sharing session and a Q&A, where participants can discuss their experiences and insights gained during the experiential learning. This segment provides an opportunity for participants to clarify their understanding, ask questions, and discuss how to effectively integrate these techniques into their professional practice.

 

This workshop is an invaluable resource for therapists looking to broaden their therapeutic tools with effective, body-centered techniques for trauma release. Join Giten Tonkov to explore how Biodynamic Breathwork can enhance your therapeutic approach and help your clients achieve profound healing and transformation.

This workshop, presented by Linda Thai, delves into the effective integration of somatic therapy techniques within trauma treatment contexts. It compares traditional phase-oriented trauma treatment with phase-oriented somatic trauma treatment, highlighting the unique aspects and benefits of incorporating somatic practices.

 

  • Phase-Oriented Trauma Treatment vs. Somatic Trauma Treatment:This section elucidates the differences and similarities between traditional phase-oriented trauma treatment and its somatic counterpart. It will explore how somatic methods can enhance the healing process by engaging the body’s own wisdom and capacity for self-regulation.
  • Preparation for Trauma and Somatic Trauma Treatment:
  • Addressing Readiness:Strategies for preparing clients who may not initially be ready for somatic psychotherapy, focusing on gentle introductions and building trust.
  • Reconnecting with the Body:Techniques for helping clients who are disconnected from their bodies, facilitating a reconnection that can empower them to engage more fully with somatic therapy.
  • Mindfulness for Trauma:Introduction of mindfulness practices tailored for trauma survivors, aimed at enhancing the presence and awareness of trauma symptoms without overwhelming the client.
  • Somatic Techniques to Regulate the Nervous System:The workshop will cover various somatic techniques designed to help regulate the nervous system, providing participants with practical tools to calm, soothe, and stabilize clients affected by trauma. This includes demonstrations of specific interventions that can be applied directly in therapy sessions.

 

Linda Thai’s workshop is designed to equip therapists with a deeper understanding and practical skills necessary for integrating somatic therapies into their practice. By the end of this session, participants will have a comprehensive toolkit for addressing the complexities of trauma through a somatic lens, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and promoting deeper healing.

Workshop 12 (3.12) with Bessel and Peter Levine (ET time zone):

 

11:00 – 11:30 – Guided Somatic Explorations

11:30 – 12:20 – Practice Circles

12:20 – 12:30 – Break

12:30 – 13:30 – Interview: Vincentia Schroeter + Bessel van der Kolk

13:30 – 14:30 – Interview: Vincentia Schroeter + Peter Levine

 

Join us for a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading figures in the field of somatic therapy. This interactive workshop, hosted by Vincentia Schroeter, features in-depth interviews with Bessel van der Kolk and Peter Levine, each a pioneer in their own right. This session is designed to adapt to the specific interests and questions of participants, ensuring a highly relevant and personalized learning experience.

 

Interactive Format:

 

– Vincentia Schroeter + Bessel van der Kolk (12:30 ET): The first hour of the workshop will feature an interview with Bessel van der Kolk, renowned for his groundbreaking work in understanding and treating traumatic stress. Participants will have the chance to ask questions directly, allowing for a deep dive into topics that matter most to them, whether it’s about the latest research in trauma therapy, specific treatment methodologies, or practical applications in various therapeutic settings.
– Vincentia Schroeter + Peter Levine (13:30 ET): Following the session with van der Kolk, Vincentia will speak with Peter Levine, the developer of Somatic Experiencing. This segment offers another hour of rich discussion focused on Levine’s approach to healing trauma through body awareness and the mobilization of somatic resources. Participants are encouraged to bring forward their queries and scenarios to be addressed by Levine, providing a rare opportunity to gain insights directly from his extensive experience.

 

Dynamic Engagement:
This workshop will thrive on the dynamic interaction between the participants and these distinguished experts. Prior to the workshop, participants will be invited to submit their questions, which will guide the direction of the interviews. This ensures that the content is highly tailored and immediately applicable to the needs of the attendees.

 

Outcome:
By the end of this session, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of key concepts and techniques in somatic therapy, enriched by personal interactions with two of the most respected practitioners in the field. This workshop is an exceptional chance to receive mentorship and guidance from leading experts, enhancing the professional practice of attendees in profound ways.

 

This is an essential session for anyone in the field of trauma therapy, offering direct access to pioneering research and clinical wisdom that can transform therapeutic practices.

The final workshop in our series, led by Vincentia Schroeter, is designed to encapsulate and reflect on the learnings from the entire training. This session is intended not only as a recap but also as an empowering conclusion that equips participants with a clear path forward in their practice of somatic therapy.

 

Summary of the Training:
Vincentia Schroeter will open the workshop with a comprehensive summary of the key points and insights covered throughout the training. This overview will help solidify the knowledge gained and highlight the interconnectedness of the various topics discussed.

 

Experiential with the Body:
Participants will engage in an experiential activity focusing on bodily awareness, exploring what aspects of somatic therapy they are most drawn to. This will aid in personalizing their learning experience and identifying the techniques that resonate most with their own therapeutic style.

 

Choosing the Right Tools:
A significant part of the workshop will be dedicated to discussing how to select the appropriate somatic tools for specific clients and situations. Vincentia will provide guidance on how to match therapeutic techniques with client needs effectively, ensuring that therapists feel confident in their ability to tailor their approach.

 

Managing the Abundance of Techniques:
With so many techniques introduced, it can be overwhelming to integrate them all. This segment will focus on how to manage this abundance without feeling overwhelmed. Practical tips will be provided on how to gradually incorporate new methods into practice and how to stay grounded in core somatic principles.

 

Somatic Therapy DO’s and DON’Ts:
Participants will learn the essential DO’s and DON’Ts of somatic therapy, which will serve as a quick-reference guide to maintaining ethical, effective, and sensitive practice. These guidelines will help prevent common pitfalls and enhance the therapeutic relationship.

 

Exploring Somatic Therapy Further:
Looking beyond the training, Vincentia will discuss possible next steps for those interested in deepening their engagement with somatic therapy. This may include advanced courses, certification opportunities, or specific techniques to explore in more depth.

 

Closing Ritual:
The workshop will conclude with a specially designed closing ritual to mark the end of the training journey. This ritual will help participants process their experiences, celebrate their progress, and transition back to their professional environments with renewed inspiration and tools.

 

This final workshop is an opportunity to reflect, consolidate, and anticipate the future of each participant’s practice. It promises to be a fitting end to a transformative journey, leaving therapists well-prepared to integrate somatic therapy into their work effectively.

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A Comprehensive Curriculum of Somatic Approaches

This training introduces the basic principles that connect current emerging research from a variety of fields:

 

  • The neurobiology of the mind and the brain,
  • Models that help understand and regulate the autonomic nervous system (Polyvagal theory and the window of tolerance),
  • Attachment theory,
  • Developmental trauma (how the body holds non-verbal memory),
    Mindfulness.

 

The program will also emphasize the reasons for using Somatic Therapy, including its history, efficacy, and current research. It will explain why the somatic approach is becoming not only more relevant but also essential in accessing the body for healing trauma and overall wellness.

 

During each workshop, our teachers will provide practical instruction; including demonstrations, experiential learning, somatic techniques, Q&A, group work, and sharing.

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Parts work

This training is parts work informed. It incorporates the understanding that we all have multiple, non-pathologized parts of ourselves. Working with parts is an important aspect of effective trauma healing, and it will be addressed throughout the training. At Life Architect, we promote Internal Family Systems (IFS), a parts work therapy modality developed by Richard Schwartz. Some of our speakers – Janina Fisher and Susan McConnell, among others, are IFS informed or trained and will incorporate the multiplicity paradigm into their teachings.

 

No prior IFS training or experience is required to participate in this training. However, if you’d like to learn more about IFS before embarking on this journey with us, you will receive free access to our 12-day online course “Introduction to Internal Family Systems” after enrolling. More information is available in the “bonus” section.

 

If you are already IFS-informed, this training will greatly enhance your ability to work with parts. The chosen modalities and somatic techniques work well with the IFS protocol.

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Date & time

Dates:
  • September 17, 24, 2024

  • October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2024

  • November 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

  • December 3, 10, 2024

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Start hours:

All the Workshops and Guided Somatic Exploration sessions followed by meetings in Connection Circles will start at:

08:00 PDT

Los Angeles

11:00 EDT

New York

16:00 BST

London

17:00 CEST

Warsaw

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*Due to the time change in Europe, we will start the Workshop on October 29 one hour earlier in Europe.

15:00-18:30 GMT (London)*
16:00-19:30 CEST/CET (Warsaw)*

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Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy 2nd Edition

During this 3-month training program, you will understand the core ideas of somatic therapy and learn effective somatic tools that are easy to integrate into your trauma therapy work.

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Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy 2nd Edition

During this 3-month training program, you will understand the core ideas of somatic therapy and learn effective somatic tools that are easy to integrate into your trauma therapy work.

Learn core concepts of somatic therapy, gain effective somatic tools, and integrate them into your practice.

By signing up for our 3-month Somatic Therapy Training you get:

  • Live access to 13 Online Workshops led by 13 experienced teachers

  • 13 Guided Somatic Explorations (30 minutes each) with Elia Mrak,

  • 13 Practice Circles (each 50 minutes long) – a space for practicing somatic techniques in small groups guided by a Practice Facilitator

  • All-time access to the Workshops and Guided Somatic Explorations recordings – no time limits

  • 3 Bonuses worth $371 – workshop recording with Janina Fisher, Introduction to IFS Course, and access to Somatic Summit recording.

  • A Certificate of Completion.

$1087
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Super Early Bird (300$ discount) is available until June 10th or until the first 100 seats are sold out (whichever comes first).

Skills and tools that will be presented and practiced include

  • Working safely with both big “T” and small “t” trauma.
  • Identifying body memories that the client may not be able to verbalize (and accessing those memories safely).
  • Gradually introducing (titrating) mindful interventions for a client who may find it too overwhelming to slow down.
  • Helping clients understand that confusing symptoms are normal and building trust in the therapeutic relationship.
  • Understanding what a “bottom-up” versus a “top-down” approach is and how they can be integrated.
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  • Developing an understanding of how dissociation can aid in survival.
  • Recognizing transference and countertransference as they happen somatically.
  • Explain how trauma affects the brain and the body’s survival responses to stress.
  • Be able to recognize somatic manifestations of trauma & shock on the body.
  • Explain the importance of trauma release within the window of tolerance.
  • Identify different types of trauma and connect them to mental and physiological symptoms.
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Helping clients bridge Mind and Body

As a mental health professional, you may understand the importance of incorporating somatic work into therapy sessions. However, it can be challenging to implement new strategies into your practice. Individuals with a history of trauma often stay in their heads and are hesitant to try new things, particularly when it involves connecting with their bodies.

 

They may have, in fact, actively disconnected from their bodies to avoid distressing emotions and sensations. With proficiency in somatic modalities, the therapist can support clients in developing (or returning to) a trusting relationship with their bodies.

 

The challenge of using somatic techniques in therapy becomes even greater with the rise of online therapy. When you and your client are physically far away from each other, how can you effectively work with the body? Pioneering developers of somatic modalities have found that not only is it possible to do so, but it is essential to have a somatic lens when doing trauma work, even during online therapy.

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Our program synthesizes the core concepts of leading somatic modalities. With so many trauma trainings on offer, we aim to provide a comprehensive curriculum on how our body heals from trauma, and how understanding our nervous system shapes various cutting-edge therapy modalities.

 

By presenting an array of somatic approaches, we will focus on teaching specific techniques that work best with complex trauma. Our primary focus is on tools that are adaptable to various settings and issues like anxiety disorders, mood disorders, PTSD and cPTSD (amongst others).

 

Another barrier that prevents mental health professionals from using somatic techniques is the misconception that they need to master an entire modality before including the body in therapy. While it is valuable to master a somatic modality, there is also significant merit in an integrative approach. It is typical for clients to respond differently to various methods, and for somatic methods to be more or less effective at different times. Therefore, an approach that combines multiple techniques is becoming increasingly popular among professionals.

Is this training for You?

Learn more about this training

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Who is this training for?

This program is intended for mental health practitioners who wish to integrate somatic strategies into their trauma-healing practice.

 

While it is designed with mental health professionals in mind, other healthcare professionals would also benefit from this program: physicians, nurses, movement therapists, social workers, coaches, yoga therapists, breathworkers, psychedelic therapists, bodyworkers, psychologists, art and music therapists.

 

The techniques taught in this training are for educational purposes only and should be used by qualified professionals within the scope of their practice.

 

Participants are responsible for their own clinical use of these techniques and must adhere to professional standards and local regulations. Life Architect is not liable for the misuse of these techniques or any resulting harm to clients. This training does not constitute certification or licensure in somatic therapy.

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How it works?

All events are taking place live, on the Zoom platform.You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting along with the password one day before each session. There will be technical support available.

 

The Workshops and Guided Somatic Exploration sessions will be recorded. In 5 days after live session, you will receive access to the recording. We won’t record Connection Circles meetings.

 

The recordings will be available in your Life Architect Account, so you can go through them at your own pace. Recordings will be available with no time limits only for those who have enrolled, with no option of purchasing access after the training ends.

 

Additionally, we will provide access to extensive handouts (ready for printing or using on your laptop or smartphone) to make it easier for you to engage with the theory in the most convenient way for you.

Connection Circles & Practice Facilitators

Meet with your fellow students once a week to practice and support each other.

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Learning and healing experiences are most effective when they take place in a community. Each workshop will end with a 50-minute small group Practice Session (8-10 participants) guided by a Practice Facilitator, a mental health professional trained in somatic therapy.

 

Throughout the whole training, you will meet with the same group (and the same Practice Facilitator), having the opportunity to create relationships with like-minded professionals.

 

Practice Circles are an experiential component of our training, designed to foster a collaborative learning environment where participants can engage in practical skill development through interactive exercises.

These sessions offer a unique opportunity for peer feedback and reflection, allowing participants to refine their techniques in a supportive and confidential setting. Through these sessions we aim to facilitate an experience of community, hands-on practice, and the safe exchange of ideas, ensuring a holistic learning experience for mental health professionals.

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Karla Amanda Brown

Couples | Touch | Psychedelic Therapy

Karla Amanda Brown (she/her), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, is the Founder & CEO of Soul Centric Counseling as well as Soul Centric Collective, a platform dedicated to increasing global interest and access to the healing power of group psychotherapy. As an African American Silicon Valley CEO, Karla leads while guided by values of gratitude, love, and belonging. She works to empower and enhance the quality of life for the clinicians and patients with whom she works.
While headquartered in the heart of technological innovation and disruption, as well as one of the world’s largest economies, Silicon Valley is also filled with systemic occurrences of micro-, mezzo- and macro-aggression, racism, and rampant inequity, which has created a profound multi-generational health and wealth gap. Karla is committed to using her life, resources, and access to provide opportunities for vastly underrepresented community members such as persons of global majority, queer, disabled, and those with other marginalized identities.

A few noteworthy advanced education mentions are that Karla has trained with:

– Internal Family Systems Institute as a Level 3 IFS Therapist for individuals and people in relationships
– Accelerated Experiencial Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
– NeuroAffective Touch Institute
– Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy Institute
– Center for Healing Shame
– Integrative Psychiatry Institute as a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider
– Center for Optimal Living as a Harm Reduction Therapy Provider
– Body Temple Yoga School
In addition to numerous Level 1 & 2 IFS offerings, Karla has assisted for Brainspotting, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Attachment Therapy, and Alchemy Community Therapy Center trainings.

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Zandra Bamford

IFS & Polyvagal Practices in Healthcare Systems

Dr. Zandra Bamford (BSc, MSc, DClinPsy) works as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and is the founder and director of Therapy NorthWest, a Clinical Psychology service in the UK specialising in Internal Family Systems Therapy. Zandra has led NHS Psychology Services within Crisis, Inpatient, and Community Mental Health Teams in the UK for 20 years and has worked with complex trauma throughout her career.

 

Zandra is an approved IFS Clinical Consultant, trained in EMDR, Somatic Psychology, IFIO and holds a practice delivering Training, Supervision, IFS and Polyvagal Practice Retreats and Personal Growth Groups for Psychologists, Therapists, and Practitioners. More information can be found on therapynorthwest.org.

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Andreia Pacheco

Lead Program Facilitator, Community coordinator

Andreia Pacheco, Ph.D., is a Portuguese psychologist and psychotherapist, certified L3 Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and an IFS-I clinical approved consultant. She has also completed her Somatic IFS and Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) post-advance training. She has a background as a published international researcher and a University Professor and has supported many IFS (L1 and L2) and IFIO international trainings as a Program Assistant.

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Margot Davidson

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy | IFS | Somatic IFS

Margot Davidson, MA, obtained an M.A. in Gestalt Psychotherapy from Metropolitan University, London. She has been studying Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with Esther Perez and Janina Fisher, as well as IFS (L3) and Somatic IFS with Susan McConnell. After having lived for 14 years abroad (Angola, Spain, UK, Bulgaria), she works now in her hometown Vienna (Austria), as a psychotherapist in private practice with a focus on attachment-related issues, complex trauma, and challenges of expat life.

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Denisa Udžanová

IFS | Somatic IFS

Denisa Udžanová, MA is trained in Internal Family Systems Therapy and Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy. She studied sociology, linguistics, and literature and is continuing her education in psychotherapy. Her enjoyment of studying has led her to develop an interdisciplinary lens toward the complexities of life and a vast array of human experiences. In the therapy room, she works with people with developmental trauma, PTSD, attachment wounds, and legacy burdens, as she accompanies them on their journey towards healing, inner resourcefulness, and the Self, to help them feel anchored from the inside and to experience a degree of wholeness. Denisa believes in the possibility of self-led choices and an innate capacity for Self-Led and authentic change.

 

Part of her quest for therapy and the complexities of life is curiosity about the somatic representation of human experience. She is interested in observing and learning how the body communicates experience from the inside and on the outside.

 

Depending on how she feels, Denisa enjoys reading, hiking ‘to lose herself’ and to wander, being comforted by tranquility and earth-rooted connectedness, and unrestricted authentic joy and freedom. She also favors libraries and city walks, fitness, sound baths, breathwork, etc. She likes all that feeds her imagination, sense of wonder, and appreciation for everyday life.

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Hoda Refaat Mahfouz

Somatic Experiencing | IFS | EMDR | Psychodrama

Hoda Refaat Mahfouz, M.D., M.SC., Egyptian Specialist psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, psychodramatist, and certified group psychotherapist (CGP) from the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. She is trained in different modalities of psychotherapy, and she integrates them in her work. She is trained in Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Psychodrama, IFS and IFIO, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR and EFT. She assisted in many trainings in different modalities of psychotherapy in Egypt and internationally,suc as IFS level 1 trainings, Psychodrama trainings, EMDR trainings, EFT trainings, and Somatic Experience Introductory trainings. She is the chairperson of psychodrama section of the Egyptian Association for Group Therapies and Processes (EAGT). She is also a board member of the Egyptian Community of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EGCEFT).

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Shankari

IFS | Somatic IFS | Gestalt | Trauma Informed | Somatic EMDR | Psychedelic Integration

Shankari (she/her) is a Level 2 Internal Family Systems (IFS) Practitioner and Somatic Coach, with specialized training in Somatic IFS, Somatic EMDR, Neurobiology, and IFS Unattached Burdens & Guides. With 15 years at the Esalen Institute, she focused on Gestalt, Shamanism, Somatics, Psychedelic Integration, and Trauma-Informed works. Shankari has taught extensively at Esalen and is an IFS Institute Program Assistant and Life Architect Practice Facilitator for its 55-hour Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy training. Her diverse background includes Info Tech (IT), Community Herbalist, Process Acupressurist, Software Development, and California Certified Massage Therapist.

 

In her 1:1 private practice, Wild Wisdom Guide, she facilitates client-led deep process explorations of relational and attachment issues. Through IFS parts work, she weaves expressive arts techniques and nondual meditation to support differentiating from and connecting to the client’s true inner healer. Shankari’s Personal Growth Groups combine IFS Healing Circles, Gestalt, and Psychodrama for transformative experiences. She loves to be immersed in nature through long walks in the mountains & mesas of Taos New Mexico, the jungles & beaches of Costa Rica, urban treks in Portland Oregon, and wandering the redwood groves & following the streams down to the ocean in her beloved Big Sur, California.

 

Learn more: WildWisdomGuide.com

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Lucie van Leeuwen

Somatic Yoga & TRE | Zen Coach | IFS | Relational coaching

Originally from New Zealand, I have been living in the Netherlands since 1996. Since then I have been passionately studying and sharing the many facets of Being Human through massage, yoga, meditation, diverse modalities of movement education, trauma healing, coaching, inquiry, family constellations, cold training, breath-work, and Internal Family Systems.

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Stephen Brown

Compassionate Inquiry | Somatic Experiencing | IFS | Gestalt

Stephen Brown is an Irish L3 IFS Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, and Gestaltist. In private practice, Stephen combines all these modalities and approaches with those he sits with. He has a passion for working with groups utilising what he calls the Four Pillars of Connection – Connection with Self, Connection with Community, Connection with Environment, and Connection with “something greater than”. This work often takes place on Retreat and can involve Ceremony and Rituals. Stephen is a member of the Faculty for Compassionate Inquiry (Gabor Mate’s approach), facilitating the learning of students in the professional year-long training. He additionally Mentors Students as they prepare for Certification as Compassionate Inquiry Practitioners, he trains new Mentors and facilitates the Mentor Support Program.

 

Learn more at http://www.selfled.life

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Judith Fischer

Somatic IFS | IFS | Dance & Movement Therapy

Judith Fischer, Somatic IFS, IFS (Level 2), BC-DMT, NBCC Counselor

 

Judith’s initial relationship with somatic therapies was 40 yrs ago when she embarked on her training as a Dance Movement Therapist. She grew to love the artistic and healing inquiry of interfacing IFS with DMT starting in 2015. She began classes with Richard Schwartz, Frank Anderson and Pam Krause and then she dived deep into her joy of learning Susan McConnell’s knowledge and artistry with her trainings in Somatic IFS.

 

During her years of somatic work Judith especially has focused on devolpmental movement, the historical and cultural influence of a person’s movement patterns, as well as the interplay of music, timing, use of space, etc. This awareness entails noticing each of our own unique vibrational exchanges intuitively and purposefully. She loves the intrigue that each of our parts have their own movement gestures, choreography, etc. Introducing this awareness and guiding others of how to interact as a movement healing agent for others is her soul’s work.

 

Over the years she has led numerous workshops, and classes, serving individuals and groups through an integration of psychotherapy, dance movement therapy, movement consultation and coaching.

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Deborah Jacobs

IFS | Somatic IFS | Somatic Experiencing | Art Therapy

Deborah Jacobs, LMHC, ATR-BC, CYT, SEP (she/hers) is a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, Somatic IFS therapist, board-certified art therapist, expressive art therapist, yoga teacher and Somatic Experiencing practitioner with 25+ years of clinical mental health experience. Over the years Debbie has brought her creative, thoughtful, and embodied therapeutic approach to thousands of adults in community mental health settings in greater Boston and in her private practice. She is a ‘hands-on’ clinical trainer, IFS program assistant, and approved consultant weaving her professional experience with experiential to foster expression, wonder, learning and transformation.

 

Please check out Debbie’s website www.makearttherapy.com for more information about her practice.

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Stephen Toriello

Somatic IFS

Stephen Toriello, LICSW, is a Somatic IFS therapist based in the US, licensed in Massachusetts and California. He currently works with a group practice called the IFS Telehealth Collective, as well as in private practice, with adult clients who struggle with a range of mental health issues, including trauma, depression, and anxiety. He has also worked in community mental health, with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, as a mindfulness teacher, musician, gardener, and carpenter. He holds a BA in Buddhist Studies with a minor in Jazz Performance from The New School and a Masters in Social Work from Smith School for Social Work. Stephen’s work is informed by his long-term Buddhist practice, including many hours of meditation, yoga, qi gong, and silent retreats and residence at Buddhist practice centers in the US and Asia. Stephen aspires to embody compassion, open-mindedness, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.

 

Please check out Stephen’s website www.stephentoriello.com for more information about his practice.

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Rachael Culver Dodds

TRE | Somatic IFS | TRE

Rachael brings an integrated mind-body approach, offering clients TRE (Certified 2019) and/or Somatic IFS (Susan McConnell’s 54-hour training in 2021).

 

Often working in tandem with psychotherapists, she combines the somatic mindfulness and compassion of IFS with the natural, gentle shaking of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises to alleviate trauma and stress. This approach facilitates self-knowledge, relief from pain or anxiety, greater embodiment, and calm.

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Meera Dhawan

Trauma-Informed Yoga Educator (500 E-RYT) | Somatic Coach | Pranayama & Meditation

Exposed to Pranayama (breath techniques) during childhood visits to her grandmother in India, Meera Dhawan has extensively explored the connection between mind, body, and self. Her training spans both India and San Francisco, and her personal healing journey has shaped her role as a Trauma-Informed Yoga Educator (500 RYT), somatic coach, and therapist in training. Meera is passionate about integrating Eastern wisdom with modern mental health, bringing authenticity, spirituality, and depth into her work.

 

She is a strong advocate for somatic modalities as powerful tools for healing and hosts a yearly certified breath training (YACE) program for therapists/healers looking to incorporate breath into their work. Additionally, Meera leads workshops on meditation, Yoga and the mind, and Pranayama. She emphasizes a person-centered approach, honoring individuals’ internal wisdom and considering the broader systems that impact mental health. Meera’s diverse background—as a first-generation Indian American having lived around the world, former NASA researcher, and current business owner—enriches her holistic and culturally competent approach to therapy.

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Corinne Peterson

IFS | Yoga Therapy

Corinne Peterson MPH, C-IAYT, LMT is a yoga therapist who loves integrating yoga, yoga nidra, and Somatic Internal Family Systems (SIFS) into her work with individuals and groups. Both SIFS and Yoga Therapy hold that we are whole and complete as we are, all parts of ourselves are welcome, and that our bodies carry deep wisdom. Drawing on both approaches, Corinne helps find embodied tools to support the journey toward integration, healing, and a deeper connection with our inner wholeness. The exploration can include somatic awareness, breath, movement, touch, meditation, and yoga nidra along with the IFS process. To learn more, you can visit her website at www.corinnepeterson.com.

Opinions about Life Architect’s workshops

The training was excellent! The teachers were the best experts in their field, I really admire that you managed to get the highest class names. And the perfect organization of the course – the online folders updated quickly, and the tech staff watched over the online meetings to go smoothly.

TP

Training participant

I enjoyed receiving a summary of the most important techniques and theories in the field of somatics. It allowed me to get a better idea of ​​what I want to put forward in my practice, what speaks to me the most, and what is most in line with my approach.

VH

Vanessa Hudon

It was incredible! Super informative and really eye-opening. It was also a great way to get training from instructors that I might never get the chance to meet otherwise.

HN

Huda Nadeem

I am totally impressed with how perfectly it was organized and how many people were taking care of it.

TP

Training participant

Amazing. The overall experience was rich and useful.

TP

Training participant

I felt the training was engaging, and in-depth (…) It was interesting to get different perspectives from various instructors.

TP

Training participant

I loved the training and learned so much. The caliber of teachers and support staff was immenseand I feel honored to have shared a space with them.

BS

Bonnie Symington

The training was well run and of excellent value both financially and professionally. Overall the presentations were succinct, and informative and offered a balanced mix of lecture, experiential learning, and Q&A.

TP

Training participant

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Guided Somatic Explorations

This training wouldn’t be complete without a space designated solely for movement and exploration of our bodies.

 

Every Tuesday, we will meet for a 30-minute live & recorded Guided Somatic Exploration session led by Elia Mrak, a Qi-gong and dance teacher. During these sessions, he will guide you into a deep connection with your body, using different explorations inspired by modalities presented during workshops and other types of movement.

 

The goal of this experience is to open up to your body and create a deep relationship with it. Please note that these sessions are optional, and each one will be recorded for you to explore at your convenience (and as many times as you wish).

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Elia Mrak

I am dedicated to the belief that everyone can dance, everyone deserves joy, and everyone can heal. I am a nervous system and trauma-informed educator trained in the fields of Dance, Body-Mind-Centering (pending), Qigong, Fitness, and bodywork/touch. And I use the integration of these practices to create safe spaces for individuals and communities worldwide.

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A comprehensive Training Manual

Our training manual is an invaluable companion throughout your learning journey. It not only covers theoretical foundations but also guides you through various somatic modalities and includes detailed descriptions of all practical exercises featured in the training.

 

Edited by an IFS and Sensorimotor Psychotherapist Sally Bubbers, this 67-page PDF manual is easy to use and filled with valuable content that enhances both understanding and application of somatic techniques in therapy. It’s structured to be your go-to resource, available whenever you need to revisit any part of the training.

 

The Training Manual is available in PDF format, which means you can use it however you find most convenient. You can open it on your computer or tablet, or print it out to always have it handy. The full version of the manual will be made available after the training ends.

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Case Consultation Calls in 2025

Just after the training ends, at the beginning of 2025,participants will be able to join three 2-hour Case Consultation Calls. These calls are designed to offer personalized guidance on specific issues related to somatic therapy that may arise in participants’ practices.

 

Before each session, participants are encouraged to submit their case descriptions and questions, allowing the teacher to thoroughly prepare and tailor their responses. This structured approach aims to support participants in effectively integrating somatic techniques into their practices, providing ongoing assistance even after the training concludes to address various challenges encountered when applying these techniques in real-world scenarios.

 

The Case Consultation Calls in 2025 will take place on Tuesdays: January 28 with Vin Schroeter, February 25 with Jacqueline Compton, and March 25 with Vin Schroeter
from 11:00 to 13:00 ET (New York)
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Meet Sally, Michael and Andreia

– our Program Creators

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Andreia Pacheco

Lead Program Facilitator, Community coordinator

Andreia Pacheco, Ph.D., is a Portuguese psychologist and psychotherapist, certified L3 Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and an IFS-I clinical approved consultant.
Andreia Pacheco, Ph.D., is a Portuguese psychologist and psychotherapist, certified L3 Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and an IFS-I clinical approved consultant. She has also completed her Somatic IFS and Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) post-advance training. She has a background as a published international researcher and a University Professor and has supported many IFS (L1 and L2) and IFIO international trainings as a Program Assistant.
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Sally Bubbers

Program consultant

Sally Bubbers MSc, is a UKCP psychotherapeutic counselor who works with adults who have experienced abuse and developmental trauma, resulting in physical symptoms and confusing behaviors.
Sally Bubbers MSc, is a UKCP psychotherapeutic counselor who works with adults who have experienced abuse and developmental trauma, resulting in physical symptoms and confusing behaviors. She is a Level 3 trained IFS Therapist, Approved Certification Consultant, and Programme Assistant, as well as a Level 3 trained Certified Advanced Sensorimotor Psychotherapist and Level 3 trained in DBR. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and hope, through workshops, book chapters, and podcasts.
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Michael Pasterski

Program director

Michael is a Certified IFS Practitioner from Poland. He is the founder and CEO of Life Architect. He is the originator of this training and a leader of the whole training team.
Michał is the founder and CEO of Life Architect and IFS Poland, and a Certified IFS Practitioner from Poland.   He is the author of “Insight. Road to Mental Maturity” – a book about the journeys into our inner worlds. Over the past 15 years, he published more than 400 articles on his Polish blog Michalpasterski.pl, which attracts the attention of more than one million readers a year. You can find an English version of this blog on Pasterski.com.   For 10 years he has been leading retreats in Bali and Thailand with a program based on his book. He has a vision for an alternative school that will initiate a shift in the education system and is making the first steps toward this dream.   After work, he loves being a father of his two small daughters, enjoys travelling (mainly to Southeast Asia), dancing and practising Qi-Gong. test

“We designed the program with the intention of avoiding overwhelmingyou with information. You will have ample opportunities to experience the presented techniques and begin applying them in your therapy practice.”

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The Life Architect team

Life Architect is a therapist educational organization that is dedicated to helping mental health professionals grow professionally. Our overall mission is to create innovative models of education and therapy that support mental health professionals in coping with emotional problems and unlocking their full potential in their practices.

 

Our team of therapists, educators, and researchers is committed to advancing the field of therapy and education through ongoing research and the development of new methodologies.

 

We offer a variety of programs and services specifically designed for mental health professionals, including online and onsite workshops, certified training programs, and retreats.

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Continuing Education

For participating in our “Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy” training you can earn 25.5 CE hours granted by NBCC (Approval no. SP-4657). If you are unsure whether your state licensure board accepts NBCC CE hours, please contact them before purchasing.

 

CE hours will be awarded only for participation in the online workshop (we can’t offer it for watching the recordings). Guided Somatic Explorations sessions, Practice Circles, and Case Consultations Calls do not count toward CE hours, but you are still welcome to participate in these meetings.

 

You can apply for CE hours until September 24th.

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Satisfaction Guarantee

Up to 7 days after the first workshop, if you are not completely satisfied just let us know about it. We will give you a full refund. You are not required to give any reason.

 

You have nothing to lose!

 

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Special bonuses worth $371

By enrolling in this Somatic Therapy Training now, you will also gain access to:

 

  • A 12-day ‘Introduction to Internal Family Systems’ course, created by Michael Pasterski, founder of Life Architect and a Certified IFS Practitioner. IFS is an evidence-based therapy modality focusing on parts work, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. The course provides a comprehensive overview of this model, including extensive personal practice for you to experience parts work on yourself.
  • An on-demand Janina Fisher’s workshop ‘Integrating Mind-Body Techniques into Talking Therapies’. In this workshop, Janina reviews recent neuroscience research that explains how traumatic experiences become embedded in both mind and body, extending the trauma far beyond the original events.
  • A recording of the 1-day Summit ‘Restoring Mind-Body Connection with Somatic Therapy’. This includes over 6 hours of videos featuring experts such as Janina Fisher, Giten Tonkov, Elia Mrak, Irina Diyankova, Tamu Thomas, and Vincentia Schroeter.

Workshop in numbers

  • 13 Workshops

  • 13 Teachers

  • 13 Somatic Explorations

  • 13 Practice Circles

  • 55 Hours in total

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have participated in our other workshops about Somatic IFS or Polyvagal Theory this training will still be valuable to you. It creates a larger, coherent whole and is focused on practical aspects of these modalities.

If you are not applying for the CE hours, you do not need to be present at all live workshops. You can watch their recordings. After completing the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance from Life Architect (with no extra cost).

 

We do not offer CE hours for watching the recordings because NBCC credit cannot be provided for the recorded portions of the program. To receive CE hours for each workshop, you must participate in the live interactive online Zoom workshop.

We will ask you for invoice details before making the payment. Please note that the seller of the workshops is a Polish company Life Architect Michał Pasterski Spółka Komandytowa, registered for VAT.

Name of the seller: Life Architect Michał Pasterski Spółka Komandytowa (Company registered under laws of Poland)

  • Address: ul. Narcyzowa 11, 60-175 Poznań, Poland
  • National Court Register Number: 0000973301
  • Tax Identification Number: 7792539585
  • e-mail address: kontakt@lifearchitect.pl
  • Phone: +48 518 501 701

The Seller is a company registered under the laws of Poland and issues VAT invoices in accordance with Polish law. If you are purchasing services from the Seller as an entrepreneur and you need a VAT invoice, consult your tax advisor on the necessary requirements for invoices for the purchase of services.

The GTC found on this website shall apply respectively, with the stipulation that Polish law shall apply to contracts concluded with the seller.

The Data Controller of your personal data is Life Architect Michał Pasterski Spółka Komandytowa based in Poznań, Poland. The owner of this website collects and transfers your personal data to the Data Controller as the processing entity, acting under documented instructions from the Data Controller. Information about the processing and protection of your personal data by the Data Controller can be found here: Market Place Information Clause.

Below you will also find the document outlining the terms under which our trainers will provide you with the training materials and recordings from the “Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy” training (commonly known as an End User License Agreement, or EULA). Please note that this document does not affect the workshop itself, including its schedule or delivery. If you agree with the content, no further action is required on your part. Please read the End User License Agreement.

Absolutely! We’re excited to offer an exclusive discount for clients who joined us for the first edition of the training in 2023. This special offer is a token of our appreciation for your continued support. If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact us at hello@lifearchitect.com.