In 1980, I had a profound spiritual awakening.  At that time, I was attending Colby College in Waterville, ME where over 20% of the student body was practicing Transcendental Meditation. I started TM and was impressed with the results, so upon graduating,  I began studying with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of TM. For the next ten years, I taught meditation throughout New England and  attended many meditation retreats with Maharishi, ranging from 6 weeks to 8 months in length. 

When I decided to become a psychotherapist, I chose a graduate school that would support my integration of spirituality with psychotherapy. To this end, I attended California Institute of Integral Studies in 1979 and studied Transpersonal therapies such as Psychosynthesis. In the course of things, I learned how to work with mental imagery, guided visualization, and chakra systems.

 

Soon into my internship, I developed a way of working that focused my clients' attention on sensations in their bodies. In essence, I "stumbled" upon working somatically. Impressed with the results, I began post-graduate work in Focusing with John Welwood. From that point on, I was deeply committed to a holistic mind - body - spiritual framework.

 

During the 1980’s, I continued my postgraduate education in the arenas of self-psychology with Karen Peoples and addiction / codependency with David Skibbins and Pia Mellody.

 

In 1988, I completed all requirements by the state of California, took the necessary written and oral exams, and became licensed to practice psychotherapy.

 

In the early 1990’s, I began my study of Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy. I was originally drawn to Hakomi because I wanted training in the psycho-therapeutic application of touch. I graduated, fulfilling that goal, but in addition, found an elegant and comprehensive method of working that tied together and deepened all that I had previously studied.

 

I became enthralled by the depth, gentleness, and efficacy of Hakomi. I continued my studies through the Hakomi Institute, assisted in a number of trainings and eventually joined the teaching staff. I have earned numerous certifications including becoming a certified as a Hakomi Therapist (1999), certified Hakomi teacher (2000), and certified Hakomi trainer (2005). From 2008-2022, I served as a co-director of the Hakomi Institute of California and, for many of those years, was the senior trainer for the 9 month Comprehensive Training .

 

I have studied with other luminaries such as Pat Ogden, founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Babette Rothschild, and of course, Ron Kurtz, founder of Hakomi.  I have also taken trainings in attachment, group leadership, EMDR, as well as Accessing the Divine and Re-Creation of the Self with Jon Eisman

 

Over the span of 50 years, I have continued a daily meditation practice and have studied with a number of highly influential teachers including Gurumayi Chidvalasandanda, Swami Khecaranatha, Adyshanti, Gangagi, Mooji. and Rupert Spira. I have made over a dozen trips to India where my heart finds rest.  

 

2005 Certified Hakomi Trainer 

1999 Certified Hakomi Therapist Certified Hakomi Teacher 

1988 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA license MFC23906) 

1982 MA, Counseling Psychology,  California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco

1982 BA, Colby College, Waterville, ME

1972 Certified teacher of Transcendental Meditation