I am a shamanic healer, spiritual teacher, mentor-coach and social scientist. I have innovatively integrated the deep wisdom of my Native American and shamanic teachers on how to work with the energy body, soul and spirit to heal trauma and release heavy processes with her training in psychodramatic, somatic and transpersonal methods. I am the creator of Shamanic Somatic-Emotional-Energy Transformation, a holistic modality working with our whole self: the energy-physical body, mind-heart-emotions, soul-spirit.

 

For 20 years, I have supported 2000+ clients, spiritual seekers, shamanic practitioners and professionals from all over the world reach for their highest destiny to be emotionally balanced, abundant financially and in relationships. My work is deeply informed by an understanding of the interconnection between trauma, soul and spirituality. I am also a guide for individuals who are experiencing profound spiritual awakenings and want to understand them, as well as those who have a desire to integrate their creative, spiritual, healing and intuitive gifts and spiritual study into courageous and confident offerings to others. Many clients work with me as they transition from career into retirement, divorce into single life, religious affiliation into spiritual exploration, deepening and freedom.  

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Over 35 years, I have integrated my academic, interdisciplinary research and training in violence studies, trauma, and peacemaking, along with decades of study with spiritual masters and leading-edge practitioners:

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• Peacekeeper Training with Cherokee teacher, Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo of the Sunray Meditation Society. 

• The sweet and powerful mesa tradition and cosmovision of the Q'ero medicine people of Peru, ancestor of the ancient Inka.

• Shamanic energy healing and ceremony, with Alberto Villoldo of the Four Winds Society and others.

• The teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and loving kindness of Vipassana Buddhism.

• Psychodrama for healing individual and collective trauma.

• Healing Historical Harms with the Eastern Mennonite Center for Peacebuilding.

• Action against Trauma with the Center on Violence and Community.

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I have parlayed my academic research on the authoritarianism of the former Soviet Union during the Cold War with a BA in Russian Studies, an MA in Soviet Studies, and a PhD in Slavic languages and literatures into an understanding of how collective violence and trauma impacts individuals and groups and how creativity and spirituality heal. I have a particular passion for human rights and racism in the US. 

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From 1996-2014, as a faculty member at the University of Virginia, I developed transformational, innovative courses on the topics of racism in the United States, violence and peacemaking.  I was the recipient of several grants and received an award for a project co-sponsored with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Action Alliance for The Art of Surviving, a digital and traveling exhibit of art, personal narratives, and poetry by survivors of sexual assault. 

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I am currently a member of the faculty in the MA programs for Transpersonal Psychology and Mindfulness Studies at Atlantic University, affiliated with the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment. 

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I have provided training, consultation, and program development for organizations working on the frontlines of violence and seeking to foster peace.  My clients have included Search for Common Ground, The Garrison Institute Contemplative-Based Resilience Program, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and Naropa University’s BA in Contemplative Psychology.

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I am the host of the podcast, Destiny Lines: Sacred Activism for Peacemaking & Ending Violence. A sample of my teachings can be found on my YouTube Channel and in my blogs.