Testimonials: trauma healing

I highly recommend this type of work. The greatest benefit has been in my body, mind, and spirit not having to be controlled by fear.  With the "somatic experiencing" approach, you do not need to know what the trauma was or discuss it.  Your  body knows and it knows how to release it if given the chance.   Suzanne is gentle and understanding and makes one feel comfortable during what can sometimes be a difficult but profound experience.  ----- Judy S., Clergy

Suzanne is unique among my health care providers in that she works holistically with my entire body, mind, heart, and spirit, from the inside out, with superb results. Many other doctors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and bodywork practitioners have instead focused on one body part at a time, and have treated my condition based on preconceived assumptions from the outside about what my body needs. Because each body is unique and mine has often responded differently than their other patients, many of these practitioners have made me feel worse rather than better, bringing on flares of severe pain. On the other hand, Suzanne's gentle touch invites my body's own healing response from the inside, and her inquisitive words invite me to explore and allow the full range of my body's strength and healing potential, even when it manifests in surprising ways.

Suzanne has helped me gain a new relationship with my body. My fibromyalgia came on very suddenly and very severely, and I felt at the beginning that it had taken away my dreams, and my ability to live the life I loved.  I felt like my body had fallen apart, and I no longer trusted it. 

Suzanne helped me to turn that around, to see all the things in my body that were still working right, and to feel able again. Since that day that I ran after her session, I have been able to hike (on good days, which is still not every day) up to 5 miles with 1000 foot elevation gain, up to some of the most exquisitely beautiful little lakes in the Sierra, and to camp there under the stars. I've even been dancing again, although months before, I could barely get out of bed!

My regained strength, reduced pain, increased energy, and more harmonious flow have given me my life back.

Suzanne uses the word "organism" to describe the whole body/mind/spirit/being that is responding and healing in this way, and as a biologist I understand this word as alluding to the animal within me, with instinctive responses toward protection and healing that I  share with other creatures. I have also read research articles that demonstrate the power of holistic therapies like Suzanne's, which effectively stimulate healing in the brain and nervous system, breath and circulatory system, digestive and immune systems. Most importantly, I trust Suzanne's expertise because I have felt its benefits, have felt my body healing itself in her presence, and have felt myself healing independently while remembering her guidance. For this, I am filled with gratitude.                                       ---------- Kristen S., Biologist