Paula is a somatic therapist, contemporary sound healer, and shamanic-based practitioner in Durham NC who bridges modern science with ancient wisdom to heal the mind, body, and spirit. Her uniquely integrative approach offers psychological growth and spiritual awakening to individuals who are ready to clear personal and ancestral imprints, soften survival strategies, and bring the authentic Self forward using modern acoustic programs, embodied explorations, and bioenergetic healing. Paula's guided workshops and courses support women in inner child healing, trauma processing, and creative expression through movement.
Paula is deeply committed to fostering a remembrance of the ancient earth-based practices that are an integral aspect of the sacred feminine arts. Her workshops and groups offer a rich container of exploration and self-reflection for those who are interested in deepening their relationship to Source and accessing their intuitive wisdom.
Paula is the co-developer of The Embodied Recovery Institute and the Embodied: Step into You podcast. She is a contributing author in, Trauma-Informed Approaches for Eating Disorders and is a featured therapist is the upcoming book, Safe and Sound.
Retreat Contribution: Transformative Harmonics, Restoring Mind, Body, Heart Coherence through Shamanic Sound Journeying and Authentic Movement Explorations.
Kelli is a seasoned speaker, consultant, and psychotherapist, specializing in the field of trauma since 1996. Kelli was the Director of Child and Family Programs in Chicago at the Center for Contextual Change for fifteen years and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Chicago’s Master’s in Social Work Program for seven years, prior to launching her own business in 2013. Kelli has specialized in facilitating healing from all forms of traumatic experiences for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She provides powerful healing retreats and trainings in Transformative Insight Imagery, an empowering and integrative healing approach. She is a consultant for school districts across North Carolina. on restorative justice circles, the impact of trauma, concerning behaviors, and mental health.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Transformative Insight Imagery
Dr. Faith Pérez McGowan is a Licensed Psychologist and owner of McGowan Psychological Services. She received her Doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University and has been providing services to teens, adults, and families for 15+ years. She is Mexican-American, originally from South Texas, and has lived in the Raleigh area for the past three years. Before starting her private practice, she worked in Texas at the McAllen VA Clinic as a Primary Care Mental Health Integration Psychologist. She gained valuable training in insomnia, sleep disorders, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Pérez McGowan has taught several undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She enjoys cooking spicy foods, hiking with her husband and two children, and blogging about therapy and other mental health issues.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTIONS: Self-Compassion and Restoring Balance: Strategies for Quality Sleep and Recharging Your Mind
Arezou is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Somatic Practitioner with a private practice in Durham, North Carolina. With a compassionate, client-centered approach, she guides individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, and grief. Arezou earned her Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University in 2006, subsequently working in university administration while embarking on her own healing journey. She later completed her Master’s in Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and achieved a four-year practitioner certification at the New York Institute of Core Energetics in May 2013. Arezou has a special passion for supporting adult children of immigrants and those healing from intergenerational trauma. In addition to her somatic expertise, she has pursued advanced training in developmental and attachment trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In her free time, Arezou enjoys exploring new hiking trails in the Triangle, practicing hot yoga, traveling to Spanish-speaking countries to enhance her language skills, and cherishing moments with her partner and their two human children and two furry companions.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Introduction to Somatic Process
Camille Laudicina, PsyD, ABPP is a clinical health psychologist, wellness coach, and emerging executive coach. She focuses on the psychological, social, and behavioral factors that impact physical health and well-being. She believes in a holistic approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of the mind and body. She has over 20 years of experience working with a diversity of people in various settings. In 2023, Dr. Laudicina created Big Sky Psychotherapy, PLLC as a space to focus on exploring and expanding one's perspective and finding a sense of freedom and possibility in the midst of life's challenges. The term Big Sky is a nod to her home state of Montana. "Big Sky" can evoke a sense of awe and wonder at the immensity of the natural world, as well as a feeling of freedom and possibility. She currently offers both in-person and telehealth therapy and wellness coaching through Big Sky Psychotherapy located in Durham, NC.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Life Compass
DeeAnn has been a musician since the age of 7 and has a music degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She uses her love of music to create dynamic, holistic group events. She is a Drum Circle Facilitator and has trained with some of the world’s top facilitators and teachers including Greg Whitt (Drum for Change) Jim Donovan, Ubaka Hill and many others. She formed her own company in 2010 called Heartbeat Rhythms and has facilitated in a variety of places including Wellness Centers, Schools, Music Festivals, Corporations, Museums, Mental Health Facilities, Rehab Facilities, Farms, Senior Care Facilities, etc.
Her main intention is to bring together diverse groups of people to create an experience and environment of support, community, oneness, holistic wellness, team building and creativity. Each drum circle is customized to meet the needs of each unique group. It is her belief that everyone has an innate rhythm and that everyone can drum. She creates the dynamic of safety in the circle, encouraging the group to accept, support, empower, and uplift each other through the group experience.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: The Path of Azul
Melodie Winter (she/her) is a therapist based in Durham who specializes in supporting partners of alcoholics, and folks who love someone with a substance use disorder. Her approach to addiction is effective, evidence-based and rooted in kindness and compassion instead of interventions and ultimatums. In addition to traditional psychotherapy, Melodie is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which leverages your values and your goals to help create real change in your life, and in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which means she can help you process your difficult experiences effectively. Melodie weaves in elements of mindfulness therapy and Buddhist psychology into her work as she deeply believes in the benefits of this approach. She is a trauma-informed therapist, and practices her work with humility as a cis-het White woman who is committed to creating a more just and liberated environment for all beings. She lives with her spouse and their two children.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Meeting Addiction with Science and Kindness: A Fresh Approach for Partners of People who Struggle with Alcohol and Intuitive Eating
AnnE comes to clinical work after a decade as a spiritual companion and educator, grief counselor, energy healer, and chaplain. Given this background, it is no surprise that AnnE has a holistic, soul-centered approach. The core of her work can be found at two intersections; the intersection of grief / substance use and aging / soulful living, although she works with many clients drawn to any of these topics individually.
A lifelong learner, AnnE is currently inspired by IFS work and her studies with Jungian therapist Francis Weller, inviting her to deepen the focus of soul work as she supports clients in their healing. She is both a member of Francis's Soul Convivium and currently doing Grief Ritual training with him and his team. AnnE is also a writer, having published If You Want the Rainbow, Welcome the Rain: A Memoir of Grief and Recovery and currently at work on her second book.
She wishes to honor everyone at this retreat for their courage in stepping out of their comfort zone and saying yes to what is possible.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTIONS: Woman Aging with Soul; The 5 Gates of Grief and Grief Ritual: Naming, Even Honoring,
Your Sorrows
Kimberly has spent most of her life immersed in music. She is currently the lead singer for the Feral Cats band and previously worked as a percussionist and vocalist for various traveling bands. After retiring, Kimberly combined her love of music with her desire to help others by facilitating sound meditations.
Since receiving her first certification from VAST in 2023, she has led sound meditation sessions at women’s retreats, psychotherapy offices, mental health programs, and ketamine treatment retreats.
She continues to expand her expertise by training with Eric Linstrom of Resonance for Healing and is currently working towards her Level 1 certification from the Sound Healing Academy.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Drum Circle, Sound Meditation, Pontoon “Captain Kimmy” and Co-Organizer
Susan opened her private practice, Living Arts, after 30 years serving in a variety of mental health roles, both as a clinician and in clinical leadership, working for other people. Now with her own business, she can align her workday perfectly with her values of servitude leadership, building community and promoting equality & diversity. Living Arts focuses on wellness and intensive ketamine treatment retreats; clinical and business consultation; Share Space business incubator; organizing trainings & events and psychotherapy for women.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Opening Circle and Co-Organizer
Melissa turned to yoga after a spinal injury years ago. Initially seeking physical relief, she returned for the mental and spiritual growth it brought her. She specializes in yoga Nidra, children's yoga, energy healing, and reiki. In 2021, she earned her prenatal yoga certification and trained with renowned yoga teachers such as Seane Corn, Jonah Kest, and Jessamyn Stanley
Melissa facilitates trainings in reiki, chakra studies and trauma awareness. Currently, she is finishing her trauma stress studies with the Trauma Research Foundation and has taught over 1,000 yoga classes. Melissa aims to cultivate community in her classes, inviting everyone to explore their potential on and off the mat while honoring their inner guidance.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Restorative and Hatha Vinyasa Yoga
Chantal started her counseling career as a school counselor in 2011addressing the high needs of emotional wellness within our youth. Her experiences taught her that we have to normalize mental health so that we can become emotionally healthy adults. Chantel is utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person Centered Therapy (PCP), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) , Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement , Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when working with clients at her Cary, NC solo practice.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Lakefront Release Ceremony
Alena is certified in qigong, taijiquan, yoga and sound therapy. She excels at teaching mindful, safe and intuitive movement. Her lifelong interest in health, fitness and well-being are woven together to offer creative, dynamic and inspirational experiences. She has over 45 years training in movement arts and holistic studies as an educator and enthusiast. Entering into the field of sound resonance therapy, Alena trained with "Crown of Eternity" in 2015 and continues to explore sound/vibration as a path to personal healing, meditation, relaxation and transformation. She is thrilled to offer sonic immersions, painting tonal landscapes with a magical family of acoustic instruments. Initial qigong and t'ai chi certification is from The Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies in 2006, followed by training with several masters including Wang Hi Jung and Daisy Lee. In 2011 Alena completed a RYT 200hr yoga teaching program at The Lotus Pond. She received a BFA in dance from FSU in 1996
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Healing Sounds of Qigong and Sound Bath
Dawn is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with over 20 years of experience in helping women navigate the complexities of ADHD and childhood trauma. Her holistic approach combines evidence-based therapies with mindfulness practices, empowering women to break free from cycles of feeling stuck and reclaim their lives. Dawn has incorporated shadow work into her personal and professional life and seen firsthand the benefits of this work. Outside of therapy, Dawn is passionate about fitness and self-care and also working on her farm in Southwest Virginia.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Roots & Shadows
Amritari has served as a Yoga Wellness Educator & Brain Longevity Specialist in a variety of settings primarily supporting individuals in mental health recovery in the last 13 years. She turned to the study of yoga and meditation to recover from the stresses of working for 20 years in behavioral health, education and psychiatric patient advocacy and to more deeply heal from violent trauma she experienced as a child and adolescent.
Amritari earned her RYT 500 Yoga Wellness Educator Certificate from YogaUOnline Yoga Teacher Trainings with a focus on Older Adults and Healthy Aging. She holds multiple certifications in addition to her 220 hr Kundalini Yoga Certification and a 250 hr Hatha Yoga Certification including: Applying Mind/Body Interventions to People with Anxiety and Depression; Warriors at Ease and Warrior Trauma Conscious Certificates (Veterans), a Y.O.G.A. for Youth Certificate; iRest Level 1 Training Yoga Nidra; Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); Brain Longevity Certification from the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation. Currently Amritari is studying to become a Brain Coach with the Brain Academy to enhance her skills in supporting older adults facing retirement and the physical and emotional challenges of aging.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTION: Mindful Yoga
Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-S) and certified group psychotherapist (CGP). Stephanie's practice, Baldwin Therapy Group, spans the states of North Carolina and Texas where she is passionate about providing individual, couples, and group therapy, as well as clinical supervision to other social workers. Stephanie has a bachelor’s from the University of Florida and a master’s from the University of West Florida, with a background rooted in addiction and recovery treatment and trauma-informed evidence-based approaches such as EMDR and PACT. Stephanie is passionate about group therapy and is an active member of the American Group Psychotherapy Society, the Carolinas Group Psychotherapy Society, and has extensive training in experiential therapy and psychodynamic process groups.
RETREAT CONTRIBUTIONS: Radical Candor: Connection in the Here & Now and Meaningful Endings
Bio coming soon!
RETREAT CONTRIBUTIONS: Energy Release
Bio coming soon!
RETREAT CONTRIBUTIONS: DBT Perspective and DBT Reflections
