AlterMed Integrative Practitioner Networking
presents  

Sweigh Emily Spilkin,

         MA, MFA, CHT

The Power of Somatic Psychotherapy              and Trauma Healing:

    or Letting "the Soft Animal of Our         Bodies Love What it Loves"

Our personality is shaped by our physiology. Before we even can even talk, we have developed a "somatic sense (or bodily) sense of self." Throughout childhood and into adulthood, even after we've engaged in psychological, personal, or spiritual growth, it is our bodies, more than anything, that tell us who we are. This information is transmitted, not through our ideas about our bodies, but under the radar of our conscious minds via our "felt-sense" and implicit knowing. Clients with anxiety disorders, rage, confusion, depression, self-sabatoge, habitual patterns, chronic pain, chronic illness, and even personality disorders will often think that there is "something terribly wrong with them," when more often than not, their symptoms are simply signals sent from their physiology in a attempt to heal. Somatic psychology gets at the root of these signals and helps listen to, honor, and follow the wisdom of their bodies into health. In this overview of somatic psychology, Sweigh will introduce other health care practitioners into the power of body-centered psychotherapy--including somatic trauma healing, mindfulness-based therapy, and body-dialogue techniques. The information will be engaging and experiential. If time allows she will also answer case consultation questions and offer experiential tools that you can use in your practice right away.

About Sweigh   

Sweigh Emily Spilkin, MA, MFA, CHT, is a somatic psychotherapist, writer, teacher and soon to be-"doctor" (working on that PhD!) of Somatic Psychology with a speciality in Post Traumatic Growth. She helps individuals find relief from their suffering and use their life challenges as a gateways to realizing their souls’ potential. She has a private psychotherapy and coaching practice where she combines cutting-edge somatic (body-centered) and energy techniques with ancient, earth-based wisdom to help people reframe their challenges, reclaim their power, and fully embody their souls.  Sweigh's training includes a Master's in Clinical Somatic Psychology from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, certification in Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy, advanced training in Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing trauma resolution, certification in the emerging technique of Nervous System Energy Work, and certification as a Qigong healing practitioner. Sweigh’s greatest teacher was her own bout with chronic illness that left her nearly housebound for 4-years. She now serves as a underworld guide and “midwife of possibility” for others dealing with trauma, illness, loss, and other initiations. Sweigh can be found on the web at  www.VibrantLivingTherapy.com and www.SomaticTrainingInstitute.com.

Networking Session Typical Schedule:

6:30-6:45    Arrive, snack, informal networking
6:45-7:15    Round-table style introductions, AlterMed, updates & announcements
7:15-8:15    Featured Presentation 
8:15-8:30    Q&A, Discussions, General networking

AlterMed MeetUp Intent and Disclaimer
http://www.AlterMedResearch.org/info/AlterMed_MeetUp_Disclaimer.pdf

AlterMed Research Reference Guide
http://www.AlterMedResearch.org/info/Research_Reference_Guide.pdf

AlterMed Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to bridging evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to conventional medicine to address cancer, chronic illness, and overall health and wellness. We are dedicated to addressing mind, body, and spirit in medicine, while upholding the integrity of conventional medicine research and educational standards to provide more proven medical options for whole-person care. We host the biannual Colorado Integrative Medicine Conference.