Ali Fassbender grew up in Saskatchewan and has lived on the West Coast for over 25 years. She has spent her early work life supporting people through dental transitions and, during that time, became a Counsellor and Yoga Therapist focusing on grief and loss. Somatic Experiencing has created the conditions for personal healing and growth that compelled her to become a somatic practitioner. For the last 8 years she has supported folks in the areas of addiction, grief, trauma, and bereavement. Ali volunteers at her local Hospice, the book club at FVI Women’s Prison, and a rape crisis line. 

Ali finds joy in spending time with her family and grandson, appreciating and connecting in nature and taking time to notice even the smallest of creatures.

Amanda Sawatzky began her Somatic Experiencing journey in 1999 (just a baby then ????) and has been a SEP for 20-plus years.

She is also an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) and CCC (Certified Canadian Counsellor) and is an approved counsellor with FNHA, CVAP, Medavie and ICBC. She has a BA in Psychology as well as Masters in counselling psychology.

Amanda also completed Kathy Kain’s touch training in the early 2000’s and regularly incorporates this into her work.  She is also trained as a level 2 Gottman couples counsellor and EMDR. Amanda has a playful approach to healing and is willing to incorporate multiple ways of working with trauma.

Amanda works with both children and adults, and has a private practice as well as works part-time for a non-profit community agency.

Amanda has assisted at trainings helping others learn this work since 2001 (20+ years) and enjoys supporting others in their learning.  She is approved to do individual sessions and consults at all levels (beginner-advanced).

When Amanda isn’t working, you might find her out for a walk, rollerskating, on a beach somewhere, hanging with her kids, camping or travelling.

I have worked as a body-oriented and expressive arts therapist in Vancouver for many years in private practice, and formerly as a school counsellor. I have studied Dance/Movement Therapy, Process Work, and other body-oriented modalities.

Currently in my practice, I focus on working with developmental trauma, attachment, illness, loss, and spiritual issues. I completed the SE training in 2004, and since then one of my greatest joys has been to assist at SE trainings in many different countries and communities in Canada, the U.S., Asia, India, Australia, and New Zealand, including Diane Poole Heller’s Somatic Attachment Training. I have taken Kathy Kain’s Touch Skills for Therapists, Somatic Resilience and Regulation, Somatics of Emotion, and several of Peter Levine’s Master Classes.

My most recent interest is in Collective Trauma, and working to bring awareness of how the legacy of historic and societal trauma interfaces with individual healing.

I keep myself grounded with both sitting and movement mindfulness practices, and love spending time in the mountains and the forest. I bring a spirit of curiosity and play to my sessions, and look forward to supporting your learning in whatever way I can.

I work with groups and individuals, remotely and in-person, focusing on early surgical trauma, issues of self-worth, resilience, creativity-blocks, integration of plant-medicine experiences and life-meaning. Helping people to re-connect with their innate resilience and aliveness is vital to my own sense of wellbeing and meaning.

In my work, I use a variety of approaches (SE, IFS, Satir-Model, Psychodrama, Reichian bodywork, Focusing, etc.) all grounded in a ‘Bottom-up’, Body-Wisdom’ approach that is tailored for each client.

I’m a member of the core faculty at www.haven.ca and a Manitoba Satir Centre approved trainer / facilitator. I have worked cross-culturally in both North America and China and live on Gabriola Island, unceded territory of the Island Hul’qumi’num-speaking Snuneymuxw First Nation. I am approved to offer personal sessions at all levels.”

Hello! I’m Jennifer McKeever. After a 15-year career as an acupuncturist and herbalist, I changed direction and dived into the world of understanding trauma’s impact on the mind and body. I obtained my SEP in 2018 and have been assisting SE trainings ever since. I have taken additional advanced SE courses, including Syndromes ~ Working with the Somatic Side of Trauma with Dr. Levine and Somatic Resilience and Regulation from Kathy Kain and Stephen Terrell. Touch work forms a large part of my private practice.

Today, I facilitate transformational workshops worldwide, teach a breathwork modality called BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release, and have a private practice. My goal is to provide a safe, heart-centred place of openness and acceptance in which individuals can develop greater awareness of their body, feelings, and strengths and connect to their own wisdom and joy. In private sessions and groups, I focus on releasing the trauma held in our bodies to create healthier, more authentic, and passion-filled lives.

I love Somatic Experiencing and am thrilled to be one of the organizers of the SE trainings in the Vancouver area! I look forward to working with you and helping build the SE community in Vancouver and across Canada.

I have been in love with movement since the moment I was conceived:) Somatic experiencing, being a somatic being, is a way of life, something that makes me more me. My educational history includes a B.SC in Rehab Medicine in 1984 (physiotherapy and occupational therapy) and a Master’s in Clinical Counselling with an emphasis in depth psychology in 2013. My play history includes constant exploration of the sacred space of my body container and how it moves and connects to the rest of the planet. I have been trained in craniosacral, visceral manipulation and other osteopathic techniques, working with a gentle hands-on approach for the past 35 years. My personal and professional journey led me to Self- Regulation training and then to Somatic Experiencing. Kathy Kain and Steve Terrell have inspired me through Touch Training, Somatic Regulation and Resilience, and the Somatics of Emotions(Tony Richardson). I have explored Continuum movement with Emilie Conrad, Susan Harper and others, Spatial Dynamics with Jaime Macmillan, Contact Improv, Authentic Movement, 5 Rhythms, and other movement practices. We are living at such an exciting, creative time when bringing our most whole expressive self is what the world is calling for. I look forward to holding a space where that can unfold.

Education: I started out with a BA in Psychology and then completed a Masters in Social Work, all through the University of Victoria. I have also completed my SE training along with other therapeutic modalities including EMDR, CBT, Motivational Interviewing and grief-focused therapy.

Work Experience: I have worked in a variety of health care settings for over 15 years. I began my career at BC Children’s Hospital in the inpatient psychiatric units and the Psychiatric Emergency Unit. Since then I have worked with VCH in a variety of health care settings including: VGH, rehabilitation units, a terminal illness specific team & palliative care team as a Social Worker. I also started a private counselling practice in 2017 based in Vancouver, BC.

Hobbies & Interests: My hobbies and interests include outdoor activities, engaging in active ways of stress relief, travelling, funny podcasts, audible, watching really terrible reality tv and spending time with my family & friends, and chips.

Mj grew up in various cities across Western Canada and has resided in the Edmonton area for the past 24 years.

Mj has spent her life healing leading her to become a Grief Recovery Counsellor in 2008.  Mj has been supporting others in Grief and Complicated Grief via Trauma ever since.

Somatic Experiencing changed her life, it supported a lot of integration of her 30 years of studies in Trauma and PTSD. Leading Mj to become a Somatic Practitioner.  Mj is currently studying Counselling that will be completed early May 2023.

Mj is a licensed Grief and Trauma Recovery Counsellor.

Mj has been the volunteer Facilitator for the Caring Friends Bereavement group in The town of Stony Plain AB since Nov 2021.

Mj’s number one hobby is learning and supporting people as they discover themselves through healing.  She loves reading, camping and being in Mexico.  She is a wife and a mother of 3 adult children and has 8 grandchildren ages 4 through 24.  Mj has two small dogs, a yorkie Pixie, and a silky Hazel.

Mj’s family is her heart and keep her young and motivated

’m grateful to be part of the S.E. learning process with you. A bit about me, I’m of Irish decent and respectfully acknowledge that the land I live, work, and play on is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I enjoy taking part in activities in the nature that surrounds Vancouver.

I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor- RTC and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner-SEP, in private practice in Vancouver, BC. My work integrates Somatic Experiencing® trauma healing (including early developmental trauma from pre-verbal periods), Therapeutic Counselling, Hakomi (a body-centered system of psychotherapy) and Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release. My passion is leading group processes including facilitating a men’s group.

All too often we focus on what’s wrong and on trying to find “the answers” to fix everything. Nicole’s work is based instead on emphasizing that you are already whole.

Her practice is largely influenced by the work of Kathy Kain, Peter Levine, Moshe Feldenkrais and Chris Dierkes. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner®️, Feldenkrais Practitioner®️ and yoga teacher, her knowledge of the body, mind and soul greatly influences how she supports others from a very intuitive, energetic and somatic place.

As someone who both values and sees self exploration, healing and the spiritual practice as being vital for transformation, her intention is to support others in gaining greater access to the pieces that are blocking them from feeling more alive and whole.

Time in nature, connection with friends and family and movement of all kinds are important to her and you’ll often find her out on walks with her dog, surfing, mountain biking, SUP’ing and enjoying peoples company, usually accompanied with delicious food!

Hello! I’m Peggy Forsberg. I am Saskatchewan born and raised, living in Regina. My career started in rehabilitation working with injured workers and those involved in motor vehicle collisions. Over the years I came to know that there was so much more than just physical forces involved in injury and recovery. Many years of SE treatments for myself, attaining my SEP, and additional Touch training with Kathy Kaine helped me realize how our bodies are always looking out for our best interests. These days I aim to honour our bodies’ wisdom in all that we do.

I currently have a private practice in Regina largely based on touch work done in person or remotely. My volunteering ranges from baby cuddling to sorting donations at our local art exchange.

When not working I enjoy walking in nature, painting, visiting with family, gardening and creating gastronomic delights in the kitchen.

Sheryl is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in private practice in Vancouver, BC. Her client population is mostly those who have experienced early developmental and developmental trauma. Touch therapy is a regular part of her practice. In addition to Somatic Experiencing, Sheryl has additionally completed Kathy Kain’s Touch Skills for Trauma Therapists (TST), Kathy and Steve Terrell’s Somatic Regulation and Resiliency (SRR), Steve Terrell’s Transforming the Experience-Based Brain (TEB) and other one-off touch trainings offered by Kathy Kain. She is an IFS-informed therapist, often using this in combination with SE, and a Level 2 PACT therapist working with couples. In addition to her clinical counselling work, Sheryl is a vocational rehabilitation professional who assists clients in the return-to-work process post-injury/illness and when needed, acts as a vocational expert in matters of personal injury including medical malpractice.

All work and no play makes for a dull therapist. In her free time, Sheryl enjoys cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, cooking, reading, and listening to comedy podcasts.

Tait MacFarlane is a clinical counsellor in private practice who lives and works on the unceded territory of the Tsawout First Nation, in Saanichton, B.C. She works with people of all ages, including children and youth, families, and couples.

Tait started exploring Somatic Experiencing with a therapist twenty years ago, which led to earning her SEP in 2011 and assisting at many SE trainings in B.C. and the U.S. since then.

Tait has completed Peter Levine’s Master Class in treating depression and aggression and numerous touch trainings with Kathy Kain and Steve Terrell. She incorporates somatic touch in her practice and has extensive experience working with people who have experienced relational and developmental trauma, shock trauma, and grief and loss.

Tait brings presence and curiosity to her work. She recently completed a mindfulness teacher training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She uses diverse approaches when counselling, including mindfulness, visualization, play and expressive therapies, family systems, and narrative therapy.
Tait loves nature, hiking in the woods, walking on beaches, swimming, skiing, dancing, yoga, mindfulness practice, being with friends and family, and doing less, not more.

Tara is a Physician who lives in Ottawa, ON and her practice is limited to Psychotherapy in the context of grief and trauma. She has 3 adult children, one of whom attends UBC so assisting in BC is combined with a visit with her son! She loves singing in a choir, reading, yoga, walking, and hanging out with her dog Mika.