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.

I have an MA in Counselling Psychology during which I was introduced to Somatic Experiencing.   My supervisor, David de Rosenroll, an SEP faculty member, introduced Somatic Experiencing into our curriculum.   As graduate students we had the good fortune to do triad work, supervision provided by other SEPs in the Victoria area. The experience fit well with my delving into research/ theory on Infant Mental Health as well as non-finite grief and loss.

My career has been in public health care primarily in the field of mental health and addictions across the lifespan. In my current clinical role, I work with clients who have early years developmental trauma including attachment issues, intergenerational trauma, as well as being subject to social determinants of health. I provide SE, my youngest client being 6, facilitate Circle of Security parenting groups, as well as engage in Attachment Based Family Work. Passions include enhancing family wellness, helping clients develop a relationship with self, and creating capacity for joy.

Looking forward to supporting everyone’s learning and transformations!

I am delighted to be joining the SE assistant team for the first time and to support the learning and development of this valuable work. As I am a music therapist, it likely comes as no surprise that music is my passion, and my way of understanding and interacting with the world. My clinical work spans a few areas: I teach voice in the music therapy program at Capilano University, I design and facilitate Relaxation & Music Therapy groups for organizations such as the BC Cancer Agency, and I have a private practice. I spent many years working in mental health and addiction and in the Burns, Trauma, and High Acuity unit at Vancouver General Hospital. If I could wave a magic wand you’d find me canoeing on a lake or sitting on a dock in an Adirondack chair, watching the sun go down.

I am a counselling therapist with a part-time private practice in Victoria, Canada. I am privileged to live and work on the traditional territories of the WSÁNEC’ people. My client population is largely composed of adults who have a history of early developmental trauma.

My previous training is grounded in the family constellation (Inherited Family Trauma) work of Mark Wolynn. I have also intensively studied the material of Dr. Gordon Neufeld of the Neufeld Institute in Vancouver, Canada, who is a world-renowned Developmental Psychologist. In addition to my SEP training, I have also trained with Kathy Kain and Stephen Terrell and have completed the Somatic Resilience and Regulation training and the Somatic Touch training. My training outlined above is underpinned by an M.A. and an M.Sc. in 2 different areas of Psychology. My personal and professional passion lies in strengthening relationships with self and with others, as I believe this is where we find access to both joy and ease. I am also a wife (my husband works in trauma recovery too!) and a mom of a busy family of 2 boys and 3 dogs. I look forward to meeting you during the training!

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.”

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who lives, works, and plays as a visitor on the traditional territory of the Lekwangen speaking peoples, also known as Victoria. I work in private practice with people who find me because of my training in trauma resolution. In addition to Somatic Experiencing, I have taken Kathy Kain’s Touch Skills Training and Raja Selvam’s Pre and Perinatal Trauma training.

I have assisted at all levels of S.E. trainings with many faculty members: Dea Parsonishi, David de Rosenroll, Berns Galloway, Kathy Kain, Linda Stelte, and Joshua Sylvae. I love having the opportunity to support other practitioners with their S.E. learning… it’s always such a rich and rewarding experience.

When I’m not working or assisting, I just might be outside (or online) with my grandchildren, hiking along a beach or in the forest, playing pickleball, snuggled up with a good book, or trying to create an even better recipe for grain-free-dairy-free cookies.

After a tumultuous and shocking youth, I joined the US Air Force. Upon completing four years of service, I earned a BS in English, math, and education. For the next five years, I taught alternative High School throughout North America and Hawaii.

At the age of 30 years, I set out on the road, spending extensive time in India, Europe, and North America. After completing a 4,500 km thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, I earned my MSW from the University of Washington, Seattle, with a focus in child/family social work and intergenerational trauma.

I have worked with multiple First Nations, urban homeless youth, low-income/first generation college students, K-12 students, and clients self-treating trauma with substance use.

Modalities I have practiced along the way include: Somatic Experiencing, Nonviolent Communication, Yoga, Vipassana Meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Wellbriety, and the 12 Step Recovery model.

I currently work as a counsellor in private practice  with a focus on trauma healing, substance use, and conflict resolution.

I was born in the magnificent province of Newfoundland, have lived all over Canada and ten years ago settled with my wonderful spouse of 38 years in Victoria, BC.  I am a Master in Social Work and, over the past 30 years, have practiced as a registered social worker in both Alberta and British Columbia. I currently have a private practice on the traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, through which I provide counselling and therapy to people who are experiencing the impacts of trauma, mental health challenges and problematic substance use as well as those experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss and/or relationship challenges. I completed SE Advanced II Part 1 training on November 21, 2021.  I love to ride my bicycle, kayak, hike, walk, sing, play guitar, harmonica, ukulele and bodhrán as well as read and enjoy film and quality TV dramas.

I have a private practice on the traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. I am passionate about exploring the intersections of creativity, healing, ecology and spirituality. I love having time alone to read, create, watch a good movie or play with various art mediums. I also find great joy in spending time with my spouse, sharing good coffee, going for hikes and just hanging out.

Training Post Somatic Experiencing Designation:

“Post-Advanced Touch Training for Psychotherapist” with Kathy Kain, Somatic Resilience and Regulation: Early Trauma training with Steve Terrell and Kathy Kain, SE Master Class: Healing Sexual Trauma with Dr. Peter Levine, and Diane Poole Heller, Phd., Sensorimotor Art Therapy: Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing by Cornelia Elbrecht, ATHR-SEP, BiLateral Stimulation and Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy training with Cathy Malchiodi, Phd. and Dr. Elizabeth Warson.

’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.

Hello! I’m Prema 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 assisted at beginner, intermediate and advanced SE trainings. 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 and have a full-time practice on zoom and in-person from my home in East Van. My goal is to provide a safe, heart-centred place of openness and acceptance in which individuals are able to develop greater awareness of their body, feelings, strengths, and connect to their own wisdom and joy. I am client-centred and use approaches such as mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, and BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release System. In private sessions and groups, my focus is on releasing the trauma held in our bodies so that we can 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 being a part of building the SE community in Vancouver and across Canada.

I have worked as an integrative healthcare practitioner and a Physician Assistant for 30 years in Family Practice and Women’s Health. I bring these years of experience into my current practice, as a somatic psychotherapist. I developed my appreciation and understanding of the body-mind connection as a healthcare provider, and through finding answers and relief for my own health process. I have seen and experienced how symptoms can either serve as a wake-up call, or they can paralyze or occupy too much of one’s attention. Learning how to calm and regulate your nervous system is a powerful way to build resilience, which can then help you to move through life with more ease, choice and freedom. I have completed my certificate in Touch Skills Practice and Somatic Resilience and Regulation, I have training in family systems therapy and I am a faculty member at The Haven on Gabriola Island, BC. I live on Vashon Island outside Seattle, with my husband and Gracie, our active Sheepadoodle, who has taught me a lot about the nervous system!