Embodied

An ongoing somatic therapy Group for Women healing from trauma

Virtual ~or~ in person in Bellingham WA

EMBODIED is for women (the she’s and they’s who have been conditioned female or are victims of gender based trauma) who have been impacted by traumatic experiences of any kind and who want to learn to inhabit their bodies, their voices and vitality, in a way that feels safe, connected and alive. This somatic therapy group is a synthesis of trauma informed movement explorations, evidenced based somatic & mindfulness practices, and creative/expressive practices to facilitate curiosity and self discovery. EMBODIED is designed to help women healing from trauma cultivate embodied presence and self awareness, empowered expression, ease and flow, healthy and compassionate responses to fear or shame, a sense of safety in and connection to their bodies, and to reclaim or rewrite their trauma narrative.

EMBODIED is equal parts healing support group & playful exploration, grounded nervous system rewiring & self empowerment. In this group we will explore themes of presence, embodiment, self love & healing shame, empowerment, safety, healthy self & co-regulation, and more. EMBODIED is open to 10 participants who are able to commit to showing up every other week for 10 sessions. This longer container allows for deeper and more consistent exploration of practices, which supports more holistic and sustained healing.

Learn more & Register

SAfety, pleasure, and embodiment are your birthright!

Themes we will explore in

Embodied :

  • Presence and awareness

  • Embodiment and connection to yourself and your body

  • Strength in vulnerability

  • Self love, healing shame, self acceptance

  • Safety in community and relationship

  • Grief and loss

  • Reclaiming and rewriting your trauma narrative

  • Living fully in the face of difficulty

  • Pleasure, desire and reconnecting with your vitality

  • Boundaries

  • Creativity and expression

Explorations & Practices

  • Somatic Practices to cultivate more body awareness and connection

  • Evidenced based somatic nervous system regulation practices

  • Evidenced based mindfulness practices

  • Education about the nervous system and the body/brain interaction when you are activated (triggered)

  • Tools to soothe trauma responses

  • Movement, or physical expression

  • Voice and vocalization

  • Sharing and connection with others

  • Writing, journaling or poetry

  • Meditation and embodiment practices

  • Nature connection

  • Start date TBA, or when there are at least 6 people signed up. Every other Monday (or possibly Thursday) nights. 6-8pm Pacific time.

  • Option for 1:1 somatic therapy sessions

  • Possible daylong retreat

  • For in person group, location to be provided, $170/mo

  • For virtual group, zoom link to be provided, $140/mo

  • Some limited sliding scale spots available.

Logistics

learn more & Register

“The secret to thriving is the knowledge that we are never simply victims of our bodies. It’s very reassuring to know that we all have within us the ability to heal from anything and go on to live joy-filled lives.”
~Christiane Northrup

Embodied is for women healing from any of the following kinds of trauma:

Register for Embodied 
  • Sexual trauma
  • Traumatic Brain injuries
  • medical or surgical trauma
  • spousal abuse or elder abuse
  • Emotional or verbal abuse
  • Social/Relational trauma
  • Harrassment
  • or any other personally traumatic experience
  • Physical accidents or injuries
  • Dysfunctional or alcoholic families
  • Addiction
  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Intergenerational trauma
  • childhood abuse or neglect
  • chronic or terminal illness
  • death and loss of loved ones

What to bring to each session:

  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Personal items representing your healing journey and healing aspirations 
  • Art supplies if you wish
  • A journal and pen
  • A pillow, stufFED ANIMAL or comfort item.

Meet your facilitator… Nichole Proffitt

Having navigated her own childhood and adult experiences of physical and emotional trauma, grief and loss, debilitating injury, and long-term chronic illness, Nichole is inspired to support others in cultivating safety in and connection to their bodies, and in reawakening their capacity and vitality.

Nichole’s personal and professional experience spans 20+ years of 1:1 mentoring and group facilitation across complementary healing and wellness disciplines, and draws from the wisdom of many teachers and mentors who have supported her on her own journey.

A certified mindfulness teacher (UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, trained grief ritual facilitator, and dance and movement teacher, Nichole has taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine for over a decade. There, she also developed and teaches Mindful HEART—Healing and Embodied Awareness for Recovery from Trauma. Nichole has also contributed to several NIH-funded mindfulness research studies at UCSF, exploring the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for medical and mental health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS-related cognitive decline, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

Nichole has recently completed training as a Somatic Sexual Trauma Practitioner, and this summer will begin a year-long training in Somatic Sex Therapy to further support her clients recovering from sexual violence and trauma.

In addition to her work as a ceramic and performing artist, Nichole has studied meditation for 20+ years with Buddhist teachers from around the world, including intensive, long-term silent meditation retreat practice. She is an avid camper, backpacker, dancer, and a lover of all things wild and free.

contact nichole