Q: What is Somatic Archaeology?
    A: It is a generational healing technique. Somatic refers to the body; Archaeology refers to the excavation of the remains of our ancestors. Somatic Archaeology then provides the tools to excavate your personal history in your physical body for healing and awareness of generational patterns.

    Q: How does this work?
    A: In addition to inheriting the physical features of our family, we also adopt their behaviors, beliefs, traditions, and creative attributes, as well as addictions, psychological issues, and relational dynamics. Because the experiences that form these patterns are established long before we are born, we do not always consciously remember the origins of what we have adopted. This “historical amnesia” is the cause of most suffering. When we experience a symptom as painful, we are taught to suppress or ignore it. Doing this for long periods of time aggravates the symptom, establishing chronic, generational, physical and emotional conditions. Fortunately, our body has a memory too, and through Somatic Archaeology we can access the origins that impact our life story, and hence heal ourselves by re-creating a new story, creating spiritual well-being, emotional optimism, and physical freedom.

    Q: Can you give me an example?
    A: Sure. One of my students had chronic digestive difficulties and food allergies, and potentially had a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, which by the way her Uncle had as well. Through all her efforts at dietary modification, nothing had made a significant difference. Upon using the Somatic Archaeology techniques, she began to be aware of significant anxiety in her stomach that she excavated back to stressful childhood experiences. Upon the release of these memories, she was able to somatically track all the way back through her ancestry to a conflict that was established in her great-grandmother and great-grandfather who were from two different warring tribes, the Mohegan and the Pequot, who fought to the death. They fell in love and got married, much to the displeasure of their families, and hence the conflict and stress were carried through the generations. The understanding of her story came through many somatic excavations, but she was finally able to get to the origin and relieve herself of the stress that was causing her conditions and painful symptoms.

    Q: What is your background?
    A: I am a certified somatic therapist and national educator with a Masters degree in Theology and Transformational Psychology through Holos University, and I have worked for over 28 years in the alternative healing field. The focus of my work has been helping children and adults reconcile trauma, abuse, addictions, and chronic pain. Including post-traumatic stress syndromes, traumatic brain injuries, grief work, and gender issues. In addition, I incorporate aromatherapy, breathwork, Trauma First Aide™ and a technique called Brainspotting™. Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting is a fantastic focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms.

    Q: How did you develop your work?
    A: Early in my career as a certified massage therapist, I found that many clients developed repetitive pain patterns, as well as psychologically somaticized complaints relating to anxiety, depression and fear-based patterns. These symptoms were not simply physical in nature, and were the most stubborn to resolve. As the former Director of the Colorado School of Healing Arts, I was in a position to explore these patterns from an educational vantage point. We developed a training program called Trauma Touch Therapy in 1992, to help therapists touch others who had unhealthy touch histories, which required much more sensitivity than clinical massage. Through my years of research, trainings and professional practice, a healing protocol began to develop which is outlined in my book as The Five Steps of Somatic Archaeology.

    Q: Who does it benefit?
    A: Somatic Archaeology is beneficial for anyone seeking a deeper healing and understanding of their life experiences, relationship patterns, familial predispositions, physical symptoms, and psychological attitudes and beliefs. This type of somatic remembering also allows for greater spiritual understanding and attunement.

    Q: What are your current projects?
    A: Presently, my work includes providing healing services to wounded soldiers with combat stress and traumatic brain injuries, doing youth outreach programs and educational offerings and lectures through our non-profit group, Freedom Lodge. I am also doing doctorate research on Somatic Archaeology through Holos University.

    Q: What is the most important thing you have learned in your work?
    A: That healing is not difficult when you have the right tools. Many people avoid attending to their health or psychological concerns because they feel overwhelmed by them and do not know where to begin. This is caused by a backlog of stress from present day conflicts, collective struggles, environmental toxicity, and many generations of suffering. Most of us have a “U-Haul” of un-reconciled baggage that we drag behind us everyday and this can become quite a burden. It is important to begin where you are, and start sorting out the concerns one by one with the help of a trained somatic therapist. The first step is establishing safety and sobriety. We heal when we feel safe enough to do so.

    Q: Where can someone begin or find a trained somatic therapist?
    A: Of course, my book, My Body, My Earth, The Practice of Somatic Archaeology is a good place to begin or continue your education. It provides a step-by-step process to unearth the patterns of your past and reduce generational amnesia, which allows you to create positive change in your life. Please visit my website www.somaticarchaeology.com for a list of graduates.

    Q: Do you offer training programs?
    A: Yes. I offer a Master Class Certification program in Somatic Archaeology for Health Care Professionals. SA as a therapeutic approach stands alone, but as an adjunctive therapy, the techniques can be easily woven into any other modality. I also offer introductory classes for those interested in pursuing the certification program. Please visit our website for more information. www.somaticarchaeology.com