Refuge For Healing
companionship and somatic work for your grief journey
Hello, dear one. You're grieving. Your life feels upside-down. You're overwhelmed. You've been dropped into a foreign land without a map. And you feel so alone.
I'm here to walk with you, to provide a map, and to help you process your grief.
You can go to my Bookings Page and book an appointment, or you can can book a free, no-pressure, consultation to see if you want to work with me. That's also on the Bookings Page.
You can check out pricing first and see a little more about what I do, if you'd like.
You are welcome to read on and explore my site, but I know that grief can make it hard to focus, so I wanted to offer this brief and to-the-point paragraph up front. Feel free to contact me or sign up for my monthly newsnote here.
We aren't meant to grieve alone.
We used to understand that in our culture. We used to allow time and space for people to grieve and allowed them to do so publicly. Wreaths on doors, black clothing, or arm bands signaled to others that a person was in mourning and needed some extra consideration and grace for an extended period of time.
Now we are encouraged to grieve quickly and privately. Grief is very isolating.
But we can grieve better when we walk that path with other people. Grief works better when it is witnessed. And being witnessed by someone who understands grief and understands how much work it is to grieve can relieve a lot of tension over whether you are grieving the "right way."
Maybe you've experienced the death of a loved one -- whether family, friend, or pet. Maybe you've lost a job, or had a broken relationship. Perhaps you're grieving the fact that life has not turned out the way you expected and hoped it would. You might be grieving a life you used to have or family ties that have severed. Maybe you've received a diagnosis that has left you reeling. Or maybe you have a loved one who has. Maybe you fought a disease and won but haven't ever processed the grief that came with that experience. Grief can hold on a long time.
Especially when we grieve alone.
I'm here to be your companion and
guide through your journey. I am
a trained somatic practitioner
who can help you process the grief
through your body (more about this
here). I know how to listen and hold
a safe space for your emotions. I am
not afraid of your pain. And I can
help you not be afraid of your pain.
We Aren't Meant to Grieve Alone
"I personally walked away with peace I had not felt in years. My heart and mind calm and there shone a bit of self love I hadn’t seen since childhood."
Athena W. Colorado
What to Expect
You will find a safe space where everything will be held in confidence within the confines of the law.
In one-on-one sessions you will be able to talk about your grief as openly as you feel comfortable. I will never push you to do more than you are comfortable with. I will listen and hold space for all the emotions that come with grief. I will help you understand what is happening in your nervous system, emotions, and body as you grieve. Then you will learn how to allow that grief to process through your body.
That may sound kind of weird or intimidating but what that means is I will guide you in learning how to recognize how the emotion actually feels in your body: tightness, tingling, pressure, etc. And then share techniques with you that help you move that feeling out of the body. Things like breathing exercises, body movements, rituals, grounding, meditation, etc. The experience will be personalized with your input so that we find what works best for you.
We may incorporate some creative practices if that appeals to you.
We can explore different grief rituals to see if there are some that bring you comfort.
We may include spiritual direction if you'd like that.
There are many tools that can be used in the processing of grief.
I will also be offering online and in-person workshops. Sign up for my monthly Newsnote if you'd like to be informed about those.
And I will be having online and in-person support groups. The schedule for these will also be in the Newsnote.
Disclaimer: You may have heard of Somatic Therapy. That is when somatic practices are used in a psychotherapy setting. I am not a therapist or counselor. I will not be offering psychotherapy.
About Kay
I am a divorced mom of two adult children, an artist, a writer of fiction and poetry, and companion to my cat, Banjo. I am silly and serious, an old soul with a childlike perspective. I love the forests and mountains of my Colorado home, donkeys, dad jokes, and engaging with people on a deep level.
I understand what it's like to have life turn upside-down with unexpected challenges. I know what it's like to live with CPTSD, chronic illness, chronic pain, and religious trauma. I've also grieved the death of loved ones and know very well the complex ways that grief can affect us.
I'm a bit woo-woo (I believe in energy fields, vibrations, use some complementary medicine, etc), but also highly value scientific evidence and standard medical practices.
I've deconstructed from evangelical Christianity and now believe that God is bigger than any one religion. I will hold respectful space for you regardless of your belief system (or if you don't have one at all).
I am an ally to LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people and communities. I'm on an anti-colonizer, anti-racist trajectory with the admission that I have a lot to learn.
While these topics may not come up in a session, I want you to know who I am so that you can decide if I am a good fit for your needs. I want all of my clients to feel safe with me. If any of these things make you feel uncomfortable, I'd rather you be aware upfront. You are welcome, whether your perspectives and values align with mine or not. Everyone is treated with the same respect and compassion.
I hold empathetic, trauma-informed space for those who seek healing of grief and trauma through somatic work. My goal is to offer a place where everyone feels safe, seen, heard, and accepted.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Certified Integrative Somatic Practitioner
LGBTQ+ Coach
Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Grief Coach
Self-love Coach
Artist
Writer
"You won't find a safer place to do personal work. Kay is accessible and kind and genuinely interested in helping clients experience positive change." Susan P. Alberta, Canada
Pricing
There are never any hidden charges, and no contracts or obligations for Individual Appointments. You can meet with me as many times as feels beneficial.
Package pricing does anticipate that you will attend the number of sessions included in the package. There will be no refund for sessions dropped, but there is flexibility in scheduling should an emergency arise.
30 minute consultation - free
One-on-one Appointment via Zoom - 60 minute session - $110, $100, or $90 Whichever aligns with your current financial circumstances.
Package of 6 sessions - $594, $540, or $486. Whichever aligns with your current financial circumstances.
Puttering Sessions - one-on-one session with me over the phone while I clean, make art, or go for a walk. $40 for 60 minutes of somewhat divided attention. This is good when you need someone to talk to but aren't seeking a lot of depth work at the moment.
Groups - $20 per person per meeting. This would be a group that has recurring meetings over the course of a set number of weeks.
Speaking to a group one time would be considered a workshop.
Live, online workshops are $30 per workshop or buy four for $100.
If you have a group you would like for me to present to, please use the contact information below, or schedule a free 30 minute consultation through my Book Online page.
I can do a presentation about the effects of grief on the body. This would be great for any group that is experiencing grief or those who work with people who are grieving.
I can also present on somatic techniques for nervous system regulation. This is ideal for groups such as teachers, healthcare workers, and others who would like to manage their day-to-day stress.
People who are local to Colorado Springs (and nearby) can host an in-person workshop.
Go to the Book Online Page to schedule for a one-on-one appointment or to register for workshops.
