Media Resources and Touch Skills—Bodywork Practitioners

Touch Skills—Bodywork Practitioners

• Emma Andrews

  Intuitive + Medium + Somatic Healing
  Charlottesville, VA
  Phone and in-person Sessions
  Hello@emma-andrews.com

  Website
  About Emma

  Emma Andrews is a highly-acclaimed Intuitive, Medium and Somatic Healing Practicioner. Emma’s gift of seeing energy combined with her training in energy healing and somatic therapy make her Intuitive Sessions a powerful experience for many people. In addition to working with individuals, she is the creator of the popular intuition development course, “The Intuitive Method”. She teaches intuition at retreats and festivals around the world. She lives on Monacan Land, Virginia with her herd of goats. You can sign up for a class or an Intuitive Session at www.Emma-Andrews.com or follow her on instagram @emmarews.

• Sydney Batson

  Charlottesville, VA
  Website
  About Sydney

  Sydney Batson practices clinical herbalism and intuitive energy work. Her mission is to facilitate deep healing by tending to both your physical and subtle body. She loves playing matchmaker for her clients, pairing them with the herbs and therapies that best suit their needs.

  As a clinical herbalist, she can assist you with digestive complaints, menstrual issues, blood sugar imbalances, and much more. As an intuitive healer, she uses both Reiki and biodynamic Craniosacral techniques to give your body the space to heal itself.

  Sydney offers both virtual and in-person sessions for 13 year olds and older in Charlottesville, Virginia (Monahoac and Monocan land). Visit her website to learn more about her practice or to book a session.

• Zakira Beasley

  Charlottesville, Virginia
  434-960-5656
  [email protected]
  About Zakira

  Zakira is impressed with the power of intention, presence and touch as a doorway to healing, and she brings a lifetime commitment to compassionate service and spiritual awakening to her hands-on practice. Using gentle touch she offers sacred companionship in support of intrinsic health and wholeness, with clear boundaries, mutuality, and respect.

  Her training includes Craniosacral and Poly-Vagal touch skills with Janet Evergreen, and in-depth understanding of the physical and emotional impacts of conception, birth and infancy with Myrna Martin. She embodies extensive training in the Sufi tradition and Buddhist meditation practices as well as a deep appreciation for the living world.

• Lory Bedotto CMT, NCBTMB

  1219 E Market St.,
  Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-987-6286
  Email • Website
  About Lory

  I began my professional career in massage therapy in 1989. Over the years I have studied, developed and practiced many modalities including neuromuscular therapy, lymphatic drainage, massage cupping, prenatal massage, craniosacral therapy and sports massage. A large portion of my clients have come in as a last resort for chronic pain and found much benefit and relief from this approach. I also support clients in countering and healing the effects of poor posture through manual support and postural re-education.

  Another aspect of my work includes craniosacral therapy and vagus nerve regulation. These more subtle modalities prove to be the most beneficial for some. In my years of practice and training in pre and perinatal studies, I have developed an awareness of the ways in which trauma, if not resolved, can be held in the body, creating physical symptoms. Some of these symptoms include chronic headaches, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I offer an open heart and listening hands along with a safe space for fear, shock, emotional distress and imprints from accidents, birth trauma or illnesses to come to the surface for resolution. The body has an inherent ability to heal itself and release anything that creates imbalance therein. Clients will often feel a sense of relief, a deep understanding of themselves and a quality of clarity after a session.

• Birth Sisters of Charlottesville

  1010 Preston Ave.
  Charlottesville, VA 22903
  (434) 207-2151
  Email • Website
  About Birth Sisters

  Birth Sisters of Charlottesville is a women of color community based doula collective supporting women of color through their birth journey and into motherhood. Our aim is to amplify the resiliency of Black, Indigenous, Women of Color by drawing on life experiences, shared values, training, and sacred legacies to provide culturally rooted, trauma intuitive perinatal services and advocacy.  We serve women in the City of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties.

• Dominique Clothiaux RCST, LM, CPM

  Birth & Biodynamic Midwifery LLC
  Charlottesville, VA
  434-996-5095
  Website
  About Dominique

  Dominique is both a Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist and Licensed Midwife. She has studied Biodynamics & Pre and Perinatal Psychology since 2007. The main focus of her work, for over a decade, has been concentrated on how to subtly release deep tensions centered around the central nervous system. Her presence is centered on Stillness while supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. She offers a deep therapeutic approach throughout the entire pregnancy, birthing process and postpartum time periods. Bridging the clinical aspects of midwifery care with biodynamic healing principles. She helps one woman and family at a time through loving continual support in a way that will not judge you but rather meet you in the place you already are. As a therapist she has thousands of treatment sessions under her belt and a midwife she has had the honor of attending hundreds of births. Dominique is able to take Medicaid for home birth payment.

• Jay DeMaio, LMT

  Charlottesville, VA
  434-882-1437
  Email • Website
  About Jay

  Jay DeMaio is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Somatic Therapist in Charlottesville, Virginia. He received certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage in 2006. He has experience in both private practice and clinical practice. As a student of and teaching assistant for Janet Evergreen, MA, of the Sanctuary (healing arts school), Jay has gained extensive experience in treating anxiety, stress, adverse childhood experiences, and PTSD through Polyvagal Bodywork, Cranio- Sacral Therapy and various Somatic Therapy modalities.

  Jay volunteers locally as a massage therapist for under served communities and has spent time at the Texas border to support immigrants suffering from trauma as a result of family separation and fear of deportation.

  A longtime practitioner of Qigong and the Internal Martial Arts, Jay holds a five-year certificate of training from Blue Willow World Healing Center. He continues to train under the guidance of Qigong Master Zhongxian Wu, recognized lineage holder of 4 Daiost Internal Martial Arts schools.

  Jay guides Qigong as a deep internal healing experience. He offers small-group Qigong classes, and individual Qigong lessons are also available at his studio.

  Jay is a lymphoma survivor who draws on wisdom gained from his departure from conventional treatment protocols and his application of Qigong for pain management, cancer therapy, and chemotherapy recovery.

• Denise Dodds

  Office in Charlottesville
  540-223-0425
  Email
  About Denise

  After benefiting greatly from craniosacral therapy, Denise began her profession in the healing arts with the biodynamic approach to craniosacral therapy, as well as, Visceral Manipulation, polyvagal theory, body awareness and meditation. The biodynamic approach to health and bodywork brings an awareness of universal support and aligns us with our deepest resources. It is this influence and awareness that brings passion and purpose to her bodywork. Her clarity and transformation continue with spiritual processing, meditation and body awareness. Denise works with babies, children and adults in person or by Zoom. She works and lives in rural Virginia and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two children.

• Jackie Emm, MPH, RCST

  Jackie Emm, MPH, RCST
  Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
  The Medicine Wheel
  1114 East High Street
  Charlottesville, VA 22902

  Website
  About Jackie

  Jackie Emm has been practicing biodynamic craniosacral therapy (BCST) in Charlottesville since 2007. Her private practice includes a combination of therapies which incorporates BCST with a focus on trauma integration, the vagus nerve system, and early pre and perinatal patterns and how they inform our whole lives.
  Along with many years of professional training, Jackie offers deep listening skills, open awareness, and presence. She considers this type of work to be psychotherapy for your body. She believes that when our physical body is deeply listened to, without judgment, our body’s wisdom can safely express itself and reorganize for optimal health.
  Jackie moved to Charlottesville from San Francisco in 2001, and discovered the benefits of biodynamic work after the traumatic birth of her second son. She has a background in public health and nonprofit management, and worked in that field for many years before training as a somatic therapist. She has raised her family here and enjoys all that Charlottesville has to offer.

• Angela Ferri MA, LMT, ATMAT, RCST*, PPE*

  1650 State Farm Blvd, Charlottesville, VA 22911
  240-277-2826

  Website
  About Angela

  Angela completed training as a massage therapist in Santa Fe, in 1992. She has been a practitioner of The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy*, supporting men and women’s reproductive and digestive health since 2001, and is a former instructor for the Arvigo Institute. She found her way to Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy after she sustained a head injury. Transformed by the gentleness, compassion and profound depth of the work, she became a Registered Craniosacral Therapist through the Wellness Institute in 2012.

  During an advanced Biodynamic Craniosacral training about birth dynamics, Angela was inspired to continue exploration of the physical and emotional impacts of conception, the prenatal, birth, and infancy influence our orientation to life. She began training with Myrna Martin’s Pre and Perinatal Professional training in 2012, and completed the Advanced training in early 2016. Her practice supports inherent health with respect and clear boundaries. She is an herbalist with an affinity with Sacred Plant Medicine, has had a long-time yoga practice, and delights in creative movement.

• Charlotte James BA, LMT, CPCC

  Somatic Integrative Arts
  Charlottesville, VA
  434-906-0413
  [email protected]
  Website
  About Charlotte

  Charlotte’s trauma informed approach is process and nervous system oriented and has been shaped by both her personal and professional studies in various somatic embodiment trainings over the past 20 years.

  She supports her clients to orient toward agency, curiosity and resourcefulness, attune to the felt-sense of their inner guidance and inherent wellbeing and live a more embodied, joyous and creative life.

  The modalities she incorporates in her practice include: Somatic Expressive Arts, Integrative Bodywork, Co-Active Life Coaching, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Polyvagal touch therapy.

• Riley Koren MA, LPC, LMT

  Licensed Massage Therapist
  Charlottesville, VA
  [email protected]
  773-308-5304
  More information
  About Riley

  As a massage therapist and professional counselor, Riley roots her practice of massage in a compassionate awareness of the mind-body connection. She tailors each massage to the client’s unique physical and emotional needs. Riley offers full-body relaxation massages as well as more focused sessions to address specific areas of tension and/or dysfunction. She can also incorporate vagus work as needed. Riley received her massage training in Chicago and has been working as a massage therapist for 12 years.

• Anique Lubov BA, LMT

  Charlottesville, VA
  Website
  About Anique

  Anique Lubov practices Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy along with Integrative Massage and Somatic therapies in Charlottesville, VA. Her practice is dedicated to assisting people in reclaiming their health after traumas or difficult experiences. She works with infants, children and adults.

• Lynette Meynig Rev, BA

  1647 Brandywine Dr.,
  Charlottesville, VA
  434-981-6989
  Email
  About Lynette

  Lynette was a student of Janet’s for many years and studied biomechanical cranial sacral therapy. She is a certified zero balancing practitioner. In 2005 she also was ordained at St John the Divine in NYC as an interfaith minister. Understanding one’s beliefs, faith and full history of an individual provides a greater perception of the whole person. This deepens my practice, allowing a pathway to healing and wholeness.

  Lynette is the owner of Family Ties and Pies and can be found every Saturday at the local Farmer’s Market in Charlottesville.

• Todd Parker SEP, CMT, MBA

  1110 Rose Hill Drive
  Suite 100
  Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
  [email protected]
  540-849-0707
  Website

  About Todd

  At the age of 30, I began having sudden, dangerous, irregular heart rhythms, and was ultimately diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition.  In addition to the emotional shock of the diagnosis, I also experienced numerous traumatic surgeries and electric shocks to my heart from an implanted defibrillator over the following 10 years.

  I was greatly challenged by the uncertainty of not knowing if and when I would be shocked. I began to experience anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue. My overall well-being was greatly diminished as I experienced severe PTSD. I explored many healing modalities for support, including talk therapy. What ultimately helped me was receiving regular therapeutic massage and working with an MD who offered body-oriented psychotherapy. Indeed, this approach was so profoundly helpful in resolving PTSD that I committed to learning and sharing these practices.

  I became licensed in the State of Oregon to practice massage therapy in 2002. Since then, I have continued to learn and practice. I apply principles including Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Core Energetics, and Polyvagal Theory to help clients re-set their nervous systems, resulting in better health and well-being.

  I sincerely trust our physiological survival systems that have evolved for 600 million years. By bringing gentle attention and awareness to create the proper conditions of safety and connection, these survival systems can complete their process and heal the body in profound and lasting ways.

• Kate Pozo, LCSW

  277 Hydraulic Ridge Rd, Ste 102
  Charlottesville, VA 22901 [email protected]
  434-218-2175
  Website

  About Kate

  My name is Kate Pozo, and I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma work. I focus mainly on working with teenagers and adults and dedicated years to helping individuals and families through difficult times. I am passionate about what I do, and I have a versatile toolkit to help you, including parts work, EMDR, body work and more.

     What I have learned through my professional and personal experiences is that even when it feels like the world is angry dark place and there is no way out, there is always hope, and it is worth trying. And if the hope is barely there, I will hold it for you until you are ready to claim it for yourself.

     I am here to help and support your journey towards healing and health that was never lost.

• Riverbend Integrative Trauma Treatment

  172 S. Pantops Drive, Suite C,
  Charlottesville, VA 22911
  434.961.2555
  Website
  About RITT

  RITT is an outpatient psychotherapy program that offers a wide range of current and creative therapeutic interventions.   Treatment is tailored to address complex issues and help each person access their own unique and ever-present resources for healing. RITT staff include highly-skilled Supervisors,  licensed staff Therapists and license-eligible RITT Fellow therapists. Each Fellow is receiving supervision toward their clinical license and intensive training in therapeutic techniques.

• Anne Smucker LAC

  1982 Arlington Rd.,
  Charlottesville, Virginia
  434-825-4181
  Website
  About Anne

  Anne is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Charlottesville. Her intention is to create a healing partnership with you. She listens to your concerns and shares her observations in a caring, confidential environment. Through this dialogue, she creates a plan for your treatment and suggests the steps you can take to assist in your recovery of health and wholeness.

  Anne was drawn to the art of acupuncture by the example of an older Japanese friend and mentor named Hiroatsu Sato. Along with his work he used his gift of deep listening to stimulate the healing of body, mind and spirit. She realized that this was the kind of medicine she wanted to practice. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture in 2000 from the Maryland University of Integrative Medicine. She is licensed to practice acupuncture by the Virginia Board of Medicine. Anne studied Cranial Sacral therapy with Janet Evergreen over several years and this study and practice has deepened her work as an acupuncturist.

• Connie Staley CMT, NCBTMB

  1110 Rose Hill Dr.,
  Charlottesville, Virginia
  434-996-2640
  About Connie

  Connie offers individual treatments or combinations of zero balancing, craniosacral, massage, reflexology and biogensis. She is impressed with the expansive experience bodywork offers. She has studied with many incredible teachers including Swami Satchidananda with whom she studied Integral Yoga. She is currently teaching Integral Yoga at a women’s prison. Initially educated at San Francisco Art Institute, Connie approaches bodywork as an art form. She is in a supportive marriage with one daughter.

• Judith Sullivan

  420 Third Street, NE,
  Charlottesville, VA
  434-466-2292
  Website
  About Judith

  In 1983 I began my study of Zero Balancing with founder Fritz Smith, MD. Zero Balancing has since been the keystone of all that I do, and I am able to use Zero Balancing principles with CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Mobilization. I began my study of CranioSacral Therapy in 1984 with Dr. Upledger. In 1986 I began teaching for the Upledger Institute and I continued until 1999. CranioSacral Therapy has influenced me deeply both in my practice and in my teaching. I have learned how how the skills of CranioSacral Therapy can enhance the body’s natural healing processes and be effective for a wide range of health problems. I have had a private bodywork practice since 1976 and have also studied with and taught bodywork classes to professionals around the country. Teaching informs my practice and my practice informs my teaching.

  People who come to me are usually referred by a friend or health professional who has worked with me or who knows my work. My strength is my depth of knowledge and experience. I have had a private bodywork practice since 1976 and have also studied with and taught for some of the best people on the planet. I use a natural, powerful body-mind therapy that uses skilled touch to address the relationship between the structures of the body and the body’s energy. Releasing tension and energy blockages, and relieving dysfunction.

  In addition to my practice, teaching for me is a joy, an art, a privilege, and an amazing way to keep learning, inspiring and being inspired. Teaching allows us to pursue our love of learning and share our love of learning. I have enjoyed creating and teaching Secrets of the Skull, Spirit of the Organs, ZBKids, and Fabulous Fulcrums for the Zero Balance Health Association.

• Wendi Wagner, RYT 200, E-RYT 200

  Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, Somatic Practices for Building Resilience
  Website • Email
  About Wendi

  With a foundation in somatic practices and an interest in neuroscience, Wendi began researching the intersections between polyvagal theory and the benefits of yoga. These combined studies influence a teaching style that encourages students to discover ease and embodiment. The bridge between polyvagal and yogic theory are influenced by her long-time study of the Yoga Sutra. The sages remind us we can return to the simple practices of finding a place to direct our attention, and focus the heart.