Media Resources and Touch Skills—Bodywork Practitioners

Media Resources

Bodywork and Wellness Related Therapies
Pre and Perinatal Education
Meditation and Peace Work
  • Louise Diamond: A global peace builder, also part of Sunray Meditation Society and a pivotal mentor to Janet in her early development of interfacing meditation and peace studies.
  • Eastern Mennonite University Center for Justice and Peacebuilding: The program is committed to supporting conflict transformation and peace-building efforts at all levels of society in situations of complex, protracted, violent or potentially violent, social conflict around the world and where Janet received her MA. Highlighting exquisite diversity of the greatest human beings and our shared heart on the planet, there are often more than 40 countries represented in a semester.
  • Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP): Excellent International Quaker based program teaching young people and adults communication skills for conflict resolution through storytelling, play, and simulations.
  • INEPE: Inspiring school for children of the barrios of Quito, Ecuador, based on Holistic Health and Spiritual development of each child and the community. Janet teaches children and staff there every winter.
  • Zapchen
Books and Videos

Books

Videos

Local Psychotherapists

A list of local psychotherapists in Charlottesville who have training in Touch Skills for Trauma, including Somatic Experiencing or Craniosacral Therapy. Click button to view.

Local Psychotherapists

Touch Skills—Bodywork Practitioners

  • Sydney BatsonSydney 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
    zakira.beasley@gmail.com
    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 BedottoLory Bedotto CMT, NCBTMB

    1219 E Market St.,
    Charlottesville, VA 22902
    434-987-6286
    EmailWebsite
    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
    EmailWebsite
    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.

  • Laura J. Bodian OTR/L, SEP, BCST

    Tapestry Wellness
    Charlottesville, VA
    828-776-6505
    EmailWebsite
    About Laura

    Laura brings a breadth and depth to her practice that stems from over 20 years of clinical experience, expertise in complementary modalities that focus on restoring healthy function in the nervous system, and her extraordinary intuitive abilities. She has a large toolkit of strategies to pull from, but her
    greatest gift is in guiding clients to connect more deeply with their inner knowing of what is needed for true, long-lasting healing.

  • Dominique ClothiauxDominique 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, LMTJay DeMaio, LMT

    Charlottesville, VA
    434-882-1437
    EmailWebsite
    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 DoddsDenise 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 FerriAngela Ferri MA, LMT, ATMAT, RCST*, PPE*

    Ewing Drive,
    Bethesda, Maryland
    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
    charlotte.life.art@gmail.com
    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
    riley.koren@gmail.com
    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 LubovAnique 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 MeynigLynette 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 MBA, CMT

    800 E. High Street
    Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
    todd@toddparkerhealing.com
    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.

  • Anne SmuckerAnne 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 StaleyConnie 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 SullivanJudith 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.

  • Jeanne van GemertJeanne van Gemert, MFA, LPC

    Integrated Psychotherapy
    Charlottesville, VA
    919-619-6746
    Website
    About Jeanne

    As a creative Charlottesville psychotherapist in private practice, I offer client-centered sessions that help people identify stress and life difficulties in order to learn from, heal and transform them. I have expertise in mindfulness, mind/body interconnections, expressive arts and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Insurance on the way: currently a sliding scale.

  • Wendi WagnerWendi Wagner, RYT 200, E-RYT 200

    Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, Somatic Practices for Building Resilience
    WebsiteEmail
    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.