I began observing regular meditation 5 years ago, I joined a 32 hr hospice volunteer training course. It was during this period of my life that my trajectory really changed. Companioning the dying and bereaved opened my eyes to the preciousness of this existence. Regular meditation woke me up to how much time I spent in my head worrying and overthinking. I became fully committed to seeking out further resources and practices to support me in being more present and in my heart.
In 2020 I took a 3 month course in complicated and traumatic grief. It was here that I began to re-evaluate the losses I’d experienced throughout my life. Not only the actual physical deaths but the shadow losses as well. My dad leaving when I was little, romantic relationships ending, the loss of feeling safe in my body due to trauma. I started to see in my loved ones and acquaintances the correlation between their current “dis-ease” and coping mechanisms and the unprocessed losses they had experienced. My heart broke. My compassion deepened. My will to heal and serve strengthened.
Since then I have been on a tireless search for tools to support me in my healing and growth. Most recently I completed a six-month certification in trauma-informed breathwork facilitation. This program took my level of embodiment and self-awareness to the next level and has been by far the most powerful tool I have come across on my journey.
Creating safe, accepting containers where ALL feelings are normalized, and accepted.
Bringing a trauma informed lens to all my encounters.
Recognizing that we each have a story and basic needs of feeling safe, seen and heard.
Supporting people’s autonomy and encouraging their innate wisdom and decision making.
Being devoted to practices that keep me present, grounded and embodied so that I am bringing my best self to each encounter and leading by example.
Being a lifelong learner and forever broadening my skills and knowledge base.
Informing my practice with the knowledge of and using my practice to support marginalized populations in our communities.
Our world is sick. Francis Wellar talks about entering the long dark and it is more important than ever to prioritise our mental health and the states of our nervous systems. We need to heal our own hearts so we can be of service to our families, our communities, and our earth. I would be so honoured to walk with you on your journey back to a whole and lighter heart.
End-of-Life Doula Certification – Douglas College
Certificate in Palliative Care – Life and Death Matters
Certificates in Basics of Bereavement, Complicated and Traumatic Grief, Grief Support Group Facilitation
Certificate in Trauma Informed Breathwork Facilitation
Member of the Death Doula Network International
Grief Ritual Leadership Training with Francis Weller
Ongoing hospice and Nav-CARE volunteer
Reiki level one and level two
Currently enrolled in a Somatic Coaching Certification
In addition to my above certifications, my consumption of books and podcasts, work with healers, and practices of mindfulness meditation, breathwork, movement, and journaling have greatly supported me on my journey. I draw tremendous strength and guidance from the natural world and spend a lot of time in the mountains with my dog Arrow and in the garden. Writing and sharing music is yet another tool I’ve used to aid me in processing my losses. I embody what I teach and feel like my personal past experiences of loss, trauma, buried and carried grief, addiction, dis-ordered eating, and abuse support me in being able to fully connect and empathize with many.
And… none of this would be possible without my beautiful, star-seed, trans son, Oli Leeson. They have taught me the truest meaning of authenticity, courage, unconditional love and acceptance. They showed me what a healthy relationship looks like and provided the foundation for me to grow, heal and flourish.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
