
ABOUT LEAH
A little about me - I grew up surrounded by the old growth forests and lush greenery of Washington state. Dancing was my passion from the age of 5 years old until my early 20's when I moved to California and graduated with a dual bachelors in Cultural Anthropology and Art. I spent a year studying abroad in Thailand, immersing myself in Asia's vibrant culture and breathtaking natural landscapes—truly one of the most enriching periods of my life. I have spent many years since immersing myself in the studies of western and eastern herbalism and natural ways of healing, and I absolutely love all things food and cooking.
I have lived, traveled, and volunteered throughout the world, from Brazil to Bali, Greece to Mexico, China to Guatemala, Peru to Burma, and beyond. I learned early-on that we can experience profound connection through the many languages that we express beyond the verbal.
I have always been interested in the raw undercurrent of experience and the wisdom that emerges from within. More clarity came when I was introduced to Thich Nhat Hahn’s monastic community at the Thai Plum Village International Practice Center in Thailand. I was guided through the compassion-based practices of meditation and mindfulness, which cracked my heart wide open.
Experiencing the interconnectedness of our human family and Mother Earth revealed a bond that transcends time and space. A passionate dedication was activated within me: to live and work for inclusive, integral, personal transformation and together, a global collective transformation.
Discovering breathwork and Reiki a few years later was a powerful experience of 'remembering' my life purpose. Since then I dove deep into my own inner work, as well as pursued extensive studies in clinical social work, trauma, breathing sciences, psychophysiology, somatics, embodiment, and energy work. My current practice, Soul Springs Wellness, is a convergence of my life's many streams flowing into one.
Learning (and unlearning) is a life-long path and these practices have taken me down many. Through the realms of the conscious and unconscious, science and art, body and energy, personal and transpersonal, birth and death, tangible and metaphysical...the more I learn, the more I make space for it ALL, the more I delight in the depth and dance of living this miracle called, life.
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SKILLS & EXPERTISE
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Inner child healing/reparenting
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Childhood trauma integration
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Generational/ancestral healing
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Stress
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Emotional intimacy
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Empaths/highly sensitive persons
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Self-esteem
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Relationship/interpersonal
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Communication
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Breathing issues
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Life transitions
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Spirituality
APPROACHES
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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
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Somatic Breathwork
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Clarity Breathwork
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Psychophysiology of Breathing
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Breathing Behavior Analysis
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Usui Reiki
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Holy Fire® Reiki
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Strengths Based
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Person-Centered
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Culturally-Sensitive
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Trauma-sensitive
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Somatic & Embodiment
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Attachment
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Polyvagal Theory
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Mindfulness and Hakomi

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WHAT I'M ROOTED IN
I am committed to the practice of loving-kindness and conscious awareness.
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I am committed to personal and collective healing.
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I am committed to the practice of integrity, accountability, and respect for all beings.
I am committed to inciting curiosity and possibility within the challenges and complexities of life.
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I am committed to cultivating and listening to my intuition, heart and spirit.
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I am committed to the continuation of my ancestors journey of liberation.
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I am committed to softening and opening my heart to grow compassion for all beings.
I am committed to loving myself more and more fully so that love expands far beyond myself, creating a web of connection amongst all living things.
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I envision a world where everyone understands and experiences themselves as a vital part of one human family. A world where we all feel connected, to ourselves, one another, and the earth.
EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Trauma-informed clinical social work
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Professional Diploma in
Applied Breathing Sciences
Professional School of Behavioral Health Sciences
Behavioral Counseling, CBT, HRV Biofeedback, EMG Somatic Biofeedback, and Breathing Muscle Psychophysiology
Certified Behavioral Breathing Analyst
Respiratory Psychophysiology, Breathing Habit Assessment, and Breathing Habit Modification
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BA in Cultural Anthropology
U. of California, Santa Barbara
Thesis: Buddhist Mindful Eating
One-year abroad studying Thai Culture
Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand
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BA in Studio Art
University of California Santa Barbara
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TRAUMA SPECIALIZATION
EMDR Trained Clinician, Basic Training & Education Course with THRIVE
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Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR) Facilitator
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Trained
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Trauma-Informed Yoga Training
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Healing Trauma with Dr. Peter Levine, 8-hour Workshop
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NVC: Nonviolent-Communication
10-week Course
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BREATHWORK
Certified Clarity Breathwork Practitioner
Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Assistant of Levels 1-4
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Numa Somatics Level 4 Practitioner
Levels 2, 3, and 4
Elective: Trauma-Informed Equity and Diversity
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ENERGY
Usui / Holy Fire® Reiki
Attuned I, II, Advanced and Master Practitioner and Teacher
Teacher: Dr. Lorri Santamaria
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Usui Reiki
Attuned I, II, Advanced and Master Practitioner
Teacher: Ashanna Solaris
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Trauma Aware Reiki Masterclass
Teacher: Paty Mariposa
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Spin the Room Facilitator
Teacher: Lawrence Lanoff