Laurie F. Schwartz, MS, LMHC, LMTh, Certified Hakomi Therapist, Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Certified Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapist
Laurie began her training as a Somatic Psychotherapist in 1979 with Ilana Rubenfeld. Her search for the integration of psyche, soma and soul continued. She brought the Hakomi Method of Body-Centered Psychotherapy to New York City in 1985. She is certified in: - Jin Shin Jyutsu - Shiatsu - Jungian Dream Analysis - Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy - Hellinger Family Constellations - Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy She also studied: - The Alexander Method - Feldenkreis - Continuum - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Laurie was asked by The Foundation for Human Enrichment (dba Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute) to teach the introductory workshops which were then used as a model for the creation of training programs in Vermont and New York City. She assisted the Foundation in the creation of the Somatic Experiencing (SE) trainings with love, service, passion, devotion and hard work. Laurie was responsible for inviting renowned trauma expert Dr. Diane Poole Heller to teach in New York City in 2000. She has been a Somatic Experiencing Practioner (SEP) in New York City since March 2000 and has been an Advanced Group Supervisor since 2002. Laurie traveled to Israel for several years where she assisted in the SE trainings and facilitated seminars for Holocaust Centers in Israel. She began to integrate music, drumming, dance and Family Constellations in 2003. Laurie’s ongoing fields of study includes exploring the synthesis and integration of generational trauma with pre and peri-natal psychology, Somatic Experiencing, The Hakomi Method of Body-Centered Developmental Healing and Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy. Her interest in early imprinting has grown as she has evolved and discovered the deeper layers of trauma from pre-verbal misattunement. |
Laurie received the US Association Body Psychotherapists Research Award for Doctoral Research with Amelia Kaplan for “Listening to the Body: Pragmatic Case Studies of Body-Centered Psychotherapy.” (Published in the US Association Body Psychotherapy Journal – Vol. 4)
Her ongoing interest and passion for embodiment where there is ongoing mindfulness and the ability to track self-regulation, attunement, and self-attachment has been a daily discovery and Laurie has been effective in the use of SE in the ongoing support in healing and transformation for people in recovery from addiction and co-dependency. Since 2003, Laurie has facilitated supervision groups for Hakomi Graduates, students of Somatic Experiencing as well as other therapists searching for ways to be more body inclusive. She traveled to Israel, Switzerland, Africa and India over the past 15 years as well as California, Vermont, Texas and Florida to support SE trainings and to advance her knowledge. She lived and worked in Africa from 1975-1978 as a music teacher in the US Peace Corps and has been performing as a percussionist in African Ensembles. Laurie has designed, created, and facilitated Seminars entitled Unity and Diversity where she incorporates African Percussion and Dance in order to heal the effects of trauma within a community setting and to foster ongoing resourcing, healing, consciousness, connection, collaboration, and creativity. She has a passion for the instinctual and the primal and primitive ways that tribal cultures live within nature and daily life. Laurie supports the healing of the Earth through the integration of SE with the Creative ARTS through Dance, Drumming, Art, and Poetry. She has been helping others discover "The Earth As Sacred Body and The Body As Sacred Earth." The ongoing integration of spirit and matter, within the Sacred Realms, is her passion. Laurie believes the need for resonance and attunement is primary and essential for individuals, couples, families, and society if we are to succeed in the Paradigm Shift that we are all facing. Martin Buber: "Trauma is a Wound at the Order of BEING." We are at a time in our evolution where being, breathing, bonding, belonging, and awareness of bones and blood and boundaries are essential for our individual and collective survival. |