Mindbody Therapy
Somatic embodied therapy
Psychedelic integration
My Approach
I offer an integral approach with a compassionate, dynamic and collaborative style. I draw from somatic and holistic perspectives on mental health and wellness, guided by the latest research.
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I engage in evidence-based practice for trauma recovery and work with practical mindfulness tools.
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The mindbody circuitry is complex, delicate and non linear in its ways to adapt, function and thrive.
Somatic therapy can support the mind body in recovering from stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, physical and emotional pain, by supporting the nervous system.
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Somatic therapy
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Somatic therapy is a holistic system that recognizes how the complex layering of trauma and stress can impact emotions, immune function, mind, breath and movement. One of the most effective pathways towards that awareness is through a mind body connection.
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Somatic therapy provides a context to recognize and work with the implicit circuitry linking the nervous system, the emotional body and relationship patterns. Its approach promote mental emotional release from trauma, support the body's system to regulate itself and enable the mind body to adapt through expanding its spectrum of intelligence and vitality.
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It considers relational attachment injury, between parent and child, as an element of early childhood adversity. Adverse childhood experiences ACE are now recognized as significant components impacting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.
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Supporting the nervous system
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This holistic approach enhance body awareness and build capacity to complete biological stress responses. The focus is to restore and reset your vital ability to adapt and navigate life with ease and agency. Chronic stress and trauma related health challenges are now a widespread global challenge. Traumatic stress adversely impacts attention, concentration, cognitive functions, family and relationships.
Somatic therapy empowers client to purge stress, stagnant emotions and body tension, as well as relieve blockages while restoring resilience. In shifting internal stress responses, clients are guided to mobilize energy towards restoration, wellness and creativity.
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What can Somatic therapy do for me?
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Identify triggers for emotional and physical distress
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Stop burnout and rebuild biological resources
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Work to recognize immobilized stress patterns
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Multi layered understanding of trauma for each individual
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Engage in releasing stress memories or stored arousal energy
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Identify resources for negotiating stress with embodiment and mindfulness
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Explore deeper relaxation and support greater resiliency
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Improve stress management and expand greater wellness
Medical Qigong
Medical Qiqong is one branch from the tree of Chinese Medicine. Qigong is the skillful cultivation of life force energy, an ancient approach to health and longevity. It's therapeutic work is based on the body's meridian and channels, an integrative system inclusive of the five elements of fire, water, earth, metal and wood in organ functions and physiology.
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Used for the last five thousands years in the Orient, Qigong support the release of fixed patterns and the increase of circulation in the mindbody system, which can promote the release of accumulated tension, somatic memories, stress, injury or trauma as well as increase the flow of health, vitality and longevity.
Jin Shin Jyutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a Japanese healing art whose origins are from an ancient lineage and tradition that originated from the Kojiki the book of ancient records. It's function is to harmonize the body mind and spirit using acu points safety energy locks, which interact with the central nervous system, the emotional body and physiology.
The use of therapeutic touch can balance the bioelectrical field of the mindbody and stimulate organ vital functions, while the nervous system can be supported to reorganize its coherence, increase repair and enhance adaptive functioning.
Training & Experience
Integral Somatic
Art and Healing, Transcultural Psychiatry 2023 - McGill University
Contemplative Embodied Psychotherapy, 2022-2023 - Nalanda Institute
Tao of trauma, 2021-2022 - Alaine Duncan
Somatic Attachment Trauma, 2019-2021 - Dr Lisa Mortimore
Psychoanalytic, 2017 - Psychoanalyst John Betts
The Other Client, 2016 - Dr Sandra Weiland PhD R.Psych
Sandplay Therapy, 2015 - Marie José Dhaese, PhD
Relationship Matters, 2014 - Dr Gordon Neufeld, PhD
Art of Attuned Regulation, 2013 - Kim Barthel, OTR
Masters of Arts Art Therapy, 2007-2010
Social and Cultural Psychiatry, 2010 - McGill University
Sandplay therapy, 2008 - ISST
International Society for Sandplay Therapy
Jin Shin Juytsu - Medical Qigong
TaiQi 2019-2023 - Sifu Eric Tuttle
Qigong 2019-2021 - Lorelei Chang
Traditional Internal Alchemy 2021 - Master Zhongxian Wu
Master of Medical Qigong MMQ 2018-2019 - Dr Noel Taylor
Jin Shin Juytsu 2019 - Wayne Hackett
Medical Qigong Therapist MQT 2017-2018
Jin Shin Juytsu 2017 - Iole Lebensztajn, MD
Medical Qigong Practitioner MQP 2013-2016
Jin Shin Juytsu 2016 - Michael Wenninger
Jin Shin Juytsu 2012 - Ian Harris
Jin Shin Juytsu 2007 - Jed Schwartz
Jin Shin Juytsu 2007 - Anita Willoughby
Jin Shin Juytsu 2006 - Wayne Hackett
Healing Arts
Ayahuasca Healing, Science and Indigenous Knowledge, 2023 - Chacruna Institute
Plant medicine integration 2006-2023
Plant medicine retreat 2020-2023
Foundations in MDMA and Psilocybin Safety, Therapeutic Application, 2021 - Psychedelic Support Network
Sweat lodges 2016-2023
Dharma mentoring 2019-2020 VDY
Buddhist retreats 2016-2017 VDY
Reiki i-ii-iii Master 2008
Hatha Yoga instructor 2007 Sivananda Yoga
Shamanism 2006 - Foundation for Shamanic Studies
Shamanic Sound Healing 2004-2005 - Zacciah Blackburn
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Bio
Nathalia Gagnon is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist and certified somatic psychotherapist, specialized in working with integral mental health and holistic psychedelic integration.
She has been working with clients recovering from early adverse childhood experiences (ACE) for over a decade, using trauma informed, applied polyvagal theory and psychosomatic perspectives of wellness. She is currently an art therapy instructor with the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy.
She shares the vision that human beings should be regarded in all their dimensions : biological, psychosocial, spiritual, ecological rather than only a unilateral view such as in the western medical model. In her continuous quest to better understand optimal health and the human potential she certified in becoming a Hatha Yoga instructor, an accredited practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu and a therapist of Shamanic Chinese Medical Qigong. She is lifelong student of Indigenous plant medicine traditions, Tai qi, Buddhism and Shamanism.