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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

  • Stop burnout and rebuild biological resources

  • Work to recognize immobilized stress patterns

  • Multi layered understanding of trauma for each individual

  • Engage in releasing stress memories or stored arousal energy

  • Identify resources for negotiating stress with embodiment and mindfulness

  • Explore deeper relaxation and support greater resiliency

  • Improve stress management and expand greater wellness

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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. 

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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
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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 R
egulation, 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

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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.

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