About Andrea-Marie
I provide a new kind of counseling using an holistic, somatic, energetic and shamanic approach. I combine energy and intuition, somatic psychology, Reiki and shamanism in order to help clients integrate core issues and resolve inner conflicts and clear obstacles in their life paths.
I studied Hakomi Therapy through the M.E.T.A Institute in Portland Oregon. Along with Hakomi I have trained in Attachment, Character Maps, and R-CS with Jon Eisman and Donna Roy, Senior Hakomi Traininers and founders of M.E.T.A.
I am a certified Usui Holy Fire Reiki Master, Shakti Reiki Master, and a professional member of the International Center for Reiki Training. I offer sessions in and certification classes in Reiki.
I have trained in Mystic Shamanism, which includes a mix of world shamanic traditions including Tibetan, Hindu, Celtic, Cherokee, Mexican and more.
I have studied with the leading world scholars in Tarot, Mary Greer and Rachel Pollock, am a member of the American Tarot Association and attend the Los Angeles Tarot Symposiums (LATS) and the Bay Area Tarot Symposium (BATS) and (MARS) Mary and Rachel Seminars.
My training in Meditation and mindfulness includes the original Tibetan form of Buddhism, Bon, along with Shambhala Warrior training at the Los Angeles Shambhala Center where I also completed a study in Shambhala Art.
I have studied other complentary healing modalities including Bach Flower Remedies, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Chakra energy healing and balancing.
Tarot, Reiki, Aura Reading and other tools/practices of intuition are part of my work. I use dream interpretation and positive visualization techniques, goals work and supportive life counseling from many different philosophies and schools of thought.
Hakomi is a Somatic Approach pioneered by Ron Kurtz. It is a gentle and graceful style of work which honors the human more holisitcally than traditional forms of self-work. "The method draws from general systems theory and modern body-centered therapies including Gestalt, Psychomotor, Feldenkrais, Focusing, Ericksonian Hypnosis, Neurolinguistic Programming, and the work of Wilhelm Reich and Alexander Lowen. Core concepts of gentleness, nonviolence, compassion, and mindfulness evolved from Buddhism and Taoism." (Hakomi Institute Website)
What Does a Session Look Like?
In a typical session we first engage in conversation, we take the time to check in. For first time clients, it is important to gather history, listen carefully and compassionately to whatever brings you to Tree of Life Healing. Together we create a goal for the work. During the session you may benefit from mindfulness, Reiki, intuitive messages, Somatic Psych., Chakra energy work, Shamanic Techniques, Meditation, Tarot, Dream Interpretation, Positive Visualization, Obstacle Identification and Goals Planning, and more. Each session is as individual as each client.
The goal of this work is to help a person release and integrate past trauma, become aware of and release negative inner thoughts, feelings and beliefs, and to be able to regulate emotion. This work leads one to connect with their own inner wisdom, to hear their own truth, unobstructed by what life experience has put upon it. Together we provide a clear and practical pathway to follow to help you remember who you truly are.
There is peaceful happiness available to every single person, and my wish is to help people understand and embrace this truth through thought and action. I work with a deep connection to spirit yet my practice is non-denominational non-prejudiced and is an appropriate accompaniment to any lifestyle.
What led me to Tarot, Reiki, Somatic Psychology, and Intuitive Healing?
IN my twenties I had a wonderful Hakomi Therapist. I knew after doing profound and helaing work with her that I would sometime study Hakomi and create a private practice. The Hakomi work dovetailed perfectly with my life as an artist, performer, teacher and intuitive. As for the alternative sorts of healing I do, have had a connection with intuitive work and healing since I was a child. As a girl I was very attuned to other's emotions. I would know what was going to happen in certain situations. I was "listening" to guidance. My Family called me "sensitive" and "emotional." I had a parent who honored my abilities in certain areas and played intuitive/psychic games with me. My favorite was guessing what animal was behind my little toy barn door.
My toy barn!
Being a Healer is a calling. I have felt called to this work my entire life. I have even pursued other careers with success, but Healing is what I am here to do. I endeavor to be in the best service of my local and global community.
How did I start reading Tarot?
- About 20 years ago, I started with a non-tarot deck based on teachings from the Ojibwa in the American Great Lakes, The Cards of Winds and Changes. I felt strongly drawn to early European practices of honoring nature and of the practices of Indian Tribes of North America. I came to learn that in my family tree, I have European and Indian ancestors, it seemed my path was actually making sense. My first tarot deck came to me in the quintessential tarot manner. It was a gift. Well- known psychic and tarot reader, Thea Bloom was reading my cards, when she was done she pushed her deck to me and said, "you can do this." It was a turning point in my life and confirmed my belief in my ability as an intuitive. As many of my clients have voiced, sometimes confirmation is all you need.