About Andrea-Marie
I work as an intuitive energetic healer and counselor, using an holistic somatic and shamanic approach. I combine energy and intuition, somatic psychology and shamanism in order to help clients integrate core issues and resolve inner conflicts and clear obstacles in their life paths. My use of a somatic approach is based in my ongoing training in Hakomi Therapy. (META Institute, Portland Or.)
I am a certified Usui Reiki Master, Shakti Reiki Master, and a professional member of the International Center for Reiki Training. I use and teach both Usui Reiki and Integrative Shakti Reiki.
I have completed an intensive five year program in Mystic Shamanism with Dr. Barbara Raven Lee, Ana Marie Gonzales, and Dr. Elena Loboda (Neurochemist). This intensive study has and continues to include a mix of world shamanic traditions including Tibetan, Hindu, Celtic, Cherokee, Mexican and more. This was a unique training and will not be repeated, but a new shorter program is being created, please email if you have interest.
My Buddhist training 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 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.
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 what I use as I channel information and healing energy for the benefit my clients. I use dream interpretation and positive visualization techniques, goals work and supportive life counseling from many different philosophies and schools of thought.
I also am currently studying 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.
Hakomi is a Somatic Approach pioneered by Ron Kurtz. It is a gentle and beautiful 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?
When you enter the room, the healing begins. In a typical session we first engage in conversation, much like any other healing session from Western medicine to alternative, we take the time to check in. For first time clients, it is important to gather history, listen carefully and compassionately to whatever brought you to Tree of Life Healing. Together we create a goal for the session and for future sessions as well. 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 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 and Intuitive Healing?
I 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. My Family called me "sensitive" and "emotional." I have always seen what you can name guides or angels depending on your vocabulary. Everyone has the ability to hear and see beyond what we consider the physical world. The American culture does not honor these skills as much as it honors other abilities so the ideas of being in touch or intuitive or in tune are not taught in schools. Rather, if a child reports seeing or hearing things outside of normal sight or hearing it is usually labeled "imagination" or "play."
My toy barn!
For me intuition and imagination are very closely related. Part of being intuitive/psychic is learning to discern between intuition and imagination. 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.
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. Even as a girl I was the person in whom others naturally confided. I was always asked for directions, assistance, advice, opinion and I know that this is partly because I do not offer advice or opinion! But I certainly do offer assistance, provide choices for direction, and honor exactly where an individual happens to be in their life. For a true Healer, nothing is more fulfilling than being able to offer relief, support and a clear vision of life.
Intuitive and Healing work is my calling. I endeavor to be in the best service of my local and global community.
How did I start reading Tarot?
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. Even as a girl I was the person in whom others naturally confided. I was always asked for directions, assistance, advice, opinion and I know that this is partly because I do not offer advice or opinion! But I certainly do offer assistance, provide choices for direction, and honor exactly where an individual happens to be in their life. For a true Healer, nothing is more fulfilling than being able to offer relief, support and a clear vision of life.
Intuitive and Healing work is my calling. 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.
