About Andrea-Marie

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Welcome to new kind of counseling. An holistic, somatic, energetic and shamanic approach. I combine energy and intuition, somatic psychology, Reiki and Mystic Shamanism in order to help clients integrate core issues and resolve inner conflicts and clear obstacles in their life paths. This is modern Shamanism, expansive, paired with somatic psychology, and grounded in energy work.

I studied Hakomi Therapy through the M.E.T.A Institute in Portland Oregon. Along with Hakomi I have trained in Attachment, Trauma, Character Maps,  and R-CS with Jon Eisman and Donna Roy, Senior Hakomi Traininers and founders of M.E.T.A. I study the interpersonal neurobiological approaches of Daniel Siegel.

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, Peruvian 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 study and practice Bon Buddhism.  

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, shamanic journey, soul fragment retrieval, mediumship and other modalities within the realm of Mystic Shamanism. 

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?  ( Also see Intuition Page for more details)
In a typical session we first engage in conversation and mindful awareness, 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. What arises in session is what guides the work. My practices of intuition, mediumship, shamanic intervention and other "non-traditional" (although ancient) forms of healing are used when the need arises or at the request of the client. 

Some clients come in with a crisis, others come in to work on themselves when not in crisis. There is always positive growth to experience.The goal of this work  essentially, is to help a person release and integrate what is unneeded or outdated in terms of thought, action or belief.  You may find it is time to work on a past trauma or that it is time to become aware of and release negative inner thoughts, feelings and beliefs, as it may be difficult to regulate emotion, be in relationship, or to feel happy. This work leads one to connect with one's own inner wisdom, to hear one's own truth, unobstructed by what life experience has put upon it. The goal is to provide a clear and practical pathway to follow to help you remember who you truly are. 

 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 healing 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, professor and intuitive practitioner. As for the alternative healing modalities I do, have had a connection with intuitive work and healing since I was a child. As a girl I was intensely attuned to other's emotions, I would know outcomes of situations or future occurrences, I communicated with animals, saw energy and guides, and had experiences with people and animals who had passed, and had a deep connected to the natural word.  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. 
PictureMy toy barn!
Being a Healer is a calling. I have felt called to this work my entire life. I endeavor to be in the best service of my local and global community. 


How did I start reading Tarot?
  • About 25 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.