Faculty

Pat Ogden, Ph.D., Pat Ogden, Ph.D., is a pioneer in somatic psychology having trained in a wide variety of somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches. She has 34 years experience working with individuals and groups in diverse populations. She is first author of the groundbreaking book, Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. Dr. Ogden is both founder and director of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. She is a clinician, consultant, international lecturer and trainer, co-founder of the Hakomi Institute, and on faculty at Naropa University. Currently she is working on her second book, The Body as Resource: Sensorimotor Interventions for the Treatment of Trauma.

Kekuni Minton, Ph.D., is a founding trainer of SPI, co-author of Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy with Dr. Pat Ogden, and a faculty member at Naropa University. His doctoral thesis in clinical psychology focused on somatic relational therapy and he has special interests in meditation and cultural trauma. Dr. Minton was the resident psychotherapist at the Boulder County AIDS Project, and he trains internationally for SPI.

Christina Dickinson, CAC II, is a founding trainer of SPI, a certified addictions counselor in Colorado, certified in Hakomi Therapy and Focused Expressive Psychotherapy. Trained in a wide variety of treatment modalities including EMDR, Pia Mellody's model at The Meadows, and hospice, she teaches internationally on the subjects of trauma and addiction and maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colorado.

Janina Fisher, Ph.D is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a faculty member of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. She is a former instructor at the Trauma Center in Boston. She is also past president of the N.E. Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation, an EMDR Consultant, and a former Instructor, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Fisher is the author of a number of articles on trauma treatment and lectures nationally and internationally. For more information about Dr. Fisher, see www.janinafisher.com.

Lana Epstein, M.A., LICSW, is an EMDRIA-approved consultant in EMDR, anASCH-approved consultant in Hypnosis, a Consultant and past supervisor at the Trauma Center and was a Member of the NESTTD board for 6 years. Integrating a number of therapeutic models, Lana presents internationally and maintains a private practice in Lexington, MA, focusing on adult survivors of childhood trauma.

Ame Cutler, Ph.D. Candidate, is completing her doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Saybrook University. She is certified in the Hakomi Method and brings years of experience in a variety of body-oriented modalities to her work with individuals and couples. In working with those who suffer the aftermath of relational trauma, she combines interests in somatic psychology, mindfulness, and indigenous wisdom to assist them in building a safer relationship with their own bodies.

Joe Gillan, MA LPC, has been affiliated with SPI since 1995 and is a psychiatric consultant at several hospitals in Colorado.  He serves in the graduate department of Somatic Psychology at Naropa University, leads groups for cancer survivors, and maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. Joe teaches extensively throughout Europe, Australia, and the U.S., regularly applying Sensorimotor techniques in both private practice and hospital settings, specializing in cancer and chronic illness.

Celia Grand, LCSW, BCD

Andrew Harkin, M.D. is a registered Medical Doctor (University College Dublin), and Psychotherapist. He has been interested in the relationship between psyche and soma for many years, and has a special fascination with the emerging rapprochement between neuroscience and psychotherapy. Andrew has completed a teacher trainer programme in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) organized by the Centre of Mindfulness Research and Practice, University of Bangor in North Wales.  He currently teaches in Ireland, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia and maintains a private practice in the County Mayo in the West of Ireland.

Brigitta Karelis, M.A., LPC, holds an M.A. in Somatic Psychology from Naropa University, in addition to the German degree of Paedagogik, a study that combines psychology, social work, and lifelong learning.  She has worked with drug-addicted youth, political refugees, the mentally ill, and hospice clients.  She serves on the faculty of Naropa University, has been trained as an instructor in Buddhist meditation, and maintains a private practice in Boulder.

Anne Westcott, LICSW, is a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience working with children and families. Her commitment to children and caregivers impacted by trauma has led her to explore new body oriented approaches to enhance arousal regulation in traumatized family systems. Anne provides education and consultation on trauma, dissociation, attachment, and arousal regulation and is a supervisor at the Trauma Center in Boston MA. Anne received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University in 1987.

Rebeca Farca Psict., is completing her doctoral studies in clinical psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in Somatic Psychology. She holds a degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the ITESM UEM Institute in Mexico, where she was a professor for from 1984-1986. She is certified in Humanist Counseling, Group Processing and Gestalt Psychotherapy from the IHPG Institute in Mexico City and has completed extensive training in CORE Energetics. Formerly in private practice in Mexico City, she currently works in Los Angeles integrating Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with meditation, Reiki, and Aromatherapy. She has lectured in Mexico and California on somatic psychology, and teaches Sensorimotor Psychotherapy internationally.

Esther Perez, MA, LMFT obtained a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from UCLA, an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, CA, and has a background in dance and movement.  She is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy  (TF-CBT) and in Sandplay therapy. She maintains a private practice in Los Angeles and provides services at a local agency, specializing in work with neglected, traumatized, and severely emotionally disturbed children and their families.  Esther has been a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California, often presents at local clinics on child mental health issues and therapeutic modalities, and teaches Sensorimotor Psychotherapy internationally.

Linda J. Cooke, LCSW, BCD, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Kennebunk, ME. She has over twenty years of clinical, supervisory, and consultation experience in working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Linda has extensive experience in medical social work, including oncology and hospice care, and specializes in Eating Disorders, Complex Trauma and Dissociation, and chronic illness. She has been a lecturer at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA, and a presenter for EMDRIA.

Tony Buckley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Counselling and is a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, and experienced teacher and supervisor. Tony has also earned a Certificate of Education, Diploma in Gestalt Therapy and a Certificate in Advanced Studies Supervision. He is the manager of the Counselling and Trauma Service for Transport for London (London Underground) which offers a time-limited trauma service. He is on the teaching faculty of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and is the chair of the UK Association of Sensorimotor Psychotherapists. Tony has over 20 years experience in the therapeutic field which includes private practice, managing a university counselling service and 12 years in the field of adolescent counselling.

Susan Spiegel, PhD, LCSW is a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist and trainer. She has 35 years experience in teaching, psychotherapy, supervision and consultation with children, adolescents, adults, couples. Currently she is on the doctoral faculty of The Sanville Institute for Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy; teaches trauma and relational therapy to post-doctoral fellowship students at< Reiss Davis; and maintains a private practice in Beverly Hills where she integrates both Sensorimotor and Psychodynamic psychotherapy with adolescents, adults and couples.

In Memory of Dan Thomas