Originally from the East Coast, Valerie studied traditional psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family therapy.  She started her career working with abused women and children and slowly discovered the power of somatic therapy in accessing trauma and anxiety that has gotten stuck in the body.  The limitations of intellectual psychotherapy, which dealt only with the mind, led Valerie to graduate from the Pacific School of Massage and Healing Arts in Gualala, CA.  

The focus of that program was Somatic Agency; the ability to be fully actualized in all aspects of body, mind, and spirit. The goal is to transform wounds into blessings and help release anxiety and trauma that have been imprinted on the body.

From there, Valerie went on to purchase and run Healing Arts and massage in Gualala for nearly 10 years.  In this high-level, comprehensive team of doctors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists, she went on to develop a more comprehensive style of bodywork and healing.

Recently relocating to Forestville, Valerie hopes to again be part of a healing team and offer transformative, intuitive healing sessions that empower clients through deep personalized care.

Valerie’s Passion for Bodywork:

I am a bodyworker now to help people get back into the wisdom of their bodies.  I want to provide a safe, trained space for clients to explore the physical blocks, and I want to be present and work cooperatively with people to allow healing energies to transform discomfort and pain into relaxation and peace.

I have worked for almost 35 years in this craft, so I can listen with my hands and meet people in this place of transformative healing.