About Joy

“Grounded in joy, moving with love, planting peace.”  This is how I aspire to live.

Below is more on why I want to share sound healing & forest therapy.

Sound Healing

The first time I heard crystal singing bowls I was mesmerized. Sound healing has been an entry point for me to address deep grief and old traumas held in my body. I first added singing bowls into my daily life as a wedding gift between my wife and I, and many bowls have followed. I'm certified in California as a rape crisis and domestic violence counselor, and in 2016 I started offering community sound healing focused on releasing trauma or vicarious trauma. I'm honored to have completed the Art of Sound Healing Level II Certification from the Seattle Sound Temple.

Forest Therapy

I have always loved trees. As a kid, I would climb and sit up in them for hours; I still love to hug trees---which is very good for the immune system. Being around trees is medicine to my body, mind, and spirit. I'm currently learning from John Philip Newell about Celtic Consciousness, and I'm a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.

Background

As a trauma healing educator and wellness guide my holistic approach to healing is grounded in social change theories, intersectional gender equity, and a deep connection with nature. For almost 20 years I’ve co-created unique experiences through retreats, workshops, and participatory learning. For more on my work in higher education developing intercultural leadership trainings and healing services, visit LinkedIn. I completed my MSW at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and self-designed an interdisciplinary major in Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Gender at Vanderbilt University. 

As a transplant to California, I'm just as awe-struck today as I was the first time I drove over the Sierras. When not in our magical backyard in Oakland/Ohlone Territory, I can be found wandering meeting magnificent trees.