Somatic Trauma Recovery Center

Somatic Trauma Recovery Center

Hi, I’m Ana Mael, Founder of the Somatic Trauma Recovery Center, A Safe Haven for Identity and Dignity Healing

As a Somatic Experiencing Therapist (SEP, TST, TEB), my work  focuses on guiding adults with trauma histories toward identity and dignity healing.

At the Somatic Trauma Recovery Center, we provide a sanctuary for all trauma survivors, including those affected by narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, and relational trauma.

Our services also extend to survivors of war, genocide, displacement, refugees, and former child soldiers including education and training for mental health professionals. Combining firsthand experience with advanced therapeutic practices, we offer a compassionate, safe space where clients can embark on their personal journeys of recovery and integration.

I am survivor of 14 human rights violations and 10 crimes committed against me, having survived three wars, ethnic cleansing, displacements, and life as a refugee, being recruited and trained as an army sniper at age 14. I bring both personal understanding and professional expertise to our mission. I know the profound impact trauma can have on the mind, body, and soul—and I am committed to creating a place where others can reclaim their lives with renewed dignity and strength.

Our Approach: Embodiment, Identity and Dignity Healing

We utilize somatic experiencing, movement and dance-based therapies, and specialized programs designed to help our clients heal, reconnect, and regain a sense of safety and agency within their own bodies. I believe deeply in the transformative power of embodiment, conscious healing, and addressing trauma at its core—the nervous system and your whole body.

At the Somatic Trauma Recovery Center, we offer personalized therapy, group experiences, and educational resources that empower individuals to heal from trauma, cultivate resilience, and live balanced lives.

Our Services: Empowering Your Healing Journey

1. Experiential Somatic Therapy Sessions

Releasing Trauma Through the Mind-Body Connection
One-on-one sessions help clients process and release trauma held in the body. Using somatic experiencing, sensory awareness, and other techniques, we guide individuals through their body’s natural healing processes, reducing chronic pain, alleviating emotional distress, and fostering long-lasting recovery.

2. Somatic Workouts

Building Strength and Resilience Through Movement
Our somatic workouts involve slow, intentional movements tailored to release stored trauma, enhance body awareness, and restore nervous system balance. Whether through gentle stretching, body alignment, or dynamic movements, these workouts meet you where you are in your recovery journey, supporting emotional and physical resilience.

3. Training and Education for Professionals to Support War Trauma Survivors 

Many professionals, including therapists, social workers, and educators, encounter feelings of helplessness or uncertainty when working with trauma survivors affected by war, genocide and displacement. To bridge this gap, I offer specialized training, mentorship and educational programs that provide practical tools, theoretical knowledge, and hands-on somatic techniques for effectively supporting displaced clients, families, and children.

4. Somatic Movement Classes

Reconnecting with Your Body Through Movement
Movement plays a central role in trauma recovery. Our classes combine gentle exercises and mindful awareness to help clients release tension, reconnect with their bodies, and foster emotional harmony within a supportive community.

5. Nervous System Regulation

Restoring Calm and Balance
Trauma disrupts the nervous system, often leaving individuals stuck in survival mode. Our approach integrates breathwork, somatic exercises, and polyvagal-informed techniques to help clients re-regulate their nervous systems, promoting a state of calm and emotional balance.

6. Trauma-Informed Workshops & Experiential Retreats

Deep Healing in a Safe Environment
Our workshops and retreats blend somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices for immersive, transformative experiences. These programs offer individuals an opportunity to explore healing in a nurturing community setting.

7. Education & Training for Trauma Recovery

Empowering Long-Term Resilience
We offer educational programs that equip clients and professionals with somatic tools and techniques to support trauma recovery and foster resilience. Our focus on practical application and experiential learning ensures lasting impact and well-being.

8. Education, Advocacy, and Human Rights for Marginalized Communities

We are deeply committed to advocating for the human rights, privacy, and dignity of those who have been marginalized by war trauma, genocide, gun violence, and displacement, including child soldiers, undocumented, stateless individuals. Our work focuses on creating pathways for survivors to rebuild their lives with empowerment, respect, and agency, while promoting systemic change and social justice. Our work is rooted in the belief that every survivor deserves a path to healing and dignity, free from judgment or bias. We do not take sides; instead, we focus on creating a safe and supportive environment where survivors can rebuild their lives, reclaim their strength, and experience profound healing.

9. Group Therapy & Community Healing

Healing Together, Building Connection
Group therapy sessions create a nurturing space for shared experiences, emotional support, and somatic practices that facilitate collective healing. Participants benefit from a community of understanding and resilience, enhancing their personal recovery journeys.

 

Why Choose the Somatic Trauma Recovery Center?

At the Somatic Trauma Recovery Center, we offer more than just therapeutic support; we offer a space where healing is deeply personal and grounded in lived experience. As a survivor of war and genocide myself, I intimately understand the profound impact trauma can have on the mind, body, and spirit. This firsthand knowledge shapes every aspect of our work, ensuring that each client receives care that goes beyond theoretical understanding—because I have walked the path of survival myself. I bring not only professional expertise as a therapist but also a survivor’s perspective, providing compassionate, nuanced care tailored to the unique needs of every individual.

Our center combines somatic based healing, body-centered therapy, and nervous system regulation to guide clients through an effective and sustainable recovery process. Here, you can safely reconnect with your body, restore your mind, and reclaim your life in a nurturing and empowering environment.

Beyond individual healing, we are deeply committed to educating and empowering professionals and counselors to better support clients who are survivors of war trauma, and gun violence. Our mission extends to providing training, advocacy, and promoting human rights, ensuring that all survivors receive compassionate, effective care as they rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.

I am an author of two Best Sellers: