NAMASTE, I AM LAEL

I am a Holistic and Transformational Coach, a Sacred Sexuality, Intimacy and Relationship Counselor, an Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist, a Conscious Connection Catalyst and Creatrix at Bodhi Sacred Sanctuary.

As an Intimacy and Relationship Expert my goal is to support you in shifting from conflict to connection as you develop deeper insights and understanding of yourself and your loved ones.

I am passionate about creating opportunities for individuals, couples, teens and groups to practice the art of conscious, sacred and mindful relating.

I am excited to support you as you awaken, grow, heal and transform into the most authentic, radiant and aligned version of YOU.

I look forward to supporting you by creating a compassionate and welcoming listening space and to guiding you in developing new skills, tools, and practices to consciously create more aligned, fulfilling, healthy, secure and mutually satisfying relationships. 

I am a lifelong learner, a devoted student and practitioner of holistic psychology, energy medicine, somatics, embodiment, non-violent communication, sacred sexuality, conscious movement, ecstatic dance, meditation, mindfulness, integrative mind/body/spirit wellness, personal growth, yoga, buddhism, latin dance, tantra, spirituality and other conscious and sacred lifestyle practices.

I am a midwife, a gardener, a healer, a holistic counselor, a spiritual mentor, an empowerment advocate, a love coach, an embodiment guide, a somatic psychotherapist, a personal growth educator and a transformation catalyst.

I am a woman, a mother, a devoted love warrior, a truth seeker, a peacemaker, a connection catalyst, a social justice activist, a creative life dancer.

I am love, I am joy, I am a divine being of light, I am whole, I am complete.

I am my own sacred sanctuary. AND SO ARE YOU.

My Background

EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
MA Certificate in Couples and Family Therapy from Antioch University 
MA in Holistic and Transpersonal Psychology from Saybrook University
BA in Health Arts and Women's Studies from Goddard College

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy through the Embody Lab
Somatic Internal Family Systems through the Embody Lab
Relational Life Therapy Training Level 1 and 2 With Terry Real
Holistic Sex Coaching
The Gottman Method Level 1 and 2 through the Gottman Institute
Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through Coach Training World 
Authentic Relating Facilitator Training through the Connection Movement 
Reiki Practitioner through the Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing 
Tantra Trainings: ISTA, Urban Tantra, Skydancing Tantra, and a variety of Neo and Classic traditions 
Direct Entry Midwifery Training at Maternidad La Luz 
Biodynamic Gardening Training in Gloucester England 
Non-Violent Communication Training with Marshall Rosenberg 
Peace and Conflict Studies 
Mindfulness Meditation Studies

CAREER MILESTONES 
Completed over 15,000 hours of client coaching/counseling sessions
Supported over 500 clients (individuals, couples, families)
Facilitated over 150 Conscious Connection Events (the largest of which included 200 people)
Maintained a thriving private practice since 2018

A FEW FUN FACTS
I grew up in NY State in an Intentional Life-Sharing Camphill Community of over 250 people
I play the violin, guitar, piano, and love to sing and chant sanskrit mantras
I attended a Waldorf School and learned to knit, draw, paint, sculpt, build shelters, carve and garden
I worked as a lay midwife and birth assistant in New Mexico and Texas and attended over 200 births
I ran a 350 Member Organic/Biodynamic CSA Garden for over 10 years
I lived in India for a year doing social service work with developmentally disabled adults and children
I lived in Germany for five years raising two babies and completing my healing arts studies
I almost ordained as a zen buddhist nun in Thich Nhat Hanh's monastery in Southern France
I have travelled to 40 countries and counting and to all but 8 of the 50 US States and Territories
I have dual American and German Citizenship and speak fluent German and Conversational Spanish
I've explored a variety of relationship styles (Polyamory, Open Relationships, Conscious Monogamy)
I was married for 15 years, divorced and single for 5 years
I am now joyously nesting and consciously partnered with my Beloved since 6+ years
I am the mother of two amazing conscious young adults who live and study in Germany and Los Angelos.

WHAT BRINGS ME JOY
Yoga, Meditation, Ecstatic Dance, Contact Improv, Afrohouse, Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Semba, Brazilian Zouk, Tango, Sustainability, Gardening, Social Justice, Organic Food, Ecological Consumerism, Community, Loving Kindness, Compassion, Cuddling, Consciousness, Mindfulness, Spiritual Growth, Random Acts of Kindness, Reading, Journaling, Traveling, Sound Baths, Massages, Flowers, Nature, Hiking, Hot Springs, Eye Gazing, Learning, Holistic Healing, Conscious Connection and deep Conversations.

FAVORITE MENTORS AND TEACHERS
Brene Brown, Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, HH Dalai Lama, Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Mooji, Jack Kornfield, Desmond Tutu, Wayne Dyer, Pema Chodron, Mama Gena, Michaela Boehm, Margot Annad, Diane Richardson, Laurie Handlers, Barbara Carrellas, Elaine Young, Layla Martin, Mantak Chia, Shashi Solluna, Jaiya Ma, Sarita Ma, Harriet Lerner, Diane Poole Heller, Gay Hendrick, Peter Levine, Esther Perel, Carl Jung, Sue Johnson, Ron Kurtz, Alexander Lowen, Marshall Rosenberg, Gabor Mate, Bessel van der Kolk, Steven Porges, Deb Dana, David Schnarch, Terry Real, Betty Martin, John and Julie Gottman, Richard Schwartz, Stan Tatkin, my lovers, my sexuality, my children, nature, silence and stillness.

Stop acting so small. 
You are the universe in ecstatic motion. 

Rumi

I Believe

In living a conscious, mindful, passionate and purposeful life
In love, in kindness, in compassion, in generosity, in truth
In radical self-love and exquisite self-kindness
That we are spiritual beings having a beautiful and sometimes messy human experience
We are all one and everything and everyone is interconnected 
Triggers are teachers
Messiness is the mud we need to grow and blossom the lotus flower within us
That challenging and difficult times are opportunities for massive awakening, growth and transformation
Relationships are one of the greatest catalysts for personal growth
We are the powerful creators of our own destiny
Self-growth and self-education are some of the most powerful and transformative tools of our time
Knowledge is power
In choosing the path of love, over the path of fear 
We are all healers and sacred shamans
In energy, angels, fairies, gnomes, spirit guides and elemental beings
In magic, in miracles, in prayer, in hope, in a divine source energy
Abundance is limitless and available to each and every one of us
Pleasure is our birthright, our greatest teacher, a divine blessing
Sex magic is real, orgasms can heal
In natural, holistic, somatic and integrative wellness
That food, plants, dance, music, touch, sunshine, and flowers are some of the most potent medicines
Everything in life happens FOR us, not to us
That there is a lesson, a blessing and an opportunity in even the most challenging moments of our lives
That we all need a tribe, a circle, a community a place of belonging
Mind, body, heart, soul and spirit are all intricately interconnected 
That all beings have the freedom to identify and express themselves in whatever way feels real, true and right for them 
In living in harmony with the earth and in accordance with the rhythmic flow and cycles of the cosmos
Each of us carries within us divine masculine and divine feminine energies 
Our thoughts, beliefs and stories create our reality
We have the power to change at any time through making the unconscious conscious
Unconditional love is our birthright, we are all born worthy of love and belonging, no exceptions
Divine God and Goddess energy is within and around us, never separate from us
We need to courageously question and challenge the status quo, often
Every breath is sacred, precious, a divine gift
In authentic connection and deep nourishing conversations 
In being raw, real, authentic, unafraid to speak and live our deepest truth 
We are all whole, complete, radiant, and resilient
Each of us is here on this planet to serve a divine purpose
You are a divine and unrepeatable miracle
In your power, in your magnificence, in your perfection
IN YOUR RISE.

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

Thich Nhat Hanh