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Hello,nice to meet you.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. Born to a Mexican father and German mother, I grew up moving across the globe - spending my youth between Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Germany. As wonderful as this sounds and also was in many aspects, being a multi-cultural, multi-home child was not always easy. Having undergone (correction: continuously undergoing) my own long journey of healing aspects of my mind, emotional being, and nervous system - I know from experience that change, healing, relief, and that sweet elusive "peace" we all long for (a simple heart at rest) takes time, patience, perseverance, willpower, endurance, and most importantly perhaps: allies.

Once in a while we can be lucky enough to find allies in our immediate surroundings and relationships, at other times these might be lacking, or we might not feel able or ready to confide in them, we might even long for additional support either way. As a counselor it is my hope that I can be such an ally to you. The kind you've always longed for, the kind we all long for: understanding, warm, present, and unconditional.

Growing up among parents and adults of the wild, questioning, and spiritually explorative generation of the 70s, the influence on my young inquisitive mind was enormous. Having grown up within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in particular and practiced various forms of meditation and mindfulness techniques since childhood, I have been through the hardships, hook-ups, illusions, disillusionments, struggles, pains, and joyful rewards that encompass a genuine seeker's and practitioner's path. And I can tell you: at times it is hell. All of it. Being human. Having a brain and nervous system that does not cooperate or function the way we want it to. Having access to so much precious knowledge and wisdom and yet not always having the time or skill to apply it all. Trying to live in this over-complex, dehumanizing, competitive world. Digesting the barrage of depressing daily news from around the world. Walking hand and hand with civilization into the abyss that is the destruction of our planet and the habitat of millions of beings (and not always quite knowing how to mitigate it all). And then, trying to be a good enough human, a good enough _______ (insert: partner, friend, sibling, parent, employee, meditator, etc.) - good to those around us and good to ourselves amidst all of this. Phew! How on earth, how?!

....Well, I feel ya. I truly do.
 

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Hanging out in the grass with my first Buddhist teacher, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche in Khadro Ling, Brazil, ca. 1998.

Education:

   In chronological order:

  • Advanced Training in Counseling and Integrative Psychotherapy (Paracelsus School Berlin) - 2009

  • B.A. in Social Work (Alice Salomon University Berlin) - 2012

  • M.A. in Intercultural Conflict Management (Alice Salomon University Berlin) - 2014

  • Bodhisattva Peace Training & Immersion Program (The Bodhisattva Peace Institute, USA) - 2016

  • Professional Mindfulness Teacher Training 300hr (Engaged Mindfulness Institute, USA) -2018

  • Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence Facilitator Training - "Path of Freedom" specialized curriculum for at-risk and incarcerated youth and adults - (Prison Mindfulness Institute, USA)

  • Licensed to practice as a Counselor/Therapist under the German Heilpraktiker Law (Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie) since 2019

  • Mindfulness-Based Contemplative Psychotherapy (Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science) - 2020

  • Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate (The Embody Lab, USA) - 2022

  • Nature-Based Therapeutic Interventions Training - (Somatic Nature Therapy Institute) - 2023

  • Somatic Trauma Therapy Training & Mentorship with Katie Asmus (Somatic Nature Therapy Institute) - 2024

  • Thriving Relationship Coach Certification - (present)

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training Level 1 & 2 - (present)

  • Further Training & Studies Completed in: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Suicide Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Crisis Intervention, Self-Harm as a Coping Mechanism and Symbol of Survival, Sexual Education; Migration, Trauma and Identity, Buddhist Psychology & Psychotherapy, and more.

  • Ecovillage Design Education Course (Gaia Foundation - part of the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development) - 2007

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Buddhist Training:
 

  • I have trained, practiced, and learned under the guidance of numerous Tibetan Buddhist teachers since early childhood, most closely under Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro and others. Having attended trainings and retreats in different countries across the world - including a half year solo meditation retreat in Khadro Ling, Brazil.

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Relevant Work Experience:

  • Mindful Ground LLC - Somatic Healing: Private Practice in Mindful Somatic Coaching for Individuals and Couples - 2024 - Washington, USA

  • Mindful Ground - Therapy & Training: Private Counseling & Psychotherapy Practice (Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie HPP) since 2020 - Berlin Germany

  • Mondlicht24 - Therapeutic Home for Young Women with Eating Disorders and Complex Trauma - Social Worker/Counselor - Berlin, Germany

  • Bodhicharya Berlin - Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher - Berlin, Germany

  • Evin e.V. - Social Worker for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors & Adults - Berlin, Germany

  • HeadNap GmbH - Mindfulness & Mental Health Portal - Hamburg, Germany

  • BZFO - Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims - Social Worker in the Out-Patient Department for Adults - Berlin, Germany

  • Hydra e.V. - Counseling Center for Sex Workers - Social Worker/Counselor & Research Assistant - Berlin, Germany

  • KOK e.V. - German Nationwide Organization Combating Human-Trafficking and Violence Against Migrant Women - Research Assistant - Berlin, Germany

The good news is: there are ways to find a greater sense of contentment and ease despite the inevitable challenges and hardships of life - a way to get through the storm and perhaps even appreciate it's force. Can we face all the colors, moods, shapes, and sensations of life and be curious rather than scared of them? We might not always be able to change the facts, but we can always try to change our relationship to them.

 

If you are curious to explore this more: join me and let's figure it out together!

As long as space remains,
as long as beings remain,
may I too remain to alleviate the suffering of the world.

- Shantideva, Bodhicaryāvatāra

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