11/16/2025
The Origin of The Somatic Apple Tree
Workshop
In March 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week in California with some of the leading figures in trauma research and somatic therapy. This event was the first time they had all come together for a Somatic Trauma Healing Immersion, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement being in a room filled with my heroes—my rockstars in the field. While I won't list everyone to avoid leaving anyone out, the talent in that room was unparalleled.
I spent seven days alongside 600 others, fully immersed in the experience of embodiment through simple tools taught by instructors and experts from around the globe. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's my passion for sharing information. Sometimes, I get carried away, expecting others to share my enthusiasm for new discoveries. Over time, l've learned to manage this excitement. I understand that people are on vastly different journeys. As a therapist, I carry the responsibility to inform others. Sometimes, this means recognizing when certain information may inadvertently cause harm or mistrust.
This feeling isn't unique to me; many health professionals share the frustration of navigating the misinformation that often preys on vulnerability. I remind myself that I, too, have a long journey of learning ahead and that I once felt disconnected and overwhelmed, grasping for understanding and comfort. Our journeys are ongoing, and I welcome the opportunity for continuous growth and exploration. With that said , this has become my way of sharing valuable information that is factual and beneficial for trauma survivors and those affected by chronic stress.
Leaving California, I felt deeply inspired by the work being done worldwide. One night, a poignant question arose from the audience directed at Dr. Gabor Maté: "What will we do when you're all gone from this earth?"
The context of this question was significant as the room was filled with some of the greatest minds in trauma research. Many of them in their 80s, and the question echoed the fear of losing such invaluable knowledge-like watching your favorite rockstar approach the end of their career.
His response was quick and straightforward
"YOU... you will pick up where we left off. You're here, aren't you? You have everything you need to do your own research, your own exploration, your own work."
That insight stayed with me as I pondered how to share all I had learned back home.
About a month later, while alone at work, I found myself looking out the window at a small orchard of apple trees. It was late April, and the leaves were blooming. Sipping coffee from a cup that said, "Shhhhh... I'm manifesting," I embraced the silence and the renewal of spring, still buzzing from my week in California.
As I observed the budding apple trees, I noticed the trunk of a tree that had been broken, possibly by strong winds. I had seen this trunk before; it always stood out to me because at its base was a hole that resembled a fairy doorway, a detail the youth I work with often referenced. On this day, I noticed new buds sprouting from the top of the trunk. The once-dead tree was alive again. Fascinated, I remembered how stronger trees share nutrients with nearby trees to nurture their growth. I reflected on how special it was to witness this transformation. After seven years of observing these trees, only now after 7 generations of seedlings had fallen before, and finally, this year marked a new beginning.
Then, a line from Einstein echoed in my mind:
"If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself." It played repeatedly, reminding me that when I'm passionate about a subject, I can easily bore others with my enthusiasm-or inspire them to join my cause. My coworkers even joked about making me a T-shirt that read, "Wait wait wait... I have an idea!"
As I gazed at the apple orchard for inspiration, I picked up a pen and began to draw. I aimed to weave together various teachings into a cohesive picture. Within 30 minutes, I had crafted a workshop that encapsulated the fundamental concepts necessary to understand the distinctions and manifestations of intergenerational, developmental, and acute trauma. This included somatic tools for navigating symptoms and promoting healing, all presented in a creative format that even a six-year-old could grasp. This was my way of contributing to the ongoing work in this field.
And so, The Somatic Apple Tree Workshop was born-a promise of more knowledge in one day than many gain in a lifetime. It is crafted with factual science but will leave you with plenty of room to instil your own culture , beliefs and creativity.
Picture taken June 7th 2024
The once dead apple tree trunk in full leaf 🍃
