About Us
We are an eclectic group of professionals dedicated to the health of the primal period of life (preconception through the first years of life. We serve adults, families, mothers, fathers and babies with a variety of programs, including work with adults, families, children and the mother-baby dyad, training of professionals, education of families and individuals, research projects that support the health of this vital period, and communication tools for educators, organizations, and lay people.
Research and experience tell us that babies are conscious, moral and intelligent. Experience and the environment help shape the nervous system starting in utero. This Center provides a place for parents, the public and professionals to get information, classes, therapy, and products that support health from preconception, pregnancy, birth and the first 18 months of life. Practice and pedagogy weave together bodywork, trauma healing, neuroscience, epigenetics, attachment, and more. Please read our pages, and come down and meet our staff:
Research and experience tell us that babies are conscious, moral and intelligent. Experience and the environment help shape the nervous system starting in utero. This Center provides a place for parents, the public and professionals to get information, classes, therapy, and products that support health from preconception, pregnancy, birth and the first 18 months of life. Practice and pedagogy weave together bodywork, trauma healing, neuroscience, epigenetics, attachment, and more. Please read our pages, and come down and meet our staff:
Kate White, MA, LMT, RCST ®, CEIM, SEP, PPNE, PLC
I have been involved with pre- and perinatal health for over 25 years, starting with maternal and child health, family planning, and health education as an international professional, to a practitioner of the healing arts as a bodyworker working with pregnant mothers, families and babies. In 1995, I was certified to massage pregnant mothers and instruct parents in infant massage. Since then, I have taken thousands of hours in advanced education to support the childbearing year. My training includes: massage, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing® and trauma resolution therapy, infant mental health, breastfeeding support, and specific course work with osteopaths and advanced bodyworkers supporting nervous system development and trauma resolution. You see a complete list of my trainings and education here. My teachers include: Claire Dolby, Michael Shea, Myrna Martin, John and Anna Chitty, Cherionna Menzam Sills, Franklyn Sills, William Emerson, Karlton Terry, Bob Oliver, Ray Castellino, Mary Jackson, Tara Blasco, Frank Carbone, Lois Trezise, Ariel Giaretto, Berns Galloway, Brigit Viksnins, and many families and babies.
I have been involved with pre- and perinatal health for over 25 years, starting with maternal and child health, family planning, and health education as an international professional, to a practitioner of the healing arts as a bodyworker working with pregnant mothers, families and babies. In 1995, I was certified to massage pregnant mothers and instruct parents in infant massage. Since then, I have taken thousands of hours in advanced education to support the childbearing year. My training includes: massage, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing® and trauma resolution therapy, infant mental health, breastfeeding support, and specific course work with osteopaths and advanced bodyworkers supporting nervous system development and trauma resolution. You see a complete list of my trainings and education here. My teachers include: Claire Dolby, Michael Shea, Myrna Martin, John and Anna Chitty, Cherionna Menzam Sills, Franklyn Sills, William Emerson, Karlton Terry, Bob Oliver, Ray Castellino, Mary Jackson, Tara Blasco, Frank Carbone, Lois Trezise, Ariel Giaretto, Berns Galloway, Brigit Viksnins, and many families and babies.
Lois Trezise, CNM
Lois Trezise is a nurse-midwife of 35 year’s experience with a Master’s Degree in Midwifery and certification in hypnosis from ASCH. Lois has attended births at home, out-of-hospital birth centers, and both large city and small community hospitals. Her experience has given her an in-depth overview of all the different ways in which labor can unfold and how to help prepare and support families. She currently lives in Brattleboro, VT, and presents several times a year at the Center.
Lois Trezise is a nurse-midwife of 35 year’s experience with a Master’s Degree in Midwifery and certification in hypnosis from ASCH. Lois has attended births at home, out-of-hospital birth centers, and both large city and small community hospitals. Her experience has given her an in-depth overview of all the different ways in which labor can unfold and how to help prepare and support families. She currently lives in Brattleboro, VT, and presents several times a year at the Center.
Shatia M.Owsley, MS, PPNE, CEIM, CYT
Shatia Owsley is a holistic psychosocial and trauma practitioner who has worked in the maternal health and social services field for over 18 years. Her professional journey has allowed her to work closely with teen moms, infants and children with complex medical conditions, as well as women and families with varying life transformations. In 2010, Shatia began shifting her approach to incorporate more eastern and holistic health practices to empower her clients. She earned a masters in Health Education and Promotion, focusing her studies on educating BIPOC women on the benefits of a healthy mind, body and spirit connection during pregnancy. Shatia has continued to advance her studies by pursuing various trainings and certifications in the following areas: maternal social justice, pre and perinatal psychology, birth trauma processing, trauma informed yoga, breathwork, Calm Birth Meditation, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), indigenous postpartum care practices, ecological breastfeeding, infant massage, and various forms of energy healing (reiki, quantum healing, sound bath therapy, etc.).
Shatia's goal when working with families is to listen, empower, coach and support them as they re-discover that they are the experts of their lives. She serves as a supportive presence as they face the many adventures of life on their own terms. Shatia is a part of a growing community of holistic and spiritual healers, as well as medical and mental health professionals dedicated to the connection of the mind, body and spirit.
Shatia Owsley is a holistic psychosocial and trauma practitioner who has worked in the maternal health and social services field for over 18 years. Her professional journey has allowed her to work closely with teen moms, infants and children with complex medical conditions, as well as women and families with varying life transformations. In 2010, Shatia began shifting her approach to incorporate more eastern and holistic health practices to empower her clients. She earned a masters in Health Education and Promotion, focusing her studies on educating BIPOC women on the benefits of a healthy mind, body and spirit connection during pregnancy. Shatia has continued to advance her studies by pursuing various trainings and certifications in the following areas: maternal social justice, pre and perinatal psychology, birth trauma processing, trauma informed yoga, breathwork, Calm Birth Meditation, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), indigenous postpartum care practices, ecological breastfeeding, infant massage, and various forms of energy healing (reiki, quantum healing, sound bath therapy, etc.).
Shatia's goal when working with families is to listen, empower, coach and support them as they re-discover that they are the experts of their lives. She serves as a supportive presence as they face the many adventures of life on their own terms. Shatia is a part of a growing community of holistic and spiritual healers, as well as medical and mental health professionals dedicated to the connection of the mind, body and spirit.
Rachel Smith, LMT
Rachel Smith is a Licenced Massage Therapist in the state of Virginia. She graduated from the VA School of Massage in 2002 and has been practicing massage in some way or another since then, most recently opening Mindful Massage of Charlottesville in 2013. Rachel also holds a BA in Studies in Women and Gender from the University of Virginia. Smith's experience and education have led her to impassioned anti-violence advocacy with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, from being a night manager at an intmate partner violence shelter to long-term board service (including a stint as Recording Officer) for the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. She also served on the board, worked as the project manager, and helped found the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, a statewide organization that addresses intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and hate crimes in the LGBTQIA+ community. Rachel's bodywork practice has always had a focus on holding intentional space for LGBTQIA+ folx, trauma survivors, people receiving hospice care, caregivers, birthing parents, children, and adolescents.
Rachel started studying with Kate White in 2017 and completed Leading Edge training (developed by Ray Castellino) in 2018, going on to become an assistant with subsequent Leading Edge trainings. Since then, Rachel has received extensive training in somatic trauma resolution work as well as preventing and treating birth trauma; she appreciates the opportunity to be assisting with Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics trainings and helping to build and broaden the field.
Rachel also enjoys spending time (particularly outside!) with her partner, 3 children, and 2 beagles.
Rachel Smith is a Licenced Massage Therapist in the state of Virginia. She graduated from the VA School of Massage in 2002 and has been practicing massage in some way or another since then, most recently opening Mindful Massage of Charlottesville in 2013. Rachel also holds a BA in Studies in Women and Gender from the University of Virginia. Smith's experience and education have led her to impassioned anti-violence advocacy with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, from being a night manager at an intmate partner violence shelter to long-term board service (including a stint as Recording Officer) for the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. She also served on the board, worked as the project manager, and helped found the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, a statewide organization that addresses intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and hate crimes in the LGBTQIA+ community. Rachel's bodywork practice has always had a focus on holding intentional space for LGBTQIA+ folx, trauma survivors, people receiving hospice care, caregivers, birthing parents, children, and adolescents.
Rachel started studying with Kate White in 2017 and completed Leading Edge training (developed by Ray Castellino) in 2018, going on to become an assistant with subsequent Leading Edge trainings. Since then, Rachel has received extensive training in somatic trauma resolution work as well as preventing and treating birth trauma; she appreciates the opportunity to be assisting with Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics trainings and helping to build and broaden the field.
Rachel also enjoys spending time (particularly outside!) with her partner, 3 children, and 2 beagles.