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. |
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. www.indigowomb.com [email protected]
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. www.indigowomb.com [email protected]
Rachel Smith, LMT
Rachel Smith (they/she) is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Practitioner. They grew up on unceded Monacan territory known as Charlottesville, VA and have always felt deeply rooted in the community and in the land itself, particularly the Blue Ridge mountains. Smith attended the Virginia School of Massage and completed studies there in 2002. They went on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in Studies in Women and Gender. Since their late teens, Smith has been involved in anti-violence work; they helped to found the Virginia Anti-Violence Project - an organization that addresses sexual violence, intimate partner violence and hate violence in the LGBTQ community. They also served on the state board of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance for 6 years.
After having 2 (of their 3) children, Smith shifted the focus of their commitment to helping people in a more direct, hands-on way. Their own experience of birth helped change their relationship with their body; they knew after giving birth to their first child that the experience of being able to feel and trust into their body was transformative and life-changing. Given how challenging the prenatal and perinatal time can be, particularly for Black and Brown folx, LGBTQIA2S+ folx, neurodivergent folx and folx with disabilities, Smith knew they wanted to help other birthing parents feel supported and resourced around this tender time. They have been studying Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics with Kate White since 2017 and have assisted in workshops and trainings she has held for participants coming from all over the world including Australia, Lebanon, Serbia, and California.
Smith offers in-person and zoom sessions that take a holistic, somatic, and trauma-informed approach to helping people address trauma and challenges in pursuit of living and loving their best lives.
Rachel Smith (they/she) is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Practitioner. They grew up on unceded Monacan territory known as Charlottesville, VA and have always felt deeply rooted in the community and in the land itself, particularly the Blue Ridge mountains. Smith attended the Virginia School of Massage and completed studies there in 2002. They went on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in Studies in Women and Gender. Since their late teens, Smith has been involved in anti-violence work; they helped to found the Virginia Anti-Violence Project - an organization that addresses sexual violence, intimate partner violence and hate violence in the LGBTQ community. They also served on the state board of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance for 6 years.
After having 2 (of their 3) children, Smith shifted the focus of their commitment to helping people in a more direct, hands-on way. Their own experience of birth helped change their relationship with their body; they knew after giving birth to their first child that the experience of being able to feel and trust into their body was transformative and life-changing. Given how challenging the prenatal and perinatal time can be, particularly for Black and Brown folx, LGBTQIA2S+ folx, neurodivergent folx and folx with disabilities, Smith knew they wanted to help other birthing parents feel supported and resourced around this tender time. They have been studying Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics with Kate White since 2017 and have assisted in workshops and trainings she has held for participants coming from all over the world including Australia, Lebanon, Serbia, and California.
Smith offers in-person and zoom sessions that take a holistic, somatic, and trauma-informed approach to helping people address trauma and challenges in pursuit of living and loving their best lives.
Heather Zivkovich, LMT, BCTMB
Heather's interest in wellness began during her first career, which was in theater. People in theater work long hours, and she noticed that the healthier a person was, the happier they tended to be, and the more they got what they wanted in life. She decided to explore a new career in wellness, first in massage therapy, and then branching out into more energy-focused techniques.
Heather practices various healing modalities such as Myofascial Release, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Dynamic Body Balancing, Alchemical Alignment, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, and Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics. http://balancedbeingwellness.com/ 440 Riverview Dr, Edgewater, MD, 21037,
Ph: 443-302-9119
Heather's interest in wellness began during her first career, which was in theater. People in theater work long hours, and she noticed that the healthier a person was, the happier they tended to be, and the more they got what they wanted in life. She decided to explore a new career in wellness, first in massage therapy, and then branching out into more energy-focused techniques.
Heather practices various healing modalities such as Myofascial Release, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Dynamic Body Balancing, Alchemical Alignment, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, and Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics. http://balancedbeingwellness.com/ 440 Riverview Dr, Edgewater, MD, 21037,
Ph: 443-302-9119
