Contributors
I created this website for Somatic-Oriented Therapies (SOT) as I believe there needs to be a recognition of the importance of a holistic approach to healing and wellness in today’s world. I felt it important to recognize the somatic therapist with a special tab as their work is the foundation of the Somatic movement.
– Donnalea Van Vleet Goelz
– Donnalea Van Vleet Goelz
Donnalea Van Vleet Goelz
Donnalea Van Vleet Goelz has a Ph.D. in Somatic Clinical Psychology and is executive director of Continuum Movement®, founded by Emilie Conrad- Da’oud. When Emilie Conrad transitioned she asked Donnalea to carry on the Continuum work and its organization, Continuum Movement. Currently she is involved in research at the University of Florida and University of North Florida.
She has taught and been on the faculty of several different educational institutes: University of Florida, University of North Florida, Mayo Clinic, Esalen Institute, Hollyhock Educational Institute, Kripalu, and The Open Center. She is the founder and owner of Cobalt Moon Center, a center for integrative health and somatics education in Neptune Beach, Florida, and was authorized by Emilie Conrad to teach Continuum Movement in 1995, and a T’ai Chi Instructor since 1990. Donnalea is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing where she served as senior faculty, as Dean of the third year class in the US and Europe.
She is also a certified Brennan Integration Practitioner, a graduate degree at BBSH that incorporates psychology and the human energy field. Other certifications include Object Relational Psychotherapy from Center for Intentional Living and Kabbalistic Healing from the Society of Souls. She has an extensive training in Dance (Ballet, modern, African) and Technical Dance Movement of Irmgard Bartenieff and Frances Cott.
She currently teaches workshops nationally and internationally in Continuum, Tai Chi, and healing arts.
She has taught and been on the faculty of several different educational institutes: University of Florida, University of North Florida, Mayo Clinic, Esalen Institute, Hollyhock Educational Institute, Kripalu, and The Open Center. She is the founder and owner of Cobalt Moon Center, a center for integrative health and somatics education in Neptune Beach, Florida, and was authorized by Emilie Conrad to teach Continuum Movement in 1995, and a T’ai Chi Instructor since 1990. Donnalea is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing where she served as senior faculty, as Dean of the third year class in the US and Europe.
She is also a certified Brennan Integration Practitioner, a graduate degree at BBSH that incorporates psychology and the human energy field. Other certifications include Object Relational Psychotherapy from Center for Intentional Living and Kabbalistic Healing from the Society of Souls. She has an extensive training in Dance (Ballet, modern, African) and Technical Dance Movement of Irmgard Bartenieff and Frances Cott.
She currently teaches workshops nationally and internationally in Continuum, Tai Chi, and healing arts.
Sue Carter
Sue Carter is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia and also a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, Bloomington. She is the former Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute and a Rudy Professor Emerita of Biology. She has held professorships at the University of Maryland (Distinguished University Professor) as well as at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She has authored more than 400 publications and edited 5 books including “Attachment and Bonding: A New Synthesis,.” MIT Press. Dr. Carter is the scientist, who first discovered the relationship between oxytocin and social monogamy and the formation of adult social bonds. She has a longstanding interest in birth and lactation and the evolution of human sociality and love. She is currently examining the developmental effects of oxytocin pathways and their role promoting in the capacity for social bonding, parental behavior and healthy relationships across the lifecycle.
Jane Shaw
Jane Shaw M.A., R.C.S.T., is a registered therapist and originator of the SIMPLE Listening programme, marrying biodynamic craniosacral therapy, neurobiology, and Jungian psychology to support individuals to recover from adverse life experiences. As a writer and educator, Jane delivers training programmes both online and in person, in Ireland and internationally. She holds an M.A. in Economics from the University of Edinburgh and an M.A. in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.
Chantal Traub
Chantal Traub is an internationally recognized birth doula, childbirth educator, and wellness coach based in New York City. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped thousands of mothers navigate childbirth with confidence and reduced trauma through her innovative Pushing Power method and a focus on pelvic floor health.
Early in her career, Chantal identified a critical gap in childbirth education around the pushing stage of labor, inspiring her mission to empower birthing moms and professionals with practical knowledge and tools to support safer, more effective pushing techniques.
Expanding her expertise beyond childbirth, Chantal now supports women of all ages and life stages, addressing their health needs through a holistic approach to pelvic floor health and nervous system regulation. She is a collaborative educator with the Polyvagal Institute, regularly teaches for the Global Pelvic Health Alliance and My Pelvic Floor Muscles, and co-authored the Amazon #1 bestseller The Pelvic Floor: Everything You Needed to Know Sooner. Chantal’s insights have been featured on numerous podcasts, including Next Question with Katie Couric and The Women’s Health Podcast.
Chantal lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two amazing teenagers. She finds joy in the outdoors, whether hiking through nature, taking invigorating cold dips in lakes or the ocean, or creating unforgettable travel experiences with family and friends.
Early in her career, Chantal identified a critical gap in childbirth education around the pushing stage of labor, inspiring her mission to empower birthing moms and professionals with practical knowledge and tools to support safer, more effective pushing techniques.
Expanding her expertise beyond childbirth, Chantal now supports women of all ages and life stages, addressing their health needs through a holistic approach to pelvic floor health and nervous system regulation. She is a collaborative educator with the Polyvagal Institute, regularly teaches for the Global Pelvic Health Alliance and My Pelvic Floor Muscles, and co-authored the Amazon #1 bestseller The Pelvic Floor: Everything You Needed to Know Sooner. Chantal’s insights have been featured on numerous podcasts, including Next Question with Katie Couric and The Women’s Health Podcast.
Chantal lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two amazing teenagers. She finds joy in the outdoors, whether hiking through nature, taking invigorating cold dips in lakes or the ocean, or creating unforgettable travel experiences with family and friends.
Michael Allison
Michael is a Performance Consultant specializing in optimizing health, resilience, and performance for various clients, from executives and athletes to sports psychologists and creatives. He has certified hundreds of professionals worldwide in his Play Zone© methodology, which applies Polyvagal Theory, and is endorsed by Dr. Stephen Porges. He writes for Psychology Today on his platform, The Pressure Paradox, and consults for major sports organizations, including the ATP, WTA, MLB, NBA, FIFA, and NCAA.
Michael is a keynote speaker and educational partner with the Polyvagal Institute, offering accredited programs and authoring influential works on Polyvagal Theory, including co-authoring a chapter on empathy and compassion with Dr. Stephen Porges in Polyvagal Perspectives. He is currently co-authoring a book to be published in February 2026 by New Harbinger titled Polyvagal Parenting.
A seasoned public speaker, he has presented at international conferences like Lithuania’s National HR Convention, Oxford University’s Master Series, the Global Exchange Conference, the International Psychological Safety Conference, and the Polyvagal Institute’s Annual Summits. Co-founder of Physical Focus Inc., a wellness center in California, Michael has thirty years of experience in health and fitness, where he developed accredited courses and led a diverse team of wellness professionals.
Michael is a keynote speaker and educational partner with the Polyvagal Institute, offering accredited programs and authoring influential works on Polyvagal Theory, including co-authoring a chapter on empathy and compassion with Dr. Stephen Porges in Polyvagal Perspectives. He is currently co-authoring a book to be published in February 2026 by New Harbinger titled Polyvagal Parenting.
A seasoned public speaker, he has presented at international conferences like Lithuania’s National HR Convention, Oxford University’s Master Series, the Global Exchange Conference, the International Psychological Safety Conference, and the Polyvagal Institute’s Annual Summits. Co-founder of Physical Focus Inc., a wellness center in California, Michael has thirty years of experience in health and fitness, where he developed accredited courses and led a diverse team of wellness professionals.
Betsy Polatin
Internationally recognized breathing/movement, somatic traumawork specialist, and best-selling author, Betsy Polatin, MFA, SEP, AmSAT has been teaching for more than forty-five years. She was a master lecturer and an assistant professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts for twenty-five years. Her background includes many years of movement education and performance, as well as training in the Alexander Technique, music, dance, yoga, meditation, trauma resolution, and the broader healing arts. Her work is greatly influenced by the teachings of Spiritual and Meditation Masters.
Betsy leads international trainings where she presents her unique and revolutionary fusion of ideas: scientific knowledge combined with ancient wisdom and intuitive human creativity. A sample of her teaching experience includes: Berklee College of Music, Touch and Movement in Trauma Therapy for PESI, Kripalu, The Embodiment Conference, Tanglewood Music Festival, Opera Institute of Boston, Psychotherapy Networker, Performing Arts Medicine Association, U.S. Association for Body Psychotherapy, Science and Nonduality Conference, and International Trauma and Yoga Conferences in the US and abroad. Since 2016, she has been co-teaching ongoing traveling workshops, themed “Trauma and the Performing Artist” and “Trauma in the Public Eye,” with Peter A. Levine, PhD. She also teaches “Returning to Ourselves, the Wisdom of Trauma,” with Dr. Gabor Maté.
Betsy is the author of the best-seller, HUMANUAL, an Epic Journey to your Expanded Self, and The Actor’s Secret. As a well-known educator, she has published numerous articles in the Huffington Post. She maintains a private practice in Los Angeles and online internationally and has a training/nontraining course.
Betsy leads international trainings where she presents her unique and revolutionary fusion of ideas: scientific knowledge combined with ancient wisdom and intuitive human creativity. A sample of her teaching experience includes: Berklee College of Music, Touch and Movement in Trauma Therapy for PESI, Kripalu, The Embodiment Conference, Tanglewood Music Festival, Opera Institute of Boston, Psychotherapy Networker, Performing Arts Medicine Association, U.S. Association for Body Psychotherapy, Science and Nonduality Conference, and International Trauma and Yoga Conferences in the US and abroad. Since 2016, she has been co-teaching ongoing traveling workshops, themed “Trauma and the Performing Artist” and “Trauma in the Public Eye,” with Peter A. Levine, PhD. She also teaches “Returning to Ourselves, the Wisdom of Trauma,” with Dr. Gabor Maté.
Betsy is the author of the best-seller, HUMANUAL, an Epic Journey to your Expanded Self, and The Actor’s Secret. As a well-known educator, she has published numerous articles in the Huffington Post. She maintains a private practice in Los Angeles and online internationally and has a training/nontraining course.
Susan Harper
MSME/T, is an internationally recognized Continuum teacher and inspired teacher of perceptual inquiry. Founded by Emilie Conrad in 1967, Susan has been teaching and contributing to the development of Continuum since 1975. Susan is a founding member of Continuum Teacher Association. She has the ability through demonstration of sounds, breaths and movement to transmit a primal and spiritual fluidity that inspires participation resulting in embodied innovative discoveries.
Susan has also developed programs including Body of Relating, Body of Perception, and Living Dreams Seminars. Her work has been influenced through long teaching collaborations with Emilie Conrad, Hubert Godard, Rolfer®, movement teacher, and researcher, Chris Price – Gestalt Awareness Practice and with Lama Drimed a Dzogchen Buddhism teacher. Working both with individuals and groups, her emphasis is on somatic awareness, vital new ways of perceiving, creative movement, and deepening our capacity for presence, resonance, and love.
Susan has also developed programs including Body of Relating, Body of Perception, and Living Dreams Seminars. Her work has been influenced through long teaching collaborations with Emilie Conrad, Hubert Godard, Rolfer®, movement teacher, and researcher, Chris Price – Gestalt Awareness Practice and with Lama Drimed a Dzogchen Buddhism teacher. Working both with individuals and groups, her emphasis is on somatic awareness, vital new ways of perceiving, creative movement, and deepening our capacity for presence, resonance, and love.
Jacek Kolacz
Jacek Kolacz, PhD is a researcher at the Ohio State University. He uses neurophysiologically-informed assessments to track progress in therapy, understand how treatments impact the nervous system, and explore ways to make available treatments more effective.
