Untying Knots: Minds and Souls Untethered

Эпизоды

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  Rebroadcast: Episode 72. Dr. Damon Silas: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) 12.10.2026 1ч

  I chat with Dr. Damon Silas, about the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). We focus on what it is, how it works, and we demo it. This demo is focused on Black folks, LGBT people, and Men who are seeking to be their best selves. So please listen and share. Links:  https://damonsilaspsychology.com From Mourning To Knight: Overcoming Loss https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07949YRGS?ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_rSgqzbJEWMN1C&tag=kpembed-20&linkCode=kpe  What's Your ACTION Plan? 6 Powerful Ways To Get Unstuck In Your Life Now http://books2read.com/u/mZ5qjR 
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  Episode 132. Mercedes Samudio: X-Men 97 Season 2 16.09.2026 1ч

  This week, I sit down again with Mercedes Samudio to discuss X-Men 97's second season. Mercedes Samudio is a licensed clinical social worker, bestselling author, international speaker, and visionary entrepreneur. She works with parents around the world in developing a healthy parental identity with her revolutionary Parental Identity Development Model and incorporating her Shame-Proof Parenting philosophy to help reduce the shame parents experience as they raise healthy children. Mercedes is also trained in trauma-informed modalities which she uses in her work with parents to help them heal the past traumas that can influence the ways parents interact with themselves and their children. Outside of her professional life supporting parents, Mercedes is married to her best friend and soulmate and they live in sunny Sothern California with their 3 fur kids (2 cats and a dog). You can learn more about her work at http://shameproofparenting.com  Developmental Trauma Training Institute: https://www.dtti.co/ 
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  Rebroadcast: Episode 8. Alexis Overstreet: Shaking Off the Pandemic Stress 11.08.2026 51мин

  Note: While this episode discusses the pandemic, the skills we discuss in this episode are applicable to stress in all areas of life. On this rebroadcast, I chat with ellow Brainspotter Alexis Overstreet about her training and work in Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE). We talk about how they hae used it to address Pandemic Stress, the Brain/Body Connection, and mental health as a Person of Color. Links: https://metaspacecounseling.com
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  Rebroadcast: Ep. 66. Brian Ragas: Supporting Queer BlackMen@ Black Brothers Esteem 13.07.2026 51мин

  On this rebroadcast, I chat with Brain Ragas, is the Director of the SF Aids Foundation program Black Brothers Esteem, which serves Queer Black Men within the community and those who are living with HIV. We talk about this type of work, the need for it, and a number of the challenges facing Queer Black men in the San Franscisco area. Listen and share. Link: https://www.sfaf.org/programs/black-health/ 
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  Episode 131. Jadzia Axelrod and Michael Varrati: 4 Seasons of Fear 15.06.2026 53мин

  This week, I sit down with creators Jadzia Axelrod and Michael Varrati to continue discussing Four Seasons of Fear: A Year of Queer Horror. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stackeddeckpress/fourseasons-of-fear-a-year-of-queer-horror  Four Seasons of Fear: A Year of Queer Horror is an all-LGBTQ+ horror comics anthology from award-winning publisher Stacked Deck Press. It features horror stories from queer perspectives that draw inspiration from holidays and seasonal activities. Four Seasons of Fear will feature work from over two dozen all LGBTQ+ comics creators, including such notables as Josh Trujillo, David Booher, and Wilfred Santiago. Filmmaker and podcaster Michael Varrati and cartoonist Tara Madison Avery will be handling editing duties on this project. Stories in Four Seasons of Fear will be based on popular holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, some slightly less celebrated ones such as May Day, Juneteenth, and Rosh Hashanah, and seasonal events such as going back to school. The book will be a full-color, standard comics size paperback projected to be roughly 200 pages in length. Contributors include: • Tara Madison Avery • Jadzia Axelrod and Rye Hickman. http://jadziaaxelrod.com  • Christianne Benedict • David Booher and Sean Peacock • Jose Cardenas and Pupa Michi • BJ Colangelo• Dave Davenport • Richard Fairgray • Chandra Free and Stephen Emond • Casey Gilley • Viktor T. Kerney and António Brandãu • Mac Maclean • Jon Macy • Ajuan Mance • Wilfred Santiago • Sonya Saturday • William O. Tyler • Michael Varrati and Brendan Haley • Alina Wahab   Links:  Year of the Goat: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/567850/the-year-of-the-goat  Saturday the 14th: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/405700/saturday-the-14th  Friends of Dorothy: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/494229/friends-of-dorothy 
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  Episode 130. Sonya Saturday and Tara Avery: 4 Seasons of Fear 08.06.2026 50мин

  This week, I sit down with creators Sonya Saturday and Tara Avery to talk about the queer horror comic anthology Four Seasons of Fear: A Year of Queer Horror and other projects they're working on. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stackeddeckpress/fourseasons-of-fear-a-year-of-queer-horror  Four Seasons of Fear: A Year of Queer Horror is an all-LGBTQ+ horror comics anthology from award-winning publisher Stacked Deck Press. It features horror stories from queer perspectives that draw inspiration from holidays and seasonal activities. Four Seasons of Fear will feature work from over two dozen all LGBTQ+ comics creators, including such notables as Josh Trujillo, David Booher, and Wilfred Santiago. Filmmaker and podcaster Michael Varrati and cartoonist Tara Madison Avery will be handling editing duties on this project. Stories in Four Seasons of Fear will be based on popular holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, some slightly less celebrated ones such as May Day, Juneteenth, and Rosh Hashanah, and seasonal events such as going back to school. The book will be a full-color, standard comics size paperback projected to be roughly 200 pages in length. Contributors include: • Tara Madison Avery • Jadzia Axelrod and Rye Hickman. http://jadziaaxelrod.com  • Christianne Benedict • David Booher and Sean Peacock • Jose Cardenas and Pupa Michi • BJ Colangelo• Dave Davenport • Richard Fairgray • Chandra Free and Stephen Emond • Casey Gilley • Viktor T. Kerney and António Brandãu • Mac Maclean • Jon Macy • Ajuan Mance • Wilfred Santiago • Sonya Saturday • William O. Tyler • Michael Varrati and Brendan Haley • Alina Wahab Links: The Year of the Goat: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/567850/the-year-of-the-goat  Saturday the 14th: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/405700/saturday-the-14th  Friends of Dorothy: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/494229/friends-of-dorothy  Queers at the Table: https://arsenalpulp.com/Books/Q/Queers-at-the-Table  https://sonyasaturday.substack.com/ 
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  Episode 129. Dr. Jonathan Lassiter: Relationships 01.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  This week, I sit down again with Dr. Jonathan Lassiter to continue our conversation about relationships. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, Ph.D. is a polymath who utilizes psychology, writing, and dance to help others heal and thrive. His roles include licensed clinical psychologist, holistic wellness and relationship coach, professor, author, public speaker, and choreographer. As a public intellectual, Dr. Lassiter has been featured on television, radio, podcasts, and print such as PBS, Sirius XM, and The Hill. Dr. Lassiter is the award-winning co-editor of Black LGBT Health in the United States: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation. This book received the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association's Achievement Award. It is the first and only text to focus solely on Black LGBT Americans' holistic health. He is currently working on his f irst sole-authored book that will explore contemporary issues of race and mental health in the United States. In addition, Dr. Lassiter has published numerous articles in academic journals and lay publications, presented his choreographic work in prestigious showcases in New York City, and provided psychological services to clients in medical centers across the country. Formerly, Dr. Lassiter is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rowan University, Founder and Chief Psychology Officer at Lassiter Health Initiatives, co-host of Fly on the Wall on YouTube, and Artistic Associate at The Black Acting Methods Studio. His social media info is below:  http://www.jonathanmlassiter.com   Twitter: @lassiterhealth  Instagram: @lassiterhealth
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  Episode 128. Dr. Eric FitzMedrud: An Existential Conversation of Today. 11.05.2026 56мин

  This week, I sit down with Dr. Eric FitzMedrud, author of The Better Man, to talk about existential crises, humanism, and responses to the current state of the world. Eric FitzMedrud is a therapist specializing in relationship and sexual issues in the San Francisco Bay Area. His specialty is helping men improve their sex lives by learning to regulate their emotions, removing sexual entitlement, and honing their sexual consent and negotiation skills. FitzMedrud is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. He has been published in an academic book and academic journal and has spoken at multiple conferences. He has also trained therapists and taught many graduate courses in psychology. FitzMedrud has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He is polyamorous and bisexual, and lives with his wife of twenty-three years and his life partner of six years in San Francisco's East Bay area, California.
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  Episode 127. Dr. Jonathan M. Lassiter, Author of "How I Know White People Are Crazy" 13.04.2026 49мин

  This week, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan M. Lassiter to talk about his new book How I Know White People Are Crazy.   Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, Ph.D. is a polymath who utilizes psychology, writing, and dance to help others heal and thrive. His roles include licensed clinical psychologist, holistic wellness and relationship coach, professor, author, public speaker, and choreographer. As a public intellectual, Dr. Lassiter has been featured on television, radio, podcasts, and print such as PBS, Sirius XM, and The Hill. Dr. Lassiter is the award-winning co-editor of Black LGBT Health in the United States: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation. This book received the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association's Achievement Award. It is the first and only text to focus solely on Black LGBT Americans' holistic health. He is currently working on his f irst sole-authored book that will explore contemporary issues of race and mental health in the United States. In addition, Dr. Lassiter has published numerous articles in academic journals and lay publications, presented his choreographic work in prestigious showcases in New York City, and provided psychological services to clients in medical centers across the country. Formerly, Dr. Lassiter is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rowan University, Founder and Chief Psychology Officer at Lassiter Health Initiatives, co-host of Fly on the Wall on YouTube, and Artistic Associate at The Black Acting Methods Studio. His social media info is below:  http://www.jonathanmlassiter.com   Twitter: @lassiterhealth  Instagram: @lassiterhealth  
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  Episode 126. Dr. David Grand: A Chat With the Brainspotting Founder 09.03.2026 54мин

  This week, I sit down wtih Dr. David Grand to discuss Brainspotting. We talk about what brainspotting is and how it works with relational therapy; the meaning of neuroexperiential and how it relates to brainspotting; and the frameworks we use to be effective in our brainspotting.   David Grand, PhD is the developer of Brainspotting, the groundbreaking relational brain-body, mindfulness-based method. He is the author of Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change and the co-author of This is Your Brain on Sports. Dr. Grand is involved in humanitarian activities with survivors of 9/11, Katrina and Sandy Hook/Newtown. He has accomplished breakthroughs in performance and creativity with Brainspotting Sports Work and Brainspotting Acting Coaching. Dr. Grand is the playwright of his 9/11 play I Witness and the filmmaker of the documentary Come Hell or High Water. Dr. Grand has been widely featured in the media including The NY Times, NBC National News, The Discovery Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Sports Illustrated and Sirius Radio.   Links:  https://brainspotting.com/  https://brainspotting.com/my-eye-opening-experience-with-brainspotting-therapy/ 
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  Episode 125. Mercedes Samudio:TheraBlerd Out - Wonderman 23.02.2026 1ч 5мин

  This week, I sit down with Mercedes Samudio to discuss the new Marvel show "Wonderman."   Mercedes Samudio is a licensed clinical social worker, bestselling author, international speaker, and visionary entrepreneur. She works with parents around the world in developing a healthy parental identity with her revolutionary Parental Identity Development Model and incorporating her Shame-Proof Parenting philosophy to help reduce the shame parents experience as they raise healthy children. Mercedes is also trained in trauma-informed modalities which she uses in her work with parents to help them heal the past traumas that can influence the ways parents interact with themselves and their children. Outside of her professional life supporting parents, Mercedes is married to her best friend and soulmate and they live in sunny Sothern California with their 3 fur kids (2 cats and a dog). You can learn more about her work at http://shameproofparenting.com 
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  Rebroadcast: Episode 13. Dr. Lonny J. Avi Brooks: Afrofuturism & Black Mental Health 16.02.2026 53мин

  This episode I chat with Dr. Lonny J. Avi Brooks about Afrofuturism & Black Mental Health. We cover what Afrofuturism is and where mental health has appeared within and through the collective works that are part of the Afrofuture / Black Speculative Arts Movements. We also discuss the attempts to erase the movements, including how that erasure theme has appeared in modern times, including elements we see in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Discovery. Dr. Brooks and I also talk about gaming as another area where the exploration of Afrofuturism is present within the game.   Dr. Brooks and Associates created called Afro-Rithms( https://www.afrorithmsfromthefuture.org/ ). As well as several Black and African focused Table Top Role Playing Games (TTRPG) and podcasts. As well as the myths and realities around mental health. Here is the demo of our game Afro-Rithms From The Future from 2019 (https://www.fathomers.org/news/world-building) though now we are playing the game online with several different organizations from the dschool at Stanford to Google to SUNY Buffalo to the Black Speculative Arts Movement and soon with the Oakland Museum of California Arts as part of their exhibition on Afrofuturism, the Mothership and we will hold a game event at Carnegie Hall in New York as part of the Carnegie Hall Afrofuturism Festival/  Links for Dr. Brooks: Twitter: @avilonny Insta: @avilonny @The Afrofuturist Podcast with Ahmed Best on iTunes  https://www.facebook.com/theafrofuturistpodcast/ www.universalforesight.com https://www.fathomers.org/news/world-building http://www.hyphen-labs.com/nsaf.html https://jfsdigital.org/articles-and-essays/vol-24-no-2-december-2019/introduction-to-the-special-issue-when-is-wakanda-afrofuturism-and-dark-speculative-futurity/ https://www.afrorithmsfromthefuture.org/ Three Black Halfings Podcast: https://headgum.com/three-black-halflings Table Top Role Playing Games: Into the Motherlands: https://motherlandsrpg.com Orun: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/newagendapubs/orun Mythic D6, Bastion: https://kheperapublishing.com/tag/mythic-d6/ The Wagadu Chronicles: https://thewagaduchronicles.com/ Harlem Unbound: https://www.darkerhuestudios.com/ Haunted West: https://www.darkerhuestudios.com/ Native American, Table Top Role Playing Games: Crow & Coyote: https://coyoteandcrow.net Ehdrigohr: https://council-of-fools.com/blog/ehdrigohr-rpg/
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  Episode 124. Goddess Lakshmi: Who Cares for the Caretakers 09.02.2026 59мин

  This week, I sit down with my friend Goddess Lakshmi to talkabout caretaking and taking care of yourself when you are acting as a caretaker.
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  Episode 123. Dr. Myron Krys: Therapy from Neurospicy to Queer Church 02.02.2026 50мин

  This week, I sit down with psychotherapist Dr. Myron Krys. We talk about living authentically in the face of community expectations, his therapeutic perspective of "release, reclaim, and redesign", neurospiciness, and therapy for diverse communities.   Dr. Myron Krys is a body- and sex-positive, queer-affirming psychotherapist specializing in identity development, self-esteem, sexuality, and trauma and addiction recovery—particularly within BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and spiritually diverse communities (Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, atheist, etc.). His training includes psychodynamic psychotherapy with a specialization in Self Psychology, and he incorporate relational, depth-oriented, and decolonial approaches. He work with individuals, couples, throuples, and polyamorous constellations to foster growth, emotional safety, and deepened self-understanding. Dr. Myron Krys also support clients navigating life with ADHD/Autism—especially those who have been misdiagnosed, overlooked, or shamed for their neurodivergence. Working to unlearn internalized messages around productivity and perfectionism, explore alternative rhythms for living and creating, and embrace more compassionate ways of relating to yourself and the world. Links:  drmyronkrys.com  https://thedepthcollective.com/team-member/myron-krys/ 
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  Episode 122. Dr. John King: Discussions on BIPOC Culture and Male Sexual Assault 05.01.2026 1ч 5мин

  This week, I sit down with Dr. John King to discuss both BIPOC culture and Male Sexual Assault.  CWs for Violence and Sexual Assault, including harm to children. Please mind the CW and listen with care Dr. King has been where you are. At 45, a flood of traumatic memories from childhood abuse and trafficking hit him like a freight train. He lost everything—his marriage, his home, his sense of who he was. Through years of work combining neuroscience, practical tools, and honest community, he found his way forward. • Bachelor in Applied Science • Doctorate in Theology • Certified Executive & Life Coach • 10+ Years Helping and Coaching Trauma Survivors • Founder, Give Them a Voice Foundation& Phoenix collective • Author of 27 books • International Speaker • Featured in Award-Winning Documentaries https://rise.phoenixcollective.app/phoenix-collective-page 
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  Episode 121. Coach Anthony Cudjo: Silence & Human Opimatization 22.12.2025 56мин

  This week, I sit down with Coach Anthony Cudjo to talk about Silence and Human Optimization.   Founder and Head Coach at Human Optimization 3.0 (H3O), Anthony Cudjo (AKA "Coach Cudjo"), is the leading expert in performance by optimizing various aspects of life, including physical, mental, and emotional health. Boasting over three decades of experience in business consulting and executive coaching, he is widely recognized as the "Teacher of Teachers" and "Leader of Leaders" for his work empowering individuals and communities to reach their full potential by achieving harmony in spirit, mind, and body. Coach Cudjo is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and the Landmark Forum, and holds certifications as an Advanced NLP Practitioner, personal trainer, life coach, nutritionist, and metabolic specialist. A former professional athlete, he has also hosted the FitnessRX Show on ESPN radio, where he shared his expertise in health and wellness with a wide audience. Links: Website: https://urh3o.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-cudjo-a2928567/  Facebook: Facebook.com/Humanoptimization3.0 Instagram: Instagram.com/Humanoptimization3.0 Youtube: Youtube.com/@Humanoptimization3.0     
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  Episode 120. Keri and Steve Sawyer: Trauma Center Sensitive Yoga/DTTI 08.12.2025 59мин

  This week, I sit down with Steve and Keri Swayer to do discuss Trauma Center Sensitive Yoga and the DTTI (Developmental Trauma Training Institute).   Keri Sawyer is an advanced yoga facilitator, seasoned speaker, and trainer with over a decade of experience in trauma-sensitive practices. She is the Founder of Openview Yoga and Co-Founder and Somatic Director at the Developmental Trauma Training Institute (DTTI). Keri also serves as Trainer Coordinator and Liaison for the Center for Trauma and Embodiment. Through these roles, Keri helps programs and organizations integrate body-based therapies and practices into their trauma-sensitive frameworks. She regularly consults with therapists, yoga facilitators, and other professionals to bring embodied approaches into clinical and community settings. As a licensed trainer in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Keri has supported professionals and communities in developing compassionate, body-centered practices that emphasize safety, choice, and present-moment awareness. She is deeply dedicated to creating spaces that empower individuals to reconnect with themselves and foster genuine healing. Through her facilitation, mentorship, and collaborative leadership, Keri continues to inspire both students and professionals in the fields of trauma recovery and embodied practice. https://www.openviewyoga.com/  https://www.dtti.co/trauma-sensitive-yoga Books Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body https://www.marcusbooks.com/book/9781038758026  Trauma-Sensitive Yoga in Therapy: Bringing the Body into Treatment https://www.marcusbooks.com/book/9780393709506  Surviving Modern Yoga: Cult Dynamics, Charismatic Leaders, and What Survivors Can Teach Us https://www.marcusbooks.com/book/9798889840107v 
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  Rebroadcast: Episode 75. Jubi Arriola-Headley, Poet: Bound 24.11.2025 55мин

  This rebroadcast is in memory of Jubi Arriola-Headley, who passed on October 17, 2025. He will be very greatly missed. Black History/Pride/ Celebration Returning guest Jubi Arriola-Headley and I chat about their new book of Poetry Bound. We discuss the work and motivation/stories behind this collection of poems. We read several of them, and I hope you share them. Links https://www.justjubi.com https://www.instagram.com/jubijustjubi/ Bound https://www.perseabooks.com/bound
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  Episode 119. Candace "Coach Felyne" Liger: Trauma-Informed Consensual Kink 17.11.2025 55мин

  This week, I sit down with Candace "Coach Felyne" Liger to discuss TINK (Trauma-Informed Consensual Kink). Originally from Mississippi, Candace is a NASM-certified fitness coach, BDSM/KINK coach, consent and harm reduction educator, and founder of the Center for Body Autonomy. With over 20 years of experience in kink and BDSM communities, and a background rooted in social justice and wellness, their work centers pleasure, inclusion, and liberation—supporting all bodies to thrive. As a BDSM/KINK coach, Candace has facilitated workshops nationwide, including Felyne Fetish Fitness, which blends exercise with power dynamics, spoken word, and radical consent. They have also been featured as a TEDx Speaker and presented at events such as Sex on Stage (FL), Sex Down South Conference (ATL), Black Love Convergence (NC), and Whoreible Decisions (TX). A graduate of the National Organization of Victim Advocates' Academy, they have organized national campaigns examining the impacts of racial and gender-based oppression, sexual violence, and mass incarceration. Their most recent campaign, #ConsentConscious, calls for comprehensive, trauma- informed consent education to strengthen both wellness and pleasure practices. Central to this work is Trauma-Informed Consensual Kink (TICK)—a reflective framework created by Black kink practitioners to deepen self, relational, and environmental awareness at the intersections of consent, pleasure, safety, and trauma. 🌐 www.TraumaInformedKink.com 📸 Instagram: Coach Felyne | TraumaInformedKink Candace Liger - Founder www.CenterforBodyAutonomy.com www.ConsentConscious.com
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  Episode 118. Dr. Linnea Swanson: Brainspotting Consultant Training and BSP in Korea 10.11.2025 1ч

  On this episode, I sit down with Dr. Linnea Swanson, Psy.D, M.A., and LMFT. We talk about Brainspotting, training as a consultant, and her work in South Korea.   Linnea Swanson, Psy.D., M.A., LMFT (she/her/hers) is a Brainspotting Trainer and owner of Twinflower Psychological Services, LLC, located on the ancestral land of the Dakhóta people, now known as Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Swanson has been a therapist for over 20 years having worked in school, county, and private practice settings. She recently ended her 17 year teaching career as a professor in several different MFT graduate programs. She is currently in private practice and leads Brainspotting trainings in the U.S. and South Korea. Dr. Swanson's clinical practice is focused on working with individuals, couples and families. Dr. Swanson has a particular interest in working with adult transracial, transnational adoptees, interracial couples and couples in CNM relationships.   Links: https://twinflowerpsych.com/index.html  Brainspotting Consultant Training: https://twinflowerpsych.com/brainspotting-consultation-certification-and-cit-program.html