Lawanda Jackson Licensed Somatic Therapist. Remote Therapy Services. Black woman, dark skin, big small, round eyes, broad nose, afro textured hair, blue blouse.

What Remote Therapy with Lawanda is Like:

I am a real, warm-blooded, warm-hearted person first. I want to meet and connect with you, right where you are, human to human. Building safety and trust is the foundation of deep healing work. You’ll find that even though we’ll be on video that sessions will feel dynamic, connective, interactive and will engage your mind, body, and spirit.

How I Support Clients Improve their Mental & Emotional Wellness

  • Safe Space to Acknowledge & Explore the Impacts of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia etc. - We are all impacted by the isms….some of us more than others. Be understood, seen, and heard! Explore what it means to engage in the world in a way that feels safer, more freeing, and leaves space for joy.

  • Healing & Relief from Burnout - Many of us have been taught to work hard at all cost. Sometimes the cost is our physical & mental health. Learn and practice caring for yourself deeply in ways that leave you feeling restored and inspired to live life on your own terms.

  • Alleviate or Decrease Symptoms of Anxiety - Learn and practice proven body based techniques to dissolve or lessen your symptoms of anxiety. We can’t just talk ourselves out of it. Anxiety lives in the body and heals through the body.

  • Alleviate or Decrease Symptoms of Depression - This may seem strange but the way we heal through something is by holding it with genuine curiosity and non judgment. Together we will explore ways to tend to the depression in a life affirming way making space for insight, levity, and relief .

  • Healing and Relief of Developmental Trauma - Neuroplasticity is real, change is possible, you can have more wellness, joy, and love in your life. Explore what’s not working in your life now, feel your deepest longings and desires, and begin to create and live it from one moment to the next during our sessions and observe the impacts to your life.

  • Improved Relationships - The most important relationship we all have is the one with ourselves. Explore how you behave towards yourself, how you talk to yourself, and your feelings about yourself so you can cultivate a healthier relationship with yourself and others, improving the quality of your life.

Education & Training

I have earned a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica in 2008 and a second master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in 2019. My areas of specialization are transpersonal, and somatic psychology. This means that I acknowledge that the mind, body, and spirit are impacted by our life experiences and that all of these aspects of ourselves must be engaged in the healing process. I also have training and experience acknowledging and exploring my client’s experiences through a system’s lens providing context for marginalized bodies that helps to interrupt the blaming of individuals for systemic problems. In addition to private therapy sessions, I offer therapeutic experiential workshops for small groups and I train therapists in a healing modality called Relational Somatic Healing. 

  • 5 years experience working somatically while on video with clients

  • Black Octopus Society - Foundations in Embodied Somatic Abolitionism

  • Therapist Trainer -Relational Somatic Healing 

  • Relational Somatic Healing Certification 

  • Beyond Attachment -Relational Somatic Healing 

  • Therapeutic Touch - Relational Somatic Healing 

  • Developmental Trauma - Character Map - Relational Somatic Healing 

  • Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples

  • Hakomi Mindful Somatic Therapy

  • Hakomi Mindful Somatic Therapy for Couples

  • University of Santa Monica - M.A. - Spiritual Psychology specialization

  • John F. Kennedy University - M.A. - Somatic Psychology specialization

My Journey:

My early childhood and teen years were filled with trauma. I know what it’s like to not feel safe in my own home, to loose loved ones suddenly, and feel as fragile as glass believing that one more strong wind would completely shatter me. 

My past trauma haunted me as an adult and showed up in my bodily symptoms and my relationships. For years, I found myself in one unhealthy relationship after another and had difficulty finding my place in the world.

I knew something had to change, and that change would have to come from the inside out. My journey toward becoming a somatic therapist began with me finding my own way through trauma. Something inside me knew that my body held wisdom and that relationships could be healing. 

I have spent the last 20 years focused on my own emotional healing and personal development, which has enabled me to now thrive in my life. Deep self-inquiry, self-compassion, and the willingness to interrupt old patterns has been fundamental to my healing process. 

Over time, I have accepted that although I cannot change the past, with awareness I can create a better life for myself than what I had known as a child. Now I live a life that includes wellness, a sense of safety, loving relationships, and creative expression.

If you can relate to any of this and are ready to really thrive in your life, let’s talk. 

A Little More About Me:

I identify as a Black woman, lesbian, artist, holistic therapist, faith-keeper, wife, friend, and lover of life. I am passionate about authentic connection, dancing, cooking, and supporting others in the areas of personal growth and creative expression.