meet nisa

Hi, I’m Nisa

Explorer of the earth and the depths of soul and psyche, I have had a passion for healing and the mind-body connection from a young age. I graduated from the Sebastopol Massage Center in 2007 and continued on with studies in bodywork, yoga, Ayurveda, and nutritional medicine, but struggled with my own chronic health issues throughout my adult life. Eventually, I found my way to Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Healing as a client when it initiated and supported my recovery from a process of debilitating chronic/adrenal fatigue and neurological symptoms that was caused by mycotoxicity and ptsd, the affects of which lasted for many years and had not responded to any other treatments. Through my healing, I began to understand the role that somaticized trauma had played in my symptoms. The deepest training that I have had is my own lived experience of chronic illness and trauma recovery, which has shaped my capacity to hold space for the human experience. Finding my way to somatic work has transformed my relationship to my body and self, and allowed me to heal from long-term layers of depression, nervous-system dysregulation, and illness. I love this work, and I believe in this work.

My approach to Somatic Healing is informed by my studies of the autonomic nervous system, and my understanding of how trauma and chronic stress impact our physical body and emotional state. I value the relationship that I create with my clients, through attuning to the deeper healing that wants to happen and the potency that wants to come through. I believe in and see the health in each person and support the body and psyche’s natural impulse to heal.

I have studied Craniosacral Therapy in depth with Etienne Peirsman at the Peirsman Craniosacral Academy, completing his Full-Spectrum Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist training, and have taken additional workshops in traditional Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with Margaret Rosenau at the School of Inner Health, and Robyn Michelle Jones of The Intrinsic Touch Institute, totaling hundreds of classroom hours.

I have past and present training in somatic trauma resolution and therapeutic coaching from Anna Chitty of the Colorado School of Energy Studies, and I am a current student of the 3-year Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training, as well as the 3-year Castellino Training in Pre-Perinatal Somatic Healing. All of these trainings have taught me verbal somatic skills through a relational framework that apply to both my counseling practice as well as to my work as a somatic bodyworker.

What People Are Saying About Working With Me

  • As soon as I entered Nisa’s space, I felt like the treatment had already begun. It was evident that she doesn’t merely practice a technique, but she embodies the work herself. Her warm, compassionate presence gave me the feeling of ease and safety conducive to deep healing. As someone who has undergone prolonged chronic stress and illness, I’ve often felt that in order for a practitioner to grasp the true effects of that, I needed to expend extra energy in explanation, and even then, I sometimes still felt on guard against possible judgement or misunderstanding. This was not at all the case with Nisa. Her understanding of the effects of trauma and stress on the nervous system and overall health is so nuanced and complete, that not only am I spared the expenditure of my own energy when I work with her, but I feel completely safe to open in full vulnerability, allowing my nervous system to effectively receive the treatment.

    Rachel D.

  • I was in stage 3, adrenal fatigue when I finally met Nisa. I could barely work, and I was desperate and in despair. I had seen a couple of cranio practitioners previously. But they didn't seem to "get" what I was going through. Once I met Nisa and told her my story she was able to meet me in a way that showed she understood. She *got* it. As soon as she put her hands on me and reflected back her experience of my body, I knew I had found my healer. It was then that I trusted her ability to unfreeze and shift the trauma stored in my body. Nisa is the reason that I am almost fully healed from my health crisis. Everything else was just an added support. I rarely go into a somatic trauma response anymore and my energy reserves are almost fully replenished. Nisa is warm. compassionate and deeply practiced in her craft. Her own inner work is reflected in her ability to go deep and she embodies the healing she offers. She has coached me and calmed my anxiety during the long spiral journey of healing. She speaks from experience which built a strong foundation of trust for me. She feels like a friend and can simultaneously hold me with her professional wisdom. She authentically cares about me and has been a bright light during a very dark time. I am forever grateful to this woman.

    Jaclyn H.

  • Through my sessions with Nisa, I've been able to access deeper, untapped parts of my nervous system. She holds a sacred and safe container to unfold oneself into the mystery and medicine of craniosacral therapy. I've had profound cathartic healing experiences through her care. Nisa is incredibly skilled, intuitive and a wonderful listener. Her approach has helped recalibrate my nervous system and I especially cherish our conversations post-session where we both share reflections on what we experienced. I always walk away with a greater sense of understanding of myself and my body!

    Hilary G.

  • What a blessing to meet and heal with this lovely woman. Nisa is professional, gentle, confident, and wise. As a somatic psychotherapist myself, I'm impressed by her cognitive understandings of human development and nervous system regulation, while strongly rooting her practice in embodied, bottom-up processing. I feel noticeably more self-regulated, soothed and integrated following my sessions with Nisa. Grateful.

    Laura B.

  • Nisa is such an attuned and skilled practitioner. Every session I’ve received I felt so cared for and listened to. Her embodied wisdom and life experience offers a container that is so healing. I highly recommend Nisa for anyone looking for nervous system regulation, for a safe space to unwind and to receive quality Craniosacral therapy. Shes highly knowledgeable about the nervous system and the world of somatics, which makes our sessions together so rich. She’s professional and intuitive.

    Madeleine S.

  • Nisa is one of the most skilled Practitioners I’ve ever worked with. Over the past five years I’ve been to many Practitioners of many different modalities and Nisa has a true gift. She is incredibly intuitive as well as has a depth of knowledge on the human body, the psyche, trauma, somatic therapy, and healing techniques. Working with her has truly been life changing.

    Isabella D.

  • Sessions with Nisa bring my mind and body to a settled place of peace and stillness. The stresses that have compounded over days and weeks steadily dissipate, leaving space for easeful breath and a freedom of mind. From the moment I arrive I feel held in a healing container, balanced by her keen sensitivity and grounded awareness. These sessions have been an essential part of my healing journey.

    Gabriel K.

  • My first time receiving a cranial session from Nisa came with perfect timing. I was on the tail end of two eventful weeks which required some processing and deep rest. During the session I reached a deep level of rest so deep that time seemed to have stopped. Nisa‘s ability to support one’s process, not only in the cranial session, but most importantly before and afterwards is quite beautiful. It’s very clear that she comes to this work with a deep level of compassion and care for everyone in their healing process. If any of her offerings resonates with you I highly recommend reaching out.

    Luis G.

  • Nisa takes her work seriously and it shows. Although my experience with the craniosacral work itself was good, what made it most unlike any bodywork I’d done before was how she checked in with me, before and after our session to talk about where I was at mentally, emotionally and physically. It helped provide context for the work and made me feel like I was more of a part of the process, making the session more meaningful than I think it would have been otherwise.

    Danny B.