About me and my journey

Ever since I can remember, I have been a highly sensitive person. Growing up, I was aware of my ability to feel the emotions of others, and sometimes I was completely overwhelmed by them. My sensitive nature combined with an extroverted personality & flair for humor, helped me to create many deep social bonds with others. It also fueled my desire to help those who are struggling. Thus began my early interest psychology and the helping professions.

After earning my BA in Psychology at SUNY Buffalo State College, I worked with emotionally and behaviorally disordered youth in a residential treatment facility in Buffalo, New York. This experience sparked my interest in pursuing a graduate degree in the field of school psychology.

In pursuit of my goals, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend The University of Massachusetts at Boston. I earned a Master of Education (M.Ed) in School Psychology, and went on to complete practicum training, earning a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in School Psychology.

During my 25 year career practicing as a school psychologist in the greater Boston area, I had the opportunity to provide a wide array of services to children, parents, teachers and communities. I provided counseling, psychological assessment, crisis intervention, behavior intervention planning, and specialized services for high needs populations. I taught social skills and coping (emotional regulation) to students in small groups and large groups. I provided consultative support to parents, administrators & teachers; ran parenting groups, chaired special education team meetings, developed and implemented individual education plans (IEPs), and offered districtwide professional development workshops to teachers. I developed and ran a social mentoring program for at-risk students. My career as a school psychologist & school counselor was very successful, exciting and busy.

All of that sensitivity was paying off! For everyone, except for me.

By my mid-thirties, I began experiencing symptoms of anxiety: from an acute period of frequent, high intensity panic attacks (lasting 4-6 months), to chronic, anxiety-induced irritability and mood swings, seasonal depression and just plain work-related stress. My own therapist was helpful to talk to, but I was searching for something more embodied than talk therapy. I was seeking concrete and holistic tools to manage stress for mind and body, soothe my sensitive nature, and balance my intense work life with a more joyful personal life. One that allowed for creative self-expression and self-care. In the process of seeking, I also rediscovered a connection to my true nature, and began to grow into a conscious awareness of my purpose along this unfolding life path.

I embarked upon a journey of self-care, using embodied self-discovery, energy work and heart-based healing work. I sought out regular massage therapy, began practicing yoga and meditation, and read everything I could about balancing mind, body, and spirit for a truly fulfilled life.

As a psychologist and counselor in the public schools, I wanted to share with colleagues and students some of these practices for balanced living. So, I collaborated with district administrators to bring a comprehensive mindfulness initiative to my former school district in Massachusetts. I received local grant-funding to train teachers, K-12, in mindfulness practices for their own self-care, and to bring to mindfulness lessons to students. I led a school-wide mindfulness committee that offered coaching support to our students and teachers in mindfulness techniques. I ran 8 week sessions of before-school mindfulness groups for teachers, and I even brought a yoga teacher on board for faculty members after school.

Over the course of the past 27 years, I have read many books about eastern contemplative beliefs & practices, participated in several shamanic wisdom workshops in the native traditions, and received formal training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR).

I have practiced several different forms of yoga & meditation over the years, and was trained to facilitate classes in two different embodiment yoga-dance disciplines; Journeydance (tm) and YogaMeetsDance, (tm). I completed a master level Shamballa Multidimensional Reiki certification program, and also became a certified energy healer through the Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism, where I attended & participated as one of the healers in service. I was mentored in EFT/Tapping methods for emotional well-being, and taught these methods to high school students with anxiety and depression. Finally, my journey led me to complete training with Benson-Henry’s Mind-Body Institute, and along with various K-12 mindfulness programs for schools at the Omega Institute and the online training with MindfulSchools.org

Currently, in Buffalo, New York, I teach Psychology classes at the University level, created and teach a college level “Introduction to Mindfulness” course, offer mindfulness and SEL workshops at Niagara University’s Center For Mindful Practice. I am available to provide mindfulness & stress reduction workshops for schools, parent groups, and business organizations. I created and teach PranArise Yoga+Dance(tm) at various locations in western NY, and I offer private energy alignment sessions to clients who are seeking an energetic reset & a higher vibrational resonance. Our energy system is one foundation upon which we can access greater healing, self-actualization and connection to more balanced and easeful life.

I have shared a lot here, because I want you to know that my own path is rich with personal and professional experiences that inform my work.

I want you to know that I have been both a seeker and a leader.

A student and a teacher.

A guide and also the one in need of some guidance.

I want you to know that I understand.

Yours in Loving Awareness,

Julee