Recommended Practitioners
We understand that survivors need practitioners they can trust, and that make them feel safe.
The practitioners below have training and experience that allow them to offer survivors compassionate care.
Brandi Stiles - Somatic Breathwork
Somatic Breathwork | Brandi Stiles Wellness Studio
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For over three decades, Brandi Stiles has devoted her life to understanding the body as a gateway to healing and strength. Beginning her career as a personal trainer, she spent years helping others uncover their physical potential through movement and discipline. Her path naturally evolved into yoga, where she has taught for more than 15 years, guiding students to connect with the wisdom and resilience held within their bodies.
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That journey eventually led her to Somatic Breathwork—the thread that weaves all her experience together. Through mindful movement, awareness, and the power of the breath, Brandi helps others reconnect to their innate wholeness. Her grounded yet intuitive approach—rooted in science and guided by compassion—creates safe spaces where people can move, breathe, and release what their bodies have carried for too long.
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Brandi also offers a free online community and membership through her Skool platform, where women can join weekly breathwork and somatic sessions, guided practices, and heartfelt discussions on embodiment and healing. It’s a supportive online sanctuary designed to help you keep growing long after the retreat ends—a place to breathe, move, and reconnect with yourself at your own pace.
Connect with Brandi
Website for Free Community: skool.com/brandi-stiles-wellness-studio-3322/about
Instagram: @brandistileswellness
YouTube: @brandistileswellness
Wendy Elrick -Equine Coaching Connection
Wendy Elrick
Equine Connection Coaching Services | Vernon / BC
Wendy Elrick is the founder of Equine Connection Coaching Services, where she uses the wisdom of horses to guide people on a journey of self-discovery and healing. With a Master’s in Human Services and more than a decade of experience in equine-assisted learning and counselling, Wendy creates a safe, heart-centred space for participants to explore emotions that are often difficult to express in words.
Imagine standing in a circular corral with a horse drawn to your energy, engaging in a silent, intuitive conversation. The horse’s movements and body language reflect the answers you seek, offering profound clarity and connection to your inner self. Through these one-of-a-kind experiences, Wendy helps clients reconnect to their authenticity, release what no longer serves them, and rediscover trust — in self, in others, and in life.
Wendy also facilitates a 10-week trauma-therapy group for women, offering a compassionate space where survivors can heal in community while experiencing the gentle presence and wisdom of horses. Her work integrates counselling, somatic awareness, and the natural bond between humans and animals to nurture emotional regulation and empowerment.
Connect with Wendy
Email: Welrick@shaw.ca
Website: www.equinecoaching.ca
Socials: Facebook / Instagram: @equinecoaching
Bulldogs Fitness and Studio - Peggy Peggy Maerz
Peggy Maerz is the owner and head coach of Bulldogs Fitness & Boxing Centre in Salmon Arm, B.C., where she builds community through strength, vulnerability and empowerment. A former athlete turned coach, Peggy has guided boxers at youth levels and national pathways.
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Peggy knows what it takes to step into your power. Her club is not just about fists and fitness — it’s about claiming your space, learning you can show up, be seen, and fight for your own life, your own story. She brings authenticity, grit and a welcoming heart to her coaching, inviting every woman into her own arena.
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Peggy offers a welcoming space for women to discover their strength through movement, discipline, and community. At Bulldogs Fitness & Boxing Centre, her ladies fitness classes, adult boxing programs, private training, and signature Warrior Programs are designed to empower women of all levels. These sessions focus on building confidence, resilience, and self-trust — helping each participant connect with their inner fighter while feeling supported every step of the way.
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Connect with Peggy:
Email: info@bulldogsboxing.com
Website: bulldogsboxing.com
Socials: @bulldogsboxing on Instagram and Facebook
Bree Anka -Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
Bree is a Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, Certified Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner, Animal Communicator, and retired Social Worker. She is also part of the Tutor Team for the internationally accredited Body Intelligence Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy School. She is honored to be a trusted support to others on their path to health and wholeness.
BCST is a profound yet gentle light touch healing modality that supports deep nervous system regulation to access the innate healing abilities of the body. Through working with her clients and rediscovering her own health, Bree has gained an immense respect for the healing potential that's always available within us. Over the years, she has come to understand that, no matter the life experiences, a person can always regain their health and return to a sense of wholeness. They can always find themselves again. Bree offers BCST sessions to humans and animals in the Shuswap and North Okanagan regions.
Bree is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to offer BCST sessions to survivors at this year's Time to Heal retreat. Having worked with many clients over the years who are survivors of CSA, she has consistently witnessed immense healing through this safe, gentle, neutral modality. These clients always remind her of the strength, power, resilience and hope that resides within us all.
To connect more with Bree you can find her on social media:
IG - backtoself_bcst
FB - Back to Self
Or take a look at her website:
Maria Field -Advanced Trauma-Informed EFT
Maria Field is a Trauma-Informed, Advanced EFT & Somatic Practitioner who combines her work with Emotional Intelligence Coaching to help clients break free from beliefs and patterns that keep them stuck mentally, emotionally, and physically. When we ignore the emotional root, it often shows up in the body as illness or pain.
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Childhood trauma responds best when safety is created through both the body and subconscious mind, where the memories are stored. This is why EFT and Somatic work are life-changing tools with the power to heal personal and generational trauma — true freedom for survivors of abuse and neglect.
Maria has over 22 years of experience working with children and families in Canada and the UK. Her passion for trauma healing grew from her own journey through childhood trauma and mental-health struggles, which led her to discover the power of EFT and body-based healing. After finding her own path “from survivor to thriver,” she became a certified practitioner in EFT, Reiki, Breathwork, and other trauma-informed modalities.
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Connect with Maria:
Email: maria.calmconnections@gmail.com
Website: www.calmconnectionshealing.com
Calendly: calendly.com/maria-calmconnections
Instagram: @calmconnectionshealing
Facebook: Calm Connections Healing
Robin Genthon - Drumming Singing Circles
Drumming & Singing Circles | Vernon BC
Robin Genthon leads heart-centered drumming and singing circles that invite participants to ground, release, and reconnect through rhythm and voice. Her gatherings weave community, breath, and song — helping participants calm the nervous system, awaken inner strength, and express emotion in a safe, creative way.
Robin hosts her Drumming Circle on the last Friday of every month at Wendy Elrick’s Equine Connection Coaching Ranch. All are welcome, and no experience is needed. She provides drums for anyone who doesn’t have one, ensuring that everyone can take part in the rhythm and connection of the circle.
Each session is an invitation to come as you are, listen deeply, and let the beat carry you back to your center.
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Location: 8802 Lakeview Drive, Vernon
Circle Dates: The 3rd Monday of Every Month
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Robin Genthon - Drumming Singing Circles
Mindful Stretch | Gratitude Shuswap Community Studios
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121 Shuswap St S, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4H8
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Every Monday Night 7:15pm-8:15pm
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$10 Class Fee (100% of your fee is donated to U Grow Girl’s Time To Heal Retreat)
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Robyn Ellingson is a registered massage therapist, yoga teacher, and long-time advocate for holistic health and wellness. With over 20 years of experience teaching yoga, meditation, breathwork, self-massage, and strengthening, Robyn brings a deep understanding of the body and its innate capacity to heal. Her teaching blends anatomy, physiology, and Eastern modalities, offering a well-rounded, compassionate approach to movement and mindfulness.
Rooted in the belief that every body deserves care and connection, Robyn leads Mindful Stretch, a gentle class combining stretching, self-massage, qi gong, and hatha yoga. The class promotes relaxation, circulation, and self-awareness while fostering a sense of community and shared healing.
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All proceeds from Mindful Stretch go directly to U Grow Girl’s Time to Heal Retreat, funding trauma-recovery retreats for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. It’s a beautiful opportunity to nurture your own well-being while helping others on their healing journey.
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Drop in at Gratitude Yoga Studio in Salmon Arm, or register online before you come.
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