Are you looking to go beyond traditional talk therapy or pharmaceutical medications to improve your mental health? Are you ready to delve deep into the root causes of your issues rather than focusing on the symptoms?
If so, explore my website to discover how I integrate modern science with ancient wisdom practices to guide you on your healing path.
Whether you are seeking support for mental health, personal growth, or a deeper spiritual connection, my services are designed to empower and uplift you on your journey towards nurturing your mind, honoring your body, and elevating your spirit.
About Dr. Mariana
Greetings! I am trained as a Clinical Psychologist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Somatic Plant Medicine Integration Practitioner, and Womb Circle Facilitator.
As a wounded healer, I attempted to heal from my own personal trauma using traditional psychological approaches; however, after many years of actively working on healing my traumas and using the same techniques with my clients, I knew something was missing.
My deep healing really began when I was able to connect with my body with the help of Somatic Experiencing. My healing deepened when I connected with Mother Nature, sacred sisterhood, plant medicine, and past life trauma healing.
My transformation has led me to guide from the scar and not my wounds as well as interweave modern science with ancient wisdom practices to guide others to heal themselves and awaken to their authentic selves.
Podcast Interviews
QHHTea Talk
A Doctor of Psychology tries QHHT!
WATCH HERE
The Soulful Summit
Somatic Healing: The Truth about your Body’s Wisdom
LISTEN HERE
Professional Training
Licensed Psychologist in Texas
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Health Psychology, University of North Texas, 2015
Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint-Base San Antonio-Lackland, 2015
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology with minors in Anthropology and Sociology, Texas State University, 2008
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner by Somatic Experiencing International
Somatic Attachment Therapy by The Embody Lab
Somatic Plant Medicine Integration Practitioner by Atira Tan
Womb Circle Facilitator by Womben Wellness
Internal Family Systems Therapy by PESI
Dialectal Behavioral Therapy by PESI
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia & Nightmares by Strong Star
Cognitive Processing Therapy by Center for Deployment Psychologist
Prolonged Exposure by Center for Deployment Psychologist
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 by Center for Deployment Psychologist
Services
Psychological Services
Note: Above psychological services can only be provided in the state of Texas (in-person if local to Abilene, TX or via zoom).
Guiding Services
Note: I am able to work in-person or remotely to anyone from anywhere providing the above services.
Holistic Psychotherapy
I see my role as a Clinical Psychologist akin to a sherpa (guiding and offering tools) so that you heal (climb the mountain) yourself. My role is not to “fix” you as you are not broken. Only you have the power to heal yourself. We are all meant to heal. We can learn this from nature--although a wild forrest fire may seem destructive, it actually contributes to the ecological health of the forrest. We are Nature. This is a journey we all go through. I foster an environment that allows you to “come up for air” amidst the pain. Illness is the teacher to get us back to wholeness. Symptoms alert us that we are away from the Self. It is then that we realize that life happens for us and not to us in order to guide us back to our true Self.
Through my extensive experience working with clients and engaging in my own personal inner work, I've discovered that the most effective approach to healing and embracing authentic living involves integrating the mind, body, and spirit.
I integrate a variety of psychological tools (see professional training section) to address unaligned thought processes, emotions, and behaviors that lead to inauthentic living. This may look like understanding what emotions are, how to express them, how they manifest in the body, and how to regulate yourself when undergoing a “big” emotion.
Somatic Experiencing is integrated to assist in the metabolization of survival energy in the nervous system that keeps individuals stuck in a trauma response. Understanding our nervous system and trauma responses (flight, fight, freeze, and fawn) allows for a better understanding of ourselves that empowers us to change.
Spirituality is incorporated in the process of therapy to assist with themes of meaning, purpose, sovereignty, interconnectedness, love, and more. For further spiritual guidance, I invite you to look under guiding services: Womb Circles and Women’s Retreats.
Specialties
Trauma/PTSD/Complex PTSD
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Relationship issues
Adults abused/neglected as children
Women’s issues and wellness
Somatic complaints
Spirituality/Metaphysical
Racism/Discrimination
Active Duty Military/Veterans/Military Spouses
Veteran Evaluations
I served in the United States Air Force from 2014 to 2018 as a Clinical Psychologist. After my service, I began conducting Compensation and Pension Mental Health Evaluations. I have evaluated over 2,000 Veterans from all military branches with a variety of mental health conditions to include PTSD, Mood Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and Eating Disorders.
In addition to my clinical experience, I bring firsthand knowledge gained from both serving in the military myself and being married to an Active Duty service member for over 15 years.
If you are seeking a mental health evaluation related to your military service, I can conduct an assessment that may serve as potential evidence for your condition. My evaluation aligns with the standards typically expected in a VA compensation and pension evaluation.
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological evaluations are a service provided by a Licensed Psychologist for the purposes of diagnostic clarification, development of treatment planning, measuring responses to treatment, and in some cases, determining a person’s functional capacity. It is often a useful tool during psychological intervention.
Each psychological assessment tool is specifically chosen to answer the referral question(s). The selection of assessment tools attempts to maximize the validity of the results, while minimizing time and cost. Tests must be properly administered, scored, interpreted, and then a comprehensive psychological report is written.
*I do not provide forensic or court-ordered evaluations, evaluations for children and adolescents, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, or any other type of neuropsychological evaluations.
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Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a naturalistic form of healing that will help you learn how to settle and release physiological activation from your body.
Very often this process helps people to reduce stress and return to a sense of regulation and mastery in their lives. SE will support you in learning how to attend to uncomfortable sensations in your body and gently unwind them through your conscious attention.
SE is incredibly useful in managing stress and trauma resolution because so many of the symptoms are physiological.
What does a typical SE session look like?
You will be asked to share an impression of the sensations that you feel in your body, such as tightness, heat, shakiness, expansion, relaxations, etc. I will teach you ways to track, or follow, these sensations with your awareness and come to a place of rebalance.
SE is not a form of massage. I may offer you touch support for the following reasons: grounding, containment, supportive, mobilization, or awareness building. You will always be asked before being touched and have the right and my full support to decline. If you do not feel comfortable with touch, or if the session does not call for it, session work will not include touch.
“The symptoms of trauma can be stable, that is, ever-present. They can also be unstable, meaning that they can come and go and be triggered by stress. Or they can remain hidden for decades and suddenly surface. Usually, symptoms do not occur individually, but come in groups. They often grow increasingly complex over time, becoming less and less connected with the original trauma experience.”
“The paradox of trauma is that it has both the power to destroy and the power to transform and resurrect.”
-Peter Leviene (founder of Somatic Experiencing)
Womb Circles
A womb circle is a gathering of women focused on healing the womb through somatic techniques and sacred rituals. By nurturing the well-being of our wombs, we unlock a gateway to creativity and empowerment.
Womb Circle themes include: healing our first period story, working with and honoring our menstrual cycle (education, practices, and rituals for each phase), body image, remembering our ancient feminine wisdom, re-initiation into menarche ceremonies, and much more.
“We have the power to dismantle all that teaches us that we are not enough. When we touch the expansive truth of who we are it’s unforgettable. When we learn to trust our bodies again, everything shifts. When a woman finds wholeness by loving each individual layer of herself she heals. When a woman has the courage to heal herself, she heals the world.”
-Usha Anandi (founder of Womben Wellness)
Earth Goddess Retreat: EmbracE your Feminine Essence
Dominical, Costa Rica
IMILOA INSTITUTE
JULY 7-12, 2024
Embark on a six-day retreat designed to nurture your connection with your body, foster sisterhood among women, and rekindle your bond with Mother Earth. Through this immersive experience, you'll embark on a journey of healing and empowerment, guiding you toward a renewed sense of wholeness and vitality.
In a world where doing dominates being, mind triumphs over the body, women are divided amongst each other through competition, and nature is forgotten...
I invite you to experiment with what it feels like to truly rest, connect deeply with your feminine energy, support other women on their journey, listen to your body, and allow yourself to be held by Mother Earth.
Gathering in retreat together as women in Nature sets the stage for us to remember our connection to our feminine energy that organically leads to healing, empowerment, freedom, and wholeness.
Meet your Hosts
MARIANA GISELE
In both 2022 and 2023, Mariana embarked on transformative retreats at Imiloa in Costa Rica that left an enduring mark on her. These experiences have ignited within her a fervent desire to curate and lead her very own retreat. Imiloa, nestled within profoundly healing land, exudes an enchantment that resonates profoundly with all who seek solace within its embrace. Although unassuming in size, the on-site waterfall stands as a portal, an awakening to the intrinsic energies of Mother Earth. The indigenous Costa Rican tribe buried crystals beneath the waterfall and declared the area at Imiloa as sacred.
The jungle's sacredness has consistently fostered transformation among its visitors. The staff members exude warmth and a genuinely kind spirit, willingly imparting their own narratives of personal evolution since working at Imiloa. Mariana, through her interactions with the male staff at Imiloa, underwent a profound paradigm shift in her perceptions of men. Encountering a sense of security and support from men, as well as experiencing the nurturing embrace of fellow women and the grounding force of Mother Earth, significantly contributed to her profound healing journey in the realm of masculine and feminine relationships.
Along with curating the retreat experience, Dr. Mariana will be leading a womb circle.
A womb circle is a gathering of women focused on healing the womb through somatic techniques and sacred rituals. By nurturing the well-being of our wombs, we unlock a gateway to creativity and empowerment.
We are often conditioned to reject our menstrual blood. We try to hide it, stop it, hurry it, and shame it. The disconnection we have from our wombs through years of conditioning has led us to be out of touch with our true selves. What if I told you that connecting to your womb—menstrual cycle—leads to a harmonization in your body—and by extension your life? By aligning with our menstrual cycle, we facilitate the healing of our womb. Through this healing process, we unlock the ability to fully manifest our highest potential as the creative beings that women inherently are.
Mariana will facilitate a womb circle that incorporates education, embodiment, song, journaling, ritual, and ceremony to help you deepen your connection with your womb.
Angela Rose
Angela Rose is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Spiritual Mentor, Movement Guide, and Energy Worker devoted to helping women connect with their hearts, build confidence, self trust, and inner peace.
Her passion lies in guiding individuals back home to themselves by addressing energetic imbalances, releasing emotional blockages, and cultivating a harmonious mind-body-spirit connection. She creates safe spaces for clients to explore their inner landscapes, heal from past traumas, and tap into their innate wisdom.
Angela will lead a Sacred Temple: Body Worship workshop. This is a transformative workshop designed to cultivate self-love through community care, presence, and attunement.
Through guided self-reflection, embodiment practices, movement, & play, we will embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
This intentional gathering provides a nurturing space for you to honor your body and connect with others in a spirit of love and acceptance.
Claudia peralta
Claudia Peralta, ordained as Shakti White Wolf, is a deeply devoted Indigenous Medicine Practitioner and Shamanic Minister.
Her journey into the indigenous medicine traditions of South America spans over 15 years, during which she has immersed herself in the wisdom and practices of these ancient cultures. Fluent in multiple languages, she sings medicine songs that resonate with heart and soul, transcending cultural boundaries.
Claudia's true passion lies in nurturing the awakening of the Inner Voice and Spirit within every person she encounters. She firmly believes that each individual possesses a unique and profound wisdom deep within, waiting to be heard and understood. Through her teachings, workshops, retreats, and one-on-one sessions, she empowers individuals to access this inner wisdom, guiding them every step of the way towards the highest expression of themselves.
Claudia will be leading a sacred plant medicine ceremony.
THE VENUE
Imiloa institute
The retreat accommodations, gatherings, and hosted meals are at the 5-star, 22-acre, Imiloa Institute Campus.
Imiloa is located in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica in Dominical.
You will have access to a private waterfall, nature paths, incredible flora and fauna, and an ocean view salt water infinity pool.
Spa Services are available (additional cost - booked directly with Imiloa).
VEGAN MEALS
Imiloa gets a 4.9+ out of 5 star rating in guest surveys for the cuisine experience, despite 73% of their guests also identifying as meat eaters or animal product consumers.
Enjoy healthy, locally-sourced, gourmet vegan meals that are as artistically plated, scientifically nourishing and delightfully crafted for all retreat guests.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Geodesic River Domes
Inspired by sacred geometry, the Geodesic River Domes sits in the rainforest along the edge of a river. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the flowing water paired with the vibrant sounds of the jungle. 480 Sq. ft. Private Jungle deck. Open-air shower with rainforest views. AC
Private Bungalows
Bali inspired, the interiors feature natural finishings and beautiful details. Spacious bathrooms with a shower and soaking tub looking out to the rainforest. 430 Sq. ft
WHAT’s Included
✓ Chef-prepared gourmet plant-based meals
✓ Somatic, Womb, and Sensuality Workshops led by Mariana and Angela
✓Plant Medicine Ceremony led by Claudia
✓Preparation and Integration for plant ceremony led by Claudia
✓ Waterfall Hike Experience
✓ Private plane transfers from SJO airport to Imiloa’s landing strip and all-inclusive ground transportation
❌ NOT INCLUDED: Flights to SJO airport, Travel Insurance, Spa Treatments
Tentative ItineRary
July 7: Arrival, Lunch, Tour of Campus, Opening Ceremony, Dinner
July 8: Breakfast, Somatic Workshop, Lunch, Womb Circle, Dinner
July 9: Breakfast, Plant Medicine Ceremony, Dinner
July 10: Breakfast, Integration Circle, Lunch, Sensuality Workshop, Dinner
July 11: Breakfast, Waterfall hike and Lunch off-campus, Closing ceremony, Dinner
July 12: Breakfast and Departure
Retreat Logistics
Arrival to Costa Rica:
Please book your international flight to San Jose International Airport (Airport code; SJO).
Since your flight down to Imiloa Retreat Center leaves early Monday morning at 9:30AM, many people love to arrive a day (or a couple days) early to decompress from the business of life and sink into retreat mode.
Please arrive at SJO domestic terminal NO LATER than 8:45AM on July 7th. Our private chartered flight will depart at 9:30AM for a beautiful 25-minute flight to Dominical. Private cars will welcome our arrival and take us on a short drive to Imiloa.
Please note: If you arrive at the domestic terminal at SJO after the suggested times, you will not arrive in time to travel on the charter flight. We can still assist with your transport, but you will be responsible for your own transportation to Imiloa as well as any cost incurred. If you choose not to utilize the method of transportation provided for your retreat to/from Imiloa you are responsible for the cost of alternate/ground transportation.
Depart Imiloa:
We will depart Imiloa at 9AM, and arrive at the landing strip at 9:45AM, with an estimated arrival to SJO airport at 10:30AM.
The domestic terminal is a 5-10 minute walk to the international terminal at SJO. Typically, it is suggested to be at the international terminal 2.5 hours prior to your international departure. Please book your departing international flight accordingly, knowing that you will be at the airport at 10:30AM on departure day.
If you book your flight earlier than this, you will be responsible for your own transportation to SJO airport (airport taxis are $285 one way, and taxis from Imiloa to Quepos landing strip are $115 one way).
For other useful retreat resources and travel tips please review the following link: Information on Imiloa Institute
If you have any questions at all regarding Imiloa, you can email welcomehome@imiloainstitute.com.
PRICING
Cost: $1888.00 (shared room)
Space is limited to 12 attendees
You can arrange a payment plan at no extra cost, but the full payment must be completed before your arrival. First payment due upon reservation. Retreat is non-refundable.
We strongly recommend you purchase cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance. Imiloa has partnered with Global Rescue as they provide maximum coverage so that your travel is worry-free. Visit www.globalrescue.com/imiloa to purchase a policy.
Contact Dr. Mariana to book this unforgettable retreat!
Cost for Services
15 minute Discovery Call: Free
50 minute Individual Holistic Psychotherapy Session: $220*
50 minute Somatic Experiencing Session: $220
Veteran Evaluation: $500
Psychological Evaluation: Starts at $500* (varies on referral question)
Womb Circle: Varies (starts at $58)
Women’s Retreat: Varies (see page for specific cost)
*I do not accept insurance. Please contact your insurance carrier if you are able to ask for out-of-network reimbursements and I can supply you with a superbill.
Resources
Mind-Body Trauma Healing
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate
What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
Childhood Trauma & Attachment
It Didn’t Start with you by Mark Wolynn
The Journey from Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson
Facing Codependece: What it is, Where it Comes from, How it Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody
Silently Seduced by Kenneth Adams
Running on Empty by Jonice Webb
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
Recovery of Your Inner Child by Lucia Cappacchione
Therapist Uncensored Podcast on attachment: see episodes 5, 6, 31, 59, and 60
Alternative Healing for Veterans
Herioic Path to Light: 25-week program (near Austin, Texas) incorporating plant medicine, psychotherapy, equestrian therapy, breath work, and community support.
Heroic Hearts Project: Hosts monthly retreats held in countries where psychedelics are currently legal, such as Peru, Mexico, and Jamaica. HHP offers retreats for veterans, retreats for veteran spouses, and specialized research retreats. A typical retreat is 5-7 days long and has three distinct phases: preparation, the psychedlic retreat, and integration.
Womb Healing
Her blood is gold: Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation by Lara Owen
Wild Power: Discover the Magic of Your Menstrual Cycle and Awaken the Feminine Path to Power by Alexandra Pope and Shanie Hugo Wurlitzer
Women Code: Perfect your cycle, amplify your fertility, supercharge your sex drive, and become a POWER SOURCE by Alisa Vitti
Come as you are by Emily Nagoski
Pussy by Regena Thomashauer
Past Life Trauma Healing
Quantum Hypnosis Healing Technique (QHHT)
See 20 books written by founder of QHHT, Dolores Cannon.
Ask Dr. Mariana for direct referrals for QHHT or Akashic Record Readings
If you resonate with my services and are ready to take the next step on your healing journey, please reach out to me.
Free 15 minute disovery call
Office phone: 325-660-6185
Fax: 325-660-6185
Address: 4601 Antilley Road, Building C, Suite 304, Abilene, TX 79606
Email: DrMarianaGisele@gmail.com
Dr. Mariana
Gisele