Somatic Therapies

Hello,

I am glad you are here!

I’ve been working in the mental health and wellness field for over 20 years.  My holistic practice integrates Clinical Psychology with Somatic (body-based) therapies, Trauma-Informed Care, and Scandinavian Shamanic healing practices.  I specialize in somatic and energetic interventions for trauma resolution.

My work is outside the box of traditional psychotherapy.  I consider the interconnectivity of body, mind, spirit, energy, community, and ecology.  The healing work is restorative rather than corrective or diagnostic (focusing only on what is wrong).  It is my intention to restore a sense of balance and cohesion to the parts of self that often get fragmented, separated, and entangled from life’s challenges and complexities; to help individuals feel whole and integrated.  I work within an alternative paradigm of care rooted in both progressive and ancient methods of embodiment, analysis, and reflection.

Healing sessions always involve the regulation, connection, and attunement of the body; a willingness to cultivate a deep understanding of our full aliveness.  I often incorporate energy healing combined with talk and psychoanalytical work.  My approach is both “bottom-up” and “top-down,” a merging of body and mind, where true healing takes place at the center.  It is a well-refined, conscious, and safe blend of science and soul, intellect, and heart.

It is not my place to ‘fix’ but rather to guide and support in the process.  I do not adhere to hierarchical care.  You are the real expert and change-maker in your life.  I can simply help build an integrative pallet of tools specific to your needs, offer a birds-eye perspective, encourage adaptive changes, awaken resilience, and guide you to a sense of self-discovery and safety that results in a more optimal and fulfilling life.

The work is a shared discovery of unique and experiential practices that draw from your natural strengths, interests, and intentions.

Are you:

  • Highly motivated and committed to restoring your relationship with your whole life and being an active participant in your healing?
  • Seeking engaging conversations leading to new insight and “re-wiring” rather than just repeating the cycles of cognition that reinforce your suffering and “stuck point” stories?
  • Interested in body-based healing addressing chronic stress, illness, or trauma?
  • Looking for support for general life direction, anxiety, depression, PTS, chronic illness/pain, family/marriage support, grief?
  • Seeking alternative approaches to traditional diagnostic and allopathic care? 
  • Seeking Spiritual mentorship and professional development that aligns with your healthiest, happiest self?
  • Wanting to creatively develop spiritual and intuitive practices (including energy work, meditation, journey work, and ceremony)?
  • Are you a healer or teacher needing to fill your own cup?  Many of my clients are helping professionals needing time back to themselves.
  • Are you involved in sustainability work or climate change and seeking care specific to the effects of the Ecological crisis on your mental health?

Treatment approach influenced by: 

    • Trauma-Informed Care
    • Body-based practices: Sensorimotor, Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, Feldenkrais, Bioenergetics, Yoga Therapy
    • Polyvagal Theory
    • Gestalt
    • Solution Focused
    • Strengths-Based
    • Cognitive-Behavioral
    • Internal Family Systems
    • Mindfulness-based psychotherapy
    • Jungian
    • Logos Theory (personalized meaning-making)
    • Eco-psychology (drawing on nature for contemplation and metaphor, climate crisis & mental health)
    • Celtic Shamanic counsel/energy work/intuitive
    • Celtic Medicine Wheel Teachings/Spiritual Ecology
    • Sessions can include talk, meditation, breath, movement, art, and outside time
“When I met Robin a few years ago, I was suffering from post-traumatic stress and barely functioning. Every aspect of my life was a mess. I couldn’t parent. I couldn’t work. Back then my day was a success if I managed to get through a yoga class without a meltdown or survived a trip to the grocery store without freaking out. My nervous system was stuck in a chronically heightened state and my body perceived almost everything as life-threatening. After working with her for the last two years, I am back to living (instead of surviving) and excited to see what new adventures await. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it were not for her guidance, support, and patience. There was never a “one size fits all” approach with her. The focus was always on integrating mind, body, and soul. Robin utilized traditional, science-based methods along with non-traditional shamanic healing modalities to help me heal.  I always felt safe. I always felt heard. I learned so much from her and will always be grateful for her wisdom and teachings.”
LB

Appointment Details:

 $150 cash, credit, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal.   I do not accept insurance.

In-person and Telehealth options.

The office is located in Arcadia/Phoneix.

To schedule contact: robinafinowich@gmail.com or 480-861-4424

“I have been in the field of energy medicine for the last 26 years as an Acupuncturist and Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and, as such, have seen firsthand the powerful results that can be attained by working with the body’s energy to treat a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions.  I have also had the good fortune to work with several practitioners that use various energy ‘techniques’ to treat my own health issues, but it has been rare indeed for me to find someone as talented in these methods as Robin Afinowich is with her healing practice.

Every now and again, someone will come along that combines a deep, intuitive understanding of the complexities of the energetic ‘world’ with a firm grasp of scientific and psychological knowledge and I believe that I have found that in Robin.  To use the term ‘Reiki’ to define her work would be to limit its scope – she pulls from a variety of modalities that include, but are not limited to, Reiki, Shamanism, Transpersonal and Somatic Psychology, Buddhist and Tantric Philosophy,  as well as a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology – and I’ve found her results to be much greater than the sum of its parts.

In addition, Robin brings to her work a sense of profound compassion and empathy which, in my opinion, is paramount in a practitioner of the Healing Arts.  Perhaps due to her own life experiences or for reasons we are not always able to grasp, she seems to have a gift that allows her to understand – either cognitively or intuitively – what is needed to allow deep healing to occur.  In addition, there is a sense of selflessness, sincerity, and gravity that she brings to this process while holding herself to a standard of accomplishment and professionalism that one would want and expect from a serious practitioner of Energy Medicine.  I wholeheartedly recommend her work and believe that she has a great deal to offer to her clients and to the future of her profession.”

Rachelle Marmor, L. Ac., Arizona-Acupuncture

More testimonials 

EDUCATION:

  • Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, Minor in Psychology Arizona State University
  • Master of Science Clinical Psychology & Mental Health Counseling (Concentration in Somatic Interventions for Trauma Resolution and Resiliency) Prescott College.
  • Continued education with Peter Levine SE, Pat Ogden, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Robert Peng, Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, and Martha Atkins.
  •  Apprenticed with traditional medicine healers, Celtic shamans, NightWing, and NightWalker.  With infinite gratitude, taught under a tribal mentor, Yeil Tlaa (Raven’s Mother) daughter of Raven Clan Elder, Antonia Jack, from the Taku River Tlingit People.
  • 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification with Mary Bruce/Para Yoga, Experienced Yoga Trainer/Master Teacher, additional training in Restorative, Ashtanga, Ymedica
  • 300-hour Yoga Alliance Certification