Meet Serene
Professional History
I am a Physical Therapist and Owner of Art and Science Physical Therapy. I am a Certified Brainspotting Therapist, an Approved Brainspotting Consultant, and an International Brainspotting Specialty Trainer.
I am the Founding President of the United States Brainspotting Association, and Vice President of Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute. I was the co-coordinator of the 2021 International Brainspotting Conference with David Grand, PhD, the Founder of Brainspotting.
I am also a CranioSacral Therapist and a Pilates Rehabilitation Practitioner. I graduated from the Physical Therapy program at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Since 1992, I have been in private-practice Physical Therapy, specializing in treating patients with complex and chronically involved issues such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, migraines, and failed surgeries.
In 2016, with David Grand’s support and encouragement, I began doing the research that would become “From Freeze to Thaw Unlocking Trauma in the Body with Brainspotting”.
With Mary Jane O’Rourke’s important collaboration, we completed this 3-day training in late 2020. Since then, as a team, we have created a variety of educational trainings including our second 3-day training: “From Freeze to Thaw: The Next Level”.
At this time, we have presented our trainings to attendees from 32 countries and translated into three languages: German, Spanish and Polish.
We are currently working on several new educational programs ranging in length from 1.5 hours to 9 months.
My Story
I am a native of Colorado, and I have been strongly influenced by these origins. I experienced my childhood living on both sides of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
From infancy through pre-adolescence, I lived on the Western side in Grand Junction and Palisade, CO with clear views of their high plateaus and red deserts. I lived my adolescence and some adult years in Colorado Springs on the Eastern side of the Rocky Mountains - at the foot of beautiful Pike’s Peak Mountain.
It was in Colorado Springs, in the arms of Pike’s Peak, that I learned to roam off-trail and to explore the forests - following deer paths and the frigid streams through the granite walls of the canyons. I learned to understand weather by watching it move over the summits and roll down the canyons.
These experiences left me with an intrinsic, untethered feeling whenever I am exploring. I feel this whether I am walking, hiking, following creeks and small mountain canyons or driving cross country in my camper van. Few things can elevate my heart more than a road trip done with only moderate planning and minimal deadlines. My camper van has all the necessary technology which allows me to travel and still work while on the road. To me -- this is the ultimate combination.
I thoroughly enjoy my work and I am extremely proud that I am a Physical Therapist. I am also extremely proud of my place in the Brainspotting community. After a personal experience with Brainspotting as a client, I asked David Grand, PhD, the founder of Brainspotting an important question. I asked, “As a Physical Therapist - not a psychotherapist – could I be trained in Brainspotting?” To my surprise he said, “Yes.” His response began our professional yet close friendship that we still enjoy.
In 2016, after my Phase 1 and Phase 2 training, I met with David in person. I asked if he would be interested in bringing Brainspotting to non-Psychotherapists. Again, he surprised me by encouraging me to do just that. When I clarified that I was not yet a Certified Brainspotting Therapist, his response was both profound and telling of who he is as a man and as a leader. He said, “Look, Serene. We are talking about Brainspotting and the body, right? I am a Brainspotting Therapist, and you are a Brainspotting Therapist. Between the two of us - you are the expert here.”
Thus, began my 5-year research journey to understand what happens in the body when we do Brainspotting. In 2019, three years into that research, David invited me to create a Specialty Training about Brainspotting and the Body.
Meanwhile, in the Spring of 2019, David introduced BodySpotting during his Phase 4 training. In the Summer of 2019, in a 5-day Intensive with David, Mary Jane O’Rourke, LCSW personally experienced BodySpotting.
It was a profound experience for her, and in mid-2020, she asked David for permission to develop BodySpotting. David responded with another powerful “Yes.” and gave Mary Jane permission to develop BodySpotting into a full technique for the Brainspotting community.
It was a good fit. In addition to her career as a Medical Social Worker, Mary Jane also had over 20 years of experience as a Massage Therapist. And it was good fortune for all of us, that later that same year, Mary Jane and I connected. We began collaborating in late 2020 and soon created our first 3-day training: ”From Freeze to Thaw: Unlocking Trauma in the Body with Brainspotting”.
Beyond the incredible opportunity of sharing this journey with Mary Jane, I can see the impact of my research and our work in tangible ways. Our combined ideas, thoughts and mutual admiration have created a powerful ripple effect. We consistently hear back from students of “From Freeze to Thaw” about how much it has enhanced their Brainspotting effectiveness and connection with their clients who are working to resolve physical and emotional pain and trauma.
Personally, and professionally, Brainspotting has also elevated my skills and allowed me to connect with my patients in a more unique way. The name of my practice is Art and Science Physical Therapy. Art and Science is truly a descriptive synopsis of who I am.
With Brainspotting, I have been able to embody the balance more fully between Art and Science in my practice - and in my entire life.