Owner
Alison Takenaka MA-C, MA, CPCC, RUPT, MML, CGE, TSM, SFBT, LCPA, AMEG
Having spent most of my childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area, I also enjoyed my years and relationships on GUAM and in Illinois, Indiana, Vermont and Washington State before putting down roots in sunny Colorado. I feel honored to be the mother of three beautiful, grown children and appreciate the benefits of an engineer & veteran father, an educator mother, three successful siblings, diverse extended family and wise mentors around the world to support the journey toward my life's purpose. I have had a passion for learning, creating and teaching as long as I can remember, and this passion has been nurtured most happily and easefully in supportive community. I bring my experience of working and playing professionally with thousands of people of all ages, abilities and walks of life for the past 30+ years.
Studies are showing that loneliness and social isolation are as harmful to our quality and quantity of life as smoking and sitting have proven to be. Thus science is proving that building supportive communities (quality connection) beyond simple collectives (quantity groups) is a life-saving and planet-saving enterprise. I hold a natural affinity for people, animals and nature in all our bio-relational diversity, and I offer this heartfelt affection to all of our clients as I have offered it to myself: moving with deep & quiet listening, conscious & courageous speaking, and compassionate curiosity & clarity--remembering & reclaiming the awe-inspiring resourceful resilience of mind, body & spirit in all of us.
Academics
- MA-C Somatic Counseling/Body Psychotherapy
- MA English Literary Theory
- BA Political Science
Certifications
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
- Right Use of Power Teacher (RUPT)
- Mindful Meditation Leader (MML)
- Certified Grief Educator (CGE)
- Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness (TSM)
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Leadership Circle Profile Administrator (LCPA)
- Accredited Mindful Eating Guide (AMEG)
Trainings
- 2nd-Degree Black Belt, Shudokan Karate
- Sensei, Shudokan Karate
- Positive Psychology
- Internet/Screen Addiction & Treatment
- Education Administration
- Trauma-Informed Writing
- Mentoring Incarcerated Youth
- Crisis Intervention
- Suicide Intervention & Prevention
- Mental Health First Aid
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma Stewardship
- Landmark Forum
- Landmark Advanced Course
- Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy
- Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy
- Religious Trauma (Global Center for Religious Research (GCRR)
- Dance Movement Therapy/Body-Mind Centering
- Mindful Nonviolent Communication
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Gestalt Psychotherapy
- End-of-Life Doula (EOLD)
- Restorative Justice Circle Keeper/Facilitator
- Play Therapy with Adults and Neurodiverse Clients
Professional Development In-Progress
- Health at Every Size (HAES)
- Restorative Yoga
- Mindful Parenting
- Forest Bathing
- Sand Tray Therapy
Community Involvement
- Click For Babies
- The Trevor Project
- Denver Anti-Trafficking Alliance
- Safer Society Foundation
- Autism From the Inside
- Colorado Coalition for Elder Right & Abuse Prevention
- Death Cafe
- Association for Spiritual Integrity
Additional Interests
- People-, animal- and nature-watching
- New findings in relational neuroscience and cultural anthropology
- Building healthful communities from the inside-out
- Growing my own food and flowers
- Mindful movement in community
- Cooking for hungry people and pets
- Sharing soulful music
- Contemplative artistry & craftsmanship
