Rise Up from Trauma: Speakers

Ciera is a Certified Trauma Care Practitioner and Certified Relationship Educator. She is the founder of Ciera Nichole Coaching and has dedicated the last two years of her career to empowering women to reclaim their voice after enduring childhood and relationship trauma.

She specializes in the healing modalities of an Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed approach, inner child work, reparenting the self, and reestablishing a connection between the mind, body, and spirit for a total transformation of healing.

In addition to her certifications, Ciera has also earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marriage and Family Studies.

Being a survivor of childhood trauma and relationship abuse, Ciera understands trauma on both a personal and professional level. Her personal experiences help forge a deeper connection with clients as she helps them navigate their own healing journey.

Ciera has spent the last year hosting workshops and events aimed to inspire and empower the women she interacts with as they find healing and growth within themselves.

Vincent Castellanos, a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach (CTRC), Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT) and Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) based in Los Angeles, brings a wealth of experience and compassion to his work with adults grappling with complex trauma and addiction. With a career spanning individual and group coaching, Vincent is committed to a client-led and constraint release-based approach, fostering a safe environment where trust can flourish for effective complex trauma recovery.

As the creator of Responsibility Revolution – The Podcast, Vincent explores the nuances of personal responsibility and the journey to freedom from the shackles of the past. His upcoming book, "Responsibility Principle – Taking responsibility for all things you; outlines a 5-stage program designed to guide individuals towards recovery through embracing personal responsibility.

Vincent's own path to recovery is a testament to his commitment, having lived as a sober individual since 1994. Drawing from his personal experiences, he provides valuable insights and support to those struggling with addiction and trauma. His coaching philosophy underscores the significance of building a nonjudgmental and trusting relationship between coach and client, emphasizing trust as the cornerstone of complex trauma recovery.
Before venturing into trauma recovery coaching, Vincent enjoyed a successful career as an actor in Hollywood. His roles in renowned films and TV projects such as Mulholland Drive, The Crow II, Anaconda, Twin Peaks, and Six Feet Under showcase his versatility and talent.

Born in Cuba, Vincent moved to the United States at the age of 9 and has since called Los Angeles home since 1995, dividing his time between LA and Palm Springs. In 2019, he co-facilitated and trained participants in the Virtus Program, a three-day initiative by AbbVie Inc. aimed at minimizing human error and maximizing human excellence across the US, Puerto Rico, and Singapore. Vincent Castellanos continues to inspire and guide individuals on their journeys to recovery, blending professional expertise with genuine empathy and experience.

Alyssa Decker is the founder of Peaceful Resolve Coaching and a dedicated conflict coach specializing in empowering women in high-conflict relationships. With a focus on alleviating anxiety and fear, Alyssa helps her clients discover authentic ways to express their needs and assert their boundaries. Her background includes navigating a challenging 19-year marriage, raising five children, and teaching theater and drama to teenagers. Additionally, Alyssa brings advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), equipping her clients with a diverse toolkit for improving emotional well-being and relationship dynamics. Connect with her online at coachingwithalyssa.com. 

Gina is a Certified Trauma Informed Neuro Transformative Practitioner with certifications in trauma, neuroscience, mental health, complex trauma/cptsd and neurographica art.

The aftereffects of childhood trauma Gina endured, disrupted her brain development and function. Because of this, she became fascinated with how trauma negatively impacts the brain. Learning the neuroscience and healing principles that were important to restore brain function and enhance development through working gently in the subconscious.

Gina is the founder of Healing Canvases. She helps clients understand that trauma is not only in the psychological (mind) but also in the physiological (body/cells). She uses what’s called the side-door approach, where she combines coaching and art to heal the past WITHOUT reliving the past. She understands the complexity of working with trauma survivors and therefore offers deep understanding, compassion and empathy in a safe, protective space.

She is the founder of Rise Up From Trauma, an organization dedicated to the advocacy of childhood trauma survivors and the author of In The Mind: Trauma to Transformation.

Jeremiah is a Certified Trauma Care Practitioner and a Certified Adolescent Trauma Support Specialist. He facilitates a peer support group for students and specialists in the CATSS Course community within the It Always Takes A Village Institute. He also serves as the Mid-Michigan Peer Support Group Facilitator for the non-profit mental health peer support organization Broken People.

Like many of us in this space, Jeremiah is a trauma survivor. He is the founder of Growing Unstuck LLC, a private practice where he combines the knowledge from his education with the experiential insights from his life to help adolescents and others find acceptance, healing and the capacity for growth within themselves.

A survivor of unfathomable childhood sexual and physical abuse, an addiction to crack at age 12, and an upbringing encompassed by animal abuse, chronic poverty, and neglect—Gabby’s journey defies statistics. Her story is a true testimony of how one can rise from trauma. Her resiliency and perseverance have been an inspiration for others. Gabby has battled Complex PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety for much of her adult life. She has also conquered the aftereffects of trauma and addiction as an adult. Today, she is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, diligently making an impact for other trauma survivors. She is the founder of Sheathed, Inc., a nonprofit bringing the first of its kind initiative to the mental health and recovery community. Gabby rediscovered herself through ballroom dancing and martial arts. Join her to learn about the start of an initiative that helps those struggling with trauma by building new neuropathways, develop resiliency, pursue a new sense of identity, positively engage with their community, and of course…find relief from their trauma or addictions.

My name is Casey Kang. I am a 3x survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia & stroke survivor. I am also a Trauma Informed cancer coach.

I use somatic movement and breathwork to heal trauma, alleviate stress so my clients can move forward with their lives to make healthier decisions not rooted in fear.

Author of “Finding Your Way Back to Heart Center; Cancer Treatment Ended Now What?

Personal trainer, Yoga instructor, Yoga for oncology certified, Yoga for Trauma, Cancer Exercise Specialist, PN Level 1 Nutritionist, SomaticsIQ Therapist, Restorative Yoga, NICABM Trauma Certified, Happiness Certified, Level 1 Reiki Healer and lifelong learner. Casey lives in Santa Barbara currently and is a dog mom to Lily Bear.

Some years back I navigated through a long period of intense inner transformation. It was complicated and exhausting. Being faced with uncertainty about myself and my place in the world, I realized that the answers for me were of a deep spiritual nature. The challenges of this work changed my paradigm. Due to my vision for my re-invention and vocation, I wanted to create a life filled with love, gratitude, and a deep desire to serve others. I’m an experienced life coach with specialized training in trauma-informed care. I am dedicated to empowering individuals to heal past wounds and cultivate personal growth, advocating for mental health and trauma recovery, and offering a unique blend of self-care practices and therapeutic techniques to support clients in their healing journey. I’m a skilled facilitator of transformational life coaching sessions, committed to creating a safe and nurturing space for clients to explore their trauma, develop resilience, and foster self-compassion.

Every Moment Presents An Awesome Opportunity!

Amy Pagett is an ICF (ACC LEVEL) Accredited Trauma-Informed Coach and alumna of  MTHS (Moving The Human Spirit).  She is a Certified Breathwork Coach through Yogabody and trained with Linda Thai in Somatic Embodiment. Currently, she is working towards becoming a Somatic Stress Release Practitioner through The Embody Lab.  In addition, she is a Certified Self-Sabotage coach and has an understanding of how trauma can impact our choices and lead to self-sabotaging behaviours as a way to numb the pain of unhealed wounds. 

Mrs. Pagett holds a Bachelor of Education and has been an elementary school teacher for over 23 years.  Her background in education as well as her Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Psychology blend well with her ability to teach, foster and cultivate new learning in trauma recovery.

Amy understands trauma from a personal perspective as she too is a trauma survivor.  She witnessed her brother die tragically at a young age and learned to embody a new role in the world of her grieving family.  She became the people pleaser and adopted the fawning trauma response pattern.

She is also a childhood sexual abuse survivor and understands how shame follows us into adulthood.  She deeply understands somatic embodiment and has first-hand knowledge of how the body keeps the score.  

For several years Amy battled an autoimmune disease that left her unable to work or do many daily activities.  She understands how the body remembers trauma even when the mind forgets.

She has first-hand knowledge of the stigma and difficulty of trying to recover while at the same time navigating the long-term disability system.  Systemic trauma adds another layer to her past experiences.

Fittingly as a teacher, Amy says she learned her way through recovery.  She deepened her education and embraced every opportunity to learn about healing and post-traumatic growth. She believes that healing is not a final destination but rather a lifelong journey.

Amy understands the importance of having a safe space to share and offers compassion and safety to her clients.  She works with clients who are trying to navigate their childhood traumas that are still locked within their bodies.  Her approach to healing incorporates the mind, body and spirit.  Her coaching is rooted in science, spirituality and creativity to build personal goals for each client.  Healing is not a one size fits all approach and Amy works with her clients to meet their individual needs. Overcoming trauma and self-sabotage is challenging to do on your own.  Sometimes a curious mind and a fresh perspective can guide you to Aim True, One Breath at a Time.

Website: aimtruecoaching.com
Email: aimtruecoaching@gmail.com

Laurie Perez, a Certified Adolescent and Family Trauma Specialist and founder of Validating You LLC, is dedicated to helping clients feel seen, heard, and understood. Her personal journey, marked by a challenging upbringing in an abusive and toxic household, has shaped her deep empathy and understanding of the impact of trauma.

With an ACEs score of 10, Laurie's lived experience has equipped her to provide compassionate and effective support to her clients. As a Supervisor within It Always Takes A Village, she shares her expertise by teaching the Certified Adolescent and Family Trauma Specialist Advanced classes. Additionally, Laurie is committed to making a positive impact on her community, hosting groups that promote understanding and compassion for individuals experiencing mental health challenges and trauma.

Erik Roberts is a Certified Trauma Care Practitioner/Advocate (CTCP-A) and Certified Trauma Recovery Coach (CTRC) based in Valencia, Spain. He is a cPTSD survivor with over twenty years of experience in experiential education, professional sports coaching, and critical incident response. Rooted in his lived experience, professional training, and IFS-informed lens, Erik guides individuals healing from environmental trauma - including survivors of natural disasters, socio-political conflicts, and those who live or work in high-stress, chronically uncertain situations. Through an Integrative Growth™ approach and Critical Impact First Aid™ protocols, Erik offers bio-individualized support and practical tools for resilience. By integrating peer support networks, Erik ensures clients are not only supported individually but also connected to a community that understands their challenges. This holistic support framework empowers clients to rebuild their lives, find strength amid adversity, and regain a sense of control over their personal and professional well-being.

Aja's journey from perceived health to debilitating illness marked a shocking pivot in her life, one for which she was unprepared. After traditional medicine failed her, Aja took control of her own health through education, trauma recovery, and wellness practices. Now, as a trauma-trained Self-Alignment coach, she empowers others to align their lives and bodies, manage their wellness (with professional support), and go after their desires.
Aja's compelling narrative, combined with her dedication to research and experimentation, will resonate with, motivate, and inspire your audience to take charge of their lives, regardless of their goals. Her ability to simplify complex topics ensures that every listener finds her teachings accessible and engaging. With Aja’s guidance, your audience will leave empowered, believing in their ability to overcome any challenge.

Wilton E. Williamson Jr. embodies a rich blend of experiences and commitments, drawing from his military service in the United States Marine Corps, and advocacy work. His roles as an author, mentor, and mental health advocate showcase his compassion and understanding in promoting mental well-being. Wilton's dedication to assisting others through anxiety and trauma, irrespective of age, underscores his empathy and commitment. His book, "I Need a Minute," stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to mental health, emphasizing the importance of resilience in children. With a master's degree in labor and employee relations from Rutgers University, and a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Wilton adeptly applies his expertise across his critical work, including supporting fellow veterans during life transitions. His devotion to his family, including his cherished dog Shiloh, reflects his steadfast values of love, support, and connection.