Aviva Luden, MSW

Life is not easy. We have responsibilities, goals, and challenges. Each of these generate within us thoughts, feelings and sensation, many of which are positive and some that are painful. We expend much energy trying to keep painful thoughts, feelings, and sensations out of our awareness. But this energy can be the source of adverse symptoms. Paradoxically, by being exquisitely present to thoughts, feelings and sensations, we heal past traumas, change deep-rooted patterns, disarm defenses and build resilience. This is where I step in to work with clients. As an olah, I understand the challenges of transition. I had these challenges in mind as I received my professional life coach certification through the prestigious Coaches Training Institute. I then worked with people who were navigating the challenges of their own transitions. A year later I continued with studies in trauma work, training with Gina Ross, one of the senior educators in the Somatic Experiencing (SE) world and founder of the International Trauma-Healing Institute in Israel. Following certification as an SE Practitioner, I served the Institute as Director of Emotional First Aid Training. SE’s mind/body approach to healing trauma enabled me to successfully help people suffering from anxiety, phobias, chronic pain, and depression. While continuing to build my practice, I earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. My counseling practice is driven by weaving together these three modalities. My approach to healing is gentle yet powerful, and allows my clients to embrace and work with their pain and suffering. As we build new awareness, we break detrimental patterns of thought and behavior, and ultimately move toward a life of productivity, meaning, aliveness…and ease.