Embodied Counseling and Wellness LLC
Welcome
Welcome to Embodied Counseling and Wellness LLC. The first step can be the most difficult so I am glad you are here!
Stress affects all of us and can look different for everyone. It may look like depression, anxiety, mood swings and chronic illness, just to mention a few. Chronic stress and trauma not only affect our emotions and thinking but they also affect our bodies. In the aftermath of trauma and chronic stress, our bodies can sometimes feel like the enemy with unpredictable mood swings, panic attacks and anger outbursts. Sometimes our bodies can feel tense and stuck. Breathing can seem difficult and physical movement can be painful. All of this is a result of how chronic stress and trauma impact our nervous system. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk refers to this as a hijacked nervous system. Our bodies are unaware that the danger has passed and we remain stuck in a hypervigilant state.
The term interoception means internal awareness. A few examples of interoception are noticing our heart beating, our stomach growling and our breathing. Mindful physical movement, such as yoga, not only increases interoception, but also regulates our hijacked nervous system. Mindful yoga can help us befriend our bodies and cultivate a sense of comfort and safety.
Link for my podcast episode on Reroot & Rise https://open.spotify.com/episode/0T47PfUanc3k4XJMs6PxaU?si=b06c4f16eb244bb3
Experience and Credentials
Mandi Houser-Puschel is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teacher. She graduated from Lehigh University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services and has a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rowan University. She is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Mandi worked in community mental health for many years and was a supervisor of a Family Counseling Program. She also completed assessments for Perform Care as well as in-home therapy for teens and families before transitioning to private practice. Her counseling approach is a combination of Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She completed professional training in: Mindfulness, Somatic Therapeutic Tools, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Nutritional and Integrative Medicine, Counseling Techniques for Adolescents, Neuroscience, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma and Telehealth Counseling.
Mandi completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2016 at Dhyana Yoga in Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. She is a 200-hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and has completed the following continuing education courses: Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Yoga of 12 Step Recovery, Breaking Barriers: Transforming the Samskara of Codependency, Yin Yoga, and Tween and Teen Yoga. Mandi is also an Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Level 2 practitioner.
Mandi combines her knowledge of counseling and yoga into her trauma sensitive yoga classes. She specializes in working with individuals who have never tried or even considered yoga. She feels that physical movement, like yoga, is important in trauma recovery as it regulates the nervous system and improves emotion regulation.
NJ lic#37PC00393200 (Licensed Professional Counselor since 2009)
ACS #01525 (Approved Clinical Supervisor since 2013)
ERYT-200 #192988 (Yoga Alliance since 2016)
Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Level 2 Practitioner (2022)
Therapeutic Services
I offer telehealth and in-person Individual Counseling and Private Yoga Sessions for adults in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. All clients have access to my YouTube channel, Take5Yoga, with yoga videos that are 5 minutes or less. Please contact me for questions or to schedule.
If you are a Licensed Associate Counselor seeking Clinical Supervision please contact me for more information.
To inquire about Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes in your community or your treatment center, please contact me for more information.
Socially Connected
Contact me.
Mandi@embodiedcounselingandwellness.com
