Facilitator

Dr. Annie Brook

Somatic Psychologist, author, &

BMC teacher

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Dr. Annie Brook is the founder of the Brook Institute.

Her work focuses on Applied Neuroplasticity, healing the earliest life imprints, birth trauma, couples attachment, and adoption-related issues.

Her methodology integrates Body-Mind Centering®, neuroscience, and movement education, supporting the resolution of deep-seated trauma in infants, children, and adults.

She is the author of several influential books, including “Birth’s Hidden Legacy”, “Attachment, Imprints, and Intimacy”, and “Contact Improvisation and Body-Mind Centering”.

Dr. Brook brings over 45 years of clinical and teaching experience and previously served as the Director of Body Psychotherapy for the MA in Somatic Psychology at Naropa University.

Assistant Facilitator

Olesya Uglova

Psychologist & Somatic Therapist

Olesya Uglova is a psychologist and somatic therapist facilitating somatic therapeutic processes internationally with individuals and groups.

Her work focuses on nervous system regulation, early developmental and pre-verbal experience, and embodied psychological support through relational, body-based, and water-based approaches.

She offers grounded co-facilitation and therapeutic support, holding safety, pacing, and integration on both land and in water.

Water therapy, aquatic attachment, watsuu, attachment work,

Participants

And You!

Claim your spot for this unique chance to embody your deepest soul self

 

 

Gain a certificate of completion, and attend level 2 and 3 for certification of somatic study with Annie Brook 

water classes, water therapy, somatic psychology
Somatic psychology, attachment work, water therapy, psychology, movement psychology

•The retreat unfolds at a private location in the California redwoods. The Pool is warm, with non-chlorinated water. Our land space is beautiful high ceilings, indoor wood floor with kitchen and dining table. •Lodging is available. This creates a deeply supportive and contained environment for early developmental work. •Through slow, attuned, and carefully facilitated processes, participants are invited to explore pre-verbal and early layers of experience — the foundational patterns from which nervous system organization emerges.

Register Soon!

Group Size: This is a small, intimate group experience
Limited from 8–15 participants, to ensure depth, intimacy, and individual attention.

0
0
DAYS
0
0
HOURS
0
0
MINUTES
0
0
SECONDS

Process Information

Introduction to Birth Trauma for Adult Healing of Trauma

Sept.19-20

This is for adults recovering from stress. It is not focused on pregnancy. (although some pregnant mommas have supported themselves before birth by attending).

Learn what happened during your own birth, or the stress when your mother was born! Learn how this shapes your adult responses especially in relationship, and during stressful adult times.

Learn how to arrive in your body, stay present instead of reactive, and how to find balance. Level 1 teaches you how to recognize yourself in a dissociated state, how to return to your body, and to regain healthy adult thinking and behaviors. Finding how to remove existential shock is key in being an adult, and finding trust in relationship. It is also key in finding your voice to speak up about your needs.

 

Level 1 is about arriving into the body, identifying and releasing stress habits, and restoring contact with self and others. It builds the foundation for deeper work.
We focus on:
— nervous system regulation and support
— trust, safety, and relational contact
— moving in water through the spine (rather than effort or control)
— developing sensitivity and embodied awareness

 

Repattern a new experience of birth; removing the trauma.
This is the beginning of coming into life through the body —
gently, gradually, with support and with personal power.

No prior experience with water-based or embryonic work is required. This retreat is suitable for therapists, practitioners, and individuals with an interest in deep somatic inquiry.

Logistics Information

Deposit & Reservation

Your deposit is applied toward the total cost of the retreat, and is required to reserve your place.

— $500 deposit for 2-day retreat
This helps us hold a committed and stable group space.

 

As the group size is limited, deposits are non-refundable after Aug17th, unless your place can be filled by another participant.

Full Pricing & Registration
Participants can join:
— (2 days): Early bird $500 til-Aug 17. 
— Full Price $1150 after 8/17

Location & Time Agreements 

You will be sent exact location when you register

Arrival Agreement*

8:30-9 Am:Please arrive in time to settle in. Doors will open at 8:30 and class starts at 9:30

Departure Agreement*18:30–19:00

Proposed Day Schedule

(working structure, flexible)

Arrival: 8:30–9:00 — Arrival and settling in

Opening

9:30 — Opening circle and gentle orienting practice

Land-based somatic practice

Schedule

Proposed Day Schedule cont.

First Water Session

11:00–13:00 — Warm water session in the pool

Lunch & Rest

13:00–14:30 — Lunch break and rest

(Participants bring their own lunch)

Afternoon Land Practice

14:30–16:00 — Somatic practice and integration in the studio

Second Water Session

16:00–17:30 — Warm water session in the pool

Closing

17:30–18:30 — Final land practice and closing circle

Departure

18:30–19:00 — Integration and departure

Accommodation
On-site accommodation is available at the retreat center. Click the button below for a price list. Olesya and Annie will be staying on site. If you wish to join, that would be fun! Book via email on the pricing sheet. Click button below!
 *There are several options at different price ranges.
 *Spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly.
 *Participants may also arrange nearby accommodation (Airbnb, etc.).

Certification (for professionals)
Participants who complete Level 1, 2 and 3 level 2 & 3 offered in following years),can obtain a certification in introduction to Healing Birth Trauma.  immersion and intend to integrate this work into their professional practice
will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion issued by Annie Brook’s institute.
This certification is designed for therapists, bodyworkers, and helping professionals who wish to deepen their skills in:

  • water-based somatic work 
  • early developmental and prenatal processes
  • relational and attachment-based work
    The training offers both experiential depth and practical understanding to support integration into professional practice.

Questions and Answers...
1. Do I get a certificate? Yes for hours of completion. For certification in this work, attendance at future workshops is needed.

2. Can I attend only for 1 day? Spots are limited. If you can only attend 1 day, that will be Saturday. It is only available if we have an extra spot open. Please make your deposit and save the date. If we don't have a spot open, we will refund your deposit.

3. Can I stay overnight? Yes. Book your accommodations by scrolling up to the accommodations link. 

4. Is this retreat for pregnant mothers only? No, it is mostly attended by adults seeking both personal or professional guidance. If you are pregnant and want to come, you must be prior to 3rd trimester.

5. Are there social spots with discount available? Sorry, these are no longer available; they are already taken. 

6. What if I need follow up support? You are welcome to contact Olesya or Annie following the retreat for a chat. If it seems you need some private sessions, that can be arranged. 

Questions and Answers Continued...

7. What do I need to do to prepare? You are the best preparation; your body knows "the Hidden Story" of your own birth. 

 

For extra information, please enjoy the 3 bonus gifts you receive electronically when you sign up, Audio file inteview on attachment, the short ebook, Birth Trauma, and the pdf, Getting your birth history (also available in my free pdf library). Don't worry if you cannot ask your parents anything; this is not an obligation; just an invitation to open your thoughts to this topic. 

 

8. Who is not a good fit for this retreat?  Anyone taking heavy psychiatric medications or working with a known class 2 personality disorder, such as borderline personality, active bi-polar, or narcissism.

Testimonials

Below are thoughts from colleagues and partcipants in Annie's courses

“Annie Brook gives a very clear picture of how to work with and treat earliest origins of shock. Attachment treatment issues are clearly defined with treatment layout for any birth practitioner. This work is easily integrated into ones practice and is easy to follow. Annie Brook spoke at the recent conference of pre and perinatal psychology and health (APPPAH) and her information was well received. Her book is a continuation of her lectures and a great resource for this work.”

Sandra Bardsley, RN

Past APPPAH president

see BirthPsychology.com

"Annie is a brilliant guide for those of us on the path of healing. She is highly attuned to her clients, dedicated for the long haul, and truly gifted in helping people navigate through the complex terrain of prenatal life, birth, and early developmental related issues. Annie is also able to powerfully assist couples as they repair early attachment dynamics and move into embodied connection and ever expanding intimacy. Annie lives what she teaches. She is an integrated woman, a creative inspiration, and a treasure in our community.

Melissa Michaels

Founder, Golden Bridge

“I am so served by you and your work, Annie. I keep returning to this.. I love that I’ve experienced calm as a result.. created space in myself.. & if I start spinning, I remember to keep coming back here.. to choose helping myself.. get connected within.. thank you.”

Kelly LeValley

Course Participant

“As a somatic psychologist I am at the beginning of my journey and the program has given me powerful support and motivation, a new opportunity has opened up for me. I also see that the somatic approach has permeated all my other areas of work: I lead my water dance classes from this depth, I give massage and water therapy sessions with a different quality, and I weave body living into my artistic work on a new level.

 

I see that this impact on all areas of my life is imminent, because it is first of all a repatterning of the way I live my life, how I stay in my body, get in touch, work and rest, start and finish. It is a change on a fundamental deep level, which, like circles on water, entails a restructuring on all levels. For me it is a real process of rebirth that started from the very beginning of the training..”

Reshetnikova Ekaterina

Course Participant

EVENT GALLERY