Katherine Allen
Katherine Allen, MA, LMFT
I never set out to be a trauma therapist. I mean, how many of us are trained in anything really trauma oriented in grad school? I originally went back to school in order to work with adopted children and families, being an adoptee myself. As I honed my attachment and relational skills, my practicum placements led me in an additional direction as I found myself working with domestic violence victims during the day, and with domestic violence repeat offenders at night, gaining an uncanny educational experience and perspective not taught in any class. My expertise as a trauma therapist was then solidified from the worst of circumstances, as I was a local therapist when the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred. Full immersion into the pain and grief of such an event makes it impossible for someone to not become an expert at trauma identification and healing. That event introduced me to Brainspotting which changed everything not just for me but for my clients as well. The non-verbal, sub-cortical access and rapid healing model proved itself day in and day out. I have since added HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive therapy healing tools and am certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Psychedelic Integration for my clients trauma healing.
Prior to receiving my LMFT from Fairfield University, I was a graphic designer and production manager in advertising and design firms across the US, from Boston to California, Colorado to Connecticut. That previous life experience has informed my teaching style and now metaphor is the medium that I often use to assist clients in seeing and navigating their trauma healing paths. I have 2 books in the works, both which draw deeply on the metaphors I use in session.
In my role as a Brainspotting Trainer and Supervisor, I have witnessed many practitioners’ development, and naturally some rise to the top. In particular, Maria Bowen rose to the top. She has shown brilliance and creativity in her growth as a trauma clinician. We have now developed the TAG Method for Trauma Reprocessing and Integration together and I am honored to bring this to life as her business and teaching partner.
When I am not training The TAG Method, I have a private practice in Hanover, NH called kTherapy and Brainspotting with Katherine where I work as an attachment, relational and neuropsychology-informed practitioner. I have been a guest lecturer for the MFT program’s Ethics course at Fairfield University for 12 years. I have been a presenter on trauma and healing at Castleton University, Antioch University New England and the University of Vermont. I was a presenter at the 2nd International Brainspotting Conference in 2021.
Maria Bowen
Maria Bowen, MA, LCMHC
I was born in Brattleboro, VT and have found myself back home after years of travel. My family moved to an international community called Auroville in southern India when I was 10, and while I returned to New England for (boarding) high school, my love for international travel began young. I have traveled all over the world, and have loved the relationships that travel has brought into my life.
My experiences of living in different countries, in building relationships across differences, and choosing family with myriad identities and experiences, has brought me to an intersectional and systemic analysis of the ways that we carry our emotional, intellectual, and embodied experiences.
After pursuing a master’s degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University New England, I began my mentorship with Katherine Allen. Since 2018, we have spent countless hours researching and discussing trauma and how to heal, and I am so excited to bring the fruits of that labor to the public. My approach as a therapist is deeply rooted in neuropsychology and human development, and is fundamentally relational.
My identity intersections: I am queer (she/they pronouns) and AuDHD (autistic and ADHD). I am a descendant of white settler colonizers (father’s side) and refugees (mother’s side). I have multiple chronic health conditions and am disabled (ask me what this means–it may not be what you think). I am a mother to an AMAB child and follow the Visible Child parenting paradigm. I embody fat liberation and body neutrality. I am anti-racist and anti-colonialist.
I currently reside in East Dummerston on stolen indigenous land belonging to the Wabanaki, N’dakina (Abenaki / Abénaquis), and Pennacook peoples. Learn about the land you live on.
To learn more about me and the work I do in my private practice running Trauma Intensives and offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy visit www.TransformativeTraumaCenter.com
The TAG Method training will prepare you to be an agent of change and healing in the world.
Registration for the Spring 2024 Cohorts is now open!
For detailed information about the training please visit the training page. For information about cost and schedule please visit the registration page. Thanks!