Life can be a challenging experience which can be compounded by our unique identities and circumstances. Through no fault of our own we can sometimes feel ill-equipped to handle the challenges that life brings us. Some of us have adapted by becoming perfectionists and having a harsh inner critic or by becoming more withdrawn and feeling lost and confused. As a man of color and a son of immigrants, I can relate to these experiences, and feel that I can offer an alternative perspective to provide a greater sense of freedom.

As a result of my personal and professional experiences, I tend to work well with people who are wanting to find their “voice” in life and in relationship, people going through life transitions such as the “mid-life crisis”, and BIPOC individuals who are struggling in professional environments. I have awareness of my social identities and am open to working with all ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations with curiosity and humility.

If you feel drawn to my perspective and experience, I would be happy to schedule a brief consultation call to see how I can help.

I am a Filipino American somatic psychotherapist and Certified Hakomi Practitioner, a method of mindfulness-based somatic self study and healing. I take a compassionate and holistic view towards healing that is informed by Buddhist psychology, social justice, and a belief in our inherent preciousness and inner capacity for healing and wholeness.

My personal development background includes experience in insight meditation, men’s work, diversity, equity and inclusion work, martial arts, and health, wellness and fitness. I also have a creative background as a former DJ and producer, and enjoy live music, physical movement, the arts, and nature.

I have a master's degree in counseling psychology with a focus on somatic therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in addition to having a completed training and certification in Hakomi mindfulness-based body-oriented psychotherapy. Prior to coming to Grateful Heart, I worked as an MFT trainee at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy. In addition, I have experience as a mindfulness and somatic life coach, and as a teaching assistant in trainings of the hakomi method and at CIIS.

I believe psychotherapy is a conscious and supportive relationship of inner healing and empowerment. People come to therapy for many different reasons, such as anxiety, trauma, and life dissatisfaction, and I feel that through a collaborative and compassionate approach towards your struggles we can collectively discover new perspectives to approaching life.

Somatics, refers to “the body” or “soma” in Latin. Through a body-based approach, I use mindfulness, or conscious awareness, to explore your experience, which may show up as tension in the body, or even a particular posture or movement. By exploring the tension with curiosity and compassion, we could potentially allow the tension to release and relax. From this new place of relaxation, it could potentially give you a new perspective and insight on the situation.

Through exploration and discovery of unconscious limiting beliefs, mindful somatic psychotherapy can open up the possibility of having new perspectives and new ways of being in the world.

• Youth: 12-18
• Young Adult: 18-25
• Adults: 25-65

• Individuals
• Couples
• Groups

• Activists
• Artists
• First Responders
• Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
• Men
• Military Personnel
• Persons Experiencing Grief and Loss
• Persons Recovering from Traumatic Events/Experiences
• Persons Struggling with/Recovering from Addiction
• Persons with Histories of Physical or Emotional Abuse
• Spiritual Seekers/Practitioners
• Women
• Other:

• Other:

• Credit Card

$160

$140-$160

Yes

(415) 638-9260

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davidjavate.com

San Francisco. Currently only offering tele-therapy online or over the phone.

• Monday Evening

Please call (415) 638-9260 and leave a message or send an email dj@davidjavate.com to schedule a brief consultation call to see how I can help.

Rawna Romero, LMFT 41466

01/28/2021