Movement has been one of the most profound sources of soul-nourishment in my life. Long before I was interested in psychology, I was inspired by gymnastics, dance, and yoga, all of which opened me up to the power of innate body wisdom. I believe there are endless pathways to self-discovery, including both subtle and dynamic embodiment practices. As a child and young adult, I utilized intense movement practices to get in touch with my body and emotions. I practiced acrobatics, studied Ashtanga yoga, learned how to fire-dance (poi and hoop dance), and studied aerial silks. These are amazing practices I still love today, although modification is key! With the help of my graduate work and personal exploration of somatic and relational psychology, I am continually reminded to slow down and feel into the more subtle aspects of life. I still love to climb mountains and do handstands, but I continue to challenge myself by slowing down, sensing my body, and allowing life to move through me rather than against me. That is no easy task! I also want to extend gratitude to my spiritually-focused parents, who introduced me to international healers, curanderos, and shamans from a very early age. That exposure galvanized my interest in healing, and I glean insight from various healing-centered traditions and practices.

I feel most aligned with myself and spirit when immersed in nature. I feel passionate about ecology, nature-based education, and sustainable living systems, and enjoy spending as much time as I can in the wild, especially California and South Africa, where my family is from. I received a B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, with a minor in Ethnobotany and Holistic Health. I strongly believe there is a direct relationship between nature and one’s individual healing process. How we treat ourselves and the earth directly impacts both our personal experience and the global psyche. 

My Journey

As a child, I loved gymnastics and trained consistently in California and one summer in Russia. I began practicing yoga as a teenager and completed my first teacher training in 1998. I became interested in healing bodywork in college and became a certified massage therapist in 2001. I have been committed to taking courses in bodywork (massage therapy, cranial sacral, myofascial release, accupressure, neuromuscular therapy), yoga, and other therapeutic studies for over twenty years. 

After working with massage and yoga clients for ten years, I felt called to deepen my understanding of the mind-body connection as it pertains to an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms. I completed a master’s in clinical psychology from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute/The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2012, and became a licensed psychotherapist in 2018. This academic journey opened me up further to the powerful world of somatic, relational, and client-centered psychotherapy approaches that greatly influence my clinical practice today. For more detailed information about my approach and offerings, visit the Somatic Psychotherapy page. 

More Cumes Family Offerings:

• Shamanic Healing & Readings with David Cumes, M.D. 
• Willka T’ika Wellness Retreats in Peru. Director, Terry Cumes. Founded by Carol Cumes. 
• Paul Cumes Fine Art