Since 2008, when I was introduced to meditation and the work of Chögyam Trungpa, I have been deeply committed to a path of healing and inner growth. This has brought me into contact with many amazing modalities and teachers. I am passionate about bringing to others the tools that have helped me the most in my own journey towards greater sanity, peace, regulation, healthy relationships, and empowerment.
It is a value of mine to continually be committed to my own inner work, healing, and growth while supporting others.
I study animistic healing with Dr. Barnaby Ruhe (a student of Michael Harner). I have become Reiki III certified with Dr. Robin Powell. I have studied body-based meditation with Reggie Ray at Dharma Ocean, as well as tantric practices with Lama Tsultrim Allione at Tara Mandala (including Feeding Your Demons practice).
I received my Master of Divinity from Naropa University in 2014, where I became an interfaith chaplain, certified meditation instructor, and Buddhist reverend. Also in 2014, I became a certified yoga teacher through Shoshoni Yoga Ashram.
Since 2011, I have studied intensively with Rabbi Zvi Ish-Shalom, PhD. I am currently in his Kedumah Institute training, which brings together psychodynamics and mystical Judaism. I am also a student of Somatic Experiencing™, a psychotherapeutic modality for healing trauma and accessing goodness developed by Dr. Peter Levine. I study sexuality, spirituality, and the nervous system with Kimberly Johnson and attachment theory and intergenerational trauma with Diane Poole Heller.
I serve as an adjunct professor in Naropa’s Master of Divinity program and a meditation instructor in the Transpersonal Psychology program. I have also provided spiritual and emotional care to children and adults at CU Anschutz Hospital, Amana Yoga Boulder, Nevei Kodesh Renewal Synagogue, and in private practice.
In my free time, I like to read Michael Chabon novels, walk around lakes, and take photos of clouds.
I have been blessed to have such amazing teachers and trainings. But ultimately, it is not about the modality—it’s about showing up authentically in the moment and using the tools I have to meet you exactly where you are in a way that is spontaneous and fresh.
I look forward to walking this journey with you.
SPECIALTIES
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Trauma + PTSD / C-PTSD
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Inner Critic + Inner Child Healing
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Spiritual Emergence/y
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Shame + Self-Worth
WORK
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION PRECEPTOR, Naropa University
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, Naropa University
INTERRELIGIOUS CHAPLAIN, CU Anshutz Hospital
- PEER REVIEWER, Journal of Religion & Health
MEDITATION + YOGA INSTRUCTOR, Amana Boulder Yoga
TRAINING
MASTER OF DIVINITY, Naropa University
BACHELOR OF ARTS, New York University
SOMATIC EXPERIENCING™ INTERNATIONAL
3-Year Trauma Treatment CertificationINTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA, Diane Poole Heller
PRE AND PERINATAL PSYCHOLOGY, Integral Somatic Psychology, Raja Selvam
PTSD: Post-Trauma System Development, Steve Hoskinson, Organic Intelligence
- CHARIS INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION CIRCLE FACILITATION TRAINING
ORDAINED BUDDHIST MINISTER, International Order of Buddhist Ministers
CERTIFIED YOGA TEACHER, Shoshoni Yoga Retreat
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR, Naropa University
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION, University of Colorado Hospital
MEDIATION TRAINING, Naropa University
ASIST SUICIDE INTERVENTION TRAINING, Naropa University
REIKI LEVEL III, Robin Powell
BOOKS
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Editor: Trungpa, Chögyam. Cynicism + Magic: Intelligence + Intuition on the Buddhist Path. Shambhala Publications, 2021.
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Chapter author: “Bufferhood: An Autoethnography.” The Chalk Circle: Intercultural Prizewinning Essays, edited by Tara L. Masih, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, 2012.
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Skipping Stones Honor Award; Benjamin Franklin Silver Medal; ForeWord Book of the Year
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ARTICLES
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Diagrams: Elephant Journal. What Trauma Survivors Should Know about Meditation.
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Inner Ocean Center for Healing Blog
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The Wheel, Shambhala Publications’ blog
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Shambhala Times
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Shoutout Colorado
- Bold Journey
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YogaCity NYC
- Mystic Mag
PODCASTS
Wild Sacred Journey with Kate Powell: Spirituality in the These Times + Being More Human
We’re in this Shift Together with Matt Ponak: Somatic Spirituality
TESTIMONIALS
I have seen many counselors throughout my life. Not only is Emma very personable and easy to talk to, but her unique counseling approach is much more effective than any counseling I’ve ever had. Instead of trying to overcome my issues, she uses a technique to help me delve more deeper into them. Incredibly, she is able to do this with the sense of safety and support. I have made more progress in my two months with her than I have in all the previous years of my counseling combined. Highly recommended. She’s amazing!
Jenny J.
Emma is a game-changer. I’ve been in and out of 5 therapists offices over the past 20 years, and Emma has been the most effective therapist I’ve seen. She has facilitated and held space for massive transformation for me over the past year. She is a safe space for feeling big feelings. With her gentle, compassionate guidance, I’ve been able to process so much, face what I didn’t think I could face, and I always feel 100% safe going to these scary places with her at the helm. She has helped me connect to myself in ways and to a depth I didn’t know was possible. Emma is a non-negotiable for my mental health!
Heather C.
EMMA'S BLOGS
6 https://youtu.be/kzThCke3aY0 Do you ever feel like you need more support, guidance, clarity, or strength? Deep within your subconscious lies a powerful protector—an inner ally—waiting to be discovered and activated. In our meditation, you can connect with this inner source of wisdom and resilience. And if you choose to nurture this connection, it could become […]
After a recent session focusing on inner child healing, a client of mine wrote this beautiful poem. I received permission from her to share it, because I think it so powerfully captures
One of my favorite meditations, the Microcosmic Orbit, is an ancient Taoist breath and attention practice that moves congested energy. That could be sexual energy condensed in the pelvis (this is a popular practice for delaying…
7 Understanding our values is crucial, forming the foundational principles that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions. They shape why we do what we do, how we make choices, where we direct our efforts, and with whom we collaborate. As we embark on this journey, we’ll weave our narratives, values, and traditions into a harmonious […]
The concept of the Shekhinah in Kabbalah is a complex one, representing the opening of the tent to the spiritual world and deeper parts of ourselves and reality.
In this 30-minute sequence, we will move the spine in its 6 directions, practice 3-part yogic breathing, and then spend 10-15 minutes following the breath in a gentle shamatha meditation.
Train your mind to not go chasing squirrels in this 30-minute sit, led by Emma Sartwell at Naropa University as part of their COVID-19 community offerings. This practice incorporates breathwork to settle the mind and body, and then about 15…
In this video, I walk you through filling the body with nonjudgmental, non-goal-oriented breath and awareness. This will dissolve blockages, allow for more flow in the body, and build the relationship between your mind and body.