top of page
sky over a scalloped wall emma sartwell
2a-SomaticSpiritualCounseling_r1_01B_8078.jpg

Emma Sartwell
MDiv, SEP, CYT

nervous system specialist
+ somatic practitioner

  • LinkedIn
sky over a scalloped wall emma sartwell

My passion is to help you become deeply intimate with yourself and access the flow of creative potential within you.

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 HospitalAmana Yoga BoulderNevei 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.

People often come to me when:

  • they’ve done years of therapy and still feel stuck

  • spirituality feels confusing or destabilizing

  • they want healing that includes the body

  • relationships feel meaningful but painful

  • they’re highly sensitive/intense/deep-feeling/neurocomplex

I am also available for talks, workshops, and classes -- reach out for more info.

WORK

TRAINING

  • MASTER OF DIVINITY, Naropa University

  • BACHELOR OF ARTS, New York University

  • SOMATIC EXPERIENCING™ INTERNATIONAL
    3-Year Trauma Treatment Certification

  • INTERGENERATIONAL 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

  • NEURODIVERSITY 101, Leila Low-Beinart

  • 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

ARTICLES + podcasts

Psychology-Today-Verified.png
Emma-4-Color-Small.jpg

AS SEEN IN

Naropa University
Shambhala Times
Mystic Mag
Elephant Journal
Shoutout Colorado
We're in this Shift Together Podcast
Shambhala Publications
Bold Journey
Red Beard Embodiment Podcast
Insight Timer
Yoga City
Inner Ocean Center for Healing
Wyatt-MacKenzie

TESTIMONIALS

Emma embodies spaciousness. By inviting the body, mind, and soul into her work, she creates a container for deep and lasting healing. Her capacity for depth is balanced by a quiet, sacred sense of humor — a balm for these times. I refer to her whenever I can.

Emma embodies curiosity and nonjudgment in a way that continually guides me back to my body and soul. She is a fierce guide and deeply trusted confidant who has helped me navigate complex material and find greater clarity each time I seek her counsel.

Amanda Marrero, MA, LPC, SEP, Somatic Therapist & Domestic Violence Advocate 

Sitting with Emma brings immediate ease to all of my nervous system. Her wisdom is effortless, and I walk away from our time together feeling so nourished and resourced. 

Jessica Ricchetti, Author of Wisdom of the Shadow

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

2
bottom of page