INTEGRATIVE SOMATIC STUDIES INSTITUTE INC.

Training in an Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™

An essential aspect of healing from trauma is learning to self-regulate. Unresolved trauma or trauma that are unprocessed can lead to difficulties regulating emotions and body sensations. Unprocessed traumas are stored in different parts of the body resulting in stress and muscle tension thus, impacting psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual functioning that often leads to illnesses and medical conditions. 

Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™ is a body-centered Soul-based Psychotherapy for healing trauma. Informed by research, ISTP ™ incorporates innovations in Yoga, Breathwork, Mindfulness Practice, Hands-on Healing Modalities (Touch & Bodywork), Movements, Ceremony, Somatic or Body Centered interventions and neuroscience. Through this integrative approach, students will learn to apply skills aim to reduce PTSD-anxiety symptoms, promote body-mind-emotion regulation and integration for optimal personal, relational health, and well-being. Enhance your practice by learning to apply skills used in an Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™ to help clients self-regulate emotional distress, manage physiological symptoms, experience self-efficacy, and build resilience. Integrative Somatic Studies Institute offers Continuing Education Credits (CEU) for all our trainings. 

Formerly known as Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy (MBST), Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice was developed by Ratha Chek from 30 years of  experience working with survivors of childhood and intergenerational trauma; survivors of genocide and residential schools; intimate partner violence, sex trafficking and torture; complex trauma and trauma from motor vehicle accidents. Ratha Chek is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Yoga Teacher and Breathwork Practitioner. 

Come and experience the benefits of incorporating Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™ into your work to help clients self-regulate physiological symptoms; supporting them to take a proactive role in their own healing process. All content provided in this training is developed and gathered through research by Ratha Chek.

PREREQUISITES: Basic Counselling Skills and a combination of knowledge, experience, and education that demonstrates an understanding of basic counselling skills and of the role and responsibilities of the therapist…however, what we really ask is that you have the willingness and capacity for self-awareness, self-inquiry, and self-reflection. Basic computer skills are required to successfully navigate online course successfully.

SUITABLE FOR

WHAT MAKES Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice™ Unique Compared to Other Somatic Therapy Practices?  

Along with Top-down approach, ISTP™ integrates 7 trauma-informed bottom-up approaches which include practices in:

  1. MINDFULNESS,
  2. BREATHWORK
  3. YOGA SKILLS  (Embodiment) 
  4. TOUCH & BODYWORK,
  5. MOVEMENTS,
  6. EMBODIED RESILIENCE 
  7. SOUND
  8. CEREMONY

Our institute offers small intimate training groups, a minimum of 12 to maximum 20 participants. 

Trauma impedes instincts; innate human responses to threat and danger. Foundational to the healing of trauma is a return to primal instincts. Healing & Recovery therefore, requires a reclaiming of natural impulse; authentic human needs that make us whole.

About Ratha, She is the most pure and compassionate person I have ever encountered. She is doesn't have a thread of judgement about others, she genuinely accepts and cherished unique individuals. She is a free spirit. Sometimes watching her during her session, it appears like even though she is grounded she can fly and spread her wings and bring healing to others.
Mavash
Registered Clinical Counsellor

CEREMONY is an essential part of Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice. We believe that physical and spiritual health are intimately connected: Body and spirit must heal together. Traditional healing ceremonies promote wellness by reflecting on ancient cultural conceptions of Spirit, Creator, and the Universe. They can include prayer, chants, drumming, songs, stories, and the use of a variety of sacred objects. To begin with, ceremonies or rituals connect us to the past and provide stability for the future. As we remember what has gone before, we are comforted by those memories to strengthen our present. In our trainings, a ceremony is offered to gather students together in community. We come together, support each other, and embrace unity in healing & learning.

Training Programs Consist of 3 Levels

Integrative Somatic Studies Institute offers three progressive levels of professional training in Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™. We begin with foundational course in Trauma Recovery (Level 1) to intermediate in Somatic Therapy (Level 2) to advanced in Breathwork (Level 3). We are pleased to offer CE Credits for all our certificate training programs for continuing education and professional development. Certification Trainings can be completed within 1.5 year. 

LEVEL 1: Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery: A 3-month online Course Study  on the fundamentals in trauma recovery in trauma work.  Level 1 is the foundation and requirement for Level 2 training in Somatic Psychotherapy. Level 1 training can be taken at anytime as it is self-paced. A 25 CE Credit is provided by the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association. INVESTMENT $545.00 CAD tax included.

LEVEL 2 Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice : A 6-month online experiential training consisting of online Course Study + 4 days online Live Webinars experiential practice. Option to attend 2 out of 4 experiential practice in-person in Vancouver, BC Canada. A minimum 23 hours to maximum 45-hours of Documented Practice + Clinical Group Supervision. A 130 CE Credits is provided. INVESTMENT $2,654.60 CAD Tax included.

Level 2 Yoga & Bodywork Dual Certifications Training: Trainings in Level 2 Yoga and in Bodywork provide the necessary knowledge and skills needed to effectively offer ISTP™ with individual adults and adolescents as best practice in healing trauma. 

A 6-month experiential training consisting of online Course Study + 6-day in person experiential practice in Vancouver BC, Canada.  Upon completion, a 200-Hour can be applied towards Registrations as a Bodywork Practitioner with Namasta (USA), or NHPC (Canada) and Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance for CYA-IR. INVESTMENT $5095.00 CAD tax included.

LEVEL 3 Certificate Training is an intensive, deepening, and expansive 4 months  experiential training consisting of online Course Study  + 6 day in person experiential practice on Vancouver Island, BC Canada. A minimum 25-Hour to maximum 45-Hour Documented Practice + Clinical Group Supervision. Investment $3500. CAD.

Program Timeline: 2 years approx.

In ISTP™, we work with repressed emotions.

The more we move, the more we breathe, the more we breathe, the more we FEEL Dance is one way of releasing feelings of shame ~ Ratha Chek

ISTP™ formerly known as MBST (Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy)
Name change to reflect the evolution of current practice

REFUND POLICY: Integrative Somatic Studies Institute does not issue refunds for online materials once purchased. All rights reserved