We had the good fortune of connecting with Maira Holzmann and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Maira, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I left my agency job back in 2016 and went into private practice as a somatic therapist focusing on helping clients healing from trauma. At around that time, I got trained in a therapeutic touch modality called Coregulating Touch, designed to support deep healing for clients that have experienced early trauma, and it utterly rocked my world! As a part of the training, I also got to experience the benefits of Coregulating Touch. So, I started using this touch modality to support my clients and very quickly, my solo private practice blossomed and I got full with a waitlist.
I decided to open a group psychotherapy practice because I wanted more folks to have access to the combination of somatic based approaches in psychotherapy coupled with therapeutic touch. Additionally, the Me Too movement was gaining momentum back in 2012 and this really impacted my commitment to bringing healthy, therapeutic touch, not just to clients of psychotherapy but to the world at large.
I want to start and/or support a movement where each of us learns about healthy, safe touch and advocating for body integrity. My business is a jumping off point for this movement!
What should our readers know about your business?
Somatic Therapy Partners (STP) is a group somatic psychotherapy practice based in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, CO. We specialize in helping clients heal from childhood trauma, also known as developmental trauma and shock trauma as well as anxiety. What sets us apart from any other group practice is the fact that each of the clinicians on staff are trained in both somatic approaches to psychotherapy and a therapeutic touch modality. The combination of these two factors increases the effectiveness of a client’s healing path as well as increases their resilience.
I’m devoted to offering both healing modalities from which clients can benefit because I have been and am in recovery from the impacts of my own childhood trauma. I wanted to create a healing center that was devoted to working with early childhood trauma that wasn’t just about talking about the past or changing my thoughts.
One of the challenges with incorporating a therapeutic touch modality in psychotherapy is that most therapists and psychiatrists have been trained to see touching their clients as a big “no-n0.” This means that when I’m trying to explain how and why we do things, I’m often met with confusion and skepticism. However, the positive shifts and transformations that we witness in our clients and with what they report back to us, has been enough “evidence” to quiet the naysayers.
An important piece I want to add about my personal story is that if I can heal from early trauma, so can others. I feel proud of my efforts, time, attention and commitment to my own healing journey and want others to heal as well.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here would be my “Best-Time-In-Denver” list of things to do for folks visiting:
1. Asian Donuts are a must. Tokyo Premium Bakery has the best custard filled donuts and Third Culture Bakery in Aurora has outstanding mochi donuts, which are also gluten free!
2. Dinner at Panzanos- they have an amazing gluten free menu and the service and vibe is impecable.
3. Dinner at Sushi Den for the best sushi Colorado.
4. Denver Art Museum is a great way to spend an entire day or half day. They have a whole room devoted to visitors creating their own art projects based on the theme of that month.
5. Get to Red Rocks for an outdoor concert (non-COVID times)
6. Hiking in Rocky Mountain national park is gorgeous and you will likely see wildlife.
7. Drive up to the top of Mount Evans, a 14,000 foot peak.
8. Go for a stroll, play some tennis, walk your dog, and/or watch the volleyball players in Denver’s beloved Washington Park.
9. For comic book and graphic novel lovers, get to Denver Mile High Comics!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my teachers, Kathy Kain and Stephen Terrell, for bringing their wisdom, expertise and deep care to their trainings and the body of work they created!
Website: www.somatictherapypartners.com
Instagram: somaticindenver
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maira-holzmann-2a2b4b1b6/
Twitter: @somaticindenver
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomaticInDenver
Image Credits
Photos taken by Chayce Lanphear, https://www.chaycelanphearphotography.com/