Guiding you back to trusting your body and living from the wisdom of your heart

BraveHeart offers integrative psychotherapy, somatic therapies and spiritual counseling designed to help you heal at the root, release inhibiting patterns, and move beyond cycles of overwhelm and self-sacrifice. Together, we’ll build a life rooted in self-trust, expression and embodiment.

We invite you to experience a whole-person approach that honors the intelligence of your mind, body, and spirit.

What sets us apart isn’t just what we do, but how we do it: with depth, compassion, and respect for the interconnectedness of all your systems. Healing requires a holistic approach—because you are a whole person, not a set of symptoms.

The body is wise. It holds intelligence that modern systems often overlook. Symptoms are adaptations—often protective—not enemies. Your body is your ally, always.The journey is one of deep, transformative embodiment—it’s about coming home to yourself, trusting your body, and living in alignment.

With trauma-informed, integrative care, we support you in: ✔️ Releasing old patterns ✔️ Building trust in your body and heart ✔️ Developing an internal foundation for a life you love.

why choose us

What Sets BraveHeart’s Care Apart?

Many approaches to healing focus on just one piece of the puzzle—whether it’s talk therapy, nervous system regulation, or behavioral tools—often leaving people feeling like:
You have insight but no real change

You’ve overdeveloped self-analysis and awareness but struggle to process your emotions somatically, in the moment. You understand why you feel the way you do but don’t know how to shift from understanding to experiencing.
You keep repeating the  same patterns, stuck in the same thoughts

You’ve tried to change—but you’re relying on willpower, pressure, or self-restriction, and it never seems to last. No matter how much you try to force a shift, something keeps pulling you back into old ways.
You’re  doing and trying everything  but not seeing or feeling progress

You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, taken the courses, and tried multiple therapies or healing modalities. But instead of committing with discernment and trust, you find yourself in a cycle of consuming more information, trying new treatments, and searching for the next fix—driven by urgency or fear rather than true integration.
You avoid what you most need to face

Deep down, you know there are fears, emotions, or truths you haven’t confronted—and you don’t know how to safely turn toward them.
BraveHeart offers a full-system, integrative approach designed to meet you where you are and help you move toward meaningful transformation.


Here’s how we do it:

A Whole-System Lens

We don’t just focus on one aspect of your well-being—we integrate biological, emotional, spiritual, and relational dimensions to create deep, sustainable change.

Prioritizing What Matters Most

Healing isn’t just about what you do—it’s about the order in which you do it. We help you identify and sequence the most effective interventions so your time, energy, and resources are used where they’ll have the greatest impact.

Beyond Insight: Real, Embodied Change

Understanding yourself is powerful, but awareness alone doesn’t shift long-held patterns. Our work blends somatic, psychological, and spiritual approaches so that transformation happens not just in your mind, but in your body, relationships, and daily life.

Empowerment Through Self-Trust

You are your own healer. Our role is to help you recognize the intelligence of your body, understand your needs, and develop deep self-trust—so you leave this work with the confidence to say, “I’ve got me.”

Care That’s Actually Collaborative

Healing isn’t meant to be done alone. If needed, we help you build a high-vibe care team—connecting you with trusted specialists to ensure you receive the most aligned, cohesive support.

Benefits of Working with BraveHeart

Reset Your Nervous System
Release chronic stress and stored trauma, allowing your body to regulate, reset, and expand your capacity for fully living.
Rebuild Trust in Your Body
Feel more confident, at ease, and connected—fully enjoying the experience of being in your body.
Break Free from Limiting Patterns
Shift from autopilot and avoidance into conscious creation, making choices that empower you to shape the life you truly desire.
Gain Tools for Resilience
Walk away with actionable frameworks and practices to manage stress, regulate emotions, and meet life’s challenges with grace.
Trust Yourself Fully
Set boundaries, meet your needs, and navigate relationships and decisions with confidence and clarity.
Deepen self-connection
Attune to your body’s wisdom, intuition, guidance, truth and knowing in order to move through the world connected to true self.

Who is BraveHeart for?

💡 You’ve been bopping between practitioners but still don’t have clear ideas or answers about where to focus your attention.

You’re looking for a deeper, whole-person approach that connects the dots between your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
🔄 You feel like you’re either “on” or completely shut down.

You struggle with chronic stress, anxiety, or nervous system dysregulation, and you’re feeling the effects of living in this state—whether it’s exhaustion, tension, brain fog, or digestive issues. You’re ready to address this first and are willing to play the long game.
❤️ You’re in relationships that feel stuck in painful patterns.

Whether that’s with family, friends or a partner - you want to break cycles of self-sacrifice, not expressing and getting your needs and desires met, and build something rooted in trust, honesty, and respect.
💬 You’re carrying the weight of taking care of others but struggle to turn that care toward yourself.

You’re ready to stop self-abandoning, set boundaries, and learn how to truly back yourself.
🌱 You’re ready for real change—

beyond just talking about it. You want support that doesn’t just give you insights but actually helps you shift patterns, expand your capacity, and accompany you into this next phase of your life!
ABOUT US

At BraveHeart, we believe healing begins with the courage to reconnect— with your body, your heart, and your true self.

Meet Vanessa

Hello Brave One, I’m Vanessa, the founder of BraveHeart. I created this practice because I believe in a level of care that honors the full complexity of who you are. Healing isn’t just about insight; it’s about integration, and I am here to help you connect the dots between your emotions, nervous system, relationships, and the deeper truths that shape your experience. 

This practice is for those who feel trapped between anxiety and exhaustion, carrying the weight of tending to everyone but themselves. They have learned to believe it is their responsibility to manage, care for, or anticipate the needs of others—often at the expense of their own well-being. Over time, this self-sacrifice has left them disconnected from their own desires, depleted, and uncertain of how to pour that same love and attention back into themselves.

I aim to balance the spontaneous, emergent wisdom of what’s ready to be seen, with the structure of powerful tools, frameworks, and ideas. Together, we explore your patterns, choices, desires, and wounds—they are a portal to liberation

In our work, there is a shared understanding: I stand beside you, but you lead your own journey. My role is to guide, reflect, and support while you take responsibility for leading your life—a partnership built on deep respect.

I believe your heart is the most trustworthy compass you have, and your body is not just an ally, it is also a well of information—one that speaks in sensations, rhythms, and instincts.

I draw from a diverse and ever-expanding toolkit, including applied polyvagal theory/nervous system regulation, relational healing, narrative and belief work, IFS parts work, integral therapy, feminine empowerment and embodiment, inner-child healing, chronobiological wellness (aligning with natural rhythms), frequency-based healing (sound/music and light), tremor release work, breathwork and mindfulness practices.

I am continually deepening my knowledge and always happy to share resources that support your journey.

You are already on your way.

My Learning Path: Training & Expertise

🎓 University Degrees

Master’s Degree in Mental Health & Wellness Counseling (NYU)

Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Design & Management & Food Studies (Parsons)

📜 Certifications & Trainings

Certified in Level 1 Hypnotherapy (NLP)  Subconscious reprogramming & deep change work

Certified Health Coach (IIN & IAHC) 
Holistic health & lifestyle coaching

Certified InterSpiritual Counselor (OneSpirit) 
Spiritual guidance & integrative healing

Certified in the Safe & Sound Protocol (Unyte-ILS)
  Nervous system regulation through sound therapy

Certified in Tension & Trauma Release for Individuals & Groups (TRE International) 
Releasing stored stress & trauma through tremors

Breathwork Teacher Training (Loka Yoga) 
(22 styles of breath, for stress relief, emotional release, nervous system regulation, and peak performance)
Certified in Applied Quantum Biology (Institute of Quantum Biology) Intersection of quantum biology, circadian rhythm, cellular hydration, mitochondrial and metabolic health
Certified in Postural Respiration (Postural Restoration Institute)  Postural exercises & structural alignment to restore rotation, reciprocal and alternating respiratory function of the thorax

🌟 Specialized Programs 


Experiential Leadership (Reflect & Relate)
(Leading through embodiment & relational intelligence)

Integrative Psychiatry Institute
(13 courses including Nutritional psychiatry, neuroscience and spirituality, gut-brain and microbiome)

Dr. Joe Dispenza Healthcare Practitioner Program (Inner Health Coalition)
(Mind-body healing through meditation and neuroscience breakthroughs)

💙🪽 Walking the Path, Not Just Guiding It

In addition to my formal education, I invest deeply in my own support and healing, continuously learning from mentors, teachers, and healers across disciplines. I prioritize my own well-being so that I can show up resourced, attuned, and fully present for the people I work with. This work isn’t just something I guide—it’s something I live, practice, and embody.

Book a Consultation with Vanessa
Book a Consultation with Vanessa
More information

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network (OON) practitioner licensed in NY and can provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. If you’re unsure whether your plan covers OON providers, I recommend calling your insurance company and asking about : Your deductible, Your maximum out-of-pocket expenses, The reimbursement rate for an individual counseling session (CPT code 90834) with an OON licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in New York, NY.
How do you assess if we’re the right fit?
Our consult call is a space to explore fit and ask questions. I encourage you to tune into any sensations, concerns, or hesitations—including financial ones—so that you’re not overriding any part of yourself in making this decision. I care deeply about fit and will always be honest if I’m not the best person to support you, if that is the case, I will refer you to another one of our gifted BraveHeart Practitioners or a trusted referral if needed.
What can I expect during my first session?
Before our first session, you’ll fill out a set of reflection questions and intake forms via the Simple Practice Portal to help me tailor our work together. Your first session is 60 minutes, where we’ll explore:

- Your patterns, beliefs, desires, and challenges
- What you want to shift or transform
-The most effective combination of modalities and practices for you

Together, we’ll start mapping out your journey toward healing and self-trust.
What is somatic therapy, and how can it help me?
Somatic therapy works with the body and nervous system to release stored stress, trauma, and tension—recognizing that experiences aren’t just held in the mind but deeply imprinted in the body. Through physical sensations, movement, and regulation techniques, this approach helps you:

✅ Release trauma and rewire old patterns
✅ Regulate emotions and increase resilience
✅ Feel grounded, safe, and connected in your body

At BraveHeart, we integrate several forms of somatic therapy, including:

- TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)
- Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) & Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP)
- Postural Restoration (PRI)
- Hypnotherapy (NLP)
- Breathwork (Loka)

This approach is especially powerful for those who tend to overthink, intellectualize emotions, feel disconnected from their body, experience chronic pain, or struggle to fully express themselves.
How do I know if couples therapy is right for us?
It takes courage to invest in your relationship—and even more to get two people on board. I deeply honor the intention it takes to show up for this work.

Couples therapy is for you if you and your partner want to:

Couples therapy is for you if you and your partner want to:
💬 Improve communication & rebuild trust
💛 Navigate challenges with more groundedness & connection
🔄 Break free from reactive patterns, old wounds and projections

This is a space to understand each other in new ways, rework dynamics, and strengthen the foundation of your relationship. I recommend booking an intro call to feel into whether I’m the right fit for you both.
How much are your sessions, & what if I’m unsure if I can afford it?
Your relationship with money, investments, and self-trust is deeply personal, and we approach this conversation with care, honesty, and alignment.

My rate for a 50-minute session is $300, and for those who feel deeply called to this work but cannot currently afford it, I offer a sliding scale option.

If you’re unsure whether this is in range for you, we can explore it together on our consult call—what feels possible, what feels like a stretch, and what feels out of reach. Sometimes, something is financially accessible but creates a reaction in the body; other times, we hold back from investing in what we truly need or desire, or we overextend ourselves in ways that don’t align with our current reality.

All of this is relevant to our work and will be considered with care.If needed, I’m happy to refer you to a trusted colleague so you receive the support that’s right for you.
Are your services crypto-friendly?
Yes! We support decentralized healthcare and financial solutions. Money shapes our sense of security, our relationship with time, and how we invest our energy. The psychology of money—along with the systems we operate within—directly impacts our nervous system, sense of freedom, and capacity to care for ourselves in aligned ways. Whether you're drawn to crypto for its autonomy, security, or philosophical alignment, we recognize that financial choices are deeply personal. If you'd like to use cryptocurrency for payment, let us know—we’ll guide you through the process.
Do you work virtually or in person?
I currently work virtually, meeting via phone or Zoom, with occasional in-person events in NYC, San Diego (CA), and Nosara (Costa Rica).
How long are sessions?
Sessions typically range from 50 to 90 minutes, depending on your needs and the modalities we use. For those looking for deeper, accelerated work, I also offer therapy intensives that range from 2 to 6 hours, designed to dive into specific themes in a focused, immersive way. We’ll explore what feels most supportive for you—whether that’s shorter, ongoing sessions or occasional, longer-format work. Does more time ease your nervous system? Do you prefer longer, less frequent sessions? Do you experience Zoom fatigue? Do you have emotional capacity for more than 50 minutes right now?
How is BraveHeart different from traditional therapy?
At BraveHeart, we integrate the latest advances in psychology, neuroscience, epigenetics, quantum biology, and mind-body medicine to make healing not only profound but also efficient—deeply respecting your time, energy, and financial resources.

Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses primarily on talking or intellectualizing, our approach believes we need to include the body. We consider the role of the nervous system, biological patterns, and energy states in shaping your experience—so that transformation happens at the root level, leading to lasting embodiment, self-trust, and real change.
What is the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)?
SSP is an evidence-based sound therapy that uses specially edited music to regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. Based on Polyvagal Theory, it helps individuals who experience:

Hypervigilance & chronic stress
Social anxiety & trouble staying present in conversations
Emotional dysregulation & sensory sensitivities

If you’d like to learn more, check out the SSP website.
What is TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)?
TRE® is a powerful, body-based practice that supports your body’s natural ability to release stored stress, tension, and trauma. Through a set of guided exercises, TRE® activates a neurogenic tremor—a built-in shaking response that helps discharge deep-held patterns of nervous system dysregulation.

This tremor mechanism is genetically encoded within you—it’s always been there, and we simply help you reclaim it. Rather than relying solely on talking or analyzing, this process allows the body to unwind what it has been holding, creating more ease, resilience, and a felt sense of safety.

If you want to explore more, visit the TRE website.
What is the Whole-System Case Review, and who is it for?
The Whole-System Case Review is a comprehensive assessment that examines the biological, emotional, energetic, and systemic factors influencing your well-being. Designed for those navigating complex health challenges, this process synthesizes multiple expert perspectives at the same time—creating a synergistic effect that allows for deeper insights and more effective solutions. If you’ve been bouncing from practitioner to practitioner without clear answers and are ready for a collaborative, whole-person approach, this is for you.
How do I book a session?
You can schedule your first call online or reach out via email or phone. We’re here to answer any questions and help you get started on your journey.
Have more questions? - Book a consultation
Have more questions? - Book a consultation

Take the first step towards healing

Your journey to reconnecting with your body, rediscovering your inner wisdom, and living authentically starts here. Whether you’re ready to address a specific challenge or explore long-term growth, BraveHeart offers a safe, compassionate space to support you.

When you’re ready, we’re here.

Schedule your session today and take the
first step toward meaningful, lasting change.