Where I come from and why this work.
this is my why
As a Somatic and Breath Therapist, I help you resolve what's been stored and possibly trapped in body memory. Through gentle, evidence-based practices rooted in neuroscience and trauma physiology, we help your system move from survival states toward safety, regulation, and resilience. The result is often profound: decreased anxiety and reactivity, improved emotional capacity, relief from chronic tension or symptoms, and a renewed sense of vitality and presence in your life.
I came to this work through my own healing journey and have spent over 20 years studying and harnessing the power of somatic practices. They transformed my life and will do the same with yours.
I came to this work through my own healing journey and have spent over 20 years studying and harnessing the power of somatic practices. They transformed my life and will do the same with yours.
hello & welcome. I'm Dawn zentner
CALGARY BASED SOMATIC THERAPIST
Sometimes traditional therapies provide limited, or temporary reprieve because parts of your past experiences are stored in the subconscious or unconscious mind... thus language-focused therapy can leave aspects unresolved.
Somatic work isn't about analyzing or understanding your way through. It's about creating the conditions for your nervous system to release what it's been holding.
Sessions are collaborative, gentle, paced to your system's capacity and draw from multiple modalities. Whether we're working with awareness, embodiment, breath or movement every session is informed by trauma physiology, nervous system science, and a deep respect for your body's timing.
Your body knows how to heal. We offer the support it needs to do so.
true healing
requires going beyond
the thinking mind
i believe...
My practice draws from evidence, physiology and neuro-science based modalities to meet you where you are. I bring extensive training from trauma informed somatic therapies such as Somatic Experiencing® and Hakomi®, Transformational Breath® and a number of other breath modalities, Ayurveda, Reiki, mindfulness NLP, Co-Active Life Coaching and over 20 years mediating, coaching and guiding corporate leaders. My background provides multiple approaches with which to guide the healing shifts and transformation you seek.
Extensively Trained. Continuously Learning.
A commitment to excellence in somatic healing
I continue to deepen my training through ongoing education in trauma physiology,
nervous system regulation, and evidence-based somatic practices.
Ongoing education ensures your care reflects current research in trauma and
nervous system regulation. Sessions may qualify for Extended Benefit/HSA coverage*
located in calgary, alberta & online
Primary Certifications & Training Include:
Multi-Modality
holistic wellness
expertise & training
Co-Active© Life Coach
Usui Reiki Master
800+ hours Registered Yoga Teacher &
meditation teacher certifications
800+ hours Registered Yoga
Teacher & meditation teacher certifications
Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Hakomi® Fundamentals
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy
Numa Breathwork
Transformational Breath®
Hara Breath® Practitioner (Ayurvedic-informed Breath Therapy)
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner
From a young age, I was asking the big questions, but no one seemed to have answers that made sense. I experienced long dark periods of grief and depression that I thought were just part of life. I had no idea there was another way to live.
On the surface, I smiled and pretended I was okay. Inside, I oscillated between complete despondency and bottled fury, often hoping to find a way to check out completely. I kept myself fueled on fitness, pretense, and defiance. I was exhausted, worn out, numb, and disconnected from life.
Then my life started to fall apart. The breaking of it nearly broke me, until I realized that life was inviting me to finally start unraveling all the knots I'd been accumulating. To finally, truly heal.
From a young age, I was asking the big questions, but no one seemed to have answers that made sense. I experienced long dark periods of grief and depression that I thought were just part of life. I had no idea there was another way to live.
On the surface, I smiled and pretended I was okay. Inside, I oscillated between complete despondency and bottled fury, often hoping to find a way to check out completely. I kept myself fueled on fitness, pretense, and defiance. I was exhausted, worn out, numb, and disconnected from life.
Then my life started to fall apart. The breaking of it nearly broke me, until I realized that life was inviting me to finally start unraveling all the knots I'd been accumulating. To finally, truly heal.
After years of feeling stuck, disconnected, and exhausted, somatic work showed me there was another way. A way back to truly living life.
I Came to This Work Through My Own Healing Journey.
my journey
In-person sessions available in Calgary, Aberta.
Online sessions available over zoom.
Sessions may qualify for Extended Benefit/HSA coverage*
breath
therapy
The intentional use of proven breath practices for self-discovery, release, healing and transformation.
somatic
experiencing®
A body oriented trauma therapy that helps resolve stress and trauma using the body’s natural capacity to heal.
I offer individual sessions using Somatic Experiencing and Breath Therapy. These approaches can be used independently or integrated, depending
on your needs, history, and goals.
Two complementary modalities, tailored to you
ways to work together
danielle
"I feel very fortunate to have had incredibly healing experiences facilitated by Dawn.
The safe and caring space she held opened possibility for transformational breakdowns and breakthroughs. By the closing of each session I felt a deep level of peace that has been embodied and carried with me through my everyday. I am eternally thankful for the gentle wisdom that Dawn gifted me with and I look forward to more of her presence and connection."
mary
"In a virtual breathwork session, I was amazed at the depth and power of the session. Dawn is a fantastic facilitator. She holds space fully & continually and provides caring & loving instruction for the session. Her voice is a grounding tether as the process unravels.
I felt safe and connected to her despite the distance between us."
stacey
"I have had the pleasure of being a part of several breathwork sessions with Dawn. The experience is transformational. The sessions I’ve had have opened me up to a deeper understanding of myself and connection with the consciousness of the Universe. I often leave the session in a state of euphoria as the release of the emotions are so pure and satisfying."
what clients are saying
Join my email list and download my free introductory breathwork session so you can experience the power of breath for yourself.
