work with me

I will be reopening a form of my practice in February 2026. This page describes what that will look like.

My practice

Sessions are 90 minutes long. A teacher many years ago told me that this is the length of a nervous system cycle and so it is the best length of time for going deep and then integrating. I have always worked with this time scale - and sometimes longer - and it suits my work.

You can come to me with something you want to work on or you can come because you want to deepen and explore. To schedule with me, you will see a form linked below. When it asks why you want to work with me, “I don’t know, I just do” is an acceptable answer.

Sessions usually start with a check in and then, depending on what you are bringing, we just follow the threads. That is what I call it. We follow what is rising, looking for what needs to reconnect, to unravel or to head off in a different direction. The first time I encountered string theory in quantum physics, I was elated. It was the best explanation for what it feels like to follow the ends of thread to see where they lead.

My training

I have had a body-based practice for close to 23 years. I am trained in all kinds of things: craniosacral therapy through three different schools, Global Somatics which is a form of Body-Mind Centering and which includes massage, reiki, lymph work, fascia work, energy/vibration and bones and breath and developmental reflexes and more. I am also trained or mentored in Generative Somatics (T1, T2 and T3 from the old days), developmental trauma work through both NARM and Kathy Kain, apprenticing in Somatic Experiencing with a long term practitioner, course work with Raja Selvam with Integral Somatic Psychology and storytelling/narrative and Cherokee traditional touch with Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona. I have also worked with and been mentored by many different ancestral ritual teachers and practitioners, both as a student and as a co-facilitator, and I bring that into sessions as well. For a few years, I ran a small apprenticeship program to support folks wanting to learn to listen to bodies. I have also taught courses and workshops in many different places. I also have a community organizing history that started when I was 19 years old. Some of the things I learned through community organizing work apply just as strongly to working with the body - and vice versa.

The nuts and bolts

Right now, all sessions are either via zoom or if you are local, can be in person. I don’t currently have an office space and so in person means one of our homes or someplace else. I live on the northside of Bdeóta Othúŋwe/Minneapolis and was told recently by a bodyworker-friend who lives here that it can be hard to get folks to come from the southside to the northside for bodywork. This has made me eager to find a space so that I can see if this is true. There are two different ways that you can work with me. You can schedule with a single session, or you can sign up for a set of sessions.

Booking a single session.

This is for any number of things: somatic coaching or mentoring time, questions or feedback on your work, and more. A single 90 minute session just means you want a single thing or you don’t want to make an ongoing commitment. This category is open based on the number of longer term commitments that people have asked for. Meaning, the more six month commitments I have scheduled, the less open individual sessions. Single sessions can be scheduled up to three weeks in advance and so their availability is based on openings in the next three weeks.

Booking a package of six sessions.

This is a commitment made between each of us. We will come up with a time that works for you and this is “your time.” My hope is that this is something that works for both of us, a kind of steadiness and stability in the midst of uncertain times.

On payment and costs

Money for this work is intense and sad. I say that because even after 23 years of practice, I still struggle with the capitalist notion that you have to pay for support. I am deeply sorry that we live in this world and I just want to say to you that you - and me and all of us - should never have to pay for our care. God damn it. And we do. And not everyone can afford it. And I don’t take insurance because the kind of work I offer is not covered by the health insurance industry. And all of this sucks and here we are.

The current “market rate” for someone with my training and years of practice is between $150 and $300 for a 90 minute session. I offer my practice at less than that as a way to ensure my bills are paid but also that this is more accessible than it would otherwise be. If what I have written below is too complicated, just reach out and let me know. I name the “suggested average” because I have been asked to do so. If you are offering less than that and it is within my range, I will receive it gratefully, no questions asked.

For single sessions, I ask for a sliding fee scale of $90 to $200 with the suggested average being $150.
For a six session package: $540 to $1200 can be paid all at once or in installments*. Suggested average: $700 This can be repeated multiple times.

If this is not affordable for you, I am open to you reaching out with a suggestion, as long as you are aware that I might say no, I am sorry. I am not able to afford that right now. Suggestions can also include bartering, but I wanted to talk a bit more about what I mean by that.

I have done a lot of bartering in my life and I love bartering but I only barter for things that my family can use. There is a big difference between bartering and gifts. I welcome gifts because they come from your heart, your gorgeous loving heart. It doesn’t matter what it is because it is a gift. And this Leo LOVES gifts. Bartering is about an exchange of labor so I want to be honest about it. I am going to list what I have experienced regarding bartering in the past so you can assess yourself. If you raise chickens, eggs are awesome. I am a gardener and I put up a lot of food so we don’t need what you are growing if we are growing it as well but if you grow grains or hunt in a good way or fish, I am always open to those. Also, if you live in the cold north and it is winter and you grow fresh vegetables in a greenhouse or have access to a winter CSA, then fabulous!! I live collectively and am part of close-knit communities that take care of each other so basic labor-exchange is not usually needed except on rare occasions. Having said that, if you or others in your family are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other kinds of skilled tradesfolk, I would be interested in a conversation. I also have solid trusted bodyworkers, astrologers, herbalists and tarot readers who I work with so those are not barter things for me. And I am not a thing-person so I want to admire your artwork - and receive it gratefully as a gift or buy it when it blows me away - but I don’t take artwork for barter except occasionally. In those cases, I usually will exchange a series of sessions for a piece of art that you create in response to the sessions. In other words, a way for me to better see and understand what you are experiencing through the lens of your creativity. It is rare that I do this, but sometimes I do. If you have ideas for bartering not touched on here, I would love to know about them.

Next step

So, if all of this looks good to you, you are welcome to reach out to see if we can work together. To do so, just fill out this form and I will get back to you within a week. If you have questions that are not covered here, then feel free to email me at raffo95 (at) gmail.com or to contact me via the contact form on this website.