Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiloh Reed
Hi Shiloh, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first started to pursue working in mental health back in early 2000’s. I graduated with my BA in Psychology with an emphasis in counseling services. I knew I wanted to work with a specific population in mental health but was still learning and gaining experience in a variety of settings. I first worked with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault during my graduate school practicum. I then went on to work in a residential facility for eating disorders while fishing my second year of graduate school. During these two years I learned a lot about addiction and trauma and my interest in this niche only grew more. Unexpectedly I decided to step away from this new career to embrace motherhood as we welcomed my first child. I stayed connected with a non profit (No Silence No Violence) contributing when and where I could while also navigating new motherhood. Ultimately I ended up taking a break from working in the mental health field for what would be 10 years. It was never the plan but it is how it worked out and I am thankful for the journey that has brought me to where I am today. As my children got older I felt the pull to return in some capacity but wanted it to look different than before. I consulted with many colleagues in the industry about coaching vs therapy and really spent time considering how I wanted to rejoin working these areas. In 2023 I jumped back into education and training and took a certification course to become a relationship coach- still with the pull to continue working with domestic violence survivors however I could. After completing my certification course I started to slowly take on clients. Through my new client work I saw the needed resources and tools for nervous system regulation and embodiment work so I dove head first into more education to learn how I could apply these techniques with my current and future clients. I have fully become invested in embodiment and somatic therapy work and so I trained and became certified in embodied practice and somatic modalities, specifically Non Linear Movement Method. Today I work as a relationship coach while also continuing to work with domestic violence survivors as well. I run workshops for Non Linear Movement Method and hope to continue to teach on embodied living.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! Taking a 10 year break from a career I loved to switch gears into motherhood was an abrupt change. I had worked really hard to start that career and there were many mixed feelings about leaving it as it was just getting started. I also took a lot of criticism from others who didn’t understand my choice. Over the 10+ years I had four children and loved being able to be so hands on and involved even though a part of me really missed working in the mental health field. Over those years I started my own photography business. I thought it might just end up being a hobby or a creative outlet but thankfully this becomes full time work and I was able to develop a creative side of me that I hardly knew was in there. It was never easy and it might look like it from the outside but many sacrifices were made to get to where I am now. Gratefully living out all of my passions through motherhood, photography and as a mental health advocate.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in all types of relationships. Relationship with yourself, family, spouse or children. There are many dynamics that go into having a healthy relationship even with yourself and my work with clients is focused on how to navigate, heal or maintain a healthy relationship in whatever capacity is relevant. I have furthered my client services to offer somatic practice which has a variety of benefits but the main ones are to help regulate emotions and nervous system, deepen your connection with self for greater wellness and move through stuck energy, emotions or trauma. I have seen both personally and professionally the benefits of doing both traditional cognitive sessions and somatic practice (body work) and for many combining the two modalities is significant.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite books relating to my work are:
The Wild Woman’s Way by Michaela Boehm
Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller
Any and all books and podcasts by Brene Brown
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.integrativerising.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrative_rising/
Image Credits
Shiloh Colleen Photography (headshot)
