Meet Alexis

In January 2018, my story began as a stay-at home mother of two young boys, both of whom were born prematurely and had a long stay in a neonatal intensive care unit.  Being no stranger to trauma, I found myself yearning for a deeper understanding of myself, of what I had been through, and wanting to find that “sunshine after the storm” resolution of putting it all together and making sense out of the traumas I had experienced. I found myself signing up for a self- care group offered at the pre-school my young boys attended. This group was from the self-care model created by Dr. James Gordon from The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), and little did I know, that eight weeks later, my life would be transformed. As the next few years unfolded, I was compelled to use my nursing career to bring this self-care model to the masses, and I set forth in my training with CMBM. After completing multiple training programs and a yearlong certification with CMBM, an opportunity arose at a local non- profit organization. With the vision of bringing this model to as many populations as I could, I felt a burning desire to offer this work to the bereaved families, who I was working with, and who had recently experienced an infant loss. My experience with these families, confirmed my desire to focus solely on offering this transformational model, and The Butterfly Landing was born. 

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I am a first born American whose parents and grandparents were born in Greece, came to America, and made a successful life for themselves with opportunity and freedom. I'm also a privileged, white, educated woman, who has deep compassion for others and who accepts ALL people for who they are, and how they “show up,” regardless of your race, culture, background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or life experience.  I believe we are one and we are human! I have a humble and kind heart, and while I come to these circles with only the experiences I have, I know that there is still much to learn, and that we all can learn from one another.

 

I’ve found that being no stranger to trauma is an understatement for most everyone, including myself. As Dr. James Gordon says, “trauma comes to all of us.” My personal and family’s experience of trauma has included: the absence of a parent, financial, emotional, and physical abuse. Intergenerational trauma such as narcissism , divorces, physical & mental illness, substance abuse, repeat incarceration, co-dependency, being a care-giver, having two children who were premature and had long hospital stays, PTSD, living through a pandemic and civil unrest. While the list may seem extensive, the truth is, most of us have long lists of traumas, often we just don’t talk about them. It has been in Mind- Body Skills Groups, that traumas can be shared and witnessed without judgment or prejudice. In these groups we can be seen and heard, find greater self- awareness and awareness of others.

 

I discovered that CMBM offered me “the proper tools” for self-care and has brought me to the place of seeing my own traumas in a different light.  I choose to live in the light that we can use our traumas to learn, understand ourselves and others more fully, and to have deeper compassion for the world and all its inhabitants. Living in that light, we can find that resolve that puts into living & breathing example that we all carry each-other through this learning lab that we call, life, and in the end, we can find gratitude for the whole of our experience, even the traumas.

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I want to take a moment and give thanks to the many people in my life who have been teachers and inspirations to me on this journey. If you know me, you have been a steppingstone to my journey, and I'm grateful for the lessons and experiences that have led me to where I am today.  To my immediate family, you continue to teach me the most special lessons in life, the ones that reach straight to the heart. To my family at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, I am honored to be walking this journey with you, healing others, as we heal ourselves. I wish to acknowledge Dr. James Gordon. I am indebted to him for his amazing work that he continues to offer around the world. He inspires me daily to continue this great work for mankind. To my past group members and friends, your story and experience stays with me and propels me forward…remember, Hold the Line! To my future group members and friends, I look forward to meeting you! 

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It is at The Butterfly Landing that you will find a safe haven where your own transformation can be found… I hope you’ll join me!