Aloha
Meet Sue.
Aloha, Bienvenidos and Welcome to my website. Allow me to candidly share a bit about myself. I am a native of Puerto Rico. Grew up among various and colorful cultural lifestyles. Exposure to exquisite ethnic cuisine from an early age and nature based mind-body health promoting practices ensured I became aware my existence was not about a right or wrong way to live, eat, think or be. My perspective on balanced wellness was influenced by Spanish, Afro-Caribbean, American culture and my aunt Celita. I also became fluent in English, Spanish and Spanglish (a blend of both).
From a young age I was driven to the rhythms of the African drums. Years later, I would become a HealthRhythms drum circle facilitator. The experience of seeing individuals with no drumming experience become alive and use the drum beat as their means of expression was a heartfelt experience. I incorporated this powerful expressive healing therapy along with nature walks into my practice while residing in the majestic Sonoran Desert.
Time spent outdoors mesmerized by the oceans immensity, rescuing moribund creatures, chasing butterflies and summer at my grandmothers small farm are fond memories I often revisit.
Culture shock as a 19 year old commencing military training in the US Air Force awakened my curiosity regarding variables influencing the mind and body adaptation mechanisms in response to stressful experiences. I missed my people, my food, my inner rhythm and ability to speak with others in my native Spanish. I slowly slipped into a state of sadness. I became aware I was dreaming exclusively in Spanish. My inner compass was encouraging me to acculturate while not letting go of all that gave me joy and kept my soul fertilized and grounded. Recall being instructed non-commissioned officers were not to fraternize with commissioned officers. There was the officers and non-commissioned officers club and to ensure separation was maintained as an enlisted individual, I was expected to formally salute any officer I encountered while on the base. This experience prepared me to understand the damaging effects of creating a culture of separateness based on academic credentials.
I began my professional career managing, directing and later developing inpatient child, adolescent and adult treatment programs. I transitioned to private practice upon the realization healthcare was significantly influenced by protocols often not serving the clients best interest. Over the years my personal and professional experiences within the healthcare systems accentuated how the dominant medical consensus dictated but also limited treatment options. Living abroad while having access to international health insurance introduced me to Chiropractic, Ayuverdic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Metaphysics and Quantum Theories. My studies, practice and travels abroad inspired me to expand my practice perspective to include mind, body and spirit integration and management.
My lived experience in Puerto Rico, US mainland, Australia and Hawai'i has influenced my advocacy for healthcare cultural competent care and informed consent. I have also begun screening for impact, if any, from transgenerational trauma on individual and collective mental health. Addressing wellness from the perspective of energetic imbalances requires an open mind and exploration of the many energy based modalities. I work with you and your loved ones in partnership. Join me in exploring the concept of nature, nourishment, environment and accountability as medicine for the mind, body and soul. Perhaps the time has come to consider engaging in deep reflective work in looking to attain, maintain or regain balance in your life. If you lean towards the concept of client centered care, prefer earthy over unnatural, relaxed and unique as an individualized approach to well-being let's chat over a virtual cup of coffee.