Jan Winhall

Jan Winhall, M.S.W. P.I.F.O.T. is an author, teacher and seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is an Educational Partner and Course Developer with the Polyvagal Institute where she offers a training program based on her book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge 2021. Completion of four levels leads students to become Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Facilitators. Her new book, 20 Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model (publishing with Norton) will be available in March 2025. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and a Certifying Co-Ordinator with the International Focusing Institute. Jan is Co-Director of the Borden Street Clinic where she supervises graduate students. She enjoys teaching all over the world.

Carol Ann Brayley

Known as SSP Yoda, Carol Ann Brayley is a neurodivergent clinical social worker and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Carol Ann has over 29 years of clinical experience providing approaches such as EMDR, IFS, Brainspotting, energy healing, Integral Somatic Psychology, ILS, virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation, NeurOptimal neurofeedback, and more.

Since 2019 Carol Ann has provided SSP to several hundred people internationally, ranging in age from 2-78 years old. Through use of intuition, a love of solving puzzles, and a willingness to experiment, Carol Ann has made some unique discoveries with SSP such as SSP Microdosing and the Mini Reset. Carol Ann finds that these innovative ways of using SSP allow even the most highly sensitive and complex people to have a gentle experience of SSP. Her clients tend to experience particularly dramatic improvements, often noticing a response right from their very first listening session.

Carol Ann is especially passionate about supporting other providers in having easier, more enjoyable, and more successful SSP practices through offerings such as SSP consultation, advanced SSP training and other resources.

Gabi Kaplan

Gabi is a registered occupational therapist and associate director responsible for administration and project development at Ellen Yack and Associates Paediatric Therapy Services. She is very interested in polyvagal theory, sensory processing, arousal and emotion regulation, feeding, and motor development. Gabi employs a strengths-based, trauma-sensitive, play-based, and neurodiversity affirming approach when engaging with her clients.

A key component of Gabi’s practice is her use of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). She has provided SSP guidance to numerous children, adolescents and adults, and has observed significant improvement in their quality of life. By utilizing play, sensory strategies, and movement activities, she helps her clients’ nervous systems feel safe and connected. Gabi is fortunate to work in a clinic where there are sensory-motor gyms and has identified the benefits of using swings during listening sessions. Although new to implementing the SSP, she is committed to continually expanding her knowledge in polyvagal theory and SSP best practices, ensuring that she delivers the most effective and up-to-date interventions for her clients.

Marika Heinrichs

Marika (she/her) is a RSMT Registered Somatic Movement Therapist, bodyworker, and former psychotherapist whose work lives at the intersection of embodiment and justice. Her practice draws from Body-Mind Centering, NeuroAffective Touch, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, alongside animism and traditional European folk wisdom. Marika offers the SSP in individual and group settings.

Paula Aquilla

Paula Aquilla loves her roles as a grandma, a mom, an Occupational Therapist and as an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, and has practiced in a variety of clinical, home, and community settings since 1986. Paula founded the Yes I Can! Nursery school and summer camps.. She was also the founding executive director of of Giant Steps. Paula is now the director of Aquilla Occupational Therapy; a family oriented practice that is full of fun and learning, where the SSP is available to children and families. Paula is passionate about collaborating with First Nations Communities across Canada. Paula has taught workshops about sensory processing and development in many countries and has been a guest lecturer for the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Humber College.

Paula is published in the field as a co-author of Building Bridges through Sensory Integration (1998), and The Sensory Detective (2016), and is a contributor to the book, Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Paula has also contributed to magazines and special interest newsletters in Canada, the US and the UK. Paula brings warmth and enthusiasm in her work with children and their families.