Karen Onderko

Karen Onderko is committed to advancing the understanding of the nervous system through Polyvagal Theory to enhance therapeutic care and foster greater connection and acceptance among individuals. She was instrumental in transitioning Dr. Stephen Porges’ Safe and Sound Protocol from the laboratory into practical, widespread use as an accessible tool now available to therapists across various disciplines worldwide. Karen served as Director of Research and Education for Integrated Listening Systems and Unyte Health, is a Co-Founder and current board member of the Polyvagal Institute, and co-author of Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing.

She also serves as an alumni member on the Board of Directors for Developmental FX and has been a board member for the Aspen Brain Institute, Denver Film Society, Colorado Academy, and Stanley British Primary School. Earlier in her career, Karen specialized in financial risk management, teaching the use of derivatives to international and central bankers, and corporations, and managing an options business to secure retirement investments. Karen holds a degree from Georgetown University and lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and three daughters.

Ana do Valle

Ana do Valle is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience specializing in self-regulation across the lifespan. A body-centered therapist certified in Sensory Integration, the Neurodevelopmental Approach and Somatic Experiencing, she supports clients experiencing birth and surgical trauma, chronic pain and autonomic nervous system dysregulation.

Ana developed a Surgical Trauma Prevention program and a trauma-informed approach to Dr. Stephen Porges’ Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), designed to help clients process traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed. She also facilitates interdisciplinary intensive programs focused on affect modulation, self-regulation and trauma healing.

Her work incorporates cross-cultural perspectives informed by Indigenous and shamanic communities in South America. Ana provides individual and group supervision for Somatic Experiencing practitioners and organizes educational and therapeutic programs in Germany and Brazil.

Ana currently maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colorado, and works with local schools. She provides services in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Adrianna Spallino, MOT, OTR/L

Adrianna (she/her) is an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist who came to DFX in 2023 with 4 years of experience in school settings and determined to continue her journey of professional growth in a clinical setting. Adrianna received her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2018. She moved to Denver in the summer of 2018 for her final internship, and never left.

Adrianna emphasizes a relational approach in her work with children and families, knowing that it is essential to create a safe and comfortable space to try new things and walk new paths together. Over time in the field, Adrianna has gained training in areas including the SpIRiT of Pediatric Therapy, iLs/Unyte’s Safe and Sound Protocol, Therapeutic Listening, DIR/Floortime 201, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Adrianna has experience working with children with high social emotional needs layered on other developmental needs, and ranging from toddlers to young adults.

Leah Dawang, SEP

Leah Dawang, SEP, is a Relationship Restoration Guide, supporting couples and individuals in clearing the way so they may receive Love and connect with themselves, others, Nature and Spirit. She’s a certified Somatic Experiencing, Relational Life Therapy, and Safe and Sound Protocol practitioner. Through her practice, Clear The Way, she offers a tapestry of transformation woven from interpersonal neurobiology, somatics, relationality, attachment, Nature-guided living, listening therapy, parts work and grounded mysticism. Leah also leads partnerships at Unyte Health, cultivating impactful relationships with outstanding individuals and organizations across the therapeutic and healing landscape. In both roles, she’s committed with stubborn hope to actively participating in clearing the way individually, intergenerationally and collectively so that Love is made manifest in the world.