ABOUT KAWENA SEAGLE
MS | LPC | SEP | NCC
Hello there. My name is Kawena, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in Tempe, Arizona, and my deep purpose is to help my clients find more ease and vibrancy in life.
Often, symptoms stemming from deep-rooted, complex trauma can wreak invisible havoc on our day-to-day experiences. Sleep disruption, physical pain, panic attacks, mood swings, low energy, relationship friction – these struggles take a huge toll on our capacity. My clients are extremely intelligent and capable, but they feel “held back” under the weight of their mental health.
While traditional methods of therapy can build tools and coping skills, my decade of experience has led me to a somatic approach focused on the body’s innate wisdom. My goal is to bring the nervous system out of a constant state of dysregulation – introducing an ease and relaxation the body can feel (for instance, a relaxed jaw or release in the chest while we talk about the hard things).
The relationship between therapist and client is one of my top priorities and I want to help you feel as comfortable and safe as possible from day one. My approach is non-judgmental, compassionate, constant, and supportive.
I received my Master's degree from Capella University in 2015, and am licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health. My current specialties include (certifications below):
I began my career at an addiction recovery center, followed by a non-profit for individuals suffering from severe mental illness. Before opening Koa, I worked as the trauma therapist for the Claudia Black Center at The Meadows, a world-renowned treatment center for trauma and addiction.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my family, pets, and friends. I love traveling, going on new adventures, spending time in nature, reading, and connecting with horses. I am originally from Portland, Oregon, but since 2009, Arizona has been home. I find it empowering to apply the skills and tools that I use in therapy in my own life – regulating my own nervous system and being embodied.
THE KOA APPROACH
BODY•LED
Our experiences are stored, not in our mind, but in our nervous system – in our body. Our bodies diligently store feelings, thoughts, words, and memories as life experience to nurture and protect us. While this doesn’t always feel helpful, as that trapped energy can also cause our symptoms, it’s important to remember our bodies have also tucked away all of the wisdom we need to heal. To work within our history, we cannot rationalize. We cannot stay stuck in the prefrontal cortex. Trauma is not a cognitive exercise.
Our symptoms are stored in the body, so we’re pursuing physical shifts. Does the chest open? Does our heart rate slow? Does the belly release? Can we complete the stress response cycle? Can we give our nervous system a felt experience of safety and connection? Can we just ask our body what it needs?
We cannot think our way out of a feeling. We have to feel our way to healing.
HEART•SAFE
This work is not for the faint of heart. To create any meaningful change, the doorway must be felt safety. Without that, no study, credential, or modality will make one bit of difference. With Koa Counseling, one of my highest goals is to maintain a baseline of emotional and experiential safety in our therapeutic relationship.
Since I’m speaking directly to the body (not the mind), I communicate my care with body language. I am present. I listen and reflect. I read facial expressions and vocal cues. I mirror and validate. I normalize. I focus my own energy and stay centered. I create neutral space between my clients’ life experience and my own.
This is not about a diagnosis. It’s not about a categorized mental illness. This is one human soul embarking on the adventure of a lifetime to find freedom and their most vital life.
FACE•FORWARD
In this work, the antithesis of fear is curiosity. Even if they have to borrow my curiosity for a time, my clients embrace their past, present, and future with an open mind. This is not a time to judge or “fix”, but to accept and explore – to dig deeper. Depth is the only place we’ll find our body’s healing wisdom and, ultimately, all the beauty that life has to offer us. My clients might feel hopeless at the beginning, having tried many therapists or modalities with marginal success. Sometimes I can feel the hope flickering out.
Yes, this work is a challenge, but it’s not harder than moving through life under the heavy weight of trauma. As the old saying goes, the only way out is through. And borrow my optimism if you need to, but it does get better.
We’re after freedom and ease.
We’re after capacity.
We’re after a full life.
And I fully believe that is possible.
Certifications & Trainings
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Beginner & Intermediate: Joshua Sylvae, PhD, LMFT, SEP Advanced: Raja Selvam, PhD, SEP & Dave Berger, MFT, PT, LCMHC, MA, SEP | May 2018 - Jul 2022
Somatic Skills for Trauma Therapists
(adapted from Touch Skills Training)
Kathy Kain, PhD, SEP | Apr 2021 - Oct 2021
Assisted Oct 2024 - Feb 2025
Somatic Resilience and Regulation
Kathy Kain, PhD, SEP & Steve Terrell, PsyD, SEP
Nov 2020 - May 2021
Trauma Coupling Dynamics
Kathy Kain, PhD, SEP | Jan 2023
Assisted Feb 2024 & 2025
Equusoma
Level 1: Sarah Schlote, MA, RR, CCC, SEP | Assisted Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
Level 2: Susanne Hays, LMFT, SEP, ESP, BASE-P | Assisted June 2025 - Current
Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship
Tim Jobe and Bettina Shultz-Jobe, LPC | Jan 2023 - Mar 2023
Natural Lifemanship Intensive
Tim Jobe and Bettina Shutlz-Jobe, LPC | Mar 2023 - Jul 2023
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Level 1: Paul Ginter, Ed.D | Apr 2022 - Dec 2022
Level 2: Tamala Floyd, LCSW | Sep 2024 - Nov 2024
Working with Critics and Challenging Protectors
Chris Burris, M Ed., LMFT, LCMHCS | Dec 2023
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Jennifer Montjoy, MSN, PhD | Mar 2024
Compassionate Bereavement Care Certification
Joanne Cacciatore, PhD | Sep 2023
Post Induction Therapy (PIT)
Sarah Bridge, LCSW | May 2019
Brainspotting (BSP)
Phase 1 & 2 Cherie Lindberg, LPC | Jan 2019 - Apr 2019
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Steve Wales, LPC & Kelly Hurley, LPC | Sep 2016 - Aug 2017
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Steve Wales, LPC & Kelly Hurley, LPC | Apr 2017 - Aug 2017
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Robbie Adler-Tapia, PhD | Oct 2016 - Feb 2017
Why the name Koa?
I spent many summers in my childhood visiting family in Hawaii, and I was always awed by the Acacia Koa trees there. Directly translated from Hawaiian, “koa” means “warrior” – so named because warriors favored the strong Koa wood for their vessels, weapons, and tools.
Koa is a highly valuable wood in Hawaii (once reserved for only royalty). Growing out of the deep richness of volcanic soil, Koa wood gave us the first surfboards, and many early ukuleles.
Even though Arizona is my home, Hawaii lives in my soul as a reminder of the thriving, vibrant life I want for my clients. Like Koa wood, each one of my clients is precious and rare – a gift to the world.
Reach Out
Disclaimer
Please be aware, this form is not a confidential method of communication. Please do not include private information. This form is for general questions and messages only. My email address listed below is HIPAA compliant through Paubox, if this method of communication is preferred.