About Bridget

Bridget Simmerman, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapy in Blacksburg, VA

Integrating Traditional, Contemplative and Somatic Approaches at Brush Mountain Refuge

Training and Academic Background

Biodynamic Approach to Cranial Sacral Therapy
Parts 1, 2, and 3
Janet Evergreen, MA 2022-2023

Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, Tammy Nelson, PhD. 2022

EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing (Arielle Schwartz, Ph.D.)

Healing Grief and Loss (David Kessler) 2021

Trauma Treatment Certification Course (Janina Fisher, Janina Fisher, Ph.D.) 2020

Exploring the Vagus System: The Health That is Never Lost –  2019
Training in Somatic Developmental Healing
With Janet Evergreen, MA

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Training
Level I: Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defenses, and Traumatic Memory – May-November 2014
Level II: Emotional Processing, Meaning Making, and Attachment Repair – November 2016-March 2018

Somatic Attachment Training – May 2013-present
Diane Poole Heller, Ph.D.
Dynamic attachment repatterning experience
DARe modules 1-5
Continuing consultation and webinars

Certification in Acupressure – March 2001
Acupressure Institute, Berkely, CA
Michael Gach, Ph.D.

Certified Yoga Teacher – August 1998
2 year Training Program
Esther Myers Yoga Studio

Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Certification – October 1999
Acu-Yoga Teaching Certification – 1999

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) – August 1998
Level II Certification

Clinical Hypnosis Training September – June 1994
9 month Course with Bob Dick, Ph.D.
Human Resource Consultants
Raleigh, NC

Emotional Healing and Acupressure – April 2002

Emotional Freedom Therapy – 2002
Gary Craig, Independent Study Course

Extensive post-graduate training in relational therapies, eastern meditation, yoga therapies and mind-body-spirit approaches to healing.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – November 1995
Professional Training with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli

Advanced professional training with Steven Gilligan, Ph.D. in Self-Relations Psychotherapy and Hypnosis – 1997-2005

Master of Social Work (MSW), Clinical Focus – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill  1986

Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) – North Carolina State University 1985

Professional Licenses and Certifications

Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) – State of Virginia

 

Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

 

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Level II, Certified

 

Basic Acupressure & Acupressure for Emotional Healing

 

Registered Yoga Teacher, 500 hour level, Yoga Alliance

 

Reiki I & II

 

La Ho Chi Energy Healing Level II

“I always felt that Bridget’s grounded and balanced presence were the foundation from which she worked as my therapist. At a time when I was very unsure of myself, Bridget helped me discover a new way of being; she introduced me to new and healthy ways to relate to myself as a young adult and as a woman. She taught me a new vocabulary (one of mindfulness and empowerment) and introduced me to meditation and yoga as a coping mechanism for anxiety. I still use the ‘life tools’ that I gained from our time together and I will always be grateful for her therapeutic style and the discoveries about myself that she helped me reveal.”

Kari