Episode 3: Holistic Healing and the Power of Embodiment with Dr. Shena Young

THE HOLISTIC THERAPIST PODCAST Episode 3: Holistic Healing and the Power of Embodiment with Dr. Shena Young

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this powerful conversation LeNaya Smith Crawford sits down with psychologist, embodiment teacher, and author Dr. Shena Young to explore what it truly means to live an embodied life. Together they discuss how trauma, disconnection, and societal systems pull us away from ourselves and how movement, intuition, ancestral wisdom, and holistic healing practices help us find our way back home to our bodies.

From decolonizing mental health to integrating African spiritual traditions, indigenous wisdom, and trauma informed practices, this episode is an expansive and soul stirring conversation for every therapist, healer, and woman ready to go deeper.

ABOUT DR. SHENA YOUNG

Dr. Shena Young is a licensed embodiment focused psychologist, healer, trauma informed yoga teacher, energy healer, and Osun priestess based in Los Angeles, California. As the founder of Embodied Truth Healing and Psychological Services, she holds space internationally for BIPOC individuals, couples, groups, and organizations committed to calling themselves back into their bodies as a freedom practice. Her approach divests from the Westernized blueprint of healing and draws on African spiritual traditions, indigenous wisdom, land based approaches, and ancient healing practices to offer whole person care for the mind, body, heart, and spirit. She is also the author of Body Rites, a holistic healing and embodiment workbook for Black survivors of sexual trauma published by W.W. Norton.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Embodiment is not just a concept. It is a lived practice and a freedom practice that requires us to call ourselves back into our bodies every single day.
  • Movement, yoga, dance, and nature are not extras. They are essential tools for reconnecting with ourselves and facilitating deeper healing.
  • Trauma and systemic oppression create disembodiment. Healing requires us to understand and address that disconnection holistically.
  • True holistic healing cares for the mind, body, heart, and spirit. Not just the mind.
  • Ancestral wisdom, African spiritual traditions, and indigenous healing practices offer powerful pathways back to wholeness that have always existed.
  • Questioning inherited beliefs and creating a healing practice rooted in curiosity and lived experience is an act of liberation.
  • Reconnecting with your intuition is one of the most powerful tools for personal transformation and holistic healing.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

  • Body Rites: A Holistic Healing and Embodiment Workbook for Black Survivors of Sexual Trauma by Dr. Shena Young
  • Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/body-rites-holistic-embodiment-survivors/dp/1324019832
  • Purchase on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/body-rites-a-holistic-healing-and-embodiment-workbook-for-black-survivors-of-sexual-trauma-shena-j-young/19669953
  • Embodied Truth Healing and Psychological Services: www.embodiedtruthhealing.com

CONNECT WITH DR. SHENA YOUNG

  • Website: www.embodiedtruthhealing.com
  • Book: Body Rites -- Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.org links above

JOIN US AT THE SECOND ANNUAL HOLISTIC THERAPIST CONFERENCE

This conversation is just the beginning. Come experience embodiment, holistic healing, and community in person.

The Second Annual Holistic Therapist Conference is happening October 1st through 4th 2026 at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. Dr. Shena Young will be joining us as a featured speaker, presenting her session Feel for You, Feel for Them: Embodied Presence -- Bringing Trauma Informed Yoga into Therapy Practice.

Early bird tickets are open now and this is the best price you will see for this experience.

Grab your early bird ticket here: https://lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/holistic-therapist-conference

STAY CONNECTED

If today's episode resonated here are a few ways to stay connected and go deeper:

Join the Newsletter Get weekly reflections, tips, journal prompts, affirmations, and activities on taking a holistic approach to the way we work, live, and expand as women who help, heal, and lead. When you join you will also get instant access to the Holistic Healer Starter Kit including:

  • Introduction to Holistic Mental Health Workshop
  • Drink As You Pour: A Virtual Holistic Healing Retreat for women who help, heal, and lead
  • The Power of Holistic Mental Health PDF

Sign up here: https://lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/newsletter

WORK AND HEAL WITH LENAYA

Ready to go deeper? Here is how we can work together:

  • Heal: Explore healing offerings and retreats: https://www.lenayasmithcrawford.com/heal
  • Learn: Explore courses, certifications, and the Holistic Therapist Academy: https://www.lenayasmithcrawford.com/learn
  • Grow: Business mentorship and coaching for healers and therapists: https://www.lenayasmithcrawford.com/business-mentorship
  • Speak: Book LeNaya to speak, lead a workshop, or facilitate trauma informed yoga, breathwork, meditation, or sound healing: https://www.lenayasmithcrawford.com/speaking/guest-facilitation

FOLLOW LENAYA

  • Instagram: @lenayasmithcrawford
  • Threads: @lenayasmithcrawford
  • TikTok: @lenayasmithcrawford
  • Website: lenayasmithcrawford.com
  • Get in touch: hello@lenayasmithcrawford.com

ABOUT LENAYA

LeNaya Smith Crawford is a licensed holistic therapist, trauma informed facilitator, yoga and breathwork teacher, sound healer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of The Holistic Therapist Academy and creator of The Holistic Therapist Framework, a five layer approach to integrative healing for therapists, healers, and wellness professionals ready to expand beyond the therapy room.

DISCLAIMER

The content shared on The Holistic Therapist Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. LeNaya Smith Crawford is a licensed therapist but is not your therapist. Nothing shared in this podcast should be taken as personal mental health advice or used as a substitute for working with a licensed mental health professional. If you are in crisis or need immediate support please reach out to a licensed professional in your area.