About Me
I’m Exchiela, a Registered Psychologist in Alberta and British Columbia, and the founder of Haven Restorative Retreats. My work is rooted in trauma-informed, compassionate care that honours the mind-body-spirit connection and the unique lived experiences each person carries.
For many years, I’ve supported individuals navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, burnout, and major life transitions through evidence-based counselling and somatic approaches. I believe healing happens most sustainably when people feel safe, supported, and deeply understood, not rushed or “fixed.”
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Haven Restorative Retreats was created as an extension of my clinical work: a space beyond the therapy room where healing can unfold gently, collectively, and at a slower, more intentional pace. These retreats integrate trauma-informed yoga, meditation, yoga nidra, somatic experiencing and reflective practices grounded in psychological principles and nervous system regulation.
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My approach is relational, inclusive, and deeply respectful of each participant’s autonomy. Every retreat is thoughtfully designed to foster safety, choice, and connection, allowing space for rest, renewal, and reconnection with oneself.
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At its core, Haven is about hope and renewal, walking alongside others as we reconnect with our inner resilience and move forward with greater ease, clarity, and compassion.
Trainings
EMDR
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy approach used to support individuals in processing trauma, distressing memories, and adverse life experiences. EMDR helps the brain reprocess experiences that may feel “stuck,” allowing them to be integrated in a way that reduces emotional intensity and supports long-term healing. My use of EMDR is grounded in a trauma-informed, client-led approach that prioritizes safety, pacing, and consent, and is thoughtfully integrated alongside somatic and mindfulness-based practices.
Somatic Therapy
I am trained in Somatic Therapy (Level 1) through Somatic Experiencing®, the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine. Somatic Experiencing is a body-based, trauma-informed approach that supports nervous system regulation by gently tracking sensations, movement, and physiological responses. Rather than focusing solely on story or cognition, this work helps individuals reconnect with their bodies in a safe, paced way, allowing stored stress and trauma to be released gradually. My use of somatic therapy emphasizes choice, safety, and attunement, supporting healing that feels embodied, sustainable, and respectful of each person’s capacity.
Trauma-Informed YTT
I have completed Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training through The School Yoga Institute, a program dedicated to integrating yoga with trauma-responsive principles. This training emphasizes safety, choice, and empowerment, recognizing the impact trauma can have on the body and nervous system. My approach to trauma-informed yoga prioritizes invitational language, autonomy, and nervous system regulation, creating a supportive environment where participants can reconnect with their bodies at their own pace. This work is thoughtfully integrated into my retreats and offerings to support embodied healing, grounding, and restoration.
Yoga Nidra
I am trained in Yoga Nidra, a guided meditative practice that supports deep rest, nervous system regulation, and restoration. Yoga Nidra invites the body into a state of profound relaxation while maintaining gentle awareness, allowing stress and tension to soften without effort or force. My approach to Yoga Nidra is trauma-informed and choice-based, emphasizing safety, pacing, and agency. This practice is woven into my retreats and offerings to support rest, integration, and reconnection with a sense of inner steadiness and calm.