Center for Trauma and Embodiment

23 years of experience

Since 2002, CFTE has been dedicated to providing effective and evidence-based care for people around the world who have experienced chronic relational and systemic trauma and PTSD. When these experiences are not addressed due to financial barriers, ineffective treatment, cultural irrelevance, and stigma, a person’s mental and physical health is deeply impacted.

What we have learned

The impact of trauma extends to a person’s whole self, including their body. Talk therapy typically leaves the body out and focuses only on the mind; one part of what we are. The feelings of terror and the threat of danger are felt in our bodies. The trembling, the pit in your belly, the urge to flee, the urge to fight, the shutting down and going numb. These are not pathological responses; instead, they are biological responses to survival.

“With [TCTSY, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga], I reclaimed my body. That is a gift because I so hated my body. Or I claimed it, not reclaimed because I was so young. I claimed it. It was a long process to consider myself not an outline. ... I think [TCTSY] helped define me.” - a participant, from Rhodes (2015)*

Evidence-based care

Using Yoga as our foundational and philosophical underpinning, we created TCTSY, which has been validated as an evidence-based, clinical intervention through decades of research. We offer a yearly training program for mental health professionals, educators, community leaders, yoga teachers, and care providers that is accredited by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and Yoga Alliance. With over 1,000 facilitators in more than 50 countries, we estimate that over one million people have tried one of our care models and interacted with our organization. We have given over $200,000 in scholarships so that healing can stay in communities.

CFTE is a leader in embodied mental health care

Building on the success of TCTSY, CFTE has introduced Trauma Informed Weight Lifting (TIWL), and Trauma Informed Improv & Play (TIIP), and Trauma-Informed Mindful Eating (TIME). In 2026, we will be launching Trauma Informed Physical Therapy (TIPT). Our variety of care models meets trauma survivors where they are most comfortable.

The impact of YOUR support

Update: In FY26, scholarships and grants amounted to $100,000. A generous corporate partner has offset $50,000 of that total. Your donations helped to support the rest! These trained facilitators are sharing trauma-informed care that is inclusive and accessible in their communities in the U.S, Australia, India, El Salvador, Germany, Chile, New Zealand, Honduras, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Italy, and Mexico.

Additionally, since 2018, we've provided $43,000 in needs-based tuition assistance grants, ensuring that financial barriers aren't a barrier to entry. We also offer scaled-down tuition for Latin American countries where the average national income is less robust than that of many Western countries.

When you join our movement, you join our community of care.

Givebutter Tips: What is that about?

Under your payment, you will see, next to the heart, an optional tip that allows Center for Trauma and Embodiment, Inc. to use Givebutter's 100% free fundraising platform and keeps it running for all nonprofits. Thank you! It is set at 15% (Givebutter policy). You are welcome to change the amount and use the "other" option to customize your tip, or set it to zero (with no consequences to CFTE). Any questions: please reach out to Mindy Levine at mindy@healwithcfte.org

*Rhodes AM. Claiming peaceful embodiment through yoga in the aftermath of trauma. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015 Nov;21(4):247-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.09.004. Epub 2015 Sep 24. Erratum in: Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 May;31:390. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.12.017. PMID: 26573451.

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