I’m Kate,
I’m a devoted seeker and explorer of life and experiences.
My journey has been full, winding, expansive, beautiful, messy and painfully beautiful, embracing all of it. And through all of it, I have come to believe that we are resilient beings, who have the capacity to heal, expand and transform many times over in life.
I work as a nourishment & intimacy guide who believes in the inner and outer connection of wellness and radiance. I believe there is a bridge that weaves all the layers: physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically together. It is our birthright to explore, connect, activate, heal and expand on these layers in our lives.
A glimpse into how The Intimacy Doula was born.
I am the owner and founder of Sunshine Kate’s wellness center in New Jersey. This business began as a personal cooking service, which led to incorporating movement, which led to women’s hormonal support, which then led to studied trauma, the nervous system, human sexuality, somatic-based approaches which all eventually led to the birth of this portal ‘The Intimacy Doula’.
My formal training began with a degree in whole-foods based nutrition from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. I studied herbal medicine, meditation, shamanic medicine, rock climbing, movement and an in-depth exploration of the mind-body connection. Upon graduating, I expanded my education by becoming an esthetician to understand the relationship between skin health and the inner workings of the body. But I knew there was more. So for years, I took a deep dive into exploring the energetic and emotional layers of the body through studying sacred sexuality, somatic therapy, and empowerment coaching.
After graduating high school before attending Bastyr, I really (really) wanted to become a travel agent. My mom and I had a heart-to-heart conversation, and decided to tend to my education, build a foundation and incorporate travel for pleasure and with clients. My curiosity and passion of travel, food and culture have led me to explore Morocco, Spain, Bali, Greece, Italy, Australia, Iceland, Nicaragua, Mexico, Canada as well as extensively through the United States.
Eventually, I weaved my passions together and have been leading wellness and sensory awakening retreats both domestically in the US and internationally since 2015.
My Origin Story
I want to share a glimpse into my journey with you. There was a time when I really felt I was ‘doing it all right, and had control over my body’.. I was in my early 20’s finishing up my nutrition degree, following all that I was learning about eating and exercise..
But something was OFF and my body humbled me.
I was so, so exhausted. I was experiencing pain in my pelvis, sometimes to the point where I would pass out. If I bled with my menstrual cycle, it wasn’t a vibrant, healthy red color. I never knew when it was coming (which led me to feeling insecure around sex and feeling embarrassed if I started to bleed).
After hitting a very low point in my 20’s, where I gave into birth control for one month (and was jumping out of my skin), encouraged to go on Metformin ‘to solve it all’ and emotionally dis-regulated, I knew I needed to find a different path.
That’s when it all changed!
I started to really understand and embody the approach that our bodies are so much more than the physical, visceral forms. The emotional and energetic layers were completely neglected and were begging me to tune in!
I went from feeling so far removed from the communication within my body and was living in such a numb state of existence to now embodying an intimate bond within and using this as my inner compass. After integrating and exploring this for many years, I now work with people who desire to form a different relationship with themselves.
And here we meet today. I’ve rekindled and reconnected with all layers within. My body and I have a completely different and transformed relationship.
And I believe the same is possible for you.
My Expertise and Certifications
Nutrition Graduate of Bastyr University in Seattle, WA
Sex, Love and Relationship Coach through The Tantric Institute of Integrated Sexuality
Men’s Sacred Sexuality Coach with Cam Fraser
Erotic Somatic Educator
Trauma-Informed Somatic Educator for Women
Certified Yoni Practitioner
Goddess To The Core® Inside Out Workout Core Instructor
Esthetics Training through the Aveda Institute
RYT 300-Hour Yoga Training
And many continued education classes on herbal medicine, sacred sexuality, women’s health, men’s health
My Approach:
WE WORK TOGETHER TO CONNECT BACK WITHIN, BACK TO THE BODY.
We explore building safety, trust and intimacy within your being.
We create a container for deeper trust, connection, healing, wisdom, pleasure to come alive from within yourself.
We unwind and rewire repression, trauma, shame, conditioning into aliveness, vitality, confidence, presence.
WHAT IS AN INTIMACY DOULA?
TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, I’LL BREAK DOWN THE TWO WORDS INDIVIDUALLY.
What is Intimacy?
Exploring the art of crafting deep-heartfelt connections within ourselves and with others.
It takes a bit of courage and vulnerability to meet the parts of ourselves within. They may never had the safety or space to be experienced and expressed.
Intimacy is a softening into connecting, re-connecting, birthing, shedding, releasing, forgiving, healing, expanding, transforming and illuminating the threads that light each of us up.
What is a Doula?
A guide and ally on the journey of going within to activate, heal, support, transform, extract and birth to life the most desired and alived versions of oneself.
Life moves us through many cycles of life, death and renewal. A doula is someone who walks alongside of you on the journey.
My Modalities
whether you’re a woman or man, we’ll explore this through customized programs including :
conversations
somatic based practices
breathwork
trauma resolution
inner child exploration
meditation
movement
self-care practices
pleasure practices
energy work
neuronal pathway tools
all while combining ancient wisdom with modern day neurobiology in a high-level, high integrity portal.
My Values:
INTIMACY REQUIRES SAFETY AND TRANSPARENCY, AND I HONOR MY WORK AND OFFERINGS THROUGH THESE VALUES:
I believe that each one of us are whole and healed, it’s a matter of giving space to reconnect to that authentic truth
I believe in Insourcing the innate wisdom that each individual holds
I am guide working alongside clients, and do not project myself onto their journey
I establish and hold a safe and welcoming container while working with clients
I have boundaries for myself, my time, my value and for the clients I work with and their time
I come from a place of integrity for myself and hold the same for my clients
I am honest about how I can and can’t help people (including referrals if necessary)
I am transparent with explaining what is required regarding time and commitment to achieve a desire/goal
I Love Working With:
Women and Men who are curious to learn more about their bodies
Women who are looking to come off birth control and connect back to their natural cycles with whole body support
Women who want to establish more of a loving, trusting and confident relationship with their bodies
Women curious to enhance their connection with their sensuality and sexuality
Women who are experiencing changes in hormones as they journey into focusing on Fertility, Perimenopause, Menopause
Men who are looking for whole body support around Erectile Health, Erectile Disappointment/Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation
Men looking to become more confident and connected to their sexuality
Men looking to cultivate sexual energy and then use it with integrity and intention.
This is Not the Right Fit If…
You’re not interested in holding yourself accountable on your journey.
If you believe in fast ‘fixes’ overnight change and transformation.
You’re unwilling to make time for introspection and exploration.
You’re actively self-sabotaging by consistently cancelling sessions last minute. Our time together is reserved specifically for you.
You are looking for touch based support. My approach is completely physical hands-off and clothing-on (and much of my services in The Intimacy Doula are offered virtually).
You do not value and integrate integrative health and spiritual practices into a whole body approach.