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Mara Giovanni, MSW, is the creator of Kali Connection Therapy (KCT), a groundbreaking somatic approach that integrates neuroscience, polyvagal theory, attachment theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and the Neurosequential Model with over 40 years of martial arts expertise. With a master’s degree from Columbia University, Mara has dedicated her career to developing innovative, evidence-based methods for addressing trauma, anxiety, and dysregulation.

 

Inspired by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s assertion that martial arts can be one of the most effective treatments for traumatic stress, Mara developed KCT to bridge the gap between body-based practices and cutting-edge trauma science. Rooted in polyvagal and attachment theory, KCT uses targeted exercises to regulate the nervous system, repair attachment patterns, and foster a profound sense of safety, connection, and empowerment.

 

Through her work at Onsite Workshops and The Integrative Life Center in Nashville, Mara witnessed firsthand the transformative power of KCT in helping clients move from dysregulation to regulation and empowerment. The success of KCT in these settings inspired Mara to expand her reach, training therapists nationwide in this novel healing approach. Today, Mara is thrilled to see KCT spreading across the country, empowering both practitioners and clients to experience a profound shift in how trauma is understood and healed.