Charles Roberts, Trauma Therapist
"In all my years as a trauma therapist, never have I witnessed a healing modality that has such power to so organically extract trauma and attachment wounds while providing the safety and attunement that is essential for its healing. It’s like EMDR except more resourced, embodied, and relational. I'm a believer."
H.G. Florida
I found joy in my body for the first time in my adult life!
C.S. Nashville, TN
"I asked Mara to do a couple of classes/sessions with our entire team of outpatient counselors. The results were quick and profound. Not only did it bond the team together in a healing space, but it also helped regulate their compassion fatigue and burnout they didn't even know they had. It is great medicine for healing the healers".
Mara Giovanni - Creator
Mara Giovanni, MSW, is the visionary behind Kali Connection Therapy (KCT), a pioneering somatic therapy deeply rooted in neuroscience. With a master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University, Mara dedicated years to developing innovative therapeutic groups addressing crucial themes such as boundaries, trauma, safety, recovery, grief, and meditation.
Inspired by Bessel van der Kolk's assertion that martial arts could be the optimal treatment for traumatic stress, a transformative journey unfolded, blending 40 years of martial arts expertise with an intensive exploration of trauma science, Interpersonal Neurobiology, the Nurosequential model, and affective neuroscience. This fusion gave birth to Kali Connection Therapy, featuring targeted exercises for specific manifestations of somatic trauma and anxiety.
Having worked with clients in various stages of dysregulation at Onsite Workshops and The Integrative Life Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Mara witnessed exceptional success, prompting individuals to seek more sessions. Beyond certifying individuals in KCT, organizing training, team-building events, workshops, and CEU sessions, Mara's true fulfillment lies in witnessing people rediscover a profound sense of "being at home" within their bodies—a transformative journey that offers abundant benefits. As this reconnection unfolds, joy and vitality are reclaimed, infusing life with renewed vigor. Scientifically supported, this restoration of well-being fosters greater resilience, heightened self-awareness, and deeper connections with others, unlocking a remarkable path towards wholeness and a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening that elevates existence beyond the ordinary.
Allie Kim - MSW
Allie's journey in martial arts began during her childhood, starting with Tang Soo Do at the age of 5, followed by studying Kali at the age of twelve. With a strong motivation to assist others, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from NYU and joined Teach for America as a dedicated middle school teacher. Continuing her educational pursuits, Allie obtained a master's degree in special education. However, her passion for the socioemotional well-being of children led her to pursue an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis.
For the past five years, Allie has served as a high school counselor at a local Nashville high school, fully embracing her life mission of supporting and guiding youth during their formative years with kindness and empathy. She is particularly passionate about KCT and its remarkable capacity to address and treat trauma while helping young people regain a sense of connected, empowered balance.
Shannon Black, LPC-MHSP-S
Shannon is a self-identified "neuro-nerd," and sees teens, adults, couples, and families in private practice and community settings in Middle Tennessee. Teaching at MTSU for several years gave Shannon a love for training, which has led to numerous opportunities for speaking and training events and
and workshops that facilitate better connections among humans and ethical treatment of clients. Shannon's research interests include searching for and applying the latest findings for treating all functional mental health diagnoses, and creating integrative treatment modalities and techniques that include the body AND the brain AND the mind.
