Rachel has been a sacred activist for peacemaking for 30 years. In all her work, Rachel seeks to provide a practical and spiritual vision for healing the trauma that causes and results from violence in all its forms, from personal to systemic. She has a special passion for ending racism and oppression, supporting human rights, and peacebuilding. She wishes to call forth those who share this passionate vision for personal and global transformation with the spiritual and sacred wisdom and tools they carry. She has worked with psychologists, therapists, ministers, healers, writers, artists, and social activists. She has consulted with and provided training and program development for universities, non-profits, and NGOs. ​ Related and Intersecting Pathways ​ Since 2007, Rachel's work has manifested in 3 related and intersecting pathways with organizations and individuals: ​ Providing training, consultation, and program development for organizations working on the frontlines of violence and seeking to foster peace. Her clients have included Search for Common Ground, The Garrison Institute Contemplative-Based Resilience Program, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and Naropa University’s BA in Contemplative Psychology. Providing Shamanic Energy Healing and Spiritual Mentoring to 2000+ clients around the world. Providing spiritual teachings on Sacred Peacemaking, an earth-inspired and soul-activating cosmology for spiritual deepening, personal growth, and activating action in the world. ​ Unique Blend of Academic Rigour with Research and Training In all of these domains, Rachel has integrated her academic, interdisciplinary research and training in violence studies, trauma, and peacemaking, along with decades of study and training with spiritual masters and leading-edge practitioners. Peacekeeper training with Cherokee teacher, Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo of the Sunray Meditation Society. The sweet and powerful mesa tradition and cosmovision of the indigenous peoples of Peru, including the Q’ero medicine people. Shamanic energy healing and ceremony, with Alberto Villoldo of the Four Winds Society and others. The teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and loving kindness of Vipassana Buddhism. Psychodrama and psychotherapeutic approaches to healing individual and collective trauma. Healing Historical Harms with the Eastern Mennonite Center for Peacebuilding. Action against Trauma with the Center on Violence and Community. Rachel creatively parlayed 15 years studying the authoritarianism of the former Soviet Union during the Cold War with a BA in Russian Studies, an MA in Soviet Studies, and a PhD in Slavic languages and literatures into a profound understanding of how collective violence and trauma impacts individuals and groups and how creativity and spirituality heals. ​ From 1996-2014, as a faculty member at the University of Virginia, Rachel developed innovative courses on the topics of ending violence and peacemaking. During that time, she was the recipient of several grants and received an award for a project co-sponsored with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Action Alliance for The Art of Surviving, a digital and traveling exhibit of art, personal narratives, and poetry by survivors of sexual assault. ​ Current Faculty Member: Atlantic University ​ Rachel is currently a faculty member in the MA programs for Transpersonal Psychology and Leadership Studies at Atlantic University, affiliated with the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment (www.edgarcayce.org). She developed and teaches courses on Peacebuilding, Transpersonal Environmentalism and Shamanic Studies.