Trauma Release Therapy in Miami & South Florida

Body-based healing for emotional trauma, anxiety, and nervous system overwhelm.

You may have done a lot of inner work and still feel like something deeper is holding on. If you’re feeling exhausted from carrying stress, fear, grief, or emotional pain that doesn’t fully release, you’re not imagining it — and you’re not weak.

Trauma can continue to affect the body and nervous system long after the original experience has passed. Sometimes you know exactly what you have been through. Other times, you may only notice the effects — disconnection, anxiety, numbness, overwhelm, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, or a nervous system that remains on guard — without a clear memory of what set those patterns in motion. That does not make your experience any less real. It may simply mean your body and nervous system are still carrying more than words or memory can fully explain.

At Health & Light Institute, we specialize in the mind-body connection, working gently and directly with the body through Somatic Psychotherapy, Watsu & Aquatic Healingwork, and Breathwork, to help release what talk therapy alone may not fully reach. Sessions are private, paced for your safety, and held at our quiet therapeutic retreat in Hollywood Beach, Florida.

Call or Text for a Free 15-Min Consultation
754-273-5510

What Is Trauma Release?

Trauma release is the process of helping your nervous system complete unresolved stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—so you can move from chronic survival mode into felt safety, emotional freedom, and genuine connection.

We focus on emotional and psychological trauma, not physical injury care. This includes childhood wounds, relationship pain, grief, chronic stress, panic, shame, betrayal, emotional neglect, burnout, and overwhelming life events.

When your body still reacts as though danger is present—even when your mind knows you're safe—a body-based approach can help resolve what cognitive understanding alone cannot.

Signs You May Benefit from Trauma Therapy

Persistent anxiety, hypervigilance, or panic-like symptoms that don't respond to logic
Emotional numbness, dissociation, or feeling disconnected from your body
Overthinking, sleep disruption, irritability, or nervous system exhaustion
Repetitive relationship patterns, self-sabotage, or fear of intimacy
Stored tension ("body armor"), chest tightness, jaw clenching, or inability to deeply relax
A sense that talk therapy has helped you understand your patterns, but hasn't fully resolved what your body still carries

How We Work with Trauma

We begin with an initial holistic psychotherapy intake session where we explore your current situation, symptoms, history, goals, nervous system patterns, as well as lifestyle factors such as sleep and diet. From there, we work together to create the most supportive path forward for your healing. Depending on your needs, that may include Somatic Psychotherapy, Watsu, Breathwork, a combined session, or a more immersive retreat format.

Holistic Somatic Psychotherapy, Counseling & Coaching

Integrates body awareness, emotional processing, and nervous system regulation to help you understand patterns, dissolve inner conflicts, and create lasting change. Available in English and Spanish, in person or remotely.

From $150 per session · Learn more & book

Watsu & Aquatic Healingwork

One-on-one warm-water bodywork that supports profound relaxation, emotional release, and resolution of deeply held tension. Performed in body-temperature saltwater, Watsu combines elements of shiatsu, massage, and gentle movement.

The warm, weightless environment creates a primal, womb-like experience — one that allows your nervous system to soften and your inner child to feel held in ways it may never have been. For those carrying a mother wound, father wound, or unresolved childhood trauma, this felt sense of safety often reaches what years of talk therapy could not.

From $150 per session · Learn more & book

Holistic Somatic Therapy (Combined Session)

A deeper integration of somatic psychology, aquatic healingwork, and bodywork in a single extended session. Includes therapeutic touch, warm-water therapy, and somatic techniques tailored to release both physical and emotional tension. Ideal when you want the full spectrum of modalities in one visit.

From $200 per session · Learn more & book

Transformational Breathwork & Rebirthing

Guided conscious breathing practices that access and process stored emotions, regulate stress physiology, and reconnect you with clarity, vitality, and presence. Your session may also include bodywork and energy work as needed. Breathwork can also serve as preparation for a deeper Aquatic Rebirthing session.

From $200 per session · Learn more & book

Private Wellness Retreat (Multi-Day Intensive)

For deeper immersion, book a private residential retreat with daily healing sessions, breathwork, and personalized support. Stay in your own private room at our facility and design a multi-day program tailored to your trauma healing goals.

From $125/night + sessions · Learn more & book

Why a Body-Based Approach to Emotional Trauma?

Emotional trauma is stored not only as narrative memory but also in breath patterns, muscle tone, autonomic arousal, and protective reflexes. Research from institutions like Harvard Medical School has linked chronic stress to up to 95% of illness. A body-based approach helps release stored survival responses while building your capacity for safety, resilience, and emotional integration.

This is especially valuable when you already understand why you struggle—but your body still reacts as if danger is present. Somatic, aquatic, and breath-based modalities work below the level of conscious thought, reaching what talk therapy often cannot.

About Your Practitioner

Alejandro Medin is the founder and lead practitioner at Health & Light Institute. He graduated in clinical psychology from the University of Belgrano in Argentina (1990) and has spent the past three decades integrating Western psychotherapy with Eastern healing practices including yoga, meditation, breathwork, dance therapy, Reiki, and energy work.

Alex trained in aquatic therapy at Harbin Hot Springs, California—the birthplace of Watsu—studying under Harold Dull (creator of Watsu) and Mario Jahara (creator of the Jahara method). He continued postgraduate bodywork training at Esalen Institute and became a Certified Massage Therapist at Heartwood Institute.

With over 30 years as an aquatic therapist, bodyworker, and somatic psychotherapist, Alex brings a rare depth of experience to trauma release work.

Read full bio

What Clients Say

"Probably one of the best healing sessions you can experience here in town! Alex is truly an amazing healer. He is able to hold an incredible amount of space and took me deep into my process where he met me with skillful mastery, guidance, compassion and unconditional love."

"The Watsu Therapy I had at Health & Light Institute was an experience to be relished. I felt so safe and supported with Alejandro. One can truly be vulnerable with him and in that safety, healing and transformation occur."

Who We Help

Adults navigating emotional trauma, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic nervous system dysregulation
People recovering from burnout, grief, emotional overwhelm, or major life transitions
Clients seeking body-based support alongside existing talk therapy or psychiatric care
Individuals who want holistic trauma therapy that honors the body's pace and wisdom
Anyone who feels they have "done the work" mentally but still feels stuck physically or emotionally

What to Expect in a Session

Intake & intention: We identify your goals, history, and current nervous system patterns.
Regulation first: We establish safety and pacing before deeper processing—no forcing, no performance.
Trauma release work: Somatic awareness, breath, bodywork, and/or aquatic modalities based on your needs and readiness.
Integration: You leave with practical tools for daily emotional regulation and continued healing between sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this for emotional trauma or physical trauma?

Our services focus on emotional and psychological trauma—stress regulation, nervous system healing, and emotional processing. We do not provide emergency care or treatment for physical injuries.

Do I need a diagnosis to start?

No. Many clients come with stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm without a formal diagnosis. You don't need a label to benefit from this work.

Is this a substitute for psychiatric or emergency care?

No. If you are in crisis, please contact local emergency services or call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Our sessions are supportive wellness services, not emergency treatment.

Can I combine these sessions with my current therapist?

Yes. Many people use somatic, aquatic, or breathwork sessions as a complementary layer alongside ongoing psychotherapy or psychiatric care.

Do you take Insurance?

Unfortunately we do not.

What should I wear or bring?

For aquatic sessions, bring a one-piece swimsuit (tank tops and shorts also work), a towel, and a water bottle. For land-based sessions, wear comfortable clothing.

Do you offer sessions in Spanish?

Yes. All of our sessions are available in both English and Spanish.

Can I do an intensive retreat instead of weekly sessions?

Yes. Our private residential retreat option allows you to design a multi-day immersion with daily sessions tailored to your healing goals.

Begin Your Trauma Healing Journey

You deserve support that honors both your emotional experience and your body's wisdom. If you're ready to move beyond survival patterns and reconnect with peace, resilience, and wholeness, we're here to help.

Book Somatic Psychotherapy | Book Watsu & Aquatic Healingwork | Book Breathwork

Not sure where to start? Contact us or call 754-273-5510 and we'll help you choose the best entry point for your situation.

Langue

Trauma Release Therapy