Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified complex trauma professional, EMDR Consultant, and Kripalu yoga teacher. She is an internationally sought-out speaker, leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, and the author of seven books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, and her latest, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga.

About Dr. Arielle Schwartz

I grew up on Long Island, New York. I was introduced to yoga as a child by my parents who were involved at Kripalu in the 1970s. Later, when I was in my twenties, I rediscovered yoga and began exploring other somatically or body-based modalities to help manage my own anxiety. Out of a longing to understand more about the body-mind relationship, I completed my yoga teacher training at Kripalu in 1996, pursued a master’s degree in somatic psychology from Naropa University which I completed in 1999 and a subsequent doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 2008.

For over 20 years, I have dedicated my practice to the treatment of post-traumatic stress with an emphasis on resilience and post-traumatic growth. I call my work Resilience Informed Therapy which is an integrative mind-body treatment model that includes applied polyvagal theory, somatic psychology, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, parts-work therapies, mindfulness, and therapeutic yoga.

Key influences in my work include:

  • Relational-Cultural Therapy & Feminist Psychotherapy: Jean Baker Miller, Judith Herman
  • Interpersonal Neurobiology: Daniel Siegel, Allan Schore, Louis Cozolino, Stephen Porges, Bessel van der Kolk
  • Parts Work Therapies: Richard Schwartz, Robin Shapiro, Kathy Steele, Fritz Perls, and my mentor of over 15 years Betty Cannon
  • Somatic Psychology: Peter Levine, Pat Ogden, Janina Fisher, Christine Caldwell, Susan Aposhyan, Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen, Ron Kurtz, Kekuni Minton, Eugene Gendlin
  • Collective Trauma Healing: Thomas Hübl, Gabor Maté, Resma Menakem, Bert Hellinger, Malidoma Somé
  • Narrative Exposure & EMDR Therapies: Maggie Schauer, Thomas Elbert, Francine Shapiro
  • Positive Psychology: Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Marty Seligman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
  • Mind-Body Therapies/Therapeutic Yoga: Richard Brown, Patricia Gerbarg, Amy Weintraub
In 2012, I had my first meeting with Dr. Stephen Porges, whose polyvagal theory has radically transformed trauma-informed care. Polyvagal theory recognizes that your vagus nerve is a key to mind-body health. The vagus nerve is considered to be a superhighway of communication between your brain and your body. Polyvagal theory provides a compassionate way of understanding the symptoms of post-traumatic stress from a physiological perspective and helps us recognize why breathing, movement, and nourishing social connections are all key elements to the healing process. I am honored to teach the applied polyvagal theory model within psychotherapy and yoga as part of the Polyvagal Institute, Embody Lab, PESI, Psychotherapy Networker, and more.
I believe that we cultivate growth post-trauma by orienting to our strengths, attending to our pain, and taking charge of the narratives that define our lives. I believe that we all have the capacity to overcome adversity. However, this requires that we have compassionate support and intelligent guidance. One of my personal life missions is to provide that guidance and support through my work in the world.

Learn from Dr. Schwartz

As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, Arielle teaches an integrative, mind-body approach to therapy that includes relational therapy, somatic psychology, EMDR Therapy, parts-work therapy, and therapeutic yoga for trauma. She specializes in applied polyvagal theory which focuses on addressing imbalances within the autonomic nervous system that underlie most mental and physical health conditions.

Through intellectually stimulating and heart-centered trainings and presentations, Arielle shares her expertise on topics of resilience, healing from trauma, EMDR, and somatic psychology with both therapeutic professionals and the general public.

Media Requests

For media requests and to inquire about having Arielle speak at your organization’s event, please visit her website.

Connect with Dr. Schwartz’s Work

Arielle’s private practice is closed. She will not be accepting new clients now or in the future. However, you can still connect with her work: Arielle is actively engaged with the public therapeutic community in an effort to make trauma recovery accessible to everyone.

Arielle provides informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. You can find more from Arielle on her website, as well as access materials created by Arielle through the Center’s resource base.

Find a Therapist

For those seeking a therapist, Arielle strongly recommends the Center’s co-practioners, Amy Annesley and Shyamaa Marie Creaven, both of whom offer a Resilience Informed Therapy practice that closely reflects Arielle’s therapeutic approach.