History

It Started in December of 2012

A group of Assistants who had been assisting for many years was having a conversation of what we could do next and how we could stay connected both through work and outside of work. After this conversation the idea of an association was proposed.

In March of 2013 we held our first gathering of the NorCal SEPA Planning group and Interim Board. During this year, our small group brainstormed and started creating documents to become official. One of our founding principles was to use SE™ principles as we moved along. So if one member was not with the group for some reason, we would stop and checkin and gather them back in. This made for longer meetings but in the long run made for deeper connection.

In January of 2014 the Interim Board welcomed in new advisory members. We were ready to grow. A lot more work was done during this time. In September of 2014 we gathered for a board retreat as the sub committees were forming. And in June of 2015 the Bylaws were adopted by a unanimous Interim Board vote. In August of 2015, we met with the Executive Director and staff of SEI (Then still FHE, The Foundation for Human Enrichment), who supported us becoming a pilot for regional Somatic Experiencing® Professional Associations.

Due to staff changes at FHE our progress was delayed. But we continued to meet with the community. Representing the forming association, we hosted multiple gatherings and coordinated a trauma response to a Northern California fire that burned down Harbin Hot Springs and its surrounding areas in Sept of 2015. We also sponsored a 1 day workshop that hosted Stephan Porges to present locally on PolyVagal theory in Sept of 2017.

We continued on. Many of our Advisors and founding members went on to other things in their lives. And for those of us that could stay, we happily became incorporated as the first regional Somatic Experiencing™ Professional Organization in early 2017.

With the hiring of the current Executive Director, Marv Tuttle, and his staff, we had the strong backing and attention to forward our early dream.

On January 21, 2022 we finally had signatures on the Affiliation Agreement with SETI. Marv Tuttle and Rebecca Stahl from SEI were there to rejoice.

Now the gathering can commence! We look forward to you being a part of it!

With much Gratitude for all the contributors and influencers on making this association a reality:

Maureen Harrington, Michael Changaris, Andrea Smith Gage, Gwynne Gilson, Brandy Vanderheiden, Ellen Byrne, Brad Kammer, Beth Nielson, Marsha Black, Noelle Morris, Katie Uemura, Christine Gindi, Lynne Anne Salm, Marc Schuler, Neal Windblad, Meg Yardley (if there are any others who should be on this list, please let us know!)