Bringing Trauma Informed Practices to Government Institutions with Trista McClelland Adi Shakti Speaks

 
How one woman is bringing evidenced-based holistic practices to her work at a Juvenile Detention facility and changing lives. And, how you can, too. 
Trista McClelland, MA LPC NCC CAADC.  Master of Arts, Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
 
I was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and raised in Marquette, MI.  I grew up with the passion of dance and creativity. I graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling.  During graduate school I had what some may call my first spiritual awakening. This led me on a path of making significant life changes. During those changes I was connected with exploring religion which turned to spirituality,  friendships that would guide me to doors that changed my life, the concept and importance of community and the beginning understandings of how we are truly all connected as a whole. I was given the opportunity to go to Greece for one month through the International Group Study Exchange Program through one of the Rotary Clubs in Kalamazoo, MI.  This led me to further my travels across the United States, Costa Rica, and Bolivia. During my travels I was introduced to a yoga class in the Twin Cities of Minnesota that sparked that former passion of dance within me. I started practicing yoga on my own and then developed the courage to attend classes within the community. During these times of traveling I relocated back to Marquette, MI.  It was during this time that I was given another opportunity through the Marquette Breakfast Rotary Club (which I was involved in) to go to Bolivia and participate in volunteer work with Etta Projects. One of the other volunteers on this trip, was an amazing woman who was a psychologist in California who kindly planted the seed of collaborating yoga with counseling within me. I found myself a year later leaving my job in Marquette, MI and with the support of my family, friends, and community leaving for Costa Rica for almost 5 months.  The first month I obtained my 200 hr training through Soma Yoga Institute. Fast forward a year and a half later after coming back to the states and relocating to Ypsilanti, MI, I was given another opportunity to do the Trauma Yoga Teacher Training with Eleanor Bramwell and Adi Shakti in the deep healing jungle of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  
I have worked in the field of addiction as a therapist for almost 10 years with the focus of working with adults in residential treatment and is now working with adolescents who are in juvenile drug court for residential treatment.  I am a person who loves connecting to others, listening to others, and talking about the deep rich conversations of spirituality and health. I have been described as sensitive, creative, intense, and passionate. I aspire to travel the world and continue my studies in trauma, yoga, and counseling.  
I am currently living in Ypsilanti, MI and work in Ann Arbor, MIr for a nonprofit organization called Growth Works. 
You can find me on Instagram: words_of_freedom777 or email  Trista.j.mcclelland@gmail.com