Whale Being Therapy, Ellie Wilde, Ph.D.
Reclaim aliveness
And dance into flow!
Transformative- Trauma-informed- Somatic- Play
for those ready to stop striving & start living!
Welcome. You are here because (please select from options below):
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You're done pushing through and burning out! ...Now what?!
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You're tired of playing small. You want to share the gifts we both know you carry. Something's in the way.
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Talk therapy stopped working. Yoga isn't cutting it. You'll try anything, even this.
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You're at a dead-end with a relationship.
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Other: ____________
Life calls on us all. Mostly, we let the phone ring. But sometimes, we pick up and WHAM! There goes our old life. No going back. And in these times? Wham, wham, wham! Ouch!!
Whether life is calling you to:
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Unfreeze, de-numb, & feel your feelings
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Embody your spark fully
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Express your most essential self
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Heed your inner authority, your Yes & No!
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Show up for yourself & others with courage & compassion
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Slow down & notice beauty
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Hold nuance & complexity of these times
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Grieve
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Let love in ...
...Sessions provide a trauma-informed, structured, liberatory space for creative somatic exploration. You get to practice bringing your dreams to life, in real time, with support. This process literally rewires your brain & body. Transformation awaits.
While you see my belief in laughter as medicine in the previous section, I also hold the deepest respect for the courage and relational trust this work requires.
Your consent, voice, and choice are at the center.
We make room for levity and heaviness, hope and hopelessness -- whatever is alive in you.
On my end, our work is supported by a larger web of ongoing practice & mentorship: See "Training" for more.
You decide where we're going, and set the pace, as we co-create a relational field that supports exploration of possibility through play, movement, expression, and imagination. You may call in guides from Nature, ancestors, and other supports, such as curiosity, compassion, playfulness, and beginner's mind.
As your nervous system reorients to safety through stress release and grounding, you may notice a growing capacity to be with what is. In embracing it all, we often find grief, then ease and flow, belonging ourselves to the fullness and beauty of this astonishing river of life.
Scary? The rapids can be scary. And getting in the river is new to many of us. Worth it? Maybe you'll tell me.
Here are some themes clients share:
With both structure and freedom, clarity and power emerge that go far beyond cognitive insight; Deeper connection, meaning, pleasure, creativity, and vitality become available; Life regains color; Lightness, spaciousness, childlike joy, awe, wonder. Most often they speak of a well of potential they call "limitless!"
I have particular affinity and experience working with queer, trans/nonbinary, BIPOC, and neurodivergent folks, fellow creatives and healers, and folks on the margins working towards collective liberation.
You are a gift and you are not alone.
Read on or reach through portal below to begin!
relationships & COUPLEs
Relationships have always been my passion, from writing the Gottman Institute's blog at the beginning of my training, and shaping every step of my career since.
For decades, I have immersed myself in both the art and science of helping relationships thrive -- from publishing relationship research during my PhD to pursuing extensive advanced training beyond the classroom.
Today, I integrate elements of Gottman Method, Sue Johnson's Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), somatic approaches, and Psychodrama to create a deeply transformative experience for each partnership.
I am rarely my clients' first couples therapist. But many tell me that my creative, direct approach is the first to help them make a meaningful difference: break old patterns, rediscover intimacy, and deepen into love.
I am also an experienced guide through the discernment process, helping partners explore whether the relationship is still mutually supportive, decide whether to deepen commitment, or navigate the transition of separation with care and clarity.
rediscovering aliveness & creativity? cool, BUT HOW?
Great question. We don't just talk about problems—we work with them in real time, discovering and practicing new, creative responses. Weaving together elements of relational and depth work, Ecosomatics, InterPlay, Psychodrama, IFS-adjacent parts work, Expressive Arts, and more, we tailor each session to your unique needs.
We begin with concrete strategies for nervous system support. As you practice these, we weave in some of the appraoches above, with a focus on resourcing, integrating mind and body, and reconnection with your innate vitality. We welcome each part of your experience—from grief, rage, and shame to curiosity, joy, and wonder. Held well, you may become increasingly adept at meeting life's challenges and confidently supporting others, finding purpose, meaning, and joy in your days.
You may find a whole new way of living, moving, feeling, and relating to life. As your inner world becomes more integrated, self-trust and alignment grow, the inner critic quiets, and new possibilities emerge. Each session includes practical somatic tools you can use anytime, anywhere. Regular check-ins ensure our work continues to support you and what matters to you most.
Even in such dark times, imagination, play, and aliveness are always available to those who know how to look.
