Dawn Philips-Naaia, LMT

Dawn is the Founder and Practice Director of HAVEN and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005. Dawn weaves in the knowledge from many years of hands-on care of the myofascial system with her somatic and trauma-informed studies to meet clients where they are, leading with empathy and compassion. Using CranioSacral Therapy/SER, myofascial unwinding and IFS-Informed dialogue as the foundation of her sessions, Dawn provides inclusive, trauma-sensitive care, assisting clients in finding relief from physical & emotional pain and becoming more embodied.

*Please note – Dawn is currently on a waiting list for new clients. If you would like to have a complimentary phone consultation with Dawn to be either added to her waiting list or be referred to another therapist, please reach out to us.

Who should see Dawn?
Areas of Speciality and Types of Conditions Treated

• Treatment of stress, anxiety, depression and overall emotional well-being
• Chronic disorders or the nervous and immune systems (including auto-immune & long-covid)
• Trauma (complex, chronic, childhood, PTSD, medical, racial, abuse, neglect, sexual and other forms)
• Grief and loss or other life-changing events
• Support for addiction and recovery
• Inner child work
• Support for marginalized populations including LGBTQIA+, POC, indigenous, immigrant, et.al
• HAES (health at any size) supportive care
• Maintaining well-being through a robust mind/body/spirit connection 

What to Expect in a Session:
In the treatment room, Dawn strives to support her clients in deepening their body-mind awareness by working beyond vulnerabilities into a space of increased presence and ease. This begins with a thorough consultation and light education of the approach and language, and occasional pre-treatment guided somatic meditations. Once on the table, using gentle CranioSacral touch, Dawn creates a safe space for all parts of the client to be present, allowing beliefs, self-protections, and fears a place to be identified and understood. Her approach continues as an integrative talk & touch journey where skillful, subtle and IFS-informed ‘dialogue’ assists in the re-education of tissue and resetting of the nervous system. She uses many techniques such as visualization, breathwork and even trauma-sensitive yoga to cultivate embodiment and felt-sense within her clients. This somatic approach allows traumas large and small, old or recent, to be processed and take up less space in her clients’ bodies and psyches. By allowing the body be the director of each session while honoring each individuals’ goals and intentions, her clients leave each session carrying with them a better sense of their own inner wisdom and a deeper connection with all sides of themselves.

When appropriate, her sessions may blend manual therapy techniques that assist in reducing pain and unlock patterns of holding including myofascial (connective-tissue) and trigger point release, neuromuscular, acupressure and orthopedic techniques. While this occasionally means using deeper pressure, this is most often accomplished with a soft, listening hand to allow the nervous system to reset and prevent tissues from guarding by turning on their natural defense mechanisms. Perhaps most importantly, she works towards empowering individuals to become their own health care advocates through education of self-care techniques, encouragement of body-positive dialogue and recommendations from her broad set of resources and knowledge of a wide array of holistic healthcare practices. Dawn believes every person deserves a team of support on their healing journey, and often refers to other like-minded professionals both within and outside of our practice.

More about Dawn:
Dawn founded Haven in 2017 to bring more awareness to somatic and trauma-sensitive care, as well as the role of the body-mind connection in healing, while offer a supportive space for like-minded practitioners.She has trained in many disciplines and considers herself a forever student. Her skills are drawn from modalities including: Upledger CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release, Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), IFS (Internal Family Systems), BARN (Body Alchemy of Relational Neuroscience), as well as various studies in Clinical Herbalism. She has developed a strong, grounded intuition from many years of her own recovery & healing, and having lost both parents at a young age has a deepend sense of empathy and is committed to help others find the healing she has experienced. Dawn believes that as a practitioner, it is essential to practice what you preach by experiencing and receiving regular care of many varieties. Dawn continues to refine her skill set by participating in peer groups and one-to-one clinical supervision, and provides mentorship for the other practitioners at Haven as needed. 

Outside of her therapeutic work, Dawn holds a BFA in Photography, has completed residency at the Royal College of Art, London, and continues her creative practices in her downtime. She finds peace in nature through herb-walks and foraging, as well as her love of animals. She enjoys traveling with her husband from upstate to abroad, and is blessed to have family in many corners of the world including Morocco, Dubai (UAE), and Japan.]\

How to Schedule with Dawn:
CranioSacral Therapy: Follow-up sessions (join wait list for Initial Visit)
SomatoEmotional Release focused CranioSacral Therapy: Follow-up sessions (join wait list for Initial Visit)
Intra-oral/TMJ focused CranioSacral Therapy: Follow-up sessions (join wait list for Initial Visit)
Virtual Somatic Bodywork: Follow-up sessions (join wait list for Initial Visit)