Shaman &
Transformational Facilitator

About Beth Shekinah

The wound is the place where the light enters you.

~ Rumi

Shaman &
Transformational Facilitator

I’ve been on a spiritual and healing journey for my whole life. I began to study reflexology, yoga and meditation in my early teens. Since then, I have explored spiritual traditions and healing modalities from around the globe.

I truly believe it was this foundation that allowed me to navigate and survive traumatic experiences of my youth. Through my own process of healing, I embraced a holistic approach to life and well-being. It was this awakening that initially led me to step forward as a holistic and wellness practitioner over 25 years ago — and I’ve been on a journey of supporting others in transformation and healing ever since.

My purpose is to cultivate connection, compassion and awakening. I am committed to helping others find the light in the darkness. And to come to understand our traumas and pain as lamp posts that are guiding us to where our inner work of transformation and healing lies.

In many spiritual traditions, the heart is seen as the key to unlocking the mystery of life. I hold this view. I believe there are many ways to approach the journey of awakening — as many as there are beings — and if you are here, something is awakening in you.

My gift of inner vision and connecting to sacred space allows me to help create a container for healing and transformation that supports those I work with in accessing their own inner wisdom and spiritual guidance.

It is from this sacred center of the heart that exists within us all that alignment and understanding of soul purpose emerges. I help my clients to find their unique way of connecting and receiving support by learning how to access and navigate their own inner guidance system.

Everything that I have lived and learned comprises the toolbox I use today.

Ultimately, my journey led me to a shaman’s door. It was there that I began to find healing and integration on a level I never imagined was possible. I was finally able to step out of pain and heal my wounds in a profound way.

I have been a practicing shaman for 16 years apprenticing in a traditional way with shaman Ross Bishop (author of Healing the Shadow and Finding Inner Peace). I’ve been blessed to connect with many amazing shamanic and spiritual teachers throughout my journey, however the process that Ross developed to make this ancient healing method more accessible for people in the modern world is at the heart of my shamanic and holistic work today.

Through the shamanic path, I’ve come to see disconnection as the greatest disease of our times. Connection is viewed as the “medicine” needed for healing and transformation.

In addition to many years of holistic and shamanic training which supports this view, I hold a Master of Science degree in Restorative Practices from the International Institute of Restorative Practice.

This emerging social science synergizes ancient wisdom about connection and community carried forward from indigenous cultures with modern relational theories. It supports the essential role that connection and belonging play in healing our modern, disconnected world.

Restorative practices recognize the value of relationship as a foundation for transformation, resilience and well-being. This aligns with shamanic traditions, which holds that everything is interconnected through what is referred to as the “web of life”.

At the heart of it all, we are all connected!

Traditional Apprenticeship in Shamanic Healing – Ongoing (16 years)
Shaman Ross Bishop

Master of Science in Restorative Practices – 2021
International Institute of Restorative Practices

Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices – 2019
International Institute of Restorative Practices

Certificate in Addiction Counseling – 2009
Anne Arundel Community College

Certificate in Massage Therapy – 1996
The Swedish Institute

Graduate Studies in Anthropology – 1993/4
CUNY Hunter College

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Psychology, Art History – 1990
SUNY Stony Brook

Certified Feeding Your Demons Facilitator – 2021
Tara Mandala

Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist – 2019
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals

Certified Recovery Nutrition Coach Level I – 2017
Academy of Addiction & Mental Health Nutrition

SHINE Mindfulness Facilitator – 2016
Center for Mindful Awareness

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist – 2014
Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board

Bach Flower Registered Practitioner (BFRP) – 2012
The Bach Centre UK

Certified Zero Balancer – 2011
Zero Balancing Association

Diplomate in Homeopathy – 2007
International Association of Homeopathy

Certified Herbalist – 2007
International Association of Homeopathy

Certified Bodybreath™ Healing Practitioner – 2004
Innerwork with William B. Henegan

Certified P.E.E.R.™ Facilitator – 2003
P.E.E.R.™ (Primary Emotional Energy Recovery) Training

Licensed Massage Therapist – 2001
Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Certified Reiki Master – 1994
International Reiki Association

Facilitating Restorative Conferences Training of Trainers – 2021
International Institute of Restorative Practice

Fundamentals of Restorative Practices Training of Trainers – 2020
International Institute of Restorative Practices

Haumana (Huna) Shaman Training – 2019
Kupua Claudette Knox

Recovery Coaching a Harm Reduction Pathway© Training of Trainers – 2019
The LeMire Group

CCAR Recovery Coach Trainings & Training of Trainers – 2015 – 2019
Connecticut Community Addiction Recovery

Mental Health First Aid Instructor – 2018
National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Cultural & Linguistic Competence Training – 2016
Behavioral Health Administration of Maryland

Facilitator’s GPS: Pointing you in the Right Direction – 2016
University of Maryland Training Center

Non-Violent Communication – 2018
On Our Own of Montgomery County

Intentional Peer Support Core Training – 2017
Intentional Peer Support

Shamanic Healing Intensives – 2011 – 2012
The Polarity Center / Rose Khalsa

Advanced Shamanic Training – 2010 – 2012
Heartfire Journeys

Council Process & Facilitation Training – 2010 – 2012
Transformative Training / Sagebrush Treatment Center

Non-Violent Communication (NVC) – 2010 – 2012
Transformative Training / Sagebrush Treatment Center

International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP)

Center for Mindful Awareness (CMA)

Feeding Your Demons / Tara Mandala (FYD)

Society for Shamanic Practices (SSP)

National Alliance for Mental Illness Maryland (NAMIMD)

Restorative Practices International (RPI)

Zero Balancing Association (ZBA)

Heal My Voice (HMV)

Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)

The Bach Centre UK

Fundamentals of Restorative Practices (IIRP)

Facilitating Restorative Conferences (IIRP)

SHINE Mindfulness Program (CMA)

Mental Health First Aid (MHA)

Science of Addiction & Recovery (FAVOR/Friends of Recovery NY)

Recovery Coaching A Harm Reduction Pathway© (The LeMire Group)

Connection Community Addiction Recovery (CCAR)

  • Recovery Coach Academy
  • Spirituality for Recovery Coaches
  • Ethics for Recovery Coaches
  • Recovery Coach Professionalism
  • Recovery Basics

 

FACILITATING & TEACHING

Beth Shekinah is dedicated to sharing what she has experienced through her life and learning with others. She creates unique educational and experiential programs that promote transformation and healing. Her ability to meet people where they are and hold space with authenticity and intention makes her an embodied facilitator. Whether guiding a retreat or workshop, facilitating restorative practices trainings or teaching about holistic recovery pathways, Beth Shekinah brings her insight, wisdom and genuineness to every program that she leads.

In addition to developing many of her own programs and courses, Beth Shekinah is also an authorized facilitator in a variety of structured programs with organizations including the Center for Mindful Awareness, the International Institute of Restorative Practices, and Connecticut Community Addiction Recovery.

She loves working with organizations, communities and leaders to customize programs, workshops and retreats that can support their process of transformation and building a foundation for resilience and well-being.

I have worked with Beth Shekinah Terrence for the last several years coordinating a Wellness conference. Beth has been a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and holistic practitioner for these events. We keep asking her back every year because participants have raved about her knowledge, competence and compassion.

~ SHERRY CORMIER, AUTHOR, PROFESSOR & BOARD MEMBER

SPEAKING

Beth Shekinah shares her journey of healing to inspire awareness and hope in the lives of others who may be struggling, and to support communities and organizations committed to change and exploring new paradigms.

She is open about her own path of recovery from trauma, addiction and fibromyalgia, as well as her personal spiritual exploration. She is masterful in engaging her audience and facilitating meaningful conversations.

Her topics include:

  • The Way of Council: A Path to Connection, Collaboration & Community
  • Shamanic Healing: A Pathway for Reconnection & Recovery
  • A Holistic Approach to Life and Self-Care
  • Loving-Kindness Meditation for Resilience and Well-Being
  • Transforming Your Inner Critic into Your Inner Ally
  • Being Restorative: Building a Foundation for Life, Work & Relationships

A subject matter expert and thought leader, Beth presents at national, regional and local conferences and events, as well as to organizations and community groups, and has had the unique honor of being invited back multiple times.

Highlights include:

  • Alternatives (National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery)
  • Multiple Pathways of Recovery (Connecticut Community Addiction Recovery)
  • Maryland Peer Summit (Behavioral Health Administration of Maryland)
  • National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI Maryland Chapter)
  • Camp Letts Women’s Wellness Retreat (YMCA)

She has also been a featured guest and panelist on many webinars and podcasts.

Each step we take toward change in our personal lives and in our relationships creates the potential for transformation to occur in a greater way in our world. We are all connected through the beautiful, amazing web of life.

~ Beth Shekinah Terrence

Books & Writing

Beth’s writing has been featured in several collaborative books, She writes regularly on her blog, Heart of Awakening, and she is a guest writer for Elephant Journal.

A Starfield Press Collaborative Book including Beth’s story: “Igniting Our Hearts & Souls”

Buy on Amazon

A Heal Voice Collaborative Book including Beth’s story: “I’m Okay, Really!” and “Becoming Peace”

Buy on Amazon

A Heal Voice Collaborative Book including Beth’s story, “Lost & Found: The Birth Of Shaman”

Buy on Amazon

A Poetry Anthology A Spiritual Writers Network Collabora- tion including Beth’s work: “Be Still”

Buy on Amazon