Michelle Lepak, LCSW, created the Presence Psychotherapy treatment model.  For the last 20 years, Michelle has been dedicated to providing effective, embodied trauma treatment that is relationally attuned and mindfulness-oriented.  Integrating neuroscience, Buddhism, a vast range of spiritual practices, somatic inquiry, contemporary psychoanalytic concepts, attachment theory, and memory consolidation, Michelle created Presence Psychotherapy to offer a comprehensive spiritually-based treatment model.  The model’s integration of Presence Awareness emerged from Michelle’s personal experience as a meditator for 30 years.

The American Psychological Association published her work in the article Presence Psychotherapy: A Novel Trauma Treatment Model for thorough Memory Reconsolidation found in the Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy.

Michelle has been clinical associate faculty at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Psychiatry, has taught somatic based trauma treatment to postgraduate psychologists and social workers at Rutgers University, and the NYC postgraduate Training Institute of Mental Health.  She has presented at the National Institute for Psychotherapies and at the NASW-NJ annual conference.  Michelle trains an ever-growing number of clinicians in the Presence Psychotherapy model.

Gregory is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist, a Certified Presence Psychotherapy Consultant, and second author of “Presence Psychotherapy: A Novel Trauma Treatment Model for thorough Memory Reconsolidation.” He also authored a chapter in Stephanie Wise and Emily Nash’s recently published book “Healing Trauma in Group Settings: The Art of Co-Leader Attunement” (Routledge, January 2020).

Gregory is Chair of The National Institute for the Psychotherapies’ Clinical Affiliate Program, Co-Founder of their Trauma Group Therapy component, and serves on their Executive Committee. He is a Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), an EMDRIA Certified Consultant in EMDR, and is trained in Internal Family Systems, Coherence Therapy, Group Psychotherapy, and IFS for couples (IFIO). He is an Associate Instructor of the Coherence Psychology Institute, has served as faculty at The Training Institute for Mental Health, the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, and at The National Institute for the Psychotherapies in both their Integrative Trauma Program and their Psychotherapy Integration Program.Gregory maintains private practices in NY and NJ where he offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy as well as clinical consultation.

Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D. is a psychologist and certified Presence Psychotherapsist with a long time interest in meditation and mindfulness.  She co-founded a hospital based Center for Mindfulness and taught Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for over 15 years.  She is also a Level 3 trained, certified IFS therapist, who integrates a mindfulness approach with IFS in her clinical and consultation practice.  She is especially delighted to assist Michelle at the Omega Institute, where she first learned Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction over 25 years ago!

Melani Levine, LCSW is a Certified Presence Psychotherapist.  She also has  completed training in IFS Level 2,  Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1, EMDR Level 1,2,3 and Psychodrama. She has a private practice in Montclair, NJ and specializes in Trauma and addictions.

As I continued studies into all of these modalities I discovered how powerful it is to bring the Four Dimensions of Presence into my clinical work. It deepens the work and creates safety while allowing a deep knowing of your own presence that supports healing.”