Trauma Informed Therapeutic Integrative Somatic services for groups

Come home to your body with KOA services.

Trauma informed training, psychoeducation, wellbeing, somatic and nervous system regulation offerings for groups.

Welcome to KOA

KOA values and principles:

Safety
Trust
Choice
Collaboration
Empowerment
Compassion
Inclusivity (cultural, historical, gender) and more

5 Principles of Trauma Informed Practice

Safety
Creating environments, physically, emotionally, and psychologically, where people feel safe and protected from the risk of re-traumatisation.
Trustworthiness
Building trust through openness, honesty, consistency, and clear boundaries.
Choice
Supporting individuals to have meaningful choices and control over decisions that affect them. Providing clear options helps to restore autonomy and respect.
Collaboration
Working in partnership with individuals, families, and communities. Emphasising shared power, mutual respect, and togetherness.
Empowerment
Recognising and building on each person’s strengths, abilities, and resilience. Supporting people to develop confidence, hope, and a sense of purpose.

KOA

Welcome to KOA, a trauma informed, integrative service that meets you where you are. My name is Cori Wilkie and this is my life’s work. I am here to support your journey toward greater self-awareness, personal growth, more resilience, and a deeper, more compassionate connection to your nervous system.

After more than 25 years working across education, social work, social care, corporate settings, mental health, substance use, wellbeing and more, I became increasingly aware of the impact that long term stress and secondary trauma was having on me, personally and professionally. While I have always been deeply committed to supporting others, the constant emotional demands of the work began to affect me, my focus, my energy levels, and my ability to stay regulated. I knew I needed to make changes, not just to protect my wellbeing, but to continue doing the work in a way that felt sustainable and aligned. That is what led me to create KOA, a business created from the realisation that balance, nervous system health, and work/life integration are not luxuries, but necessities. KOA was created in response to the challenges many of us face, whether we’re working, parenting, caregiving, or juggling roles in between. KOA is rooted in empowering others to reclaim their wellbeing, make intentional, informed choices, and create space for themselves while still navigating this bumpy ride that is life. In a world where exhaustion is reward, KOA reminds you that you deserve to live a more balanced life where you can feel fulfilled and not overwhelmed.

My work is rooted in integrative, evidence based approaches that honour the relationship between the nervous system, the body, and our lived experiences. Through the lens of somatic theory and nervous system regulation, I offer a space where you can feel safe enough, empowered, and supported to explore your internal landscape and cultivate meaningful change. Whether you are seeking to reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, or foster a deeper sense of presence, my offerings are designed to meet you where you are.

I offer bespoke workshops, retreat days, wellbeing sessions, and more, each tailored with care and intention to the specific needs of individuals, communities, and organisations I collaborate with.

I specialise in working with groups, where the power of co-regulation, shared experience, and authentic connection can take root. In these collective spaces, we explore somatic awareness, build resilience, and create pathways to deeper understanding, compassion, and embodied learning. These environments allow us not only to grow individually but to heal and thrive in connection with others.

This work is about returning home to yourself, at your own pace, in your own way, with guidance that respects your autonomy, honours your body’s wisdom, and supports your ongoing journey.

My integrative approach is underpinned by:

Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
Supporting you to build mindful awareness at a pace that feels safe enough, gentle, and nurturing, particularly suitable for individuals navigating the impact of trauma. The approach is invitational and empowering.
Trauma Informed Systemic Coaching
A holistic coaching approach that recognises how early life experiences, generational patterns, and current relational dynamics shape your world and choices. We work together to uncover insights and gently create meaningful, sustainable change.
Trauma Informed Practice and Theory
Providing accessible knowledge about the nature of trauma, its impact on the brain, body, and behaviour, and offering practical tools to empower your journey. Understanding and education is a powerful step toward self compassion and recovery. All my offerings are trauma informed with an emphasis on inclusivity, empowerment, choice and an aim to avoid re traumatisation.
Compassionate Mind Work
Gently supporting you to cultivate more compassion towards yourself and others especially of dysregulation with accesible resources. This work helps soften inner criticism, build emotional resilience, and create space for deeper awareness.
Family System Constellation
A therapeutic process that helps you explore and bring awareness to inherited family patterns and unresolved dynamics. Through this work, you may gain insight, release entanglements, and foster more authentic and healthy relationships.
Trauma Informed Yoga
A mindful, body based yoga practice rooted in yin and restorative yoga, combining movement, breathwork, and stillness to promote somatic awareness.
Nervous System Regulation
Practical, nervous system based techniques designed to soothe and rebalance your nervous system. Learn how to recognise and respond to stress signals in your body, fostering a greater sense of safety, presence, and emotional ease.
Somatic Practices
These body centred approaches help you gently tune into physical sensations and stored emotions. Through slow, intentional movement, vocal exercises, mindfulness practices and breath, you can rnavigate sensations and reconnect with your inner sense of self. My practice is inspired by the work of Peter Levine, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Scott Lyons and Arielle Schwartz (just to name a few).
Embodiment
Encouraging you to fully embrace your body and emotions with presence and awareness. Embodiment practices support you in building trust with your inner experience and creating deeper alignment between your mind and body.
Sound Therapy
Harnessing the regulating power of sound such as singing bowls, the drum or voic to restore harmony within your body and mind. This soothing therapy can promote more relaxation, reduce anxiety, and regulate the nervous system.
Reiki
A gentle complimetary therapy, rooted in energy healing that supports your emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Reiki sessions aim to balance your energy system, promote relaxation, and create space for inner peace and calm.

My offerings:

Community Offerings
I am passionate about making my services more accessible in our community and have been part of the Salisbury Centre Community Project in 2024 and 2025, offering nervous system, somatic, and trauma informed regulation workshops. In 20205 I am also facilitating trauma informed somatic workshops for women at The Art and Spirituality Centre, which are free to attend and funded through grants. I have also worked with Yellow Beacon in 2023 and 2025, offering a community online mindfulness course as part of their community enterprise funded courses.
Integrative, Trauma Informed and Nervous System Regulation Group Sessions
Facilitating group spaces that support somatic reconnection, co-regulation, learning, personal growth, and resilience through embodied, relational, somatic and reflective practices. These sessions include an introduction to the autonomic nervous system and trauma informed principles.
Group Based Professional Training
Delivering interactive, trauma informed training for individuals, teams, organisations, and professional groups seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills. These trainings are tailored to the needs of the client. Choose from my services menu and create a bespoke training that meets your expectations.
Bespoke Group Workshops, Retreats, Wellbeing Workshops, and Team Building
I offer tailored group sessions for teams, private groups, and organisations, fully bespoke to your needs. Choose from any of my services to create a combination that works for you, designed around your goals and group dynamics. These offerings include wellbeing workshops, retreat days, and team building activities, a beautiful way to come into the present moment, cultivate more rest in the body, build resilience and prioritise wellbeing for your team or private event.
Group Trauma Informed Supervision and Mentoring
Offering reflective, trauma informed supervision and mentoring in a group format to support peer learning, ethical practice, and professional development. My approach is designed to support trauma aware professional growth within group settings.
Surrender Somatic Series ©
A series focussed on education, awarness, and empowerment. A variety of online and in person webinars, workshops, a support group etc offered within a supportive group space designed to help you reconnect with your body. Rooted in compassionate mind practices, mindfulness, somatic resources, embodiment, yoga, trauma psycho-education, and nervous system regulation, the Surrender Series offers a compassionate and integrative approach to learning about nervous system regulation. Together, we create a safe enough, inclusive environment to explore what it means to soften, release, and come home to yourself at your own pace. This series also includes a support group.
8 Week Compassionate Mind Training or Bespoke Compassion Focused Workshops
Offering an 8 week Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) program or tailored compassion focused individual workshops designed to cultivate kindness, self-awareness, and emotional resilience for individuals or groups.
KOA Unplugged – The Podcast
A raw and authentic podcast featuring open conversations with professionals passionate about trauma-informed work and nervous system regulation. New episodes released every two weeks. Honest, real world discussions on healing, growth, and professional practice.

Please note: I currently work exclusively in group settings and do not offer individual therapy, coaching or one to one supervision.

What to expect from me:

Professional, experienced, ethical, authentic, reliable, flexible and trauma informed.
All my work is centred around nervous system regulation, offering gentle, accessible ways to manage somatic stress, improve wellbeing and navigate the impact of dysregulation.
I am specialised in group work and experienced in creating supportive spaces across a range of settings, including charities, corporate settings and community groups, offering retreat days, workshops, training etc
With years of experience, I help individuals build connection, resilience, and more somatic awareness.
I am passionate about nurturing inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone feels supported, heard, and valued.
Sessions can be held outdoors, indoors, or online, depending on what feels best for you and your group.
I am committed to ongoing learning and growth, so I can offer the most supportive and informed services.
Prior to any commitment of services, I offer a free connection call to discuss your wishes and my expectations.
I share resources and practice examples with attendees after all my offerings.

About me

Hello and welocme to my website, my name is Cori Wilkie and I am the face of KOA. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, and I am the founder of KOA, the creator of KOA: Unplugged podcast, and the Surrender series.

My work is deeply rooted in a commitment to personal and collective transformation. I am passionate about creating group spaces that are trauma informed, compassionate, and grounded in authentic connection.

You may not know that I wear two professional hats, which I think complement each other beautifully. On one hand, I am the face of KOA, where I offer a variety of services underpinned by trauma informed principles, nervous system regulation and integrative practices. On the other, I work as a Criminal Justice Social Worker within a trauma informed specialist team. This role keeps me closely connected to frontline public sector work, which I believe is essential to understanding the realities of systemic change. Additionally, within my criminal justice role, I serve as a National Specialist Trainer in Mindfulness and Compassion for the Moving Forward to Change programme, and I am a Trauma Ambassador within the justice sector.

On a personal note, I was born in Switzerland and moved abroad with my family when I was just 6 months old. My early years were spent in France, followed by a move to South Africa at age 6, and then to England at 13. I have called Scotland home since I was 19. Though ethnically Swiss and culturally British, growing up in such diverse places has shaped my worldview, fostering a deep appreciation for inclusivity, cross-cultural understanding, and the richness of varied life experiences.

As a human being, I value authenticity and honesty. I feel most at home in nature and love living fully in the present moment, often through dance, music, and community connection. I also adore animals and am the proud parent of a cat named Leo.

Why am I so passionate about nervous system regulation work and being trauma informed? Throughout my career, I have experienced the challenges of stress and pressure across various roles including management and leadership roles. While this has at times led to overwhelm and at one point almost burnout, it has also taught me the value of maintaining balance, listening to my body, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritising well being. The stress I embodied also made me aware of how trauma symptoms can be activated by not prioritising self care and not prioritising our mental as well as physiological health.

As both a child and an adult, I experienced some traumatic events that left lasting imprints on me. Most of my life until a few years ago, I often felt the need to be hyper-alert, constantly reading the room, anticipating shifts in tone or mood, and trying to stay one step ahead. My sense of safety was repeatedly threatened, and over time, living in survival mode became my default. That kind of chronic stress, especially the kind seen in Complex PTSD, affects how the brain develops and functions, it can disrupt memory, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. For me, this has shown up as lifelong forgetfulness, difficulty with focus, emotional overwhelm, and a tendency to either shut down or become overstimulated.

I learn that these symptoms often mirror neurodivergence, especially ADHD like traits: impulsivity, restlessness, task paralysis, and trouble staying present. I am now aware that I leaned into overachieving and hyper independence, believing that being capable and self-sufficient was a strength, when actually it was me stuck in a survival state.

Before I found somatic practices, my reactions were intense and hard to control my body often responded as if I were still in danger, even when I wasn’t. In the workplace I would see over working as a stregnth and keep pushing myself past my healthy limits. However, I have now learnt that these responses were not flaws, they were adaptations. And by doing the inner work, healing myself, I now feel what safety and self compassion can actually look like. I am able to embrace all parts of me and my story. I have embodied more balance, more awareness and stronger boundaries.

My own lived experience of trauma and the impact of chronic stress has empowered me to become the professional I am today. It has deepened my understanding and compassion, and strengthened my belief that growth and change are always possible. Everything I teach, I have tried!

Professionally, within my business KOA, I identify as a trauma informed, somatic, integrative therapist who believes in the power of connecting mind, body, and spirit to help balance the nervous system. I am trained in a variety of approaches including Person-Centred Counselling, Sound Therapy (including Sound Massage), Systemic Coaching, Family System Constellations, Somatic Interventions, Embodiment, Yoga, Reiki, Mindfulness, and Compassion practices. My work is grounded in evidence and science. Currently, I am training in Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy, with plans to qualify in 2028.

My professional approach is to meet you where you are, using trauma informed practice to explore what works best for you in a supportive, non-judgemental space. My work is integrative, holistic, trauma informed, and tailored to individual needs. I focus on helping people regulate their nervous systems through body based therapeutic approaches.

While I have worked one-to-one with individuals, I now specialise in group work. I am passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where people can learn together, co-regulate, and feel empowered. Ensuring safety and nervous system regulation is at the heart of all I do.

Since 1998, I have gained extensive experience in the social sector across areas such as early years education, adult social care, counselling, trauma work, criminal justice, substance misuse, and mental health. Currently, as mentioned, I work in criminal justice within a specialist team focused on therapeutic and trauma informed interventions. I am the lead facilitator in two groups with men who have committed sexual offences, using trauma informed approaches supported by cognitive behavioural therapy, compassion focused therapy, mindfulness, and strength based interventions. I am deeply committed to trauma informed practice and lead trauma-sensitive drop-in sessions, and professional development for colleagues in community justice.

In 2001, I trained as a Person Centred Counsellor at Rape Crisis in Aberdeen, where I worked for four years while also serving as a Community Justice Social Worker. My interest in creative and integrative methods led me to postgraduate training in Systemic Coaching and Family Systemic Constellations in 2013. Since then, I have become a Reiki Master for people and animals, a qualified Yoga Teacher (over 350 hours in various styles including trauma-informed yoga), a Mindfulness Teacher, Sound Therapist including sound massage, Advanced Practitioner in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, Compassionate Mind Trainer, and trained in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy and Embodied Resilience. I continue to expand my skills and knowledge to offer a wide range of tools to support my clients holistically.

My combined experience in the social sector and with KOA has allowed me to grow and evolve as a professional. Inclusivity and accessibility are core values of my practice. Within my KOA role, I have worked with education, charity, community, and corporate organisations such as Visit Scotland, Microsoft, Barnardo’s, and the University of Edinburgh. I also offer nervous system regulation sessions at the Salisbury Centre’s community project and enjoy collaborating with other professionals on retreats, workshops, and events.

All my KOA offerings are trauma informed, and I have completed specialist trauma training within my community justice role, including becoming a Trainer in the Survive and Thrive UK trauma programme. I engage in regular clinical supervision and ongoing training with leading experts in trauma and mindfulness. Most recently, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies and Compassionate Mind Teacher Training.

In January 2025, I launched my podcast, KOA: Unplugged, where I explore nervous system regulation through a trauma-informed lens, sharing conversations with guests from a range of professional backgrounds.

At the heart of my KOA work is a commitment to helping individuals better understand their nervous systems, manage their reactions, and regain a sense of control. I believe resilience grows through meaningful connection and that with the right support, we can all thrive.

I am registered with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, Balanced Minds, SARA, UK Reiki Federation, UK Mindfulness Teacher Register, and Yoga Alliance, and I hold full professional insurance.

All my KOA services gently guide you towards greater self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion. My approach is holistic, integrative, body-centred, and always trauma-informed, creating a safe and accepting space for you to be yourself. Safety and stabilisation form the foundation of all my work, as feeling safe allows for true personal growth.

Whether through KOA or my work in criminal justice, my aim is to help others feel seen, heard, and empowered.

I care deeply about social justice, compassion, and bridging personal growth with systemic change. Above all, I believe in the strength of community, the courage of vulnerability, and the quiet power of showing up for ourselves, each other, and the world we hope to create.

This website was created in part using AI and some images are sourced from Unsplash.

My training

Summary of training and continuous professional development:

Trauma and trauma informed practice

Postgraduate Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies (80 hours) with The Trauma Research Foundation
The Body Keeps the Score. Trauma Healing Through the Senses with Bessel A. Van der Kolk, M.D. CPD
Healing Trauma working with somatic wounds certificate with Peter Levine
Treating Trauma With the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model™ Advanced Strategies To Harness the Power of the Body’s Natural Healing Process training with Jan Winhall
EMDR Immersion Course: Applying EMDR Therapy Across Clinical Applications with Arielle Schwartz and other professionals, facilitated by Pesi
Trauma-Focused Tapping with Stacy Ruse
Healing trauma training with Peter Levine
Polyvagal theory training with Stephen Porges: Neural Exercises for Safety and Connection with Dr. Porges
Survive and Thrive national trainer training with NHS Education for Scotland (NES)
Trauma Project, Scotland ongoing training to specialist level
Trauma Project, Scotland training: Creating trauma systems and environments module
Trauma Project, Scotland training: Wellbeing & Self Care module for practitioners training
Trauma Project, Scotland training: Recovery in Relationships Module
Trauma Project, Scotland training: Towards Trauma Enhanced Practice training
NHS Education for Scotland (NES): trauma training level 1 & 2: Developing your trauma skilled practice 1: understanding the impact of trauma and responding in a trauma informed way Developing your trauma skilled practice 2: trauma in children and young people

Sound

Sound Healing Practitioner Training including sound massage qualification level 1 & 2 with Palm and Bowl
Sound Healing practitioner training with Udemy

Mindfulness

David Treleaven trauma sensitive mindfulness advanced level training: The Complete Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Training Program:  Part One Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: The Introductory Guide to Recognising Trauma, Responding Skillfully, and Preventing Retraumatisation  Part Two  Advanced Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Widening the Window of Tolerance and Supporting Trauma Recovery
Strengthen Your Trauma Sensitive Skills in Critical Times 4 part series with David Treleaven
Mindfulness Now: Mindfulness Teacher training, 8 week Mindfulness programme and accredited mindfulness teacher training. Mindfulness Now training covers MBSR, MBCT, integrative mindfulness styles.
Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma, 150 hour training with Centre of Excellence

Compassionate Mind and Compassion Focussed Therapy

Compassionate Mind Training, teacher training with Balanced Minds including an introduction to compassion focussed therapy, supervision and the full train the trainer training for CMT
Introduction to compassion focussed therapy 2 day workshop with Balanced Minds
The Biology and Contagiousness of Kindness course with David R Hamilton

Yoga and Embodiment

Trauma-Informed Yoga & Embodied Resilience Teacher Training (TREY) (80 hours) with Golden Mandala Yoga-Soma Institute
Yoga Nidra Network: Total Yoga Nidra Immersion Experience: comparative and creative forms of Yoga Nidra training
Yoga Alliance recognised 100 hour YIN and Restorative Yoga Teacher training with Meadowlark, Edinburgh, Scotland
Yoga Alliance recognised 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher training with Sadhana studio

Therapeutic work including integrative trauma informed approaches

Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Clinical Hypnotherapy (3 years) with Chrysalis, at Queen Margaret University. This is accredited by The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society and The National Hypnotherapy Society – due to qualify as a Hypnotherapist in 2026 and Psychotherapist in 2028
Expert Strategies for Treating Narcissism course with NICABM (10 modules and 4 case studies) Speakers included Bessel Van Der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, Chris Irons and more
An IFS approach to protector parts course with NICABM with Richard Schwartz
Somatic Hypnotherapy masterclass with Caroline Strawson
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training (ISTT) (60 hours) with The Embody Lab
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) & TFT (Thought Field Therapy) Tapping Certification Course
Counsellor training, person centred counselling with Rape Crisis, Aberdeen, UK: Rape and Sexual Abuse
Asset 4 Level Diploma: Child psychology diploma
Youth Counsellor training, specialised counselling via e-mail and text

Coaching

Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Coaching and Supervision including family systems constellations intervention, BSO/ECA recognised with Institut fur systemische impulse, Switzerland

Reiki

The let animals lead method of Animal Reiki level 2 with Animal Reiki Scotland
Reiki Master and teacher certification with Reiki Maya Centre, London, UK:
Reiki levels 1 & 2 certification with Reiki Maya Centre, London, UK:

Community Justice

Moving Forward 2 Change group facilitator training with Community Justice Scotland 2 week training : programme for men who have committed sexual offences, underpinned by trauma informed, compassion focussed therapy, strength based, dialectical behaviour therapy theories.
Moving Forward Making Changes group facilitator training with Community Justice Scotland 3 week training: programme for men who have committed sexual offences, underpinned by strength based, cognitive behavioural therapy theories

Social Sciences and Social Work:

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies and Diploma in Social Work, Diploma, BASW/SSSC recognised
Master Degree of Arts in Sociology and Social Sciences with Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK

Othervdevelopment:

Introduction to shamanism training with The School of Shamanism
The Neurosomatics of Leadership & Belief Change CPD with Neurosomatic Intelligence

Links to the organisations/schools I have trained with most recently:

https://balancedminds.com
https://www.theembodylab.com
http://www.anetai.co.uk
https://traumaresearchfoundation.org
https://mindfulnessnow.org.uk
https://davidtreleaven.com
https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/our-work/trauma-national-trauma-training-programme

Pricing guide

Pricing guide (these prices may vary)

⚠️ Please note: I am currently not taking on 1:1 clients ⚠️

Coaching, Supervision, Mentoring, Therapy, Reiki & Bespoke 1:1 Sessions

90-minute 1:1 sessions

Full price: £90
Community price: £80

All coaching, therapy, or bespoke 1:1 sessions are 90 minutes to provide a supportive, trauma-informed service where there is space for reflection and integration.

Bespoke Private Workshops, Trainings or Events

Hourly Rate:

£160 for 1 hour (up to 12 people)
£210 for 1 hour (up to 30 attendees)

For anything over 1 hour, the price will be agreed jointly. Travel costs are not included if the event is outside of Edinburgh.

Community Based Organisations or Charities (All KOA Offerings):

Day rate (8 hours): £850
Half-day rate (4 hours): £425

Corporate Organisations (All KOA Offerings):

Day rate (8 hours): £1100
Half-day rate (4 hours): £550

Please note: Prices may vary depending on location, organisation, and number of attendees.

Multiple Session & Course Bookings

If you’re booking me for a series of sessions, workshops, or a full course, pricing will be agreed jointly based on the remit, duration, and group size. I’m happy to co-create something meaningful, accessible, and sustainable.

Long Term Contracts

I offer discounted rates for long term contracts or ongoing partnerships. If you are looking for continued support over several months or more, let’s talk about creating a package that works for both of us.

Community Offerings

I am passionate about making my services accessible to everyone. I offer community based and donation based options for all my offerings whenever possible. I also love supporting charities and small organisations by providing my services at a reduced rate. Please contact me directly for more information.