Trauma Informed Integrative Nervous System Regulation & Somatic Services 

Welcome to KOA

KOA values and principles: 

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

5 Principles of Trauma Informed Practice 

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

Welcome to KOA

Welcome to KOA, a trauma informed, inclusive, integrative service that meets you where you are. My name is Corinne Wilkie-Fessler, better known as Cori, 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.

Research shows that working with the nervous system through somatic as well as integrative trauma informed practices promotes greater self-awareness and balance, increases energy levels, and deepens somatic insight. Leaders in the field such as Bessel van der Kolk and Arielle Schwartz highlight how nervous system informed, body based approaches help individuals feel more resourced, restore a sense of safety in the body, and build healthy, sustainable resilience. In a world where we are often overstimulated, surrounded by stress, and living in ongoing states of dysregulation without even realising it, we need to try something different, working with the body, not just the mind.  

Learning to integrate integrative nervous system and somatic practices in my life has revolutionised how I manage dysregulation, trauma symptoms and stress. Imagine how it could empower you.

The evolution of KOA

With over 25 years experience in a variety of professional settings, roles and running my own business for over 10 years,  have seen first-hand how long-term stress, dysregulation and trauma can impact us. These experiences have made me deeply aware of the importance of recognising and addressing these pressures, not just for individual wellbeing, but to create supportive, thriving organisations, teams, and systems. I have learnt how important trauma informed practice is and that it is not just a skill, it is a foundation for wellbeing and sustainable growth.

Throughout my career, I have held a variety of roles that have shaped my understanding of people and systems. Some highlights include working in early years education for over 7 years, including as Head of School; spending more than 12 years in community justice; supporting survivors of sexual harm as a counsellor for over 4 years, running my own LTD company as a systemic coach and being the face of my current business KOA since 2019. Each of these roles has reinforced the vital importance of  finding balance in my work and nurturing resilience, both personally and professionally.

On a personal note, I bring my own lived experience of trauma, which has profoundly shaped my personal and professional journey. It was not until my late 30s that I began to consciously face, accept, and work with my trauma. During my trauma recovery journey, I recognised that I had spent much of my life in survival mode, that my body had carried the impact of these experiences, and that I had become overly self sufficient and self reliant, often finding it difficult to let others truly in. Since what I call my awakening, I have been committed to creating greater balance in my life, developing a more regulated response to challenge, and fiercely empowered to have my voice heard.

Alongside this, I bring my lived experience of ADHD, which has given me a deep understanding of how neurodiversity influences thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Although I was diagnosed as a child, I only became aware of this in my 40s, at which point many of my life experiences began to make sense. For much of my life, I felt misunderstood and was often perceived as overly emotional or reactive. I now recognise this as part of who I am, rather than something that needs explanation or justification.

My Approach

Through my ongoing journey of self-discovery, I have explored mindfulness, somatic practices, yoga, nervous system regulation, and other supportive approaches that help restore balance and build resilience. I am more resourced and more able to navigate life. It is not easy, but I know I am a powerful work in progress.

KOA was born from the understanding that when individuals are adequately resourced, they are better able to navigate challenges, cultivate compassion, deepen self-awareness, and embody more balance. This is not only empowering, it is genuinely transformational.

KOA responds to the challenges many of us face in this bumpy life, whether at work, caregiving, mental health, trauma, and more. It is rooted in empowering people to reclaim their power, reconnect with their bodies, better understand their nervous system, make intentional, informed choices, set healthier boundaries, and create space for themselves while navigating life’s ups and downs. In a world where exhaustion is often rewarded, toxic positivity encouraged, overworking praised, toxic resilience seen as a strength, and trauma and mental health remain taboo, KOA is a reminder that you deserve to live a more balanced life, one where you can feel fulfilled, not overwhelmed.

What I Offer

I offer bespoke trauma informed supervision, mentoring, workshops, retreat days, wellbeing sessions, limited one to one sessions, training, and more, each tailored with care and intention to the specific needs of the individuals, groups, communities, and organisations I collaborate with. When I work with you, experiential practice and theory meet so you feel empowered and resourced. My work is choice led and you are encouraged to explore what works for you without judgement.

I specialise in working with groups, although I do offer one to one sessions to a small number of clients. I am passionate about group work because this is 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 spaces normalise being human and our life experiences, empowering us to see our uniqueness as a superpower. They allow us not only to grow individually but to heal and thrive in connection with others.

Your Journey with KOA

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. The more self-aware we are, the more we understand our nervous system and how to navigate it, the more we feel balanced and more resourced.

When you work with me, you can either join one of my running sessions or book a connection call, where we will create something bespoke around your needs. For bespoke work, you can choose from my diverse menu of services.

My integrative approach is underpinned by:

• Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness (TSM)
  Developed by David Treleaven.  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.  I am trained as a mindfulness teacher and specialised in TSM by undertaking David Treleaven’s Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Training Program, training to advanced level.
• Trauma Informed Systemic Coaching and Family Constellations Theory
  A coaching approach that recognises how early life experiences, generational patterns, family systems, trauma and current relational dynamics shape your world and choices. Family constellation work is a therapeutic process that helps you explore and bring awareness to inherited family patterns, intergenerational trauma, family systems, your role in that system and unresolved dynamics. Through this work, you may gain insight, release entanglements, and foster more authentic and healthy relationships.  My integrative approach is rooted  in the theory that we are all part of complex systems, joinlty we explore your roles within those systems, unconscious patterns and dynamics.  I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Coaching and Supervision.
• 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 (CMT)
  CMT are the techniques used within compassion focussed therapy, developed by Paul Gilbert. 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.  I am a qualified CMT trainer.
• Trauma Informed Yoga and embodiment 
  My approach combines movement, breathwork, embodiment and mindfulness to promote somatic awareness.  You are encouraged to fully embrace your body and emotions with presence and compassion. Body based practices support you in building trust with your inner experience and creating deeper alignment between your mind and body.  I am trained in  trauma informed yoga and embodied resilience training with Golden Mandala Somatic Coach Academy, yin, vinyasa and restorative yoga with over 350 hours of teacher training.
• 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.  My approach includes psychoeducation, knowledge is power.
• 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), and I have trained with these inspiring professionals.  My main qualifications are in integrative somatic trauma therapy from The Embody Lab and a postgraduate certificate in traumatic stress studies with the Trauma Research Foundation.
• 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.  I am trained as a sound therapist and sound massage therapist.
• 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.  I am trained to Master/Teacher level.

My offerings:

• 1to1 trauma informed integrative, somatic therapy sessions for a small number of individuals. 
• Community Offerings
  I am passionate about making my services more accessible in our community and have been actively involved in the Salisbury Centre Community Empowerment Project since 2024, offering nervous system regulation, compassion focussed, somatic, and trauma informed workshops. In 2025 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 also have been working with Yellow Beacon since 2023, offering community online mindfulness courses and practice sessions as part of their community enterprise funded courses.
• Bespoke sessions for organisations and their client groups 
  Inclusive, trauma informed workshops, training and tailored sessions designed to meet the specific needs of your client group or offer them something new e.g. a sound bath, meditation, somatic workshop. Drawing on a varied professional background, I create offerings that align with the values, priorities and aims of your organisation.  I have worked with The Carers of East Lothian and The Ripple Project to name a few.
• 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 or 1to1 Trauma Informed Supervision and Mentoring
  Offering reflective, trauma informed supervision and mentoring in a group or 1to1 format to support peer learning, ethical practice, and professional development. My approach is designed to support trauma aware professional growth within group settings.  I currently faciltate a women only trauma informed supervision group for wellbeing professionals and work 1to1 with professionals.
• 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.
• Sound Bath Experiences & Bespoke Sound Sessions
  Immersive sound bath experiences and customised sound sessions designed to promote deep relaxation, mental clarity, and nervous system balance for individuals or groups.
• Mindfulness Retreat Days, Workshops & 8-Week Courses
  Trauma informed mindfulness offerings, carefully tailored to support safety, choice, and the needs of individuals or groups. Available as retreat days, workshops, or 8 week courses.

What to expect from me:

• I am a highly experience professional with over 25 years experience in the social secor, including leadership roles and over 10 years experience in running my own business.
• I am professional, experienced, ethical, authentic, reliable, flexible, inclusive, creative 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 in a variety of professional sectors, 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. YOU do YOU.
• I am experienced in working with neurodivergence, learning needs and trauma.  I work with individuals where they are without judgment or assumption.
• 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.

Things to know about my approach to group work:

• The group sessions are always trauma informed and resourcing.
• The group sessions are not therapy and do not involve over sharing or exploring detailed personal trauma experiences, as we aim to avoid retraumatisation.  Sharing thoughts is invitational and should be respectful of the others in the room and consideration should be given to how any share may impact them.
• Each session promotes working holistically with body and mind, focusing on resourcing, awareness, education and connection.
• Attendees are always in choice. Attendees are welcome to engage in a way that feels right for them.
• There is no expectation to speak, share personal experiences, or take part in every activity.
• We hold the space together, jointly prioritising keeping each other safe enough and championing respect, compassion and non-judgement.
• I do not take photos of attendees in my offerings. On occasion, collaborations may be an exception, and attendees will always be informed in advance or on the day and have the choice to opt out.
• These spaces may not be suitable if attendees are currently in an acute phase of their trauma journey, mental health or experiencing a crisis.
• If attendees are in need of crisis or intensive support, they will be encouraged to seek help from an appropriate professional.
• If anyone feels drawn to deeper work, 1:1 sessions may be a more supportive option.

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