top of page

ABOUT KATHY MORELLI, LPC

IMG_1980.jpg

Meet Kathy Morelli, LMT, LPC, CA
Licensed Professional Counselor, Author, Speaker, Friend

​

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wayne, NJ and the Director of HeartLife Holistic® LLC. As an Integrative Therapist, I provide professional counseling in Wayne, New Jersey. I have a special focus in working with people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can result from sexual abuse (chronic and one-time assault); living through natural disasters; sudden injuries such as an automobile collision or a snow-or-water-related accident; and medical or dental procedures (even when necessary and with good outcomes). A related area of PTSD specialization is my deeply focused approach on helping women with birth trauma and near-death experiences while birthing.

​

To help all of my clients heal from trauma (PTSD), I use current trauma models informed by neurobiology and somatic techniques. These trauma models include Somatic Experiencing® (SE®), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I also have a well-developed special focus in Perinatal Mood Disorders. I help women & their families with: the emotions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This encompasses such issues as the fears and anxieties of pregnancy & birth, pregnancy loss, anxiety & depression, PTSD/ birth trauma, the impact of sexual abuse and rape on pregnancy and birthing, abortion and post-abortion emotions, prematurity, adaptation to motherhood, and the couple’s transition to parenthood. In addition, private childbirth education for women and families who need extra attention during pregnancy is available.

​

My background and education:

Today, I have an integrative counseling practice, combining evidence-based therapies, traditional and complementary. On the somatic side of my practice, I provide Reiki energy work consisting of Reiki, shiatsu,  acupressure and craniosacral techniques. I firmly believe that emotional pain is lodged not just in the mind, but the in the body’s tissues. I have my New Jersey Massage License in addition to my Professional Counseling License.  I’ve been studying healing for three decades. I began my journey by studying holistic touch therapies at Meridian Shiatsu Institute in Pennsylvania: shiatsu, acupressure, Reiki and eventually, Upledger Craniosacral Therapy.  I continued my journey by studying birth hypnosis. From there, I studied counseling psychology. Now, I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wayne, NJ and Director of HeartLife Holistic® LLC.

As a freelance writer and the author of three books on maternal health, I cover aspects of holistic mental health for a variety of global audiences that include international associations, schools, and hospitals. 

​

About BirthTouch®

​

I am the creator of the trademarked BirthTouch® method.  It is a synthesis of perinatal psychology concepts, body-mind awareness, and Asian bodywork techniques designed to help increase comfort during pregnancy, reduce pain levels during childbirth, and enhance  bonding with baby and  family. I’ve written three books in the BirthTouch® series:  BirthTouch® Shiatsu and Acupressure for the Childbearing Year, BirthTouch® Healing for Parents in the NICU and the BirthTouch® Guide to Perinatal Mental Illness for Birth Professionals.

I’ve lectured on BirthTouch® at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s Semmelweis Conference for Midwifery, numerous birth conferences, including BirthWorks®, HypnoBirthing®, at midwifery schools, at La Leche League of the Garden State and at Postpartum Support International’s Annual 2011 Conference.

​

About Subject Matter Expertise
 

I’ve presented numerous informational talks for organizations regarding perinatal mood disordersnand family systems. I’m also on web media for organizations such as PBS’ This Emotional Life, and the Seleni Group in New York City.  

 

I was interviewed for PsychCentral’s Clinicians on the Couch column written by Margarita Tartakovsky. The personable interview can be found here.  Listen to my web talk radio interview regarding the transition to motherhood and perinatal mood disorders with Dori DeCarlo’s Word of Mom can be found here.

​

I maintained a maternal health column for five years for the Examiner for Pregnancy & Infant Parenting for Morris County, NJ. I served as the Guest Blog Manager for Lamaze International’s Science and Sensibility and have numerous articles about perinatal mood disorders posted on the Lamaze blog.

​

For several years, I co-hosted Postpartum Support International’s #PSIBlogHop for Maternal Mental Health.

About Trainings / Certifications
 

  • Somatic Experiencing®, Advanced Year 3, Training for SEP

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Univ of Pennsylvania 

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Levels 1 & 2

  • EMDR Levels 1,2,3 

  • Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood Disorders Certification

  • Gottman Institute’s Couples Counseling, Level One and Two

  • Rutger University’s Active Parenting classes

  • Salve Regina University, Expressive Arts Facilitator 

  • Academy of Guided Imagery, Level 1 & 2 

  • School of Aromatic Wisdom, Clinical Aromatherapist  

  • The Herbal Academy, Entrepreneur Herbal Course; Self Care and Stress Management Course; Perfumery Course 

  • Birthing From Within, Level 1

  • Debra Pascali-Bonaro’s DONA doula & postpartum doula trainings

  •  

  • Penny Simkin’s Birth Trauma training

  • Massage for Depression & Anxiety

  • Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure®

  •  Meridian Shiatsu Institute Shiatsu Certification

  • Reiki Level 1,2 & Master 

  • Upledger® CranioSacral Level 1

Subject Matter Expert, Workshop Leader, and Trainer

    

Yes!  I am available to speak to your group about Perinatal Mental Health. 

  

I offer special workshops for parent groups, mid-wives, doulas and La Leche League leaders.  

Periodically, I offer therapeutic workshops incorporating mixed media such as collaging, beading and Spirit Doll work. Available to provide training to doulas, midwives and pregnant couples in the BirthTouch® Mindbody Therapies for the Childbearing Year. 

​

​

bottom of page