Embodied Strength 2 | CEUs | LiveTraining

Embodied Strength is a 2-hour continuing education course that explores the integration of trauma-informed care principles with martial arts–informed, body-based practices to support nervous system regulation in trauma-impacted clients. This training is designed for mental health professionals seeking practical, ethical, and culturally responsive somatic interventions to complement evidence-based clinical approaches.

Grounded in trauma-informed frameworks, CBT, and somatic psychology, this course examines how structured movement, breathwork, rhythm, and embodied awareness—commonly found in martial arts practices—can promote safety, empowerment, self-regulation, and a restored sense of agency. Emphasis is placed on safety, consent, pacing, choice, and adaptability when working with individuals impacted by developmental, relational, and complex trauma.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe how trauma impacts the nervous system and contributes to dysregulation
• Identify core principles of trauma-informed care and apply them to movement-based interventions
• Explain the neurobiological and psychological benefits of martial arts–informed practices for trauma recovery
• Identify at least three ways movement-based practices can support grounding, regulation, and empowerment
• Apply trauma-informed adaptations of martial arts techniques in a safe, ethical, and client-centered manner
• Evaluate when martial arts–informed interventions are appropriate or contraindicated in clinical work

• Trauma and the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic, parasympathetic, ventral vagal states)
• Foundations of trauma-informed care and ethical application
• Martial arts as a somatic and regulating practice
• Benefits of rhythmic movement, breath control, and bilateral engagement
• Clinical applications and adaptations for individual and group settings
• Case examples and experiential reflection (non-contact, optional participation)

• Didactic instruction
• Visual aids and evidence-based explanations
• Clinical case examples
• Guided reflection and experiential demonstrations
• Wear appropriate workout clothes, and flats/shoes.

This course is designed for licensed mental health professionals, counselors, therapists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, interns, and other helping professionals working with trauma-impacted individuals.

• Course Length: 2 hours
• CEUs Awarded: 2 CEUs
• CE Provider: Triumph Steps®
• Evaluation: Post-course assessment and participant evaluation required for CEU certificate issuance

This training is educational in nature and does not certify participants as martial arts instructors. Techniques demonstrated are non-combative and adapted for clinical, therapeutic, and self-regulation purposes only.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Katheryne Puentes is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida. She holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is the owner and CEO of The Luminescent Mind Counseling Services, where she provides psychotherapy, supervision, and trauma-informed care across the lifespan.

Dr. Puentes has extensive clinical experience working with individuals, families, and groups impacted by trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, and complex psychosocial stressors. Her work is grounded in evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), systems theory, and somatic-informed interventions. She has served in outpatient, community mental health, substance use treatment, and psychosocial rehabilitation settings, and has provided both clinical supervision and professional training to emerging clinicians.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Puentes is a university professor in the behavioral sciences and has presented at professional conferences, including the Florida Counseling Association Traumatology Symposium. She is also a fourth-degree black belt and former national taekwondo champion, bringing a unique integration of embodied discipline, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care into her teaching and clinical perspective.

Her work emphasizes ethical application, cultural humility, safety, consent, and empowerment when integrating movement-based practices into mental health treatment

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