Therapist. Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Mom. Writer. Reluctant yoga person. Constantly re-heating my coffee.
MEET tesa emmart, founder of
embody + mind collective
Back when I first started out, I thought I’d work in research — studying human behavior in a lab setting, running studies, collecting data, trying to understand why people do what they do.
A space that supports mothers, caregivers, and anyone trying to break old cycles while still showing up for their lives.
I’m the founder of Embody + Mind Collective — a space built from a deep belief that healing doesn’t happen in isolation, and that the body deserves a seat at the table.
I was fascinated by the idea of uncovering patterns, drawing connections, making sense of the human experience from a clinical lens. But somewhere along the way, I realized what I really cared about wasn’t just behavior — it was people. Not their diagnoses or data points, but their lived experiences. Their stories. Their traumas, their tenderness, their resilience.
Eventually, I realized I didn’t want to study people from behind a one-way mirror. I wanted to support them, in real time, while they unpacked the hard stuff — and I realized how much I could learn just by being in the room.
That realization came into focus during my second-year internship at Northwestern, and I ended up working at that same center after graduation. But even then, something was missing. I started to feel like words alone weren’t enough. So one day, I reached out to a colleague to talk about yoga therapy… and left an hour later in a full-body YES about something called Somatic Experiencing. A few weeks later, I registered for what I thought was a weekend training. Surprise: it was a three-year program.
Of course I finished it — because when I set my mind to something, I do it. During my advanced year, I found Somatic Touch work and it really resonated with me. It gave language to something I’d been feeling in the room for years. I’ve continued learning it, deepening it, integrating it — because trauma doesn’t just live in the mind, it lives in our cells. And healing doesn’t come from talking it all away. It comes from attunement. From noticing. From feeling safe enough to feel at all.
Fast forward a few years and I became a mom. And like many mothers, I quickly realized there wasn’t a whole lot of support out there — especially for those navigating the identity shift, the sleep deprivation, the loneliness, the rage, the grief, the guilt... you know, motherhood. So I got certified in Perinatal Mental Health.
Then the pandemic hit. And everything cracked wide open. I saw how badly we all needed connection, community, care that met us where we were. So I created Embody + Mind Collective — a place for nervous system healing, not just symptom management.
HEALING MOVES IN WAVES, NOT STRAIGHT LINES
YOUR BODY IS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN WHEN IT FEELS HARD
There is no gold medal for doing it all alone
we're allowed to take up space
we need community to hold the hard stuff together
REST IS HOW WE COME BACK TO OURSELVES
what I
believe
What keeps me going are the clients who slowly come back to themselves, the conversations that reach beyond “I’m fine,” and the incredible team of brilliant, big-hearted clinicians I get to work alongside. It’s the quiet moments when a mother whispers “me too,” and the hope that we can do things differently — for ourselves, for our kids, and for whoever’s coming next.
If you’re here, you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking for therapy, a trusted referral, a speaker for your next event, or someone who gets how hard it is to be human — I’m so glad you found us.
Our Services
Get On Tesa's Waitlist
Tesa's Personal Favorites
HEALING MOVES IN WAVES, NOT STRAIGHT LINES
REST IS HOW WE COME BACK TO OURSELVES
we need community to hold the hard stuff together
we're allowed to take up space
There is no gold medal for doing it all alone
YOUR BODY IS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU, EVEN WHEN IT FEELS HARD
7 Things About Me
sometimes you just want to know the human behind the credentials
sometimes you just want to know the human behind the credentials
1. I believe in breaking generational patterns — with compassion, not shame.
2. I’ve trained in Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Touch, and Perinatal Mental Health — but what sets me apart is how I integrate it all.
My work is rooted in curiosity, not judgment. Whether I’m speaking to clinicians, corporate teams, or communities, I bring a trauma-informed lens that makes space for complexity, nuance, and real growth.
I don’t just teach the theory; I bring embodied, practical tools that actually land. I’ve led workshops for therapists, spoken on panels about maternal mental health and trauma, and coached teams on nervous system regulation and burnout recovery.
3. I love creating spaces where people exhale.
4. I believe being “professional” and being real are not mutually exclusive.
Whether it’s a keynote talk, a clinician training, or a community conversation — my goal is always the same: bring insight, connection, and a felt sense of safety. (Humor helps too. And snacks, if we’re being honest.)
I’ll talk neuroscience, cite the research, and also tell the story about the time I sobbed in the preschool parking lot. Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the bridge to trust.
5. I created Embody + Mind Collective because I saw what was missing.
Support for moms. Nervous system literacy. Accessible care for trauma survivors. A clinical home for therapists doing deep work. I didn’t just want to talk about the gaps — I wanted to build something better.
6. I’m deep in my smutty fantasy book era, and I have no shame about it.
After a day of deep emotional work and parenting, there is nothing better than escaping into a world with morally questionable fae princes, epic slow burns, and a little magic. (Okay, sometimes a lot of magic.) It’s part of my nervous system care at this point.
7. I find my grounding walking along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
I’ve been collecting crinoids and beach glass since I was a little girl, and I still feel a little thrill every time I find one. It’s meditative. It’s nostalgic. And honestly, it’s probably one of the main reasons I’ve stayed rooted in Northwest Indiana.
"I highly recommend learning from Tesa!"
"Tesa's presentation on 'What is Somatic Psychotherapy?' was pivotal for me, both personally and professionally—it inspired my decision to study Somatics and to work with a Somatic Practitioner myself. Her speaking style is warm, engaging, and incredibly clear, making complex ideas accessible and inviting."
"My community loved her and I highly recommend her as a speaker."
"I hired Tesa Emmart to speak to my community platform and she brought the knowledge. She has a unique and relatable way of making information accessible especially when talking about the nervous system, trauma and regulation."
- mary beth larue
- jacki carr
speaking Testimonials
"Tesa has been providing group supervision to my team for the past couple of years based on Somatic Experiencing principles. Since our practice specializes in trauma and sexuality, it has been very important for my clinicians to receive professional development that incorporates a mind-body approach. Tesa has been outstanding in the support she has provided to my therapists. I can see how much their skills have improved through the way they conceptualize cases and provide somatic interventions that allow clients to process their traumas and experiences in a titrated and safe way. Through Tesa's support, clinicians feel more confident and skilled as growing clinicians. They are proud to have a set of tools that are unique, highly effective, and that were not taught in an academic setting. I highly recommend Tesa for any professional consultation!"
- ewelina
"My experience learning from Tesa for the past two years has been one of the most impactful in my journey of becoming a therapist. Her kindness, wisdom, and insight are so valuable and have helped me grow as a clinician and as a person. I have greatly appreciated her knowledge of somatics in group supervision and her intuitive understanding of the human experience; I highly recommend consulting with Tesa if you are looking to be compassionately challenged to expand within yourself and your practice!
- becca
“It has been such a pleasure working with you—your guidance, support, and openness have made a huge impact on me and the team. Especially as a newer clinician, I felt so welcomed into your space, and feel I've learned so much from you. I genuinely appreciate the time and effort you've put into helping us.”
