Informed Consent

Welcome to my yoga, yoga therapy, and Somatic Experiencing practice. Please read the definitions, benefits, and risks of each discipline below.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER FOR YOGA AND YOGA THERAPY

By practicing with or using any of the information on this site, or by participating in online yoga classes or yoga therapy with Djuna Devereaux, you agree to the following:

  • You understand that physical exercise or therapy, in all of its forms and with or without the use of equipment such as blocks, straps, or any other equipment that may be suggested by Djuna Devereaux, involves strenuous physical movement, and that such activity carries the risk of injury whether physical or mental. Accordingly, you are urged and advised to seek the advice of a physician before beginning any physical exercise or therapy regimen, routine, or program, or using any suggested equipment.

  • You understand that you are voluntarily participating in these activities, that it is your responsibility to judge your physical and mental capabilities for such activities, and that you assume all risk of injury to yourself.

  • You understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that by participating in yoga classes or yoga therapy, you will not exceed your limits while performing such activity, and you will select the appropriate level of activity for your skills and abilities, as well as for any mental or physical conditions and/or limitations you have.

  • You understand that, from time to time, Djuna Devereaux may suggest physical adjustments or the use of equipment, and it is your sole responsibility to determine if any such suggested adjustment or equipment is appropriate for your level of ability and physical and mental condition.

  • You expressly waive and release any claim that you may have at any time for injury of any kind against Djuna Devereaux, or any person or entity involved with Djuna Yoga.

YOGA THERAPY

Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that involves personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and individualized yoga practices. Yoga therapy is not a licensed healthcare profession in the state of Washington, and I am not a licensed mental health professional or physical therapist. I am certified to offer the practices, skills, and knowledge of yoga therapy through the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Yoga therapy draws from the principles of yoga and the full range of yogic practices (including but not limited to yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and chanting) and assessment skills, as well as familiarity with biomedical and psychological foundational knowledge. (Click here for the full definition of yoga therapy.) 

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. It resets the nervous system, restores inner balance, enhances resilience to stress, and helps people return to a sense of regulation and mastery in their lives. SE will support you in learning how to attend to uncomfortable sensations in your body and gently unwind them through your conscious attention. SE is particularly useful in managing stress because so many of the symptoms are physiological. (Click here for more information about Somatic Experiencing.)

I have my SEP certificate, having completed the three-year Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Training through Somatic Experiencing International. I am not a psychotherapist or licensed mental health provider. 

BENEFITS AND RISKS OF SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

SE may offer you many benefits such as an increase in your ability to self-soothe and feel empowered. However, there may also be risks as with any treatment that focuses on healing trauma. Although SE is designed to help you resource and work with manageable amounts of discomfort, you may experience challenging feelings, images, or thoughts. Such reactions are not uncommon and can be attended to in the course of our work together. Their appearance is often a sign that the process is moving forward. In our practice, we will work with your nervous system—wherever it is in any given moment—to minimize the life disruption that may occur with these occurrences whenever possible. We may choose to slow down the process to accommodate this.

As with any stress reduction treatment, there can be no guarantee that you will reach your goals. That said, many people report that over the course of sessions they feel less fatigued, more alert, less anxious, have more body awareness and capacity to be participating more fully in their lives.

I work with cultivation of your presence, awareness, and interactiveness in this process. It is your responsibility to tell me when you are uncomfortable with any parts of a session. We can adjust at that point or attend to what is arising. If you have any questions about SE or other treatments, please ask and I will do my best to answer your questions in full. You have the right to refuse or terminate our work at any time, or to refuse touch, SE techniques, or any other intervention I may propose or employ.

CONFIDENTIALITY

While I am not a therapist, I do choose to follow the code of ethics required of therapists and counselors. Everything that you share with me will remain confidential, except in the following cases: if I suspect you intend to harm yourself, another person, or property; or if I suspect a child, elder, or dependent adult has been or will be abused or neglected. In all other circumstances, I will maintain confidentiality unless you give me written authorization to do otherwise. 

For online sessions, be aware that online communications are never fully secure. By scheduling a therapy session, you acknowledge that you are entering into this format with awareness of its limitations.

Payment, Cancellation, and Refund Policy

Online Zoom Classes

Payment for all classes is required in full prior to the start of each class or series of classes. Payment provides access to the scheduled live Zoom class, and access to the recorded class for 7 days after the scheduled session. All sales are final.

Private Yoga Therapy Sessions

Payment for all services is required in full prior to each session or series of sessions. Any session rescheduling or cancellation by the client must be made at least 24 hours before the start of the scheduled session. Sessions that are canceled by the client at least 24 hours in advance can either be refunded or held in credit for future booking. Barring an emergency, any session that is rescheduled or canceled by the client less than 24 hours before the start of the scheduled session will be considered forfeit and nonrefundable.