Eva Belanger graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2003, receiving her commission as an officer, and earned her undergraduate degree in Business Management. While serving active duty overseas and in Iraq she discovered her capacity for therapy and earned her Master’s degree in Counseling/Psychology from the University of Maryland, Bowie State, in 2009.
Eva is a dynamic therapist experienced in providing individual, couples, and family therapy to several different populations. Eva worked at San Diego Hospice, conducting therapy for those suffering from grief and bereavement. She then took a position as a family therapist at the San Diego Vet Center, working with Veterans, combat trauma survivors, and military sexual assault survivors. Eva has also worked in private practice under the supervision of Dr. Douglas Brackmann with a focus on mindfulness-based practice and meditation. Her passion for mindfulness and awareness is embodied in the therapy she shares with clients. She then worked at New Mindful Life and worked with developmentally disabled young adults and their families to improve home life.
Eva has recognized the need for a more holistic and organic approach to healing trauma. She believes in an approach based on the body where the nervous system lives and aims to help people re-establish the mind/body connection. Her passion to help prompted her to create a more fully embodied approach to assisting veterans and their families returning home from war. She co-founded a non-profit organization called Warriors Live On, which helps combat veterans heal from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through a whole-person-oriented and holistic framework.
Over the years that she has practiced, she has seen what truly works in the wake of trauma. Her focused training in Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing Therapy has led to healing for many of her clients. Further specialized training in Steve Hoskinson’s Organic Intelligence® has shown her an approach that works with a person’s body capacity to build resilience and empowerment through the process of treatment. Those who have suffered from traumatic incidents can heal through this gentle therapy modality.
In early 2022, Eva was invited to help teach Somatic Experiencing Therapy to other therapists in San Diego. She now serves as a teaching assistant to Mahshid Hagar, Faculty at Somatic Experiencing International.
Also, in 2022, Eva successfully completed her training to become an Instinctive Meditation Teacher through The Radiance Sutras School of Meditation.
Finally, in October 2018, the San Diego LGBT Community Center selected her to be honored on the Benjamin F. Dillingham III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor for her continued service to the LGBTQ and veteran communities.
To book an appointment or if you have any questions, please get in touch with me anytime.