TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE YOGA
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Traci is a licensed clinical social worker practicing at Mercy One Behavioral Health, Cedar Falls, IA, and adjunct instructor for University of Northern Iowa Social Work Department. She specializes in treating trauma-related responses ranging from single-incident trauma to complex developmental trauma(s). She has extensive training with somatic interventions, EMDR, and mindfulness practices. She completed an immersive Trauma-Sensitive Yoga program endorsed by the Trauma Center, Brookline, MA. She has been incorporating the artistry of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga both individually with clients, and in the group setting for the past several years. She was one of the first practitioners in the Cedar Valley to be trained in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. She believes in offering her colleagues and clients cutting-edge, evidenced-based modalities for treating the body and mind that augment clinical practice. Traci has co-authored a trauma-sensitive movement guide for educators in the classroom with Brookes Publishing.
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Traci M. Ludwig, LISW, ACSW, RYT-200
Matthew Vasquez, PhD, LMSW
Dr. Vasquez is the co-founder of the Gulf Coast Trauma Institute, an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa, and former trauma therapist. For the last 10 years, he has taught, conducted research, and provided consultation services on the effects of trauma, its treatment, and trauma-informed care practices all over the country.
In his work, Dr. Vasquez strives to help educate others in understanding the complexities of trauma and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. His current area of research focuses on the effects of body-based interventions (e.g., Chen Style Tai Chi, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, KINNECT, and Rainbowdance ®) on trauma and other mental health disorders. Other research includes the effects of chronic neglect on child mental health and development. His research has been published in numerous academic journals, and featured on National Public Radio and in the Washington Post. Dr. Vasquez has provided consultation services on trauma-informed care practices across a variety of settings, including school districts, residential treatment centers, outpatient mental health practices, child welfare agencies, along with regional and national entities such as Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Midwest Trauma Services Network, and the International Trauma Center.