DNA Surprise Retreat Arizona

MEET OUR FACILITATORS

MEGAN IRWIN
LCSW

Megan is a licensed therapist specializing in grief and loss, trauma/PTSD, and associated challenges. She serves as a compassionate witness and guide for her clients’ healing and personal growth. 

Megan will facilitate a session on Inner Child work, where we’ll learn how traumas like DNA surprises affect us throughout our lives. During this session, we’ll discover how to tap into our younger selves to foster emotional healing and growth.

DANA SCHMALENBERG
PRE-LICENSED CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, NPE

After a 20-year career as a Hollywood screenwriter, Dana decided to become a psychotherapist. This was a decision she made after 6 years of dealing with and processing a devastating DNA discovery that revealed her dad was not her biological father. She’s since come out of the other side with a more integrated and whole sense of identity and put all she’s learned into a course to lead others on a journey of doing the same. She is currently in her second year of a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Dana will lead a session on Betrayal Trauma, where we will learn how to navigate the betrayal of a DNA surprise so that we can move forward in our journeys.

Dana Schmalenberg

LANITA UGSTAD
ADVANCED YOGA TEACHER

Lanita is a certified Advanced Yoga Teacher (ERYT-300, ERYT200, RPYT, YACEP and Trauma Informed), Certified Trauma Informed Mindfulness Coach, Birth Educator / Labor Doula, Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master and Certified Equine Assisted Coach. She has a background working with trauma, substance abuse, youth education / crisis and therapy, empowering women.  

Lanita currently facilitates trauma therapy groups with Vivify Wellness Counseling, events with yoga and horses, women’s circles, and riding lessons with her own business; Sacred Equine Journeys, Yoga classes, workshops and certifications at Upward Light Healing Yoga Studio, Sisterhood and birthing circles at Root Rise Collective, and Life Coaching under her own LLC.

She is passionate about assisting her clients in healing what is blocking them from embodying their fullest potential, so they can live in their birthright to feel safe, joyous and abundant. Lanita will lead us through a gentle movement session at the retreat.

JENNA HEDSTROM
ADVANCED BREATH OF LOVE TEACHER

Jenna, an E-RYT 500 and Expert Breathwork Facilitator, is a versatile yoga teacher and spiritual mentor. Over the past decade, she has masterfully integrated breathwork, yoga, sound healing, and somatic therapy to transform her own traumas into powerful healing gifts. Through unique classes, workshops, group programs, and retreats, Jenna’s trauma-informed approach and extensive background empowers her clients to create breakthroughs unmatched by any other practice. She serves as a guiding light of healing and transformation for thousands, bridging the reals of mind, body, and soul in her reachings.

Jenna will lead us during a Breathwork session, where conscious breathing techniques will guide us to explore profound states of relaxation, clarity, and emotional release.

ILIAMARI VAZQUEZ HUSTON
LMSW/MPA

Iliamari is a Trauma therapist in Arizona. She specializes in maternal mental health, anxiety, stress, family issues, and BIPOC first responder families. Iliamari is a mom of two kids, a fire wife, a grieving daughter of a father who was her biggest support, and a Latin trauma therapist whose fire has not died down to help her community. She is familiar with the cultural expectations that are held for her but she is working on breaking those traditions.

During her session on Generational Trauma, Iliamari will help us understand the impact of generational cycles and trauma and becoming a cycle breaker while trying to get rid of chamge and guilt. We’ll learn how to transform generational trauma into generational healing while finding or improving our support systems.

DEBBIE OLSON
CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

Debbie is a Certified Life Coach and founder of DNA Surprise Network. She helps others navigate life’s path after having a DNA Surprise, having experienced one of her own. She enjoys using her skills of empathy, understanding, and communication with her coaching clients. She’s also the co-founder of the DNA Surprise Retreat!

Debbie is an animal advocate, serving as Board Secretary for the East Idaho Spay Neuter Coalition and Chair for the Snake River Animal Shelter’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Fur Ball. Both nonprofit organizations help save animals’ lives and bring them to loving families. 

Debbie can be found on Instagram and Facebook or at DNASurpriseNetwork.com.

In Debbie’s session, we will take what we’ve learned throughout the retreat, reflect on our time together, and make a plan to carry our healing journeys forward.

Photo of Debbie Olson

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The DNA Surprise Retreat hosts are not licensed mental health professionals. The DNA Surprise Retreat is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. 

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