About Us
At The Embodied Grief Journey, we guide individuals through the tender terrain of grief with compassion, presence, and body-based wisdom. Rooted in trauma-informed care and grounded in somatic movement, breathwork, energy work, and mindfulness, our mission is to create "safe enough" spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and honor the full spectrum of loss and healing.
This work bridges science and soul—supporting the nervous system while honoring the unseen, subtle layers of energy, intuition, and meaning. Through gentle practices, ritual, and sacred presence, we create space for the body, heart, and spirit to remember their wholeness.
Navigating loss or transition? Learn more to see if this space feels right for you.
Hi, I’m Dawn
Hi, I’m Dawn M. Geoppinger (she/her), the founder of The Embodied Grief Journey. I support individuals moving through grief, trauma, and life transitions with a body-centered, compassionate approach rooted in nervous system healing.
I bring over two decades of professional experience in public administration, education, and the nonprofit sector—work that shaped my belief in mission-driven service and community care. My journey into grief work began after the loss of my father and deepened with the grief of losing our beloved dog, Bella. Along the way, I also trained in yoga, somatic therapy, breathwork, and grief education to support my work with others.
As a Trauma-Informed Grief & Embodiment Coach I help people connect with their bodies, their stories, and their own sense of safety—especially during times when life feels unpredictable. My approach weaves together science and soul, structure and softness.
When I’m not holding space for others, you can find me with my husband, Dan, walking our dog, Luca, traveling, reading, gardening, or exploring the slow unfolding of a new hobby. I believe grief is not something we “get over”—it’s something we tend to, grow around, and befriend in our own time.
Let’s walk together.
Core Values
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Grief is not something to move past—it’s something to move with. We honor grief as a sacred process of remembrance, transformation, and love in motion. Whether it arises from loss, change, or life transition, grief carries wisdom and invites us into deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us. We honor its many seasons and expressions, trusting it as a lifelong companion that shapes meaning, compassion, and resilience.
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We honor the body as a wise and trustworthy guide. Through somatic practices and gentle movement, we reconnect with sensations, emotions, and truth held deep within. The body is not a problem to fix, but a place to listen.
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We prioritize consent, choice, and pacing in every session. Clients are always in the driver’s seat, free to share as much or as little as feels right in the moment. We recognize that healing is not linear, and honor the body’s wisdom to guide the process.
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Inspired by Polyvagal Theory, we center practices that support regulation and co-regulation. Healing unfolds when the body feels “safe enough” to soften, sense, and integrate.
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We show up with attunement, humility, and care—walking alongside each person as a witness and companion, never as a fixer. Healing happens in relationship, not isolation.
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We work with the unseen—energy, intuition, and intention—as vital parts of healing. Practices like energy therapy, visualization, and grounding support the integration of the emotional, physical, and energetic body.
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We draw inspiration from the natural world—its rhythms of change, rest, decay, and renewal. Nature reminds us that healing is cyclical, nonlinear, and deeply wise.
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We honor the human need for ritual, symbolism, and sacred pause. Through breath, movement, ceremony, and intention, we mark moments of transition, remember our loved ones, and make space for new meaning to emerge.
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We believe grief deserves language, learning, and embodiment. Grief literacy means deepening our understanding of how loss, change, and transition live within us and around us—personally, culturally, and collectively. Education helps dispel myths, reduce stigma, and expand compassion. Embodied practice invites us to move beyond the mind alone, honoring the body’s wisdom as an essential guide in grief. Together, literacy and embodiment create pathways for healing, resilience, and a more grief-informed world.
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Healing thrives in spaces of belonging. We create containers for shared experience and honest connection, where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Contact us
Reach out anytime to ask questions, learn about offerings, or connect in support on your grief journey.