Amy Jaffe
— Trauma-informed Somatic Relational Facilitator
Amy’s life has been shaped by profound challenge and deep resilience. From an early age, she developed a capacity to stay grounded and present in the face of uncertainty, navigating complex emotional environments and experiences of trauma and grief throughout her life.
These lived experiences cultivated a heightened sensitivity, strong intuition, and a deep commitment to understanding human behavior. As a decorated police officer, Amy devoted 20 years in law enforcement and was known for her integrity, empathy, and steady skill in high-stakes situations. When her career was cut short by blatant discrimination, she refused to disappear—fighting back and ultimately securing justice through a four-year federal lawsuit.
Amy went on to build the largest women-owned private investigative firm on the West Coast. After a dozen years, another major life transition ultimately redirected her path, and she reinvented herself.
In 2020 Amy experienced the devastating loss of her 21-year-old stepson, a grief that profoundly shaped her personal and professional evolution. Through her own healing journey—working with trauma, loss, and transformation—she discovered a new calling.
Amy then pursued a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and completed a special certification in trauma-informed care, which deepened her understanding of the mind-body connection and the human capacity to heal.
Amy is a trauma-informed somatic relational facilitator and consultant with a deep commitment to creating a sanctuary of support for those seeking an alternative to traditional therapeutic modalities. Her work is grounded, compassionate, and rooted in the belief that each person carries an innate wisdom guiding them toward healing.
Her medicine work utilizes the healing potential of ketamine and cannabis. These medicines can open profound states of awareness, emotional release, relational healing and reconnection with Self. These legal and well-studied medicines have demonstrated meaningful relief for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, complex PTSD, traumatic grief, and related challenges. For many clients, these medicines tenderly soften ego defenses, deepen somatic awareness, and allow access to subtle layers of consciousness and insight.
Amy’s role is to walk alongside her clients as they reconnect with their inner knowing—because, after a lifetime of walking through the shadows of the human experience, she has discovered that the way to her own healing was through the portal of presence and self-love
The name of her practice, The Way Knows, reflects a truth she has repeatedly witnessed: beneath the noise of fear and conditioning, there is an inner intelligence guiding us toward healing.
Outside of work, Amy is nourished by being in nature, with animals and in wide open spaces. She lives with her wife in Amherst, Massachusetts, in a vibrant cohousing community. Nothing makes her happier than riding her Harley with her girl gang, Moving Violations. Amy thrives within drum circles and ceremonial rituals. She has also had a lifelong curiosity about the mysteries of the paranormal and metaphysics.
Education & Training
- Master’s degree in clinical mental health – George Fox University (CACREP)
- Trauma Response Institute Certification – George Fox University (CACREP)
- Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) Certification – Psychedelic Somatic Institute (Denver, CO)
- Somatic Relational Trauma-Informed Practices for Medicine-Assisted Facilitation (1 year program ~ 128 hours) – Brilliant Healing Systems ~ Rita Bozi ~ Calgary, Canada
- Experiential training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy – Sapience Therapy (Greenfield, MA)
- 30 years of service as a police officer and investigator.
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice – Western Oregon State University.
- Compassionate Bereavement Care Certification – Art of Traumatic Counseling Program (Arizona State University – Dr. Joanne Cacciatore)
- Tending the Waters, Grief Facilitator Training – Fox Healing (Asheville, NC)
Approach & Ethics
This work is trauma-informed, consent-based, and grounded in thorough preparation and integration. My practice is within clear professional boundaries, and I continue to collaborate with colleagues, licensed medical providers, and clinical supervisors when ketamine and/or cannabis is involved.
Work With Me
Beginning this work does not require certainty—only curiosity and a willingness to have a conversation. A free 20-minute consultation offers a chance to ask questions, share what you’re navigating, and sense whether this work feels like a good fit.
