WHAT TYPE(S) OF HOLISTIC MEDICINE OR WELLNESS HAVE YOU STUDIED AND WHAT DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?

I began my training in 2009 with a 9-month apprenticeship in Earth-centered energy work, then began Reiki training in 2010. I received my Master Teacher certification in 2014, and then went on to train in Health Coaching, receiving my certificate in 2015. My healing practice is a blend of Reiki and Earth-centered energy work, and I’m now teaching classes in both Reiki and Earth-centered energy work. I’m also a self-taught Tarot reader and have been doing that off and on since 2001.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOU. WHAT’S YOUR BACKSTORY, AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO HOLISTIC WELLNESS?

I’ve always been fascinated by ghost stories and “tales of the weird.” It’s pretty common in my family to hear of psychic connections between family members, both living and deceased. I’ve also always been fascinated by how the world and nature work.

As a kid, I would watch ants to see where they went and what they did, and I’d inspect roadside gravel to see what was in there. I’ve also struggled with anxiety and a related tremor for most of my life, so it made sense to me to look into energetic healing methods when traditional Western medicine didn’t work and changing my diet only helped a little.

Originally I began going to my teacher for Shamanic healing sessions in 2008 (she uses the term “Shamanic,” and I prefer “Earth-centered” but it’s the same practice). As I continued the sessions, she would say, “You know, you could do this, too. You have it in you,” which I found completely surprising! I never thought I could do something like that, but when she began offering the apprenticeship in 2009, I signed up almost immediately.

In 2010, toward the end of the apprenticeship, I was “randomly” inspired (nothing is random) to learn Reiki, so I began that training. I found that the Earth-centered energy work came in very naturally along side the Reiki, so I use a blend of the two in my healings. I opened my first healing practice in 2011.

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED STYLE OF WORK?

As far as actual methodology, I love teaching and doing healings. I offer Reiki sessions for individuals, couples, and groups; and offer Reiki trainings for levels 1 to Master Teacher. I’ve also recently developed my own 9-month apprenticeship in Earth-centered energy work that’s based on the training I received.

My second cohort is running now, and we’re having a blast! In everything I do, I’m a teacher with a passion for seeing people succeed. Even in healing sessions or tarot readings, I love offering up all the info I have and collaborating with my clients so they can feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healing. They’re doing the tough work of healing, so I want to be the best damn lantern I can be on their path.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK?

Birthing brand new Reiki Master Teachers has to be at the top of the list. I’m not sure how to explain it, but there’s something about that place of seeing how far students have come already, balanced with seeing the new door open to them when they become a teacher. It’s a beautiful space to hold, and I feel honored to get to do that.

I also love seeing the amazement on my student’s faces when they make a connection to energy or their intuition that they didn’t think was possible. The sense of empowerment they gain from an experience like that is priceless.

WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF YOUR HEALTH INFO FROM (OUTSIDE OF YOUR TRADITIONAL STUDY). ARE THERE ANY PODCASTS YOU LOVE, BOOKS YOU’D RECOMMEND, OR NEWSLETTERS YOU ENJOY GETTING?

So many books!! Everything that Clarissa Pinkola Estes has written, especially the audiobook versions because she’s also an incredible storyteller. I’m sure Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer has been mentioned before, but it deserves another mention. Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss.

I’m also a huge fan of acupuncture and have learned so much from TCM and Eastern medicine about the physical/energetic connection within our bodies.

A couple of content creators I love are Alexis Nikole Nelson at Black Forager and April Graham at She is Of the Woods, who also has a YouTube channel. They both are incredibly knowledgeable about plant identification and how to turn them into food or medicine, are down-to-earth, and totally goofy. Which is right up my alley!

WHERE DO YOU MEET MOST OF YOUR CLIENTS?

I’m a resident healer at Sat Nam Yoga Chicago, so most of my clients have found me through the many different events offered there.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO A NEW HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Don’t worry about having all the answers for your clients, and don’t worry about not having any answers. Just be in the moment and listen. That’s where the answers come in.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

• Website: www.dughihealing.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cat_dughi