In the bustling landscape of holistic healing, one name shines brightly amidst the myriad stars—Paty Hernandez, the visionary founder of Mariposas Holistic Healing. With a kaleidoscope of titles including Stress Release Expert, International Speaker, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, MSW), Paty’s journey is a tapestry of wisdom, compassion, and profound transformation. From the heartaches of her past to the triumphs of her present, Paty’s story is a testament to the alchemical power of healing. Join Mystic Mag as we unravel the secrets of her soulful journey, guided by her radiant spirit and unwavering commitment to nurturing wellness on a global scale.
As a multi-credentialed professional in public health, psychotherapy, and Reiki, how do you integrate these diverse modalities to help individuals heal from trauma?
My professional career in the helping field began with social work over 20 years ago. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse populations and ages, from 9 years old to 85 years old, addressing issues such as domestic violence, trauma, stress, self-esteem, and substance abuse. Coming from a trauma-informed framework for mental health has been immensely helpful for me as I’ve since added energy healing, which includes practices such as Reiki and sound healing, as well as working with crystals and other modalities aimed at releasing blocked energy caused by emotions stored in the body.
The knowledge I have gained from over 20 years of experience enables me to understand the individuals I work with from a somatic point of view, meaning a bottom up perspective from the body. For instance, when a new client presents with chronic health issues, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, I delve into their history, exploring when these issues began, what circumstances surrounded them, and the impact on the client emotionally and mentally. Understanding the client’s present experiences and identifying where they feel it in their body is crucial, as emotions and traumas are often stored in the body to protect them.
Childhood abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma can all manifest in patterns of behavior, subconscious beliefs, and repeated relationship dynamics. Drawing from both my professional and personal experiences, I help clients comprehend the connections between their mental struggles and physical symptoms. Trauma can lead to disconnections in the brain, affecting both mental and physical well-being. Through practices like Reiki, meditation, mindfulness, or prayer, I choose the modalities best tailored to the client’s beliefs and preferences. I then assist them in releasing the emotional narratives stored in their bodies, facilitating their healing journey: mind, body, and soul.
Can you share a bit about your journey towards becoming a Usui Reiki Master/Teacher and how this practice intersects with psychotherapy in your work?
I became a Usui Reiki Master Teacher in 2013, which coincided with the year I completed my dual Master of Social Work and Public Health from New Mexico State University. My Reiki journey began in 2009 when my sister was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer originating in her lungs. Initially, she pursued learning about traditional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, as recommended by doctors. However, she also explored alternative therapies after reading Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Life” and working with a therapist. Despite my initial skepticism, her journey introduced me to concepts like chakras and energy imbalances in the body, which were entirely new to me then.
My sister also attended a spiritual community called Unitarian Universalist in Atlanta, where she lived. I then researched and found a center near my home. While there I met another social who was also a Usui Reiki master teacher. After sharing my sister’s situation, she encouraged me to learn Reiki to help her. Despite my initial doubts and lack of understanding, I took her class without receiving a Reiki session. Although Reiki seemed unfamiliar and abstract to me, I began practicing it with my sister, though I remained uncertain about its effectiveness. However, a profound experience occurred shortly before my sister’s passing, which compelled me to reconsider Reiki’s potential. While I was sitting next to her bedside, holding her hand as she lay in a drug-induced sleep caused by Morphine to reduce her pain, she suddenly sat up. She smiled, and her entire body relaxed. She appeared to glow and vibrantly spoke to nothing I could see. I became nervous that she was entering psychosis, yet I heard a voice within me that said, “She’s ok, they’re coming for her. Tell your family it’s time to say goodbye.” Within moments, she laid down again with a more relaxed look, and 3 days later, she passed away without waking up again.
After my sister’s death, I initially distanced myself from Reiki as I grappled with grief and confusion. Nevertheless, Reiki continued reappearing in my life, prompting me to delve deeper into its practice. Eventually, during meditation, which I began after learning Reiki, I received a message that I would become a Reiki teacher—a notion that initially seemed inconceivable given my background as a social worker.
Over time, I integrated Reiki into my therapeutic approach, recognizing its ability to complement traditional counseling methods. With my background in trauma therapy, I utilize Reiki with my client’s permission to address blocked energy in the body, facilitating the release of emotional trauma without necessitating a detailed recounting of past experiences. In psychotherapy sessions, I offer Reiki to clients experiencing anxiety or discomfort, helping them clear stagnant energy and regain emotional balance.
My journey with Reiki has been unexpected yet transformative, intertwining my roles as a social worker, Reiki practitioner, and healer. While initially hesitant, I now embrace Reiki as a powerful tool for promoting holistic healing and well-being in my professional and personal life.
What type of services do you offer?
I am licensed to offer psychotherapy services to clients in the state of Florida. I provide both in-person and virtual psychotherapy sessions in English and Spanish.
I also offer trauma-informed coaching services independently or combined with Reiki healing, both in-person and virtually. Often, Reiki clients come focused on receiving chakra balances. Yet, my sessions are “energy tune-ups,” focused on the mind, body, and spirit as I combine them with listening to the client about their stressors and energy healing. I also conduct group classes, teach Reiki in English and Spanish, and offer in-person retreats in Miami, throughout Florida, and internationally.
I have a freedom-based lifestyle and enjoy traveling for various reasons. This could involve teaching Reiki and conducting classes in English and Spanish in different countries or co-facilitating self-care retreats. Moreover, I offer trauma-informed classes tailored for therapists, doctors, and nurses to help them integrate Reiki therapy from a trauma-informed perspective. This focus is essential to me as I observe a significant gap in awareness regarding trauma, which can sometimes lead to retraumatization within clients and practitioners. As a social worker and a Reiki Master, I consider it my purpose and passion to educate others extensively from a trauma-informed ethical practice, facilitating healing processes and minimizing further pain.
How do you tailor your interventions to meet each client’s unique needs when utilizing Reiki and psychotherapy techniques?
It all begins with a discovery call, which can be conducted by phone or video conferencing platforms such as Zoom. Typically, this call lasts about 20 minutes, during which I ask questions to assess whether the individual is a suitable candidate for psychotherapy, coaching, or Reiki therapy. Based on their responses, I can determine their preferences and needs.
Many individuals come to me knowing what they want: a chakra balance, a Reiki session, or psychotherapy. Even if someone initially expresses interest in therapy that focuses on identifying a diagnosis, I may suggest exploring coaching and Reiki, which helps with the present situation and understanding the body. This approach allows for more flexibility and openness in our sessions compared to the structured nature of therapy. Clients often appreciate this alternative approach and are grateful for the opportunity to explore different modalities.
Ultimately, the process begins with a conversation where we discuss their needs and preferences and determine the best course of action for them.
Could you elaborate on how Reiki energy healing enhances the therapeutic process for individuals recovering from trauma?
Reiki helps to relax both the mind and the body so the body can heal itself, as that’s one of its core functions. Reiki can help turn off the stress response, the Fight or Flight—a common response in traumatic situations that the mind sometimes believes is continuing to happen due to triggers. Reiki aims to release blocked energy by inducing relaxation, which manifests as tightness, tension, physical pain, or hyper-vigilance. The goal is to help individuals feel more at ease for longer periods.
Trauma affects us all in different ways. Recognizing the signs of trauma and understanding how the body responds to certain situations is crucial. For example, feeling nervous in crowded spaces or experiencing a racing heart are common bodily responses to stress. I often teach people to pay attention to these bodily signals, as they serve as a form of communication from the body. Then , we can incorporate different self-regulation tools, such as Reiki and mindfulness, to help turn down the stress response in the moment.
In each of my sessions, I emphasize listening to the body’s cues, which can often manifest as pain, tension, or tightness. One aspect of Reiki that I particularly love teaching is empowering individuals to channel energy through their own hands which comes from the universe. I remind my Reiki clients and students that they have a spiritual team around them waiting to help. Reiki is a self-soothing technique which enables them to calm down regardless of the trauma response they may be experiencing. It sends a message to both the body and mind that they are safe and not in danger.
