Continuing Education: Advancing My Skills to Better Serve You

By Valerie Carsey

I feel incredibly fortunate to pursue my passion for a living. One of the things I value most about this work is the opportunity for continuous learning and growth. I’d love to share some of my recent educational adventures and what’s ahead.

SomatoEmotional Release (SER)

Taught by the Upledger Institute, SomatoEmotional Release is an advanced CranioSacral Therapy course I completed this past May.

• Day 1 focused on preparing the body for intraoral work by practicing the foundational CranioSacral sequence known as the 10-Step Protocol.
• Day 2 introduced techniques for “Opening the Avenue of Expression” and taught more advanced hands-on intraoral applications.
• Day 3 covered “Dialoguing,” which involves guided imagery and communication with the body’s inner wisdom to explore how trauma is stored and can be released.
• Day 4 introduced advanced energy techniques, including chakra and vector balancing, and working with the body’s “yin” organs using acupressure and energy-based methods.

Click here to learn more about SomatoEmotional Release.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for Oncology & Post-Operative Care

A couple weeks ago, I completed an advanced interactive virtual MLD course through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. This training included:

• An overview of cancer: what it is, how it metastasizes, and common treatment approaches (chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and biological therapies).
• Specific techniques for safely routing lymph around areas impacted by surgery or lymph node removal using anastomoses—natural pathways that connect lymphatic quadrants.
• Protocols for working with clients undergoing active cancer treatments (with certain precautions) or as early as four days post-surgery.

Learn more about Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Oncology here.
Learn more about MLD for Post-Operative Care here.

Ongoing and Upcoming Education

2025 Courses

• Updated CranioSacral Therapy Theory: As the understanding of CranioSacral Therapy continues to evolve, I’ll be taking an updated course to deepen my grasp of the lasted theory regarding CranioSacral’s anatomy and physiology.
• SomatoEmotional Release 2: This November, I’ll be advancing my SER training to further explore this powerful therapeutic approach.

2026 Planned Courses

• Foundations of Oncology Massage: I am currently researching classes through the Society for Oncology Massage to expand my work in cancer care.
• CranioSacral Therapy for Prenatal Care: This course, offered through the Upledger Institute, will help me further support pregnant clients with CranioSacral Therapy techniques catered to their unique situation.

Have Suggestions?

If there is a topic or area of care you would like me to learn more about, I am always open to recommendations. My goal is to continue growing in ways that help me provide the best possible experiences for you.

Edited by AI