Full Curriculum Vitae

Francesca Bini, MA, LPC, R-DMT, ACC, NCC, SPD, CYT

5330 Olde Stage Rd, Boulder, CO, 80302
Boulder, CO 80303, USA
Phone • (720) 507-3104
Email • fbini@thespiralwithin.com

Summary of Qualifications:

Existential-Somatic Psychotherapist • Licensed Professional Counselor • Graduate University Professor • Registered Dance-Movement Therapist • Nature-Connected Coach • Certified End-of-Life Doula • Authentic Movement Practitioner and Educator • Certified Therapeutic Yoga Teacher • Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist

Certifications, Affiliations, and Professional Memberships:

  • DORA-certified Registered Psychotherapist (license #: NLC.0107164).

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF); 2016-present.

  • Nature-Connected Coach (NCC), certified by the Earth-Based Institute of Boulder.

  • Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT); 2019-present.

  • Member of the American Dance/Movement Therapy Association (ADTA) 2017-2018.

  • Member of Dialectical Behavior Therapy National Certification and Accreditation Association (DBTNCAA).

  • CPR Certified (Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation) | American Red Cross, 2018

  • ASIST Certified (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) | Mental Health Partners, 2018

  • Sacred Passage Death Doula (SPD), certified by the Conscious Dying Institute; 2018-present.

Education and Trainings:

  • MA in Mental Health Counseling, concentration in Somatic Psychotherapy and specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. May 2020; Naropa University, Boulder CO.

  • BA in Contemplative Psychology with specialization in Somatic Psychology. May 2016; Naropa University, Boulder CO.

  • Nature-Connected Life Coaching Training (317 ICF-approved hrs). Integration of life coaching and wilderness therapy. May 2016; Earth Based Institute, Boulder CO.

  • Gestalt Therapy Training with focus on Creativity, Dreamwork, and Existential Therapy. 2018-2019; Aiming at completing the full 2 years Gestalt Therapist certification (PAUSED DUE TO COVID-19, to be resumed) the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies (GIR), Golden CO.

  • Integrative Gestalt Therapy Certification. 2019-2020 (PAUSED DUE TO COVID-19, to be resumed). Noeticus Counseling Center and Training Institute, Denver CO.

  • Existential Psychotherapy Training (15hrs). 2018; Noeticus Counseling Center and Training Institute, Denver CO.

  • Sacred Passage Death Doula Training. 6 month training for supporting death and dying as a sacred rite of passage in all domains of life. 2018; Conscious Dying Institute. Boulder, CO.

  • Somatic Resolution and Internal Attachment Training (9 months). Integration of Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) and Somatic Experiencing for trauma (SE). June 2016; Integrative Psychotherapy & Nutrition Counseling, Weatridge CO.

  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing Training (200+). Group trainings and personal one-on-one mentorship. 2016; Justice System Assessment and Training (J-Sat) and Karen Alonge llc, Boulder CO.

  • Psycho-pharmacology I (15hrs). 2018; Noeticus Counseling Center and Training Institute, Denver CO.

  • Principles of Addiction Treatment (21hrs). 2020; Noeticus Counseling Center and Training Institute, Denver CO.

  • Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Trainings (15hrs). 2018; Noeticus Counseling Center and Training Institute, Denver CO.

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Training (26 hrs, 8-week online course). 2017; PESI.

  • Authentic Movement Training and Mentorship (14 weeks training + individual mentorship). 2014-2018; Naropa University and Rachael Bonaiuto (Embodied Wellness, llc) + courses with Tina Stromsted

  • MAPS-Informed Training in the Facilitation of Transpersonal Experiences (multiple trainings and individual mentorship). 2015-2017; Medicinal Mindfulness and Daniel McQueen, Boulder CO.

  • The Shame Spiral: Release Shame and Cultivate Healthy Attachment in Clients with Anxiety, Trauma, Depression and Relational Difficulties; 2019; PESI, online training.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & More: An intensive online course with Dr. Richard Schwartz & Dr. Frank Anderson; 2019; PESI, online training.

  • The Internal Family System Model: Treating the Long-Term Effects of Trauma. 2019; PESI, online training.

  • Psychological Trauma: Neuroscience, Identity and the Transformation of the Self. 2018; PESI, online training.

  • Psychological Trauma: Attachment, Stabilization, Identity and Self-Awareness. 2018; PESI, online training.

  • Mindful Grieving Yoga Therapy Teacher Training (200hrs). 2018-2019; Grief Support Network, Boulder, CO.

  • Yoga Therapy Teacher Training (200RYS). 2013; Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga Mysore in Kerala, India.

  • An Apprenticeship With Sorrow - Grief Work Training with Francis Weller. 2020; 5 week online course with Francis Weller.

  • Practical Animism and Ancestral Healing Training with Daniel Foor. 2020; 10 week online training with Daniel Foor.

  • Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training (Level 1, 2, and 3); completed advanced level 3 in 2020: Medicinal Mindfulness, LLC, Boulder, CO.

  • Myofascial Release I for Healthcare Practitioners (15 hours). 2021; The John F. Barnes MFR Approach; Sedona, AZ.

  • Depth Psychology Training: Coming Home to the Body, by Tina Stromsted. 2020; The Jung Platform, online.

  • Depth Psychology Training: Dreams and your Personal Journey, by multiple teachers 2021; The Jung Platform, online.

  • Multiple MFR Trainings (Myofascial release, John Barnes School): MFR 1 (Sedona 2022); MFR 2 (Boston, 2023); Unwinding 1 (Boston 2023)

  • One-Year Psychodrama training with Karen Drucker + personal mentorship: 2022-2024, Boulder, CO

  • Shamanic Healing Trainings (multiple trainings with the FourWinds School, Anna DiNallo, and others). 2022-2024. Boulder, CO and on-line.

Work Experience:

  • Somatic-Existential Psychotherapist Specializing in Depression, Complex Trauma, Grief/Loss, and Life Transitions. 2014-present: The Spiral Within Psychotherapy Services / Francesca Bini, LLC, Boulder CO.

  • Therapeutic Grief Group Facilitator and Facilitator of Grief Yoga Groups. 2018-present: Multiple locations including the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder and the Grief Support Network (GSN). Boulder, CO.

  • Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist specialized in complex Grief/Loss, Complex Trauma, and Life Transitions. 2020-present: Medicinal Mindfulness, LLC, Boulder CO.

  • Independent Contractor Psychotherapist at the Colorado Women’s Center. 2020; Seeing weekly individual and couple clients for psychotherapy services. Boulder and Longmont, CO.

  • Nature-Connected Coach and Eco-Therapist. 2013-2019: Iris Bridge Center, Boulder CO.

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI) Trainer and Consultant. Facilitation of recurring MI trainings, intensives, and refreshers, and creation of MI training manuals. 2014-present: Multiple locations including Noeticus, Focus Re-Entry, J-SAT, Naropa University, and IrisBridge. Boulder and Denver CO.

  • On-Call Addiction Counselor and Motivational Interviewing Consultant at North Star. Primary therapist and DBT group facilitator at the two residential treatment centers. Also MI consultant and trainer for Northstar staff. 2019-present; Northstar Transitions, Boulder CO.

  • Authentic Movement Teacher and Workshop Facilitator. Organization and facilitation of intensives and 8-week closed group series in therapeutic embodiment, shadow work, and creative self-expression. 2014-present: Multiple locations including the Iris Bridge Center, the Boulder Center for Conscious Community, Naropa University, Medicinal Mindfulness. Boulder, CO.

  • Basic Attender and End-of-Life Doula at Windhorse Elder Care. 2019; Boulder, CO.

  • Trauma Support Group Facilitator for Women survivors of Sexual Abuse at WINGS. 2018-2019; Boulder, CO.

  • Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Workshop Facilitator for Medical Doctors. Facilitation of psycho-educational and experiential workshops for family doctors. 2016-2018. Rose Hospital, Denver.

  • Psycho-Social Trauma Researcher and Writer. Conducted research on the field for the publication of alternative mental health treatment options for survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime. 2013; NGO Transpersonal Psychosocial Organization in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

  • Photojournalist, Researcher, and Documentary Filmmaker on Environmental and Social Issues. 2013-14; Multiple locations: Kathmandu Post (Nepal), TPO (Cambodia), and KSPPM (Indonesia).

Graduate Academic Teaching Experience:

  • Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate School of Psychology at Naropa University —- Gestalt 1 and Gestalt 2 Fall 2021; Spring 2022; Fall 2023; Spring 2024. Hybrid in-person/on-line 10 week class; MTC Department, Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology, Naropa University; Boulder, CO.

  • Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate School of Psychology at Naropa University —- Authentic Movement. Fall 2021; Fall 2023. Hybrid in-person/on-line 10 week class; MTC Department, Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology, Naropa University; Boulder, CO.

  • Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate School of Psychology at Naropa University —- Transpersonal Psychology. Spring 2022; Spring 2023. In-person core curriculum class; MTC Department, Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology, Naropa University; Boulder, CO.

Articles and Publications:

  • Bini, F. (2013). Mental Health in Cambodia: the Role of Alternative Treatment Methodologies. Transcultural Psychosocial Organization. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

  • Bini, F. (2020?) - Currently Under Review - Dancing Despair: An Integrated Model for Existential Dance/Movement Therapy (E-DMT) in Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Intervention. Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis

Selected Sample of Presentations, Conferences, and Workshops Provided:

  • Accepted conference presentation for the American Dance/Movement Therapy Association (ADTA) conference 2021 on Somatic Approaches to Terror Management Theory and Existential therapy. Titled: ”Facing the Existential Shadow Through Movement: Reclaiming Dance/Movement Therapy Practices to Heal Divisive Polarization” (POSTPONED DUE TO COVID)

  • Lecture titled: “Trees, Metaphors, and Brains: The Neuroscience of Nature-Based Meaning-Making in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout” at The Boulder Healing Hub. 2017; Boulder, CO.

  • Lecture titled: “Understanding Motivation: Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control” at the Academic Coaching Program Department of Naropa University. 2018; Boulder, CO.

  • Multi-week Lecture-series and Workshop on “Authentic Movement and Shadow Work“ at the Boulder Center for Conscious Community (BC3). 2019; Boulder CO.

Volunteer and Practicum/Internship Work:

  • Psychotherapy Intern at the Colorado Women’s Center and at BC3. Offered individual, couples, family therapy, and therapeutic groups to a variety of client populations. Colorado Women’s Center and BC3; 2019-2020. Boulder and Longmont, CO.

  • Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter Volunteer for Victims of Domestic Violence. Responsible for answering crisis calls of victims of domestic violence and for supporting the shelter residents. 2016-2017; Safehouse for Progressive Alliance (SPAN), Boulder CO.

  • Volunteer Mentor and Recovery Coach for Inmates at the Boulder County Jail. Weekly, one-on-one, in person emotional support and life coaching for inmates before and after their release. 2016-2017; FOCUS Re-Entry, Boulder CO.

  • Facilitation, Guiding, and Integration Support for Transpersonal Experiences. Providing practical and emotional support during and after transpersonal experience during holotropic breath work circles. 2015-2017; Medicinal Mindfulness, Boulder CO.

  • Horse-handler for Equine Facilitated Therapy. 2015-2017; Twin Oaks Farm, Longmont CO.