About

about

Bio

I am dedicated to the inquiry, practice, and action of living into collective liberation and personal empowerment. Creativity courage, and curiosity are central tenets of my practices.

My foundation in body-based psychotherapy as Certified Practitioner of Radical Aliveness is rooted in the lineage of Wilhelm Reich, John Pierrakos, and Ann Bradney (Radical Aliveness).

My passion is convening people from a variety of lived experiences and traditions of healing (dance, yoga, movement, etc.) to advance collective spiritual and political transformation.

My personal journey with healing childhood sexual trauma and recovering from a nearly fatal car accident inform my approach to working with the body, in particular pain, boundaries, and empowerment.

I am committed to walking with and supporting people dedicated to facing White Supremacy, Patriarchy, and other challenges of Modernity. I aim to create nurturing spaces to heal and break generational cycles of harm.

Continued

I am from Omaha, Nebraska, a son and brother in a family of lawyers. My family comes primarily from German ancestory. My experience as a white, het-cis-gendered man informs how I approach healing, unlearning, and power with humility. My personal journey of facing the impacts of patriarchy, white supremacy, and related isms in my own life has opened my heart in profound ways.

Early in my career, I supported young adults (16-24) with mental heath challenges as a Career Transition Specialist.

Looking to make an impact via social entrepreneurship, I attended New York University earning my MA in Business and Innovation. I have worked in custom fabrication shops for many years to produce experiential marketing events.

Currently, I facilitate Exploring Whiteness at the Institute for Core Energetics with Susan Pincus.

I enjoy celebrating life on the dance floor, meditation cushion, and in simple moments of gratitude and play.

Benjamin Cramer - Somatic Therapist Brookyn

Radical Aliveness (RA) is an approach to healing for people, groups, and organizations that connects the personal and collective healing journey. 5 Princliples are foundational guides for living / practicing Radical Aliveness.

RA welcomes multiple perspectives and invites in the vast range human experience including: emotions, expression, movement, sensations, thoughts, beliefs, spirit, culture, systems, and more.

“The goal is to support human beings to know and accept themselves fully so that they can navigate from the here and now with choice rather than history, empowered to fully bring their gifts to life by remaining present and aware.”

Source: RadicalAliveness.org

5 Principles of Radical Aliveness

1. Cultivating a Non-Shaming Heart and Attitude

2. Knowing I Don’t Know

3. Welcoming Multiple Perspectives

4. Being Willing to be Changed

5. Saying YES to Everything

experience

Trainings:

MA degree in Business and Innovation from New York University
Radical Aliveness Certified Practitioner- 4 year under Ann Bradney
Living Yoga Training Program – With Swami Satchitanda
4 + years working with youth with Mental Health Challenges as a Career Tranistion Specialist

WORKSHOPS + GROUPs

Exploring Whiteness Facility Group – Core Energetics
Exploring Whiteness Student – Core Energetics
Radical Aliveness 12 week group
Exploring Whiteness Peer Group at Radical Aliveness Institute
Flower Essences for Transformation at Mind Body Expo

Vision

To Live into somatic awakening, conscious transformation and community efforts to ignite connection, art, joy, and sacred trouble.

FAQ

What is Radical Aliveness? How is it different from traditional group therapy?

Radical Aliveness is a body-based approach to healing and transformation. Sessions and groups invite in complexity and work with both both personal systemic power dynamics. Groups welcome in the leadership and lived experience of all present. Some pathways to connect with the body include: breathing, movement, stillness, and working with emotions.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, the participants may interact with each other in multiple processes at once. Radical Aliveness Practitioners often focus on empowerment and the wisdom of clients lived experienced. In talk therapy there may be more of an orientation towards the therapist as the expert with answers.

What is Somatic Therapy | Body-Based Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a way to help people tune into their sensations, emotions, and energy, not just their words. Unlike regular talking, somatic therapy also focuses on how our bodies feel and react to life. Body-based therapy is another way to describe somatic therapy that looks to the wisdom of the body to heal and metabolize trauma.

What types of issues or concerns can somatic therapy help address?

Somatic therapy can help with a range of patterns of behavior and emotional challenges including: relationship transitions, fears, longings, grief and trauma.

How does somatic therapy work, and what can I expect in a typical session?

Sessions are guided by the overall goals of clients and may include breathing, visualizations, movements, or simply speaking while tuning into sensations. As everyones needs are different there is no prescriptive approach. Deep feelings are often encountered as patterns in the body are released, moved, or expressed.

How do I know if somatic therapy is an approach that would support my healing and growth?

Somatic therapy welcomes contacting a range of feelings that may be new and exciting, or uncomfortable and difficult. Clients who choose somatic therapy often have become frustrated with the lack of results and are looking for a fresh approach. If you have health concerns please speak with your medical providers to understand risks and benefits.

How much do your sessions cost? Do you accept insurance?

Sessions are $125/hr. No, I am unable to accept insurance. Contact me if you have a request for sliding scale exchange.

How do I get started with Radical Aliveness, Somatic Therapy, or Process Groups?

In order to start working together let’s start with an exploratory call. Contact me and let me know a few windows of days and times you are available times. I recommend speaking with several providers before deciding on a practitioner or therapist.

How do I cancel or change my appointment?

Please let me know as soon as you realize you won’t be able to make your appointment by email or a voice message. If you are unable to notify me and do not show for a regularly scheduled session you will be responsible for the session fee.