About Lorina

My Approach

If I had to distill my approach in 3 words they would be attuned, embodied and integrative.

I meet people wherever they are and take them to the next level based on their desires and capacities. I help people unlearn intimacy sabotaging patterns and learn more fulfilling skills in embodied and experiential ways. As an integrative practitioner I am constantly seeking to help people harmonize seemingly polar opposites: mind & body, pleasure & pain, togetherness & spaciousness, the seen & unseen and much more.

​My approach is also very relational. I bring my whole, authentic, erotic*, embodied, vulnerable, trauma-savvy self into my sessions (a la the Somatic approach). In this way the coaching container can be a real time learning lab for cultivating intimacy skills. 

About Me

My name is Lorina Manzanita MA, SEP. I’m a Sex‭ & ‬Relationship Coach‭, ‬Somatic Experiencing Trauma Resolution, Medicine Assisted Trauma Resolution (PSIP) Practitioner and Human Sexuality PhD CIIS student based in Oakland, CA. I’ve been professionally helping people get comfortable in their own skins since 1998‭. ‬My work in the world is to illuminate pathways that offer more pleasure‭, ‬presence and potency‭.‬I have found that the integrative path yields the most fulfilling of delights‭. ‬‬Will you join me‭? ‬With heart and skill I guide seekers along journeys that integrate mind‭ & ‬body‭, ‬the seen‭ & ‬unseen‭, ‬hearts‭ & ‬genitals‭, ‬tears‭ & ‬laughter and so much more‭. 

I’m a Somatic Intimacy Coach and a certified Somatic Experiencing Trauma resolution practitioner and educator. I am also a certified Level 2 Psychedelic Somatic (PSIP) practitioner. With a heart and intelligence I help people who seek trauma resolution and struggle in the realms of intimacy, relationship, sexuality, embodiment and erotic aliveness. 

I love helping individuals and partners transform old wounds and cultivate lives that are richer with pleasure, presence and potency in all sorts of beautiful ways.

Seeker types tend to value what I have to offer; people who have explored multiple avenues of healing and personal growth and yet are still missing some key ingredient.  I offer a compassionate presence, precision guidance and embodied learning opportunities with generous doses of love and laughter.

My Background

My skill set is a product of a couple of decades of a very fruitful education addiction. I  graduated from UCSC with honors in Biology and acquired a Masters from JFK University. In 2010 I certified as a Somatic Experiencing Trauma Resolution practitioner. I’ve completed 4 different coaching programs with Wellcoaches, The Hendricks Institute, CTI and Somatic. 

I have also studied relationship counseling with the Hakomi Institute and attachment theory and developmental trauma healing with Diane Poole Heller and Larry Heller respectively. Other influences include Shakti Malan and her shadow tantra work, continuum and conscious dance practices like 5Rhythms. 

 I'm available for in person and online session. I'm based in Oakland, CA. I seek to provide a welcoming presence to all humans inclusive of BIPOC and LGBQT+ beings. I'm experienced working with non-monogamous and poly-curious individuals and couples.

What to Expect

Our work together will be inspired by your needs, desires and resources. You can expect sessions to be of a blend of talking and experiential and embodied (aka somatic) explorations. Sometimes the somatic element is as simple as paying attention to your sensations, feelings and body impulses. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to experientially cultivate a skill like expressing your desires, touching your partner or giving your animal instincts a safe space to be expressed. Sometimes the energy exchange is erotic, sometimes it's more nurturing, in all cases our clothes stay on.

As an SE trauma resolution practitioner and coach I tend to focus on the present moment and build on strengths and resources rather than hunt for historical wounds. That said, if an old hurt organically arises then please know I’ll be there to help you (and possibly your partner) hold your tenderness with compassion and skill. By the end of it all you'll feel more confident, connected and clear.