Faculty Biographies
Healing is not just about getting rid of symptoms, but about supporting and integrating individual wholeness. Our wholeness is always available, whatever the circumstances.
Faculty:
Michael Kern
B.C.S.T., D.O., A.B.D., N.D.
CTET Founder and Senior Tutor
Gary Carter
K.M.I., I.A.S.I., Y.T.T.C., B.A.W.L.A., L.T.Dip, Institute of Anatomical Sciences
Living Anatomy Senior Tutor
Gary has over 30 years of experience in movement, physical training, anatomical study and bodywork practices. With a background in athletics, martial arts, yoga and manual therapies, he has studied with many inspiring teachers, including Mary Stewart, Sophy Hoare, Peter Blackaby, John Stirk, Vanda Scaravelli and Diane Long. He has also studied Shiatsu, Chi Kung & Chi Ne Tsang and Craniosacral Therapy. He started the Natural Bodies Centre in 1991 to teach ease and kinesthetic awareness in many movement disciplines. In 2001 he began co-teaching on Anatomy Trains courses with Tom Myers in the UK and USA. He has lectured in Movement Anatomy and Fascial Anatomy for yoga teacher trainings, pilates teacher trainings, massage schools, hospital physiotherapists, dance trainings and martial arts trainings. Over the past 15 years Gary has run anatomy courses in England, Scotland, Ireland, Europe and Brazil. He has also run yoga teacher trainings and the Science of Movement course at Middlesex University from 2007- 2011. Gary studied dissection at the Institute of Anatomy in Vienna and with Gil Hedley, and he runs dissection studies for the student teachers of his anatomy of movement courses at Gunter Von Hagens’ Plastinarium in Germany. He is also part of the Fascial Net Plastination Project and is lead dissector and designer that created the world’s first fascial human plastinate unveiled at the Fascia Research World Congress, Montreal in 2022.
Fabiano Culora
B.C.S.T., P.T., Y.T., Dip. I.B.M.T., P.G. Dip. (PGCHE). Registered with I.S.M.E.T.A., Y.A.P., C.H.N.C., I.Cr.A.
Assistant Tutor
Fabiano currently runs clinical practices in Leeds and Italy as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, Master Somatic Movement Therapist and Educator and Yoga Teacher. He has been practicing as a bodyworker since 2002. He completed a Pilates teacher training, Yoga teaching at ashrams in India, Body Mind Centering®, Authentic Movement and Somatic Psychology, Body Psychotherapy, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy at CTET. He is a lecturer in Performance and Bodywork Supervisor, and has developed somatic research methodologies that explore the link between expressive moving arts and therapeutic processes, regularly presenting at international conferences. Teaching on somatic practitioner trainings in the UK and internationally confirms to Fabiano that the human need to connect through the body is a universal, shared experience. He invests deep respect for transformational possibilities that arise through aware relational practices, offering physical, emotional and psychological resources for living more fully. Fabiano’s personal ongoing embodiment practices underpin his work as a therapeutic witness.
Fatima da Silva
B.C.S.T.
Teaching Clinic Director and Senior Tutor
Fatima Da Silva qualified as a Craniosacral Therapist with CTET in 1999, and has a busy practice in London. She is the director of the CTET low-cost Craniosacral Therapy teaching clinic, where students gain clinical experience during the second year of their training. She has taught on many of our practitioner trainings, and leads Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy courses at an osteopathic school in Italy. She has also assisted on our Living Anatomy course and on many advanced Craniosacral courses. Furthermore, Fatima is a qualified Chi Kung Teacher and runs her own Chi Kung classes. Her background also involves Swedish and Oriental Massage, as well as a lot of experience of working with people with learning disabilities (PWLD) and mental health problems.
Jim Feil
M.A., D.C., R.P.T., B.C.S.T.
Senior Tutor
Dr. Jim Feil has over 45 years’ experience in energetic and somatic therapeutic practices and is a highly respected figure in the field. He started his studies in 1970 with Dr. Randolph Stone, the founder of Polarity Therapy, who was also a student of Dr. William Sutherland the founder of cranial work. Jim is one of the few contemporary practitioners who is a direct student of Dr. Stone. He taught holistic medicine at a number of universities in the USA and began studying Formative Psychology with Stanley Keleman in 1981. He then graduated as a doctor of Chiropractic in 1986. He moved to Europe in 1992 and has become a highly regarded teacher in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and the UK. He has worked together with Franklyn Sills, Michael Kern and others in Craniosacral Biodynamics, with Dr. Ray Castellino in Pre- and Peri-Natal Therapy, and has participated in conferences with Dr. Peter Levine and Dr. Stephen Porges who have influenced his work. He set up the first course in Craniosacral Biodynamics in Spain. Furthermore, Jim has developed Formative Embodiment, an integrated therapeutic approach using non-invasive body-oriented and verbal skills to help resolve biological, somatic and psychological issues. Jim brings a depth of experience and an infectious sense of humour to his seminars.
Nicolaj Jespersen
B.C.S.T.
Senior Tutor
Nicolaj has a practice in Copenhagen, Denmark and in addition to being a tutor at CTET, he is a tutor at the Institute for Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy in Denmark, where he completed his foundation and paediatric training. His previous training also includes ‘biomechanical’ Craniosacral Therapy, mainly at the Upledger Institute, intuitive massage and various other healing modalities. He has studied pre- and perinatal work for four years with Matthew Appleton, and is certified in Integrative Baby Therapy training. Nicolaj has being practicing yoga and meditation for more than 20 years, and has been teaching both for almost as long. He also has a background as a contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Caroline Monthelie
M.Sc, B.C.S.T.
Tutor
Caroline is trained as a Craniosacral Therapist in Sweden for both humans and horses. She is the founder of ’Apelgarden Biodynamic Craniosacral Education’, running practitioner training programmes for the treatment of humans, horses and canines, as well as advanced courses for practicing Craniosacral Therapists. Horses and riding has been a passion since childhood. She is very interested in anatomy and twice a year organises horse dissections at her farm. Before meeting the craniosacral world she had a management consultancy company with focus on resource management. She was teaching at the Institute of Higher Marketing in Gothenburg and was frequently a guest lecturer at the School of Economics in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Helsinki. She co-wrote the book, ’Service Management in the Public Sector’.
Louis Odessey Waters
R.N., B.C.S.T.
Assistant Tutor
Louis has worked as a nurse for the NHS since 2016 in a variety of settings, ranging from acute wards, district nursing and surgical theatres, and he continues to work in the field of interventional radiology. Witnessing the scope of suffering and limitations of allopathic medicine, Louis looked into Craniosacral Therapy as a way to support patients that respected their personal wishes and the mind-body connection, and with a holistic view on health and disease. Graduating from CTET in 2024, Louis then opened a growing practice in Edinburgh’s West End which continues to flourish. He is passionate about health and the mind-body connection which he has also explored personally through meditation and Buddhist studies. With a love for the outdoors, Louis is often roaming the Highlands, climbing and surfing. He also is currently learning capoeira.
Satu Palokangas
B.C.S.T., C.M.T., I.S.M.E.T.A. Registered Somatic Movement Educator & Therapist
Assistant Tutor
Satu Palokangas has been studying and teaching somatic movement and bodywork methods for almost 30 years, and is one of the early developers and practitioners of Ecosomatics. She is a teacher and practitioner of Body-Mind Centering®, an Infant Developmental Movement Educator, a Dynamic Embodiment Practitioner, an ISMETA Registered Somatic Movement Educator & Therapist, and is on the Board of Directors of the Body-Mind Centering Association. In her work she supports babies in their early movement development and along with her own trainings, teaches regularly with the Theatre Academy of Helsinki, the Dance Movement Therapy training in Finland and internationally with the School for Body-Mind Centering®. Satu is a graduate of Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust, practicing Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with a variety of clients in Helsinki and Berlin.
Kashmira Patel
B.A., B.C.S.T.
Assistant Tutor
Kashmira worked in marketing before moving into healthcare over 10 years ago when she started working as a physiotherapy assistant in a busy NHS hospital, running balance and exercise classes for neurological conditions. She developed a keen interest in the mind-body connection, and realised the benefits of complementary therapies whilst working in a hospital oncology department. She trained in Reiki and Indian Head Massage, and graduated as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist at CTET in 2020. She was working in ICU during the covid crisis and was able to support her team by providing them with BCST for their physical, emotional and psychological well-being. She is passionate about promoting wellness, mental health and is keen for everybody to have access to Craniosacral Therapy. She runs a practice in London and continues to work with frontline workers to help support their well-being and mental health. She loves travelling, yoga, sound bath meditations and being in nature, and is currently learning Spanish.
Barbara Salatino
B.C.S.T.
Assistant Tutor
Barbara has been a Complementary Therapist since 2006 when she discovered a true passion for massage and bodywork whilst retraining to change her career. She trained in sports, lymphatic, pregnancy and Indian head massage, reiki, and is a baby massage instructor. She has worked for 17 years as a bodywork practitioner, constantly developing her skills with an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology. She completed her training in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy at CTET in 2020, and now runs a very successful practice. Barbara keeps adding to her skills with further post-graduate courses, especially in the field of working with mums, babies and children. She is fascinated about the mind, trauma, self-development, mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion and breath work, and believes in the healing power of the non-judgmental and safe space provided during Craniosacral Therapy sessions.
Tara Silverthorn
M.A., B.C.S.T.
Assistant Tutor
Tara graduated from CTET in 2018 and now enjoys a busy practice as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist in Bristol. She has followed a love for movement and body-based practices from early on in life, gaining a Masters in Dance Performance through Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London) in 2009. Since then, Tara has performed as a dancer widely throughout the UK and internationally, as well as nurturing a career as an independent choreographer. Her work is deeply informed by somatic approaches and philosophies, most recently training in Tai Chi (Taiji Quan) and Chi Gong. Tara teaches/facilitates dance and embodied practices in various settings, from community and professional classes to higher education, and in 2019 was an assistant tutor on CTET’s Living Anatomy course.
Ruth Smith
B.C.S.T., B.H.(Hons) Social Biology/Sports Studies, Pg.Cert. Integrative Arts Psychotherapy, T.I.D.H.A., I.A.I.M. (International Association of Infant Massage)
Assistant Tutor
Following a background in health-related fitness, Ruth found her passion for massage and bodywork. After graduating from her first therapeutic massage training in 1991, she continued to train in aromatherapy, sports massage, acupressure, pregnancy and baby massage, reiki and pulsing. Her work has developed organically over the past 33 years, as both a therapist and teacher. She was principal massage tutor for the Tisserand Institute, The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy, and is co-founder of the Really Useful Massage Company. More recently Ruth has integrated Mindfulness, Creative Arts Counselling and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy into her practice, graduating from the Craniosacral Therapy Education Trust in 2023. She currently has a private practice in London, and specialises in working with older adults and those with a dementia diagnosis.
Anne Stevens
S.R.P, M.C.S.T., R.C.S.T., B.C.S.T.
Living Anatomy Senior Tutor
Anne qualified as a Physiotherapist in Denmark in 1995, and in Craniosacral Therapy in 2004 with the Trust. She has extensive experience in physiotherapy, having worked in the NHS (hospital and outpatient clinics) as well as in the private health sector. She is the lead physiotherapist of a busy private health clinic in North London, where she also practices Craniosacral Therapy. Anne is an active Committee member of CTACP (Craniosacral Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists), and her other passions are her family, her garden and allotment, knitting and occasional drumming.
Pearl Walter
B.A., D.C., B.C.S.T.
Assistant Tutor
Pearl received a B.A.(Hons) degree in Portuguese & Spanish, before qualifying in Therapeutic Massage at the College of Holistic Medicine in 1988. She qualified in Chiropractic at the McTimoney Chiropractic College in 1997, and a received a diploma in Crystal Healing in 2000. She also completed a teaching qualification in 2013. Pearl graduated in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy at the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust in 2020, and has busy practices in north London as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist and McTimoney Chiropractor. She has also been a member of a spiritual development group for more than 30 years, and has a keen interest in meditation and healing. She loves teaching, and has good experience of running meditation and development groups.
Paula Webster
B.C.S.T. , PT B.Sc(Hons). Registered with H.C.P.C., C.N.H.C, I.Cr.A.
Assistant Tutor
Paula is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist with a practice in Farnham, Surrey. Her career in allied-health started when she completed a B.Sc. degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town. She worked as a musculoskeletal Physiotherapist for 15 years at various hospitals and outpatient clinics, which provided her with a wonderful framework, an appreciation of the intricacies of human anatomy and physiology, and an opportunity to develop compassionate and attentive communication skills. Throughout her physiotherapy career Paula had a deep sense and knowing that there is more to health and healing than just acknowledging the physical body. Dr. Still, the founder of osteopathy, said, “Know your anatomy and physiology, but when you get your hands on a patient’s body, never forget that a living soul dwells therein”, which resonated deeply. After having her two boys, she pursed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018, followed by a children’s mindfulness course through Youth Mindfulness in 2020. She worked as a yoga and mindfulness teacher for a few years before exploring the realms of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. The decision to pursue a training in Craniosacral Therapy was ignited in 2021 when she took her sons to see a Craniosacral Therapist, and in that healing space she felt a stillness and peace that made her feel more centred, harmonious and vitalised. Realising that this stillness was at the heart of the work she vowed to train, graduating from CTET in 2024.
Guest tutors
Mary Bolingbroke
BSc.(Ost)
Guest Tutor
Mary trained at the British School of Osteopathy graduating in 1992, and has continued to specialise in cranial work. She started teaching at the British School of Osteopathy in 1993 (and set up a multi-disciplinary clinic) whilst continuing to train at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London. With Ian Wright she co-founded the Irish Diploma In Paediatrics in 2009 and regularly teaches on the Biobasics (James Jealous) courses in the UK. Mary has a great interest in exploring the guiding principles of Osteopathy and CST as well as treating people of all ages and animals including horses, dogs and the occasional parrot.
Stephen Porges
Ph.D.
Guest Tutor
Stephen is a professor of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois, director of the Brain-Body Center and author of numerous papers on physiology and psychology. His discovery of the “Polyvagal Theory” and “Social Nervous System” gives new insights into the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and has profoundly influenced the practice of many body-mind therapies. He is author of the critically acclaimed book, The Polyvagal Theory.
Jaap van der Wal
Ph.D.
Guest Tutor
Jaap is a medical doctor and associate professor of Anatomy and Embryology at the University of Maastricht, Holland. After his medical education in 1973 he specialised in functional anatomy. He then taught Philosophy of Science and Medical Anthropology, and developed a passion for human embryology. He discovered that science and religion, matter and spirit, macrocosm and microcosm, creation and evolution all meet each other in the phenomenal process of becoming human. He teaches at institutes of Craniosacral Therapy, Osteopathy and Polarity Therapy around the world.
Ian Wright
BSc.(OST), DPO, FSCCO
Guest Tutor
Ian qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1992, and studied extensively with Dr. James Jealous. Ian has taught Cranial and Paediatric Osteopathy for over 25 years internationally, including Russia, Sweden, Germany, Italy, UK and Ireland. He founded the Irish Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy, teaching paediatrics to osteopaths and treating complex cases in a charity clinic setting. He is a teacher and Fellow of the Sutherland Cranial College (UK), and teaches with the International Paediatric Pathway in Italy. He practices in Florence, London and Ireland. Ian’s book ‘Dynamics of Stillness’ was released in October 2019.
