Debbie-Ann Chambers

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” - Audre Lorde

Her Story

Debbie is a Jamaican woman whose work as a counselling psychologist is heavily influenced by the liberation and decolonial psychologies, the cultural and poetry therapies, somatic experiencing and internal family systems. She weaves these principles together in service of grief and trauma healing, and a reconnection to body and our inner divine self.

Debbie also reclaims or re-members afro indigenous practices—Caribbean folk dance the Ifa Orisha core philosophies of Yoruba culture, and drumming. These practices help to first ground her in her own healing and embodied joy, then from this
embodied space she shares these practices in service of those she journeys with.

Her Why

Debbie was drawn to this work because of her own encounter with the medicine. In her experience, she discovered parts of herself and her ancestral lineage longing to be reclaimed. Since then, it has been a practice of gratitude to journey with others in their own encounters with the medicine and in integrating the experience. The Beckley Retreat space has also been a special ‘home’ where Debbie finds it natural and welcome to share her practices: poetry therapy, journalling, somatic experiencing, dancing and more.