I am fascinated by the deeply intuitive, guiding nature of the human body. It will show us the way, if only we can learn to listen.
Hello, I’m Dr. Erica Brook!
A Licensed Physical Therapist and Embodiment Coach.
I am a passionate movement and embodiment expert with a gift for listening to the unspoken and nurturing an enduring, comforting space for you to grow and thrive.
My mission is to teach you how to attain and sustain vibrant physical health and to meet life with empowerment and full presence.
Do you desire to return to your body to connect with its wisdom, to fully live in your body, and to embrace your life without inhibitions?
Then you are in the right place!
Life is no easy journey and we are complex beings. So whether we realize it or not, how we handle stress day to day plays an important role in how vibrantly we live our lives.
Because trauma is stored in the body, mental, emotional, physical, and energetic — no exceptions. This is because we truly are energetic beings and energy can not be created nor destroyed. It must be processed, integrated, or transmuted in order to be released.
So if you tend to live in your head or cut off from your emotions, in any way, that unprocessed energy stays stored. And your body’s response to that added mass is clenching, throbbing, building inflammation, adjusting hormonal systems — it’s all connected.
So if your body is out of function, it can most definitely be related back to unintegrated aspects of your body mind.
I have seen innumerable patients for physical traumas as a doctor of physical therapy. And I can tell you one thing for sure: pain and movement dysfunction is hardly, if ever, only physical. And this explains why physical therapy results can be mixed.
Here are some signs of unintegrated trauma:
Feeling trapped in stress states of fight, flight, freeze or fawn:
- irritable for no apparent reason
- distracting yourself to your detriment with work
- numbing out on the sofa every night
- ignoring your needs for the sake of giving to others
Feeling dissociated from your body or excessively living from your head space.
Dreading or procrastinating on moving towards your goals and desires
Experiencing a deep sense of powerlessness and overwhelm
Stuck in the past memories and flashbacks of the traumatic event(s)
Unable to tap into the magic that rests deep inside you
Terrified of your sexuality, unable to enjoy your body with ease and safety
Suppressing your emotions, because they are way too intense to feel
Feeling disconnected from your aliveness and vitality – in and out of the bedroom.
Feeling stuck, defeated, unable to live, love, and show up in your relationships in the way your soul truly desires.
Once you understand this concept and that it can be healed with an inside-out approach, you can feel hope and excitement again.
We experience life through our bodies and senses, and if we want to feel more integrated and healed, the body needs to be intentionally engaged in the process.
This can be so much to grasp and process, so be kind to yourself and know that you are in the right place, with someone who has been through it and seen it play through in so many bodies.
I can tell you this: complete healing is possible with the right approach.
More on My Story
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, my approach has always been grounded in science and evidence-based care. After graduating from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA in 2011, I began applying my training in real-world settings. Over time, I realized that healing is more than just addressing physical symptoms—it’s about treating the whole person. Although I learned the importance of integrating both knowledge and compassion into patient care while at university, this new understanding didn’t come from textbooks or lectures, but from the real-world experiences of working with diverse patients, each facing unique challenges.
When I transitioned into home health in the Bay Area, this fact became more clear. I encountered patients facing a wider range of challenges—from chronic illness to unstable living situations. It was here that I began to understand that true healing requires not just treating the body, but also acknowledging the mental and emotional aspects of health. This experience was pivotal in my own growth and deepened my desire to explore how trauma, mental health, and physical wellness are interconnected.
In 2015, I relocated to the Seattle area and continued my work in home health, gradually refining my approach. I primarily worked with the geriatric population, a group whose life experiences had often been shaped by the trauma of living through many decades. As I deepened my practice, I began to look beyond traditional physical therapy techniques to find ways to better support my patients. What I discovered was transformative: by treating my patients as whole individuals—by addressing their emotional and mental concerns, holding space for them, and allowing them to process limiting beliefs—they began to experience remarkable improvements.
During this time, I was hit with a deep emotional breakthrough related to my own past trauma, which led to a profound shift in both my life and my approach to healing. This experience caused me to reassess my understanding of myself and my work. And it spurred a period of intense self-reflection and growth, as I became more attuned to the connection between mind, body, and emotional well-being.
I sought out resources and practices to support my healing journey, which in turn enriched my professional practice. I expanded my physical therapy expertise to include pelvic rehabilitation through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Additionally, I pursued further education in embodiment and energetic healing through Layla Martin’s VITA (Vital and Integrated Tantric Approach) Coaching Program, becoming a certified Sex, Love, and Relationship Coach in 2023. Currently, I am undergoing training to become certified in Craniosacral Therapy in order to integrate gentle therapeutic touch for healing and additional somatic based emotional healing.
This is how Embody Physio was born.
The healing process is ongoing, but I am now in a loving place of peace and gratitude for all life has to offer. I am living a more joyful and intentional life. I can finally take a bath without feeling guilty. My favorite color at the moment is cream (go figure). And I love spending as much time as I can out in nature with the flowers and trees, feeling the rain and wind, and simply thriving in this wonderful body I’ve been gifted.
I can help because I understand. I have been there.
I am able to approach physical pain, tension, and movement dysfunction from a science-backed mindset, ensuring every physical aspect is addressed, while combining this with my unique understanding of mental, emotional, and energetic philosophies.
