
THE PERSON I AM
IS THE practitioner I AM
Founded Upon: More Than What I Do
Hi, I'm Erika Hood. I want to be real with you—beyond labels—and connect in an honest, vulnerable way.
Transformative Tides was born at a moment when I realized that the constant busyness and disconnection of modern life no longer served me. I dove deep into my own healing journey and discovered a profound gratitude for the support that helped me peel away layers of societal conditioning and reconnect with my inner self.
I’m not here to offer quick-fix self-help solutions. My mission is to support authentic, embodied healing that resonates with your inner truth—especially in a world that values productivity over presence. Think of me as a waypoint on your journey: a nurturing space where your mind, body, and spirit can rest, realign, and reawaken to the wholeness within. I’m here to help you drop the armor and embrace the real, messy, and beautiful person you are.
who is transformative tides for?
This space is for the tender-hearted warriors ready to reclaim their inner voice and embrace the fullness of who they are. If you:
Value your autonomy and trust your inner guidance,
Are ready to reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom,
Seek to honor the present moment with compassion,
And desire a holistic approach to personal growth,
…then you’re exactly where you need to be.
At Transformative Tides, every practice is an invitation to trust yourself, to be seen, and to transform from the inside out. We’re not here to “fix” you—because you are not broken. We’re here to honor your journey and support you as you cultivate resilience, presence, and the courage to be unapologetically you.
My Journey
My journey began with a deep curiosity about the mind-body connection and its profound impact on well-being—especially as I experienced it firsthand. At a crossroads, I left an unfulfilling career in the film industry and the uncertainties of improv and acting. Motivated by a desire for deeper exploration, I sought a modality that could bridge cognitive inquiry with embodied experience.
Building on this quest, I immersed myself in somatic practices to deepen my connection with myself, help others unlock their potential, and cultivate self-awareness through embodiment. This quest led me to obtain my accredited certification as a body-oriented coach from The Somatic School, where I integrated well-established modalities such as Focusing, Gestalt theory, Hakomi, and Authentic Movement. My background in improvisation not only enhances my coaching practice and sound baths but also fuels a spontaneous, intuitive approach—helping me listen with my whole body, stay deeply receptive, and respond authentically as each session unfolds.
Furthermore, I bring the gifts of my personal wounds into my work. My experiences with grief from loss, addiction, and the transformative challenges of complex PTSD (C-PTSD) have provided me with intimate insights into human suffering and resilience. These challenges have enriched my healing journey and led me through additional trainings in grief and trauma, deepening my understanding of how these experiences live in the body. These trainings have refined my ability to hold space with greater sensitivity, guiding clients toward embodied healing through movement, ritual, and presence. I recognize that grief is nonlinear, deeply personal, and best supported within a compassionate, trauma-sensitive space—one where clients feel seen, validated, and free to process at their own pace.
Ultimately, these experiences have endowed me with unparalleled empathy and sharpened my ability to connect with others on a profound level. I strive to provide the space, support, and encouragement needed for individuals to honor their current experiences and navigate their challenges. I believe that my wounds have given me the wisdom and insight to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential.
Today, as a somatic coach, I am privileged to witness the transformations that occur when individuals reconnect with their bodies and tap into their innate wisdom on the journey toward wholeness and self-discovery. Additionally, as a sound bath facilitator, I understand that our embodied experiences are deeply intertwined with our social environments—and that resting into ourselves can take many forms. Likewise, as a grief tender, I look forward to offering ritual support within community, because grief isn’t something we are meant to bear alone. Reflecting back on my journey, I remain inspired by the curiosity that first drew me to explore the mind-body connection, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support others on their somatic path.
How I Serve
Here’s how I can support you on your transformative journey:
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Through somatic body-oriented coaching and trauma-informed practices, I help you listen to and trust your bodily sensations, reconnecting you with the deep wisdom that lives within.
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With certifications in Somatic Attachment Therapy, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care, I guide you gently as you acknowledge, process, and transform past wounds.
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My training in Grief Ritual Leadership and specialized grief courses equips me to lead compassionate rituals that honor loss and nurture healing in community.
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As a Sound Therapy and Sound Healing Practitioner trained in both general sound therapy and specialized Crystal Singing Bowls, I offer sound baths and other vibrational practices to help dissolve tension and create a space for deep relaxation and inner harmony.
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Certified in Breathwork, I use movement and conscious breathing to help you release tension and boost vitality.
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Drawing from my film background and improvisation training, I bring spontaneous and creative methods that empower you to see new perspectives and unlock your inner creativity.
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My additional trainings in harm reduction, embodied empathy, and emotional consciousness allow me to meet you exactly where you are, supporting a compassionate inner dialogue and the development of self-nurturing practices.
The institutions and mentors from whom I've learned have greatly influenced my capacity to support clients through a one-of-a-kind holistic approach.
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Certified Body-Oriented Coach – The Somatic School
Somatic Attachment Therapy & Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate – The Embody Lab
Certificate of Core Knowledge – California Trauma-Informed Care Academy
Grief Ritual Leadership Training – Entering the Healing Ground
Gardening the Gates of Grief & Apprenticing with Sorrow, Watering the Seeds of Soul
Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Practitioner – Soulremember Academy
Crystal Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training – Ali Young
Breathwork Teacher Training Certification – Anjali Yoga
Certified Listener Poet – The Good Listening Project
Facilitator Training – The Movement Experience (in process)
Film Degree – Full Sail University
Improvisation Training – Second City Chicago, Improv Olympics Chicago, One Group Mind, Theater Momentum, Second City Hollywood, Imprō Theater
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Harm Reduction 101 – National Harm Reduction Coalition
Healing Trauma: Working with Somatic Wounds Course – Dr. Peter Levine
Pathways to Connecting: Emotional Consciousness Course – Dr. Dionne Bates
Creating Conscious Love Course – Sheleana Aiyana
Embodied Empathy: Awakening Amidst the Pain Panel Discussion – with Dr. Arielle Schwartz and others
Resilience & Thrive: Understanding Healing & Pain Panel Discussion – with Dr. Sará King, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, & Marlysa Sullivan
Personal note
I’m all about speaking honestly—in everyday language, with moments of levity and yes, even the occasional swear word. I believe everyone deserves a supportive space where they can:
Recognize and explore their inner wisdom
Feel seen, heard, valued, and respected
Know there is no “right” way of being, because you are the expert of your own life
Fun FACTS about me