Hello and welcome.

I’m Melizza, a somatic coach, licensed therapist, mother, and creative. I founded Soul y Sombra as a sanctuary to slow down, reconnect, and live with more intention and wholeness. Here, we arrive as we are, and everyone is welcome.

I am proud to be part of the Latino community, and a big part of my calling is to bring somatic awareness and healing practices to our community. This space was created with that love in mind, while honoring and welcoming people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds. If you are seeking presence and connection, you’re in the right place, and I’m so glad you’re here.

The name means soul and shadow. It reminds us that wholeness includes both light and dark, strength and softness, legacy and becoming.

Here you’ll find
• Reflections, rituals, and recommendations that honor the sacred in everyday life
• Grounding tools and somatic guidance to support your nervous system and inner steadiness
• Seasonal gatherings and shared practices that invite us into meaning together

Soul y Sombra offers somatic education and coaching, a space for learning and embodiment rather than psychotherapy. When I work under the Soul y Sombra umbrella, I do so as a somatic coach and educator, not in my role as a licensed clinical social worker or therapist. My clinical psychotherapy practice is a separate entity that serves California residents only.

Soul y Sombra utilizes Somatic Experiencing, a somatic modality founded by Peter Levine. Somatic Experiencing is a gentle, body based approach that helps people understand how stress and trauma live in the nervous system. Instead of focusing on retelling painful experiences, it works with sensation, awareness, and the body’s natural capacity to settle and recover. This approach supports regulation, resilience, and a greater sense of safety over time. It is the primary modality that informs how I offer somatic support and education through Soul y Sombra.

Gracias and thank you for being here. May what you find in this space help you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember that your body and your soul already know the way home.