About | Overview
Hello - I’m Dr. Terese Weinstein Katz, and I’m happy to introduce myself and talk about breathwork as well. I’ve been a psychologist for 30 years, holding both an MFT (Master of Family Therapy) degree and a PhD in psychology. Throughout this time, I’ve worked with mood and anxiety problems, eating disorders, relationship issues, and trauma. I originally trained in both family systems and psychodynamic approaches. Over the years, I’ve sought additional training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, and somatic approaches to therapy. I’ve become a certified breathwork facilitator as well.
How did you decide to become a Breath Service Provider?
I had taught breathwork for relaxation and anxiety management for many years. During an intense period of personal crisis—with the deaths of several people close to me in a very compressed time period—I rediscovered conscious connected breathwork. Decades ago this was most often called rebirthing, or holotropic breathwork. When I attended a more modern (that is, trauma-informed, for one) breathwork session, I thought, “How did I ever forget how powerful
this is?” It seemed to me that much of what we grapple with in therapy can potentially arise with this practice, in a way that can add profound somatic release, insight, or grounding at the same time.
I pursued breathwork training because I wanted to be able to offer this to people as a potent healing pathway. During this time, too, I’ve learned more about the world of “psychedelic experience without drugs”. I’m not opposed to therapeutic psychedelics at all—but I like that there are safe non-drug alternatives that can also lead to transformative experiences. I especially like that our breath, which is always with us, can bring us there when we want or need it.
Still an active psychologist, I offer breathwork services through Sapphire Breathwork, LLC. While I do not act as a therapist when guiding and supporting someone through a breathwork journey, I bring all of what I know to the process of intention-setting, modulating emotional intensity (when needed), and integrating the experiences afterward, as a coach and guide.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m a big reader and an avid walker. I like to hike in nature. I like to be near water. I like to cook. I like to travel. I love music and art also, and play piano. It’s fair to say I have many interests, though along with this I must say I value my relationships with family and friends most of all.
What guiding principles inform your work?
1. You know what is best for you and what you need. This is true even if you are very unsure or confused. Whether within your subconscious or your “higher self”—you have some knowledge in your body or mind that can most definitely guide you.
2. You generally will experience what you are ready and able to in a breathwork journey; you should never be overwhelmed or retraumatized.
3. We work collaboratively to meet your goals: for healing, knowledge, transcendence—what you deem important. What you experience in a breathwork session ideally integrates into your life afterward.
Breathing Style
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Conscious Connected Breathing
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Breath of Gold™
Can you tell us about your work with clients?
I often guide a breathwork session, then follow-up with a coaching session a few days later to integrate and help the forward movement unfold. Sometimes people opt to do this over a set of sessions, over a several-month period. Others prefer a single session, scheduling again in the future when it feels like it makes sense. We will discuss what fits for you.
What will our first session together be like?
In a first breathwork session, we will talk about what the experience may entail physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’ll demonstrate and help you get started with the circular breathing technique. We’ll discuss your hopes and intentions for the session.
A session typically begins with a grounding meditation, breathing naturally. We then transition, slowly at first, into the circular connected breathing. Music accompanies throughout, increasing in tempo and intensity over perhaps a half hour, as you are guided to deepen the breath over this time. (The breathing can feel like “work” at first, as you consciously breathe in this new manner.
After a few minutes, though, the breath begins to take on the rhythm effortlessly—it begins to feel like the “breath is breathing you”.) You will be gently guided and coached throughout—allowing emotions and body sensations to move through you. Sometimes I will introduce mantra or visualization to support you. Gradually, after the midpoint, we will slow the tempo gradually until finally returning to natural breath, rest, and integration. While there is not an exact time frame, a session will last at least 45 minutes, and usually closer to an hour.
Longer sessions can be scheduled where desirable. We will talk about your experience afterward. I usually encourage other ways of integrating afterward as well—journaling, walking in nature, or something that may make sense specifically for you. If you have a follow-up coaching session, or even another breathwork session the next week, we will continue following what is arising and shifting in you. As mentioned above, some like to plan on a set of sessions. Others like to see how they feel and schedule follow-up after a bit of time goes by.
How can I prepare for our first session?
As you look forward to a breathwork session, it makes sense to ask yourself what you feel you’re needing right now-meditate on this, or simply check in with your heart and gut, as well as your dominant thoughts, and see what’s there. This may be very obvious to you, or you may be surprised by what emerges when you ask in this way. On a practical note: you will ideally locate a quiet, comfortable setting for your session.
This could be on your bed, a couch or yoga mat. Your device for Zoom should be able to sit near you so that I can see your breathing. And privacy—no intrusions—is best, though pets often do like to stay near as people breathe. I suggest lip balm and a bathroom break ahead of time, then Kleenex, a journal and pen, a blanket and pillow nearby. In most cases, you will lie flat, so consider a rolled- up towel for neck support.
Article Details
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PublishedFebruary 13, 2024
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Minutes Read8 mins
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Article NameInterview With Dr. Terese Weinstein Katz
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Article TypeInterview
What clientele do you work with most frequently?
My practice includes women and men from early to late adulthood. People often seek me out because of my experience with eating issues, though chronic anxiety and PTSD often bring people to me as well. I’ve also worked with couples wanting to move forward into a new stage of life, or relationship quality.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I love working with people intent on moving forward in their personal evolution—whether that means emotional healing, connecting with blocked-off parts of themselves, or building confidence. With breathwork, I find it particularly rewarding when people connect with aspects of themselves that hadn’t seemed accessible before—emotions, memories, other knowledge.
Do you assign "homework" between sessions?
Sometimes, in addition to the “integration” suggestions mentioned above, I’ll suggest something specific for you, your experience and situation—perhaps a writing assignment, perhaps a “noticing” assignment, perhaps some daily relaxation breathing. It depends and varies, in other words.
