The Karuna House Training Institute

The continuous commitment to expanding and deepening one’s skillset.

Embodied, relational, and experiential learning form the core of Karuna House Training Institute.
We honor and uphold our roots in EMDR Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Experiential Therapy, and the embodied wisdom of Aikido.

Our clinical training program is designed to develop and expand one’s skill set while working toward mastery in experiential therapeutic modalities. Learners are guided through a robust clinical experience that integrates theoretical knowledge, evidence-based interventions, and the experiential embodiment of transformation. By fostering the growth of expansive counseling skills and deeply supporting the professional and personal development of the self-as-therapist, clinicians are empowered to attune masterfully and fluidly to their clients, intentionally and organically guiding them through their transformative journey.

Our training institute offers diverse learning tracks, each thoughtfully designed to support the growth of practitioners at every stage of their journey. Our programs are tailored for practitioners pursuing a three-year postgraduate training track in private practice, as well as for students, interns, and practicum participants seeking initial exposure to bottom-up processing. We provide one-on-one and group consultation with EMDR Approved Consultants, EMDR Consultation toward Basic Training hours, EMDR Consultation for Certification, and Clinical Supervision toward licensure for counselors and social workers.

Our standards of excellence are guided by both rigor and relationship, acknowledging the inherent complexity of human experience.

To learn more, please email Gretchen von Seggern at GretchenLeu@karunahousellc.com and Andy Lesniewicz at AndyLesniewicz@Karunahousellc.com

  • I had the privilege of working with Gretchen during my EMDR certification journey, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. She demonstrated a remarkable level of expertise, making her an invaluable resource throughout the certification process. Gretchen possessed a deep understanding of the theory, techniques, and practical applications. Her ability to clarify concepts and provide real-world examples (especially her metaphors!) greatly enhanced my learning experience. Gretchen consistently held me to the highest professional and ethical standards, ensuring that I was well-prepared to become a certified EMDR therapist. Her attention to detail pushed me to strive for my best at all times. Gretchen's encouraging and supportive nature was truly motivating. She created a positive and nurturing learning environment that fostered confidence in my abilities. Her constructive feedback was always delivered with empathy and a genuine desire to see me grow as a practitioner. I am immensely grateful for her guidance and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking EMDR certification or looking to deepen their expertise in this therapeutic approach.

    Kristy Yetman, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

  • Working with Gretchen during consultation has been an amazing experience! She has not only helped me gain the knowledge and understanding of EMDR and the AIP model to help my clients but also the confidence in using EMDR. From the case conceptualization to the tidbits, Gretchen has given me so many tools and additional protocols to tackle any presenting concern and still maintain the fidelity of EMDR as it’s intended. Gretchen’s style combines imparting helpful feedback with presenting alternative ways of conceptualizing a case in a fun and engaging way! I hope to keep working with Gretchen in the future as I will always value her insights and want to get as much knowledge from her as possible.

    DeQuan Brown, LPC

  • Four years ago, I began working at Karuna House as a mental health counseling intern under the supervision of Gretchen (Leu) von Seggern. I acquired many counseling skills during my internship that helped build a strong foundation as an incoming mental health professional. Once I completed my internship and became a licensed professional counselor, I then completed my basic EMDR training. Immediately after EMDR training, I had the opportunity to become EMDR certified while at the Karuna House. Both co-owners, Gretchen and Andy, offered extensive training in multiple modalities. While I was able to complete EMDR certification with Gretchen, I also learned various sensorimotor principles from Andy as well. They offered weekly consultations, which were invaluable to my development as a counselor. Whenever I had questions or felt I needed more one-on-one consultations, Gretchen and Andy were always willing and eager to meet. Both Gretchen and Andy are extremely compassionate supervisors who offer a broad range of knowledge and wisdom to their practice. In addition to excellent supervision, my colleagues at Karuna House were incredibly supportive. When I was entering into the field, having several colleagues surround me and provide a sounding board was very beneficial. From my internship to my LPC status, and now as a LPCC, I feel that Karuna House was an amazing experience for me and I highly recommend their training institute!

    Hope Meyer, M.Ed., LPCC

  • Choosing to learn under Karuna House is probably the best decision I’ve made thus far in my career.  The knowledge and training provided are priceless—something I wish was taught in graduate courses—but that I’m so thankful to have learned in my professional development.  Andy and Gretchen consult in a way that provides safety and welcomes authenticity in order for therapists to deepen and mature as individuals.  Their mentorship has helped me to not only understand how my clients are showing up but also how I am showing up for them.  This relational approach to therapy is something we are all taught is important, but rarely ever modeled.  If you want to become a therapist who embodies healing and transformation for others, The Karuna House Training Institute is exactly for you.

    Joy Herrera, MSW, LSW, EMDR Trained Therapist

  • My experience at Karuna House has been overwhelmingly positive and enriching. From the beginning, I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow as a future clinical mental health counselor. What could have been a stressful process was made smooth and manageable thanks to the environment created by the staff, especially my supervisor. I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of supervision I received. My supervisor was consistently available, offered thoughtful and constructive feedback, and showed genuine investment in my professional development. Their support helped me build confidence in my clinical skills and deepen my understanding of the therapeutic process. I felt seen not just as a student fulfilling hours, but as a developing clinician with unique strengths and learning needs. The culture at Karuna House is one of warmth, collaboration, and a clear commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered care. I’ve been fortunate to participate in meaningful clinical work and learn from skilled, passionate professionals. I’m thrilled to continue at Karuna House for my fall internship and look forward to expanding on what I’ve learned. I would recommend this site to any student pursuing a career in clinical mental health counseling. It’s a setting where learning is valued, support is consistent, and your growth is a top priority.

    Brady Masten