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Pelvic floor therapists
We hold space for your self-healing body by supporting your movement with presence, curiosity, and compassion.
We are transforming pelvic floor physical therapy.
“The average medical student doesn’t even hear the word ‘trauma’ in their education.” - Dr. Gabor Maté, author of When the Body Says No: The Hidden Cost of Stress.
We understand the machinery of stress and the bodymind unity.
Bodyful Physical Therapy and Wellness is a somatic movement and trauma-informed pelvic health and chronic pain focused practice for all body identities. We are sensitive to stories of persistent pain, and we respect that trauma, whether physical or emotional, heals with a scar that needs tending to. Your engagement with us is met with attuned presence, for a minimum of 60 minute sessions, and we listen to you to understand what you would consider a completeness and conclusion of PT care. We support your quest and help you to understand your pain, strengthen your physical confidence, and feel at home in your core.
Feel safe with a pelvic health physical therapy specialist in Oakland, CA.
Who are the therapists at Bodyful?
Pelvic floor therapy, coaching, Pilates Reformer, Yoga
Dr. Karah Charette, PT, DPT, RYT (she/her)
Dr. Karah is originally from Buffalo, NY and received a B.A. in Biology and Dance from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. A dancer for more than 20 years, Karah believes in the power of movement and its connection to expression and the human experience. Karah is also a 200 hour registered yoga teacher after training in Ashtanga Vinyasa style in Thailand. She is certified in classic and contemporary mat and reformer Pilates techniques. Karah is currently studying Body-Mind Centering® with Mary Lou Seereiter. She focuses on evidence based care that pulls from comprehensive pain science and Polyvagal Theory. Karah uses skilled manual therapy as well as individualized and somatic exercise during sessions to promote sustainable change from the level of the nervous system. Karah engages in her own embodiment practices so she can show up grounded and present with clients. Expect a safe and collaborative environment when working with Dr. Karah.
Pelvic pain specialist, pregnancy physical therapy, trauma sensitive care
Dr. Maryssa Steffen, PT, DPT (she/her)
Dr. Maryssa is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certified Women’s Health clinical specialist. She is rooted in the Bay Area with 25 years of experience in somatic and bodyful movement practices including Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering®, Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals, dance therapy, dance, song and contact improvisation, and traditional and contemporary West African and Congolese dance and song. She received her B.A. in Dance and Performance Studies from U.C. Berkeley and her doctorate in physical therapy from California State University, Northridge. She works with adult populations, with a focus on persistent, complex pelvic pain and trauma sensitive care for all self-identified genders. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health and the International Pelvic Pain Society. She is enrolled in the Somatic Movement Educator (SME) program with the school for Body-Mind Centering®, hosted at Moving Within with Mary Lou Seereiter. This SME program is approved by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). Dr. Maryssa practices her evolving embodiment of anti-racism, and is always open to expanding community and solidarity with other anti-racist bodies (SURJ, Black Octopus Society). “The source of this process is love.”
Dr. Maryssa’s Relevant Training & Experiences:
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization by the Prague School of Rehabilitation and Manual Medicine, Courses A and B taught by Dr. Clare Frank (Movement Links)
Organ, Fluid, Endocrine, Ligamentous/Fascial Systems, Basic Neurocellular Patterns courses for Somatic Movement Educator Program licensed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the School for Body-Mind Centering® and taught at Moving Within by Mary Lou Seereiter
ABPTS Board-Certified Pelvic Health Specialist
Herman and Wallace Advanced Orthopedic Assessment for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Training
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1, 2A, 2B, and Capstone Trainings
Herman and Wallace Mobilization of the Visceral Fascia for the Reproductive System, Gastrointestinal System, Urinary System of Men and Women Trainings with Dr. Ramona Horton, PT, DPT
Teaching Assistant for GI and Urinary Courses (mentioned above)
Lymphatic Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist
Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes Training with Shirley Sahrmann, PT.
Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center
Pacific Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
GSports Physical Therapy
Olive View Medical Center, Inpatient
Kaiser Permanente Pasadena, Outpatient
Women’s Advantage, Men’s Optimal Health, Pelvic PT
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
ECLIPSE Symposium
Day of Dancer Health with the Performing Artists Medicine Association (PAMA)
Healthy Dancers’ Clinic (ODC)
Group Fitness instructor at Student Recreation Center (CSUN), Kaiser Permanente Fit, Active Sports Clubs, Recreational Sports Facility at U.C. Berkeley
Dr. Karah’s Relevant Training & Experiences:
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Course A with Dr. Clare Frank
Organ and Fluid Systems courses for Somatic Movement Educator Program licensed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the School for Body-Mind Centering®
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1, 2B Trainings
Herman and Wallace Mobilization of the Visceral Fascia for the Reproductive System, Gastrointestinal System, Urinary System of Men and Women Trainings with Dr. Ramona Horton, PT, DPT
Teaching Assistant for GI and Level 1 (mentioned above)
Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist
APTA Combined Sections Meeting
Yoga Teacher at Nourish Osteo
Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center
re:Action Pilates
Spear Physical Therapy (NYC)
Athletico Physical Therapy (Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago)
Certified 200 Hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Training with All Yoga
Certified mat and reformer Pilates instructor
Research Assistance with Dr. Cynthia Chiarello, PT, PhD, MS on Pelvic Girdle Pain at Columbia University, NYC
ODC Healthy Dancers Clinic
Alvin Ailey Movement Screens with Dr. Shaw Bronner
We are a private pay practice.
The services we provide are covered by your out-of-network physical therapy benefits. In other words, we do not contract with any insurance company and we do not bill your insurance. We take payment at time of service and are happy to provide you with a superbill upon your request. You can submit this to your insurance for reimbursement. Sometimes your out-of-network reimbursements are higher than your high deductible in-network reimbursements. Note that many clients are satisfied after working with us for 2-4 sessions.
We do accept HSA and FSA.
**We are not in relationship with Medicare or Medi-Cal and we are not permitted to service Medicare or Medi-Cal beneficiaries for skilled PT. Please ask us about our wellness offerings if you are a Medicare/Medi-cal beneficiary and still want to work with us.