About

Ginny Witte, PhD

Dr. Witte is a local trauma expert who has trained hundreds of therapists, educators, and groups on important topics related to trauma. While she will continue to train and work with individuals, she will also begin to create a community of trauma informed individuals and organizations who come together to shape a healthy and vibrant trauma informed community. By bringing individuals and organizations together we can transform our communities to a vibrant and safe place to live, work, and grow.

You can contact Dr. Witte below to become part of this collective spirit, creating a compassionate community that aligns with the needs of the individuals who live here, prioritizing the full experience and needs of every community member, creating a stronger community for all.

We hope that you will join us on this important mission to create a collaborative effort to improve the wellbeing of everyone in our community.

Community
Trauma Informed Grand Rapids - Ginny

Education

Michigan State University

PhD in Kinesiology and Cognitive Science

Western Michigan University

MA in Early Childhood Development

Western Michigan University

BA in Education, Science and Family Life

Certifications

  • Certified RYI 500
  • Trauma Informed Yoga
  • Trauma Informed Yoga for Teens
  • Somatic Therapy
Trauma Informed Grand Rapids - Ginny doing Yoga

My Passions

My love for movement has never left me. I love many forms of dance, I love to walk the beach, I took gymnastics as a teenager and have admired gymnasts and ice skaters in the years that followed.

I am a certified yoga instructor and certified in trauma informed yoga, dance, somatic movement, and several other movement practices. Early in life I instinctively felt a connection between movement and learning. Through my career and graduate studies I came to learn about the many benefits of physical activity beyond health, particularly the relation between movement and mental health.

Teaching

I began my career as a teacher, with a passion to help students love learning. As most teachers do, I sought to find the blocks to student learning, and what motivated, or opened the window to excite each student to learn. Instinctively, I knew from early on that if I could engage the student, and meet them where they were, the window to learning would open. What we now know is that trauma impedes learning, creating a learning block. I love sharing this information with educators, parents, and community members, so together we can support healing, build resilience in our students, and open the portal to learning. 

My Background

I have taught preschool through the university level. I have taught in many different environments and have taught diverse groups of students. Through the years I have seen noticeable increases in the number of children who were not ready to learn. Many students are behind in their cognitive, behavioral, social emotional, and motor skills. Research shows large numbers of children being expelled from preschool due to behavior problems. And today, we have such large numbers of students with behavior problems that teachers are struggling to teach and at times, leaving the teaching profession. By helping more people understand trauma we can help reduce behavior problems and promote a healthy learning state in every student. This has led me to now share this knowledge with therapists, counselors, educators and others. The key is in emotional regulation and how we attain this skill. When we understand the stress response system and create safe and connected relationships, we all flourish, learn, and grow. I invite you to join me on this journey.
Trauma Informed Grand Rapids - Ginny reading a book

Mission

Our mission is to foster healthy and resilient communities where all people can heal and thrive through connection, education, resources, and combined effort.

Vision

Our vision is to create a trauma informed community where each person, group, or organization understands and acknowledges the impact of trauma and seeks to help create a better community through understanding trauma, its causes, and healing.

Our hope is to be a community that implements trauma informed practices, fosters connections between individuals and groups, promotes inclusion, and develops community resilience. Together we are better.

Our Path

Our belief is that understanding trauma helps us be a better community. A community that connects people to each other, to resources, and to a healthy life.

Our goal is to support everyone on their trauma journey. This includes training for professionals, direction for organizations, mentoring for individuals, and resources for all.

Our hope is to create a community that understands trauma and engages with individuals and groups in a manner that supports wellbeing and growth. We do this through offering training, resources, and opportunities to learn more, to grow and to heal: both collectively and as individuals.

Come join me on this journey and become trauma informed

Contact Us