TRANSFORMATIONAL Teaching
IN English OR German lanGuage
An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling.
Carl Gustav JunG
Course Offering
Embodied Presence: The Art of Being Fully Here
Course Description:
Discover the transformative power of actual presence in "Embodied Presence: The Art of Being Fully Here." This immersive seminar guides you to cultivate deep awareness of your body, mind, and heart, enabling you to stay grounded and non-reactive amid life’s challenges. Through somatic sensing, compassionate inquiry, and psychoeducation, you will unlock your inner resources to connect with yourself and others more authentically. This practice fosters emotional resilience, clarity, and spaciousness that enrich relationships and professional encounters. Whether you are a therapist, caregiver, leader, or anyone seeking to deepen your capacity for presence, this course offers practical tools for sustainable personal growth and healing. Rooted in somatic psychology, depth psychology, and interpersonal neurobiology, it delivers an evidence-informed approach to presence.
Learning Goals:
Cultivate the capacity to recognize reality as it is, beyond past conditioning and judgments
Develop non-reactivity and grounded awareness of body, mind, and heart
Practice inquiry to follow inner guidance and uncover truth
Create a safe, open space for self and others through non-judgmental presence
Build skills for embodied self-regulation and healthy interpersonal boundaries
Explore somatic methods to deepen connection with inner experience and resources
Suggested Duration:
4 hours to allow time for somatic exercises, inquiry practice, group feedback, and reflection
Who This Course Is For:
Courses for Therapists, Coaches, Educators, Professionals in Care or Leadership, and Mind-Body Enthusiasts
Format & Delivery:
Offered in-person, online, or as a hybrid model to suit your needs. The course is designed for small groups to foster an intimate, supportive, and highly interactive learning environment. Participants engage in guided somatic practice, centering and inquiry exercises, psychoeducation, and group process work.
Key Benefits:
Heightened self-awareness and emotional regulation
Greater calm and clarity in high-stress situations
Strengthened empathy and authentic presence in relationships
Practical tools to support personal and professional resilience
Community learning and support during practice
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
Interpersonal Neurobiology 101: Foundations for Connection
Course Description:
Explore the science of how relationships shape the brain and promote well-being in "Interpersonal Neurobiology 101." This foundational course introduces key concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, revealing how brain, mind, and relationships interact to impact emotional regulation, resilience, and health. Through engaging lectures, reflective exercises, and group dialogue, you will learn how to apply neurobiological principles to foster connection, healing, and growth in personal and professional contexts. Whether you are a therapist, coach, educator, or curious learner, this course provides practical insights for transforming relationships and supporting lasting change.
Learning Goals:
Understand the basics of brain structure and function in relation to relationships
Learn how attachment, empathy, and regulation occur at a neurobiological level
Explore the impact of stress, trauma, and healing on brain connectivity
Apply interpersonal neurobiology principles to enhance communication and connection
Develop awareness of mind-body integration and co-regulation in relationships
Cultivate skills to nurture resilience, safety, and emotional balance
Suggested Duration:
4 hours including presentations, reflection, exercises, and discussion.
Who This Course Is For:
Courses for Therapists, Coaches, Educators, Professionals in Care or Leadership, and Mind-Body Enthusiasts
Format & Delivery:
Offered in-person, online, or as a hybrid model to suit your needs. The course is designed for small groups to foster an intimate, supportive, and highly interactive learning environment.
Key Benefits:
Foundational knowledge of how relationships affect brain and emotional health
Enhanced skills for empathy, communication, and emotional regulation
Practical tools to support clients, teams, or personal relationships
Greater understanding of stress, trauma, and healing processes
Connection to the latest interdisciplinary insights from neuroscience and psychology
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
Awakening Embodied Courage: Cultivating Presence AND Inner Strength
Course Description:
This immersive course invites you to embody deep courage, authenticity, and ethical action as foundational elements of personal and collective awakening. Drawing on somatic and depth psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and trauma-informed approaches, you will explore how to access and regulate your life force energy while healing wounds that fragment your sense of self. Central to this journey is cultivating zivilcourage—the civil courage to stand for truth, integrity, and compassion in the face of fear or adversity. You will develop practical tools for embodying presence, transforming self-judgment, and fostering resilience, enabling you to act with clarity and bravery in your relationships, work, and community. The course integrates psychological and spiritual dimensions to support sustainable growth and ethical leadership.
Learning Goals:
Cultivate embodied courage and mindful presence grounded in self-awareness
Develop the capacity for zivilcourage, courageously standing up for ethical values and integrity
Harness and regulate life force energy to support healing and empowerment
Transform inner fragmentation through compassionate inquiry and somatic practices
Heal and resource the inner child to strengthen authenticity and autonomy
Shift self-judgment and inner critic voices into self-compassion and clarity
Build healthy boundaries and relational resilience in personal and professional settings
Integrate psychological and spiritual perspectives into courageous, ethical action
Suggested Duration:
3-4 hours with experiential practices, inquiry, reflection, and group dialog
Who This Course Is For:
Therapists, coaches, and professionals committed to deep mind-body integration, authentic presence, and cultivating ethical courage in complex relational and organizational environments
Format & Delivery:
Offered in-person, online, or as a hybrid model to suit your needs. The course is designed for small groups to foster an intimate, supportive, and highly interactive learning environment.
Key Benefits:
Develop authentic courage to act ethically and confidently
Strengthen emotional regulation and embodied presence
Transform self-criticism into compassion and clarity
Build resilience and healthy relational boundaries
Engage in a supportive, interactive learning community
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
Understanding the Dark Tetrad: Navigating Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and Sadism in Professional Settings
Course Description:
Gain essential knowledge and practical strategies to recognize and manage the dark tetrad personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism—within workplaces and professional relationships. This course explores how these traits manifest, influence group dynamics, and affect leadership and organizational culture. Through case studies, psychological insights, and communication tactics, participants will learn to protect their well-being, foster healthier interactions, and promote ethical environments. Ideal for leaders, HR professionals, coaches, therapists, and anyone interested in the psychology behind toxic and cruel behaviors at work.
Learning Goals:
Identify key characteristics and behaviors of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism
Understand the impact of dark tetrad traits on workplace culture and interpersonal dynamics
Develop skills to set boundaries and respond effectively to these challenging traits
Explore strategies for ethical leadership and building resilient, accountable teams
Recognize signs of manipulation, deception, covert aggression, and cruelty
Enhance personal and organizational well-being despite toxic interpersonal dynamics
Suggested Duration:
2-3 hours, including presentations, group discussions, scenario analysis, and practical tools. Shorter forms are possible.
Who This Course Is For:
Leaders, HR Professionals, Coaches, Therapists, Organizational Consultants, and Professionals Navigating Complex or Abusive Interpersonal Dynamics
Format & Delivery:
Available in person, online, or hybrid formats with small, interactive groups to support deep engagement and practical learning.
Key Benefits:
Heightened awareness of toxic and harmful personality dynamics
Practical techniques for maintaining psychological safety and boundaries
Tools to foster integrity, transparency, and ethical cultures
Empowerment to lead effectively amidst difficult personalities
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
Workplace Bullying Awareness and Empowered Response: Healing, Boundaries, and Transforming Culture
Course Description:
This course offers a trauma-informed, psychologically grounded approach to understanding and addressing workplace bullying. Drawing on depth psychology, somatic experiencing, and real-world insights from over 25 years of clinical and corporate work, participants will learn to recognize bullying dynamics, understand their profound emotional and psychological impact, and develop clear, effective responses. Emphasis is placed on cultivating inner clarity and boundaries, fostering psychological safety, and promoting organizational cultures rooted in integrity and respect. Through compassionate inquiry and practical strategies, this course supports both individuals affected by bullying and leaders committed to systemic change.
Learning Goals:
Identify subtle and overt forms of workplace bullying and their psychological effects
Understand trauma responses related to bullying and how they impact individuals and teams
Cultivate personal boundaries and assertive communication to respond to bullying
Learn somatic and depth psychology–informed methods to process and heal from bullying experiences
Explore organizational approaches to prevent bullying and create respectful, accountable environments
Foster resilience through compassionate self-awareness and community support
Suggested Duration:
3 hours, including presentations, group discussions, scenario analysis, and practical tools. Shorter forms are possible.
Who This Course Is For:
Employees, managers, HR professionals, therapists, coaches, and organizational leaders dedicated to combating bullying at work with empathy and clarity.
Format & Delivery:
Offered in-person, online, or hybrid formats, prioritizing small group sizes to nurture safety, interaction, and deep learning.
Key Benefits:
Gain clarity on workplace bullying as a psychological and systemic issue
Empower yourself with tools to set boundaries and communicate assertively
Heal emotional wounds with integrative somatic and psychoeducational methods
Support or lead cultural change toward safer, more respectful workplaces
Connect with like-minded professionals in a supportive learning space
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
Power and Responsibility: Exploring Ethical Leadership and ABUSE
Course Description:
“With great power comes great responsibility.” This course explores the multifaceted nature of power—its forms, uses, and abuses—at the individual, relational, and organizational levels. Drawing on depth psychology, group dynamics, and trauma-informed inquiry, participants will examine their own relationship to power and learn to identify subtle and overt forms of power abuse. The course examines how power dynamics operate differently depending on who wields power and the social context, including patterns such as laissez-faire leadership, which can enable harm through inaction. Through reflective inquiry and practical dialogue skills, you will build strategies to engage with power ethically, speak truth to authority, and foster environments where responsible power use promotes trust, safety, and collaboration.
Learning Goals:
Explore different forms of power and their psychological and social functions
Reflect on your personal relationship with power, authority, and influence
Identify subtle and overt dynamics of power abuse, including group and organizational contexts
Examine the role of laissez-faire leadership in enabling or mitigating harm
Develop skills to communicate effectively with power holders and navigate complex power dynamics
Foster ethical leadership and collective responsibility in professional and personal settings
Suggested Duration:
3-4 hours, including reflective exercises, case studies, group inquiry, and practical skill-building.
Who This Course Is For:
Leaders, managers, coaches, therapists, organizational consultants, and professionals navigating power dynamics in workplaces or communities.
Format & Delivery:
Offered in-person, online, or hybrid formats, prioritizing small group sizes to nurture safety, interaction, and deep learning.
Key Benefits:
Gain insight into your own power and the dynamics influencing others
Build awareness of how power abuses operate and their impact on individuals and groups
Strengthen communication strategies for addressing power responsibly
Understand leadership styles, including laissez-faire, and their organizational effects
Empower yourself to contribute to ethical and accountable power cultures
Instructor:
Dr. Kerstin Hecker
TEACHING ENGAGEMENTS
Dr. Kerstin Hecker is available as a lecturer to speak on various topics pertaining to the overarching themes of workplace bullying and trauma, covering topics such as the abuse of power, female perpetration, and the somatic and psychological impact of relational abuse. Her teaching style is captivating, engaging, and highly collaborative.
Executive Master of Public ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM 2024
Hertie School (professional school for public policy)
October, 2024
Berlin, Germany
Guest lecturer for the Executive Master of Public Administration Program 2024.
MEET Dr. KERSTIN HECKER
Dr. Kerstin Hecker is a passionate advocate for psychological and relational safety. With a Doctorate in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, her expertise lies in understanding and addressing workplace bullying, with a particular focus on covert aggression and the abuse of power by women in professional environments.
Dr. Hecker has presented her research findings at prestigious events such as the 14th International Association on Workplace Bullying + Harassment Conference and the 2024 Niagara Conference on Workplace Mobbing. Her commitment to supporting individuals who have faced overwhelming adverse life events led her to become a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP™).
In addition to her scholarly achievements, Dr. Kerstin Hecker is a holistic counselor (SIAF) and a board-certified holistic health counselor (AADP). She has dedicated herself to studying and working with various approaches to body-oriented psychotherapy, including Interpersonal Neurobiology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dynamic Attachment Repatterning (DARe), Family and Systemic Constellations, Core Energetics, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Feldenkrais, and meditation practices.
With over 25 years of experience in corporate America, covering areas such as consumer and market research, management, sales, operations, CRM, and marketing, Dr. Hecker brings a wealth of real-world knowledge to her practice. Her academic credentials also include a BA in Business Studies.