Bringing Healing Into The World with SEI’s Rebecca M. Stahl

Rebecca M. Stahl is the interim Executive Director at SE® International and brings a unique blend of legal expertise and trauma-informed practice to their role. As a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP™), Rebecca infuses the organization’s approach with a deep understanding of how trauma affects individuals, families, and systems.

This perspective is particularly valuable given SEI’s work with vulnerable populations. A non-cishet Jewish person, Rebecca believes in the power of community as a focal point for growth and healing. This philosophy and their Somatic Experiencing® expertise underpin their leadership at SE™ International. They work tirelessly to create inclusive, supportive environments that recognize and address trauma, nurturing resilience in all individuals touched by the organization’s work.

Rebecca's journey to Somatic Experiencing® was informed by their extensive child welfare and family law background. Rebecca leverages their Somatic Experiencing® training in their leadership role to guide SE™ International’s programs and initiatives. They emphasize the importance of addressing trauma at both individual and systemic levels. This trauma-informed lens shapes everything from program design to staff training, ensuring that SE™ International's work is effective and compassionate.

As a former representative for children in child welfare cases in Los Angeles County, California, and Tucson, Arizona, they witnessed firsthand the impact of trauma on young lives. This experience, combined with their academic pursuits, including a Fulbright Scholarship in New Zealand, where they earned a Master of Law degree focusing on children’s legal representation, provides a solid foundation for their trauma-informed leadership approach. Before joining SEI, Rebecca served as the Executive Director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children, and the Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law. In this role, they continued integrating their Somatic Experiencing® training with legal practice, recognizing the powerful potential for healing when these disciplines are combined.

Rebecca is a respected voice in both legal and trauma-informed circles. They have presented at international conferences on children’s rights and family law, often focusing on the intersection of legal practice and trauma awareness. Their co-authored book, “Representing Children in Dependency and Family Law: Beyond the Law” reflects their commitment to holistic, trauma-informed representation of child clients. At SE™ International, Rebecca conducts worldwide trainings to help lawyers and other professionals navigate trauma manifestations in themselves and their clients. This work is central to their vision for the organization, as they believe that trauma-informed practices can revolutionize how we approach our communities and the world with more compassion.

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