Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leslie Boyd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Leslie , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I have been a professional counselor for 23 years. I began my career working as a school counselor in 2000. Then, in 2014, I started seeing adult clients privately. That is also when I embarked on a path of diving deeply into physiology as I entered into a 3-year trauma resolution program called Somatic Experiencing (SE). The SE program was beautifully respectful, thoughtful and slow in it’s ethos in respect to working with clients. So much so, that I felt a profound calling to share – at least – some of the knowledge I was learning.

Through this program, we were taught via a non-pathological lens. That is to say, there was nothing for me (the practitioner), nor the client to fix in session together. We were taught how to look at so-called dysfunctional behaviors as mere adaptations to survive. This was a 180 to what I was taught as a clinician in my professional training, where we used a manual called The DSM to affix labels of pathology on clients. Inherent in the pathological/allopathic/disease model is that “something is wrong with the client.” I had a suspicion that by simply changing my lens in how I viewed clients and their behavior (and people in general), true healing could begin.

From that point on, I scoured all sources I was studying for similar non-pathologizing views: yoga, meditation, somatics, Depth Psychology, etc. I began to put together a practice and curriculum incorporating all these modalities, while utilizing the non-pathological approach as my foundation. Surprisingly enough, even though I was going very slow with my clients, they were integrating quicker. Based on this empirical data, I felt a need to bring the bespoke practice and curriculum to a larger audience.

That was the nexus of a business called Architecture of Humanity (AoH). It’s creation sought to bring about community-centered growth. My education background embedded in me that we learn best together, i.e., we could learn about our individual selves amid a safe community. I began hosting gatherings with the psycho-biological approach as my foundation. And, my like-minded friends/practitioners hosted events that included intentional dance, sound and somatic movement, all with an education and growth undertone. All these events were done under the umbrella of Architecture of Humanity.

I believe (as does yogic tradition), that when we commit to practices that allow us to learn the essence of our True Nature, we can tap into our most fundamental birthright: freedom. I educate through a psycho-biological lens. I seek to liberally disperse the knowledge of our biology and psychology, so that individuals may source this sense of freedom – not from a healer, therapist, doctor, practitioner, nor some institution – but from their own being. This, (in my opinion) is truth, and it is interwoven into all the teachings, offerings and events organized by Architecture of Humanity.

Leslie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I run a private practice where I see clients on my property in the Gird Valley region of Fallbrook. I have 2 formal degrees in psychology (a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology), and a few other certificate trainings: Somatic Experiencing, yoga 500 +, Cranial Sacral, yoga therapeutics, restorative yoga.

I worked for 10 years in school counseling where crisis and triage were the modus operandi. In 2013, I decided to go back to school to get licensed as a clinical therapist. I, however, pivoted, and landed on a body-based/nervous system approach called Somatic Experiencing. From the first day of my 3-year training, I felt at home and in alignment with my soul’s purpose. After finishing the SE program in 2017, I began a self-guided immersion program into studying human biology/physiology, attachment theory, depth psychology, ancient yogic texts, nutrition, and eastern-based philosophy.

I do not believe I am a healer. I believe that we are all healers – we’re wired that way – as we are the most relational animal on the planet. I believe that we all have the blueprinting in our bodies and nervous systems to bring our True Selves back to wholeness. As humans, we do this best, among others. For my clients, I am a consummate witness and friend and a steady being of safety to which they can begin to re-wire early attachment wounds, as they bring forward their inner physician. When a client decides to work with me, we embark on a beautiful, long and nuanced journey together; a slow and steady pendulated movement between support and challenge.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Interestingly enough, I’ve never had a business card nor have I done any advertising to attract clients. I have a thriving practice that is based solely on referrals. My professional and personal lives have a lot of overlap. In other words, what I teach to my clients is what I practice in my personal life. I believe when we live a life of congruency (actions matching words) and a commitment to leading a life of growth to support the greater good, we will get rewarded with payment in many forms of currency…the highest, which is love.

I adhere to the philosophy that like-attracts-like. I respect and care deeply for the earth and it’s inhabitants – from the microscopic to the thousand-pound beasts. I believe what is emanating from my heart-space can affect humans and other organisms thousands of miles away from me. Everyday, I endeavor to live a life based on cleanliness via my intentions of body, mind and spirit. I am especially sensitive to my karma: how my actions create impressions in my nervous system, the nervous systems of others and beyond. I understand I will do harm to others and this world. As a human being, however, I have the astounding gift of the ability to repair injuries I’ve induced; I seek to suture all the harms I’ve created in this lifetime.

With that said, what has been the most effective method for growing my clientele? It has been to make decisions based from my heart-space. Simple in theory, complex in practice.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2016, I’d lost nearly all of my worldly possessions: marriage, money, occupation, home, family, friends and health. I felt forlorn, marooned, misunderstood and betrayed. Unable to even walk on some days due to health issues, I began connecting to my body for the first time. I inherently knew that I would be able to heal. And, in addition, that I could take care of myself on my own – this was a revelation to me as I’d essentially relied on others my entire life. It was a long and arduous process. But, low-and-behold, I found yoga, meditation, somatic work and a connection to my Self.

Over the course of 6 years, I managed to get my house out of foreclosure, I leased an office downtown, started a private practice, a separate business, and fell in love. I want to add, none of this was easy. In fact, it came with many failures, falling flat on my face, making countless apologies, making living amends and healing deeply embedded traumas through somatic work.

I’d also like to add that I’m not special in my resilience. I am constantly reminded of how strong humans are as I am witness to a beautiful clientele of who continually amaze me with their resilience, growth, softness and a leaning towards love. It is a great privilege to be alive, and moreover, to be a sacred witness to those choosing to be on a personal growth path.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.architectureofhumanity.co
• Instagram: @leslie.s.boyd
• Facebook: Leslie Boyd and Architecture of Humanity
• Youtube: @leslieboyd3032