We were lucky to catch up with Rosie Cataldo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rosie, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I left the safety of a position within an ethical nonprofit to focus more on what I feel called to do. I serve in the counter-human trafficking space. My focus – the prevention and healing of trauma. For the past six years, I have worked within the prevention space in different capacities, ranging from abuse prevention for youth to awareness and education in the financial and banking sectors. All the while, I was exploring the best ways to use my skills and passion to prevent and interrupt illicit activity. I have met some remarkable people doing incredible work. At the top of the list, I have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside incredible alchemists – survivors of organized violence. Organized violence encompasses sectors such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, gangs, exploitation, genocide, and religious cults. Bad actors seek out vulnerabilities in people to exploit. However, exploiters may also seek out a person’s giftings – such as a musical talent, acting ability, or a gifted ballet dancer.
In addition to meeting inspiring survivors and overcomers, I have met remarkable trauma specialists, healers, investigators, nurses, and nonprofit leaders who continually strive to make a difference in prevention, disruption, and healing.
A bit shy of three years ago, I was taught a healing modality for releasing trauma. I have always been fascinated by healing, and was taken to various healing seminars as a kid with my family. More recently, I witnessed remarkable healing after our adult daughter had serious injuries stemming from a bicycle accident. I was astounded by the body’s ability to heal.
After learning this healing modality, I immediately began practicing. I shared it with people in various circles, from family members to friends and acquaintances. I was seeing some remarkable shifts in the people I was working alongside. Depression and anxiety were lifting. Limiting beliefs were dissolving. Addictions were losing their power. People who were navigating sleepless nights due to complex PTSD, having suffered horrific abuses were sleeping through the night. I was taken aback by the results that clients were sharing with me.
While I was working with more and more individuals, I would start to feel their “stuff” the next day and it would affect my ability to be present with my own family. In perfect timing, a colleague of mine in the anti-human trafficking began teaching a course called, “Foundations,” and invited me to join. This nine-month course was a game-changer for me. I learned grounding strategies that helped keep myself clear – this was extremely helpful when I was in a session with someone and afterward. I have deep respect and admiration for each individual I have the privilege of working with. However, it is not healthy for me (nor anyone else) on an energetic level to take on someone else’s emotions or issues. The tools I learned in the Foundations course allowed me to see more people and not be weighed down by the heavy issues that individuals were navigating. I developed the ability to be the observer and simply channel healing for the greatest good of the person I get to work alongside. I have one of the greatest seats – to witness others in their healing. It is hard to describe with mere words. It is beautiful and gives me a lot of hope. We as humans are soul first and we have far more power than we are led to believe here in Earth school, as I like to call it. I know there is something far bigger than we are working through me. It never ceases to amaze me.
I continued to see beautiful and miraculous results from sharing healing with others. In addition to the one-on-one sessions with people, I continued to research, take trauma-informed trainings, and add elements to my practice based on learnings from trauma specialists and healers. I also train trauma-informed advocates on how to practice the healing modalities so they can help others release stored trauma. A vast world has opened up and during each session with a client, I learn something new. It is just too good to keep it to myself. It needs to be shared.
Rosie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
It is my privilege to serve as a trauma-informed anti-human trafficking consultant, healing conduit, bodyworker, and intuitive coach. Offering people tools to create life-long barriers to traumas and embark on their path toward healing is my passion.
After a rewarding experience working in Public Affairs for the Federal Reserve Bank, a suburban child sex trafficking scheme ignited a shift. After some recalibrating, I began researching and connecting with people in various sectors of the anti-trafficking space. I have been inspired by extraordinary people doing remarkable work and have learned that we all can share our unique gifts to do something for the greater good. I have blended my past professional experience and my current (and ever-expanding) awareness to aid in awakening and solution-infusing measures – all under the umbrella of prevention and healing. Addressing how various sectors and individuals can come alongside this growing epidemic of human crimes, and serve as protectors in their respective areas, is vital.
I believe there are, truly, no coincidences in life.
Part of my scope includes presenting and conducting training for a wide variety of audiences, from youth to educators, to college students and business professionals on solution-based topics related to the prevention and deterrence of organized violence. I do focus on anti-human trafficking, however there is a lot of crossover in the space with various types of illicit activity and human crime.
What I am drawn to most in this work is the healing space. I love having a front-row seat to witnessing miraculous shifts in those I have the privilege to work alongside. It is a sacred exchange and one that I do not take lightly. It is a true honor and it brings me joy.
I most recently added Reiki to the healing modalities that I offer in a healing session. After my mom passed away I saw a Reiki practitioner to help me process my grief. When I received a Reiki session from Amy Nesdahl, who is spiritually gifted and a tremendous healer, it was as if someone took a cat that was sitting on my chest and moved it. The grief that was so heavy, foggy, and an energy drain had lifted. It was amazing. I felt like myself again – only lighter. I was also reminded of the deep connection that we continue to have with our loved ones who have passed on. It is always there and always will be there. It is just in a different form – a non-physical one. We just need to be open enough to receive the signs. Being quiet, at least for a few minutes a day, can help. Tune out the noise and be intentional about creating a bit of solitude. Being curious about the notions that come into the mind is a great start.
Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The technique was developed in Japan and is administered by the laying on of hands. It is based on the idea that all living things have a special energy flowing through them called life energy. When your life energy is high, you’ll feel strong and confident, be more relaxed and centered, and less likely to get sick. When it is low, you’ll often feel tired, be more easily affected by stress, and less resistant to illness.
Reiki is a Japanese word that comes from two words – Rei and ki. In the Japanese language, these words can mean different things depending on how they are used and how they are combined with other words. When they are used together for the practice of healing, the word Rei means universal spirit, Higher Power or God. The word ki refers to the life energy that flows through all living things. Therefore, Reiki means life energy that is guided by God. Some also feel this is just another way of saying Holy Spirit.
A Reiki treatment is a way of increasing your life energy. A practitioner will transmit Reiki to the client through the hands. The hands are lightly placed on or near the body in various positions around the head, shoulders, stomach, and feet. Sometimes a practitioner will also treat above the body.
A treatment can feel like a warm glowing radiance that flows through the body. It is a very relaxing experience and some clients report the body feeling heavy as it relaxes and yet the spirit or emotions feeling light at the same time. A treatment will usually release negative feelings or thoughts leaving the client feeling more positive, light-hearted, and with feelings of well-being. (Learn more at reiki.org.)
Reiki was so transformative for me in shifting and reframing my grief, that I added it to the healing sessions that I offer. It was the catalyst that led me to being a Reiki Master practitioner. The practice has allowed me to open up more of my spiritual giftings.
Out of loss and pain, I received and learned a beautiful practice that benefited me in many ways – and I now use it to help others find a way back to their true authentic selves. The person they were born to be – but may have been interrupted – due to circumstances that are out of their control.
One remarkable phrase that a therapist shared in a course on complex trauma: “There is nothing wrong with you. It’s a brain thing. You are having a completely natural response to your environment.” Those words alone can be extremely healing for someone to hear. Especially someone who has been treated like a commodity. Never underestimate the power of simply listening and witnessing someone’s pain. That in itself is healing.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I have learned and fine-tuned ways to help myself tap in more to my intuitive notions and trust them. I love to pass on helpful methods to clients who are seeking this as well. We can each create our unique formula for staying grounded and in touch with our inner wisdom.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
My relationship with a higher power, which I refer to as God, has been instrumental in navigating the anti-human trafficking space. I am a solutions seeker. Intentionally asking for Divine guidance led me to where I am now. I was shown some very dark elements that were hard to witness. What I learned about child sex trafficking impacted how I view the world. It also dysregulated my nervous system. It took time to recalibrate and learn how to help myself so that I could move forward and be of service to others, without being traumatized by all of the details. The people who came into my life to share their stories and show me ways that they make a difference have been truly inspiring.
I am a social person and I love meeting new people and networking. This has allowed me to share the work I do with a wider audience. Offering free 30 minute discovery calls with potential clients is very helpful too – that way we can figure out if we are a good fit for each other. If someone is ready to re-write their narrative and open, then the real shifts happen. I get to be a witness. That, in itself, is a magnificent place to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.consultrosie.com
- Instagram: @RosieCataldo
- Linkedin: @RosieCataldo
Image Credits
Amy Nesdahl