About

My work with individuals, couples and groups draws from Somatic Experiencing®, Polyvagal Theory, Family and Systemic Constellations and a variety of trauma-informed and mindfulness practices.

In addition to my Somatic Experiencing and Constellations training, my background is in chiropractic, acupuncture and teaching yoga to men in recovery in the style of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga.

My work is also inspired by my deep curiosity about people, relationships between people, systems of all kinds and by my love of nature, hiking, surfing and music improvisation.

I feel deep resonance with Emergent Strategy and generative somatics (gs) and often weave elements of each into my sessions.

I hold a systemic view that opportunities for embodied healing and repair must be extended to everyone if cycles of harm and violence are to be overcome. To that end, I work not only with those who have been harmed, but also with those who wish to address the ways that they have caused harm.

My greatest hope is that those who work with me experience a deeper connection to Authentic Self, Life Force, Vitality and Joy.

Education - Experience - Trainings

    • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, CA, 2018

    • 230-hour Yoga Teacher Certification, Yoga Center of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, 2011

    • Acupuncture Certification, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, 2005

    • Doctor of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, 2001

    • Bachelor of Science – Human Biology, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, 2001

    • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Minneapolis, MN, San Francisco, CA and Montara, CA, 2018 to Present

    • Daniel Gaustad, DC, Owner and Doctor of Chiropractic, Private Practice, Minneapolis, MN, 2005 to Present

    • Leadership Team / Assistant, Breaths Together For A Change: Somatic Antiracism and Decolonization Program, 2020 to Present

    • Somatic Experiencing Assistant, Somatic Experiencing Professional Trauma Training, 2020 to 2021

    • Facilitator, Somatic All Genders Group: Overcoming Bias and White Supremacy, 2020 to Present

    • Facilitator, Somatic Men’s Group: Overcoming White Male Supremacy, 2019 to Present

    • Participant, Building Capacity For Equity And Belonging: Somatic Antiracism & Leadership Development, 2019 to 2021

    • Facilitator, “Through the Lens of Safety and Connection – A 4-Week Series For Men”, Minneapolis, MN, February, 2019

    • Co-Facilitator, “Trauma, The Body and Yoga”, Willmar, MN, January, 2019

    • Co-Facilitator, “Trauma, The Body and Yoga”, Northfield, MN, November, 2018

    • Progress Valley, Yoga Instructor – Men’s Recovery Program, Minneapolis, MN, 2012 to 2018

    • Co-Facilitator, “Trauma, The Body and Yoga”, Minneapolis, MN, April, 2018

    • Panel Participant, “Radical Self Care Event”, Century College, White Bear Lake, MN, April 2018

    • Presenter, “First Do No Harm: Fostering Trauma-Sensitivity In Your Healing Practice”, Northwestern Health Sciences University Health and Wellness Symposium, Bloomington, MN, March 2018

    • Co-Facilitator, “Trauma, The Body and Yoga”, Minneapolis, MN, September, 2017

    • Associate Doctor of Chiropractic, Advanced Chiropractic, Roseville, MN, 2003 to 2006

    • Systemic and Family Constellations for Individuals – Online Constellation Training, Leslie Nipps, 2024

    • Practice, Mentoring and Deep Inquiry – Five-Month Online Constellation Training, Leslie Nipps, 2023-2024

    • Family Constellation Training – Sexual Abuse/Assault, Anni Mukkala-Stinn, 2023

    • Depression, Aggression and Life Force, Somatic Experiencing Master Class, Peter Levine, PhD and Legacy Faculty Members, San Diego, CA, 2019

    • Eye Of The Needle II, Somatic Experiencing Master Class, Peter Levine, PhD and Legacy Faculty Members, Carlsbad, CA, 2019

    • Eye Of The Needle I, Somatic Experiencing Master Class, Peter Levine, PhD and Legacy Faculty Members, Encinitas, CA, 2018

    • Somatic Experiencing Professional Trauma Training: Advanced I with Lael Keen and Russell Jones, 2018; Advanced II with Raja Selvam and Dave Berger, 2018

    • Concussions and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dave Berger, MFT, PT, LCMHC, MA, SEP, Chaska, MN, 2018

    • Relational Development, Rupture and Repair; A Somatic Developmental Understanding of Relationships, Bonding and Attachment, Dave Berger, MFT, PT, LCMHC, MA, SEP and Abi Blakeslee SEP, CMT, MFT, PhD, Evanston, IL, 2018

    • Family and Relational Constellation Workshop, Peter deVries, M.A., SEP, Minneapolis, MN, Summer 2018

    • Somatic Experiencing Professional Trauma Training: Intermediate I and II with Dave Berger, 2018; Intermediate III with Steve Hoskinson, 2018

    • The Effect of Trauma on the Next Generation, Dr. Rachel Yehuda, MN Trauma Project, Eagan, MN 2018

    • Family and Relational Constellation Workshop, Peter deVries, M.A., SEP, Minneapolis, MN, Winter 2018

    • Somatic Experiencing Master Class – Case Consults and Demonstration with Peter Levine, PhD, SE Trauma Institute Web Stream, 2017

    • Therapeutic Rhythm, Therapeutic Presence – Case Consults and Demonstration with Peter Levine, PhD, SE Trauma Institute Web Stream, 2017

    • Somatic Experiencing Professional Trauma Training: Beginning I and II with Joshua Sylvae, 2017; Beginning III with Dave Berger, 2017

    • Digestology – Digestion For The Healthcare Provider, Jeff Lavell, DC and Standard Process, Edina, MN, 2017

    • Trauma and Stress Across the Lifespan, Dr. Gabor Mate, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, January 2017

    • Introduction to Trauma Sensitive Yoga 40-Hour Training with David Emerson, Kripalu Yoga Center, Massachusetts, October 2016

    • Morphogenic Field Technique, Dr. Frank Springob and Standard Process, Edina, MN, 2016

    • The Power of Needles – Strategy and Techniques of Acupuncture Treatment, Dr. Wei Lu L.Ac., Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN 2013

    • Spring Forest Qi Gong Level 1 Training, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, 2013

Testimonials

“It's challenging to summarize my work with Dan -- we have walked through many, many emotional meadows together. One of the first things Dan and I worked on was orienting into the physical space and learning how to notice how I am feeling in that moment. Not how I was feeling last week or what I'm worried about for tomorrow. I learned how to slow down and notice right here, right now. That alone is a powerful skill.

From there, we've worked through grief, patriarchy, racism, belonging, ancestral connections, and celebration of self.  After many years of working with various (very helpful) therapists, this somatic work has been the most resonant for me and the results are tangible-- I literally feel more connected to my truth. Dan, a million Thank Yous for being on this journey!”

— KS

“I have been in Somatic Experiencing modalities with Dan for over four years, initially as an individual client seeking trauma relief. For the last four years I have been in a Somatic Experiencing small group facilitated by Dan. Within that structure, there is a focus on each of us as individuals while simultaneously accomplishing communal growth and knowledge.  

I have gained an enhanced understanding of my body, its patterns and my own capacities through learning methods of increased body awareness and self regulation. Dan has a deep foundation of training in trauma work coupled with his intuitive facilitation skills. I highly recommend working with Dan in individual, group and workshop settings.”  

— Wendy McCulley

"I am lucky enough to have spent the last 4 years in a monthly somatic experiencing group with Dan. He is a gentle & intelligent facilitator and guide. He mixes just the right amount of humor & personal participation with his intentional leadership to create a comfortable, collaborative, non-hierarchical atmosphere in the group sessions both online or in person.  The care and time he takes to establish a safe and trusted connection among group members provides a place for authentic sharing with others and true self reflection.

I have learned and integrated valuable practices for self regulation of my nervous system, I have gained a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that affect us all, and I have become more comfortable with discussing these things out loud. I am very grateful to have somatic work as part of my life and plan to continue for some time. I highly recommend Dan for all that he is:  teacher, guide, friend, & mentor."

— Lisa W.

“I've been participating in group work led by Dan for years now. The members of the group have evolved, and the work we do together has evolved, but the constant that remains is Dan's leadership. His style is friendly, open, warm, and safe. No one is rushed, cut off, or made to feel unsafe. By working with Dan thru my own somatic responses, I feel seen and heard, and by witnessing others' responses, Dan has taught me how to see and hear others more clearly, and that has helped me to move forward in a better way.

Dan has a way of relating to this world that recognizes that human relationships can be difficult, and that even whole systems can be harmful, and that by grounding ourselves in our bodies and recognizing our responses and working with them we can move ultimately towards healing.”

— Peter West

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