About Sophia Laverdiere
Sophia is a Birth Worker and Herbalist who believes nature has all the right remedies. From a young age she saw the wisdom which flowed through the natural world. She allowed it to carry her to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, in Arizona. There she studied many botanicals, flower essences, and other modalities of healing. After completing her Western Herbalism diploma, she found her passion in helping people and animals remedy their lives using plant allies.
Using several traditions of medicine, she has gathered her own wisdom from the plants. She hopes to spread it through helping others heal through the natural world. Sophia enjoys serving others through herbal consultations, attending botanical conferences, and furthering her relationship with the land.
Her background includes Western Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Physiomedicalism, Vitalism, Alchemy, and Wise Woman Tradition.
Sophia’s Education
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts- Phoenix, AZ (2016) Completed 700-hour herbal medicine program taught by herbalist Joann Sanchez. Teachings included herbal materia medica, physiology and anatomy, herbal therapeutics, medicine making, botany, field identification, counseling, business practices, and a clinical practicum, as well as introductory courses in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Earned a diploma as a Certified Clinical Herbalist. Completed a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal apprenticeship involving clinical skills, apothecary work, and medicine making.
Six-month Herbalism Program with Matthew Wood (2018) Attended advanced herbal materia medica and body system classes taught by Matthew Wood. Extensively learned knowledge on tissue states and organ systems, followed by clinical applications.
The School of Evolutionary Herbalism with Sajah Popham (2019) Completed an Alchemical and Astrological Herbalism Workshop at the Evolutionary School of Herbalism in Oregon. Lessons included relating botanical medicine to planetary influence and underlying cosmic patterns. As well as an introductory course to prepare botanical extracts with alchemical principles.
Northwest Institute of Ayurveda with Traci Webb (2019) Training in Ayurveda pulse assessment to detect different imbalances in tissues, channels, organs, emotional/mental state. Education included Marma Therapy release techniques.
Functional Birth Work- Intro To Midwifery and Birth Doula Certification (2020) with Laura Doyle, Midwife
This training entailed deep learning of conception all the way to birth, and postnatal care. Full-spectrum learning covered everything from proper nutrition to rebozo techniques for labor, positions, and how to advocate for the client giving birth.
Heart and Hands Midwifery Intensive (2021) with Elizabeth Davis, Midwife This intensive is a required component of the National Midwifery Institute’s three-year midwifery program, which is accredited by MEAC (the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council) and recognized by the California Medical Board. Learned skills include blood pressure assessment, fundal height measurements, fetal heart auscultation and palpation, pelvic and cervical examination, and intramuscular injections are included.
Skills and techniques learned include assessing fetal position by internal exam, how to read a fetal monitor (in case of transport), hand maneuvers for assisting birth, techniques for handling shoulder dystocia, posterior arrest, and retained placenta (including manual removal), and basic skills for assisting breech birth.
Maya Midwifery Intensive (2023) with K'iche Maya Midwives of Guatemala Ixquik, Roasalia, and Reina
Introduction to the Mayan cosmovision and spirituality that is at the very core of the work of traditional midwifery for this tribe. Explored a variation of traditional womb healing practices, pregnancy and postpartum care, traditional cures for babies and herbal medicines. Learned sobada or Maya abdominal massage specifically for postpartum care, along with Faja (womb wrapping) to support the womb back into place post-birth.
Online Education
Evolutionary School of Herbalism - Vitalist Practitioner Program
Learning clinical skills and holistic therapeutics for herbal mastery. Comprehensive teachings on organ systems and clinical applications.
Chilbirth physiology with dr. Rachel Reed (2022)
This course offered essential evidence-based information about how physiological birth works. The course was taught by a midwife, author, researcher and educator.
Ayurvedic belly binding (2024)
Offered by Inner Sun and Moon, an Ayurvedic Doula School. This course entailed knowledge on why it is beneficial to belly wrap Postpartum and beyond. Specific womb massages were also taught infusing botanical wisdom with Ayurvedic knowledge for post-birth recovery.
The School of Evolutionary Herbalism
with Sajah and Whitney Popham
HErbalist Matthew Wood with Sophia
Maya Midwives Intensive
Sophia and the K’iche Tribe Maya Midwives of Guatemala