Hello, dear human!
My name is Ira Kotlik and for the past 30 years I have been researching human consciousness with hope of helping myself and others find peace and bliss in this human form on this planet. With all the limitations, mysticism, larger social and ecological influences and absolutely unique qualities that each one of us has.
I like to focus on helping you find deep solid connection to Heart and intelligence of the Body, since I have seen how healing and regulating it is for our gentle soul and nervous system. I also love helping couples come into deeper understanding and appreciation of each other. I teach various techniques that help to balance your energies and maintain nourishing couple space for the two of you to enjoy.
I like to focus on helping you find deep solid connection to Heart and intelligence of the Body, since I have seen how healing and regulating it is for our gentle soul and nervous system. I also love helping couples come into deeper understanding and appreciation of each other. I teach various techniques that help to balance your energies and maintain nourishing couple space for the two of you to enjoy.
Born to Jewish father and Russian mother in Ukraine, experiencing antisemitism and moving to Israel when I was 14, awakened me very early to the harshness the human world offers. At the same time, though, there was love and beauty, books and music, friends, family nights filled with laughter and hugs, trips to the forest and garden that my parents grew. There was light in the darkness and I dreamed of being a part of those inspiring humans that cultivate it.
Already in 1999, when I was 19 years old, I developed a program that aimed to help immigrant teens at higher risk of drug abuse and expulsion from the educational system. At that point I knew that an overall positive approach to self and life, as well as humor, have been extremely helpful in my immigration journey. The program became such a success that the Israeli Ministry of Education adopted it nation-wide. After completing B.A. in psychology, sociology and anthropology I continued to pursue M.A. in psychobiology. Deeply curious about how the human brain, immune and endocrine systems work. While the researcher side in me has been strong, it was becoming more and more clear that I wish to utilize my knowledge to help people be happy, mentally and emotionally agile. I was also tapping into the importance of Body-Mind connection and sexuality.
In 2005 I did two things - started practicing hatha yoga and volunteered at the Open Door, an organization that consults teens, their parents and schools on everything sexuality related. Perhaps this is when all the pieces of the puzzle of human psyche and well-being began to come together. It was clear - a healthy body and a healthy sexual self are the undeniable foundation for aliveness, joy and development of the Spirit.
Next was the final big educational stretch - doctorate in clinical psychology. Only that at this point “heady”, disconnected from the scared outlook on body and heart, Freudian psychological doctrine was not an option for me. And as it happens in such cases, when the Soul has a request, a path to it opens. Since I spoke decent English I expanded my search for a doctoral program globally and was ecstatic to find California Institute of Integral Studies that integrated Eastern and Western approaches to well-being. Luckily I was accepted and moved to California with my husband, continuing with rigorous meditative and yogic practice. In 2009, however, my marriage hit rock bottom and Encounter-centered Couples Therapy developed by internationally renowned couples therapist Hedy Schleifer entered my world. We did not stay together as a couple, but here is the beauty of it - after 8 years of practicing crossing the bridge into each other’s world, learning to listen with open heart and full presence, our relationship evolved into an unshakable friendship that allowed for relatively smooth divorce and inspiring collaboration in growing our son.
In 2011 I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology with dissertation work, exploring the possibility of inducing Ayahuasca-like state via neurofeedback. I came back to Israel, got licensed and opened private practice, helping individuals and couples connect to inner wisdom and the healing power of love.
In 2017 I received certification as a yoga instructor and completed my second 10-day silent meditation retreat. The more I deepened my meditative and yogic practice the more I was amazed by what was possible for me and my clients. And then something truly extraordinary happened - I met the man of my dreams. Someone I felt deeply resonant with emotionally, intellectually, energetically and sexually. This meeting and our life together (today we are 8 years into the relationship) highlight what I was feeling and not getting in my first marriage - authentic exclusive "lover's bond" is real, powerful and is not something you need to "work for".
Don't get me wrong - we have our disagreements, past relational hurts that trigger and require healing. The fact that we both had done prior personal therapy and could use Hedy's couple's techniques, have been super helpful. Yet, this relationship showed me the depth of pleasure and intimacy that is accessible when we follow our truth, our body and heart in choosing our life-long partner. This allows me to support my clinet on whole new level in their romantic quest. It also allows me to bring clarity to couples, empowering them to let go of the relationship when it is not aligned, rather than spending years and money trying to build something that is not meant to be. On the other hand, I can see when two people are truly deeply loving, being pulled apart by generational relational trauma and / or lack of soft skills such as non-reactive listening, self-awareness and conflict resolution. When we develop these, couple is able to enjoy their bond, deepen intimacy and sexual connection. You'll be surprised of what's possible after a 10-session course!
Finally, in 2022 I have completed my studies and certification as Sex, Love and Relationship coach with Tantric Approach.
Love is truly all that we need and I am happy to show you how healing and empowering your own presence and love can be for you.
Already in 1999, when I was 19 years old, I developed a program that aimed to help immigrant teens at higher risk of drug abuse and expulsion from the educational system. At that point I knew that an overall positive approach to self and life, as well as humor, have been extremely helpful in my immigration journey. The program became such a success that the Israeli Ministry of Education adopted it nation-wide. After completing B.A. in psychology, sociology and anthropology I continued to pursue M.A. in psychobiology. Deeply curious about how the human brain, immune and endocrine systems work. While the researcher side in me has been strong, it was becoming more and more clear that I wish to utilize my knowledge to help people be happy, mentally and emotionally agile. I was also tapping into the importance of Body-Mind connection and sexuality.
In 2005 I did two things - started practicing hatha yoga and volunteered at the Open Door, an organization that consults teens, their parents and schools on everything sexuality related. Perhaps this is when all the pieces of the puzzle of human psyche and well-being began to come together. It was clear - a healthy body and a healthy sexual self are the undeniable foundation for aliveness, joy and development of the Spirit.
Next was the final big educational stretch - doctorate in clinical psychology. Only that at this point “heady”, disconnected from the scared outlook on body and heart, Freudian psychological doctrine was not an option for me. And as it happens in such cases, when the Soul has a request, a path to it opens. Since I spoke decent English I expanded my search for a doctoral program globally and was ecstatic to find California Institute of Integral Studies that integrated Eastern and Western approaches to well-being. Luckily I was accepted and moved to California with my husband, continuing with rigorous meditative and yogic practice. In 2009, however, my marriage hit rock bottom and Encounter-centered Couples Therapy developed by internationally renowned couples therapist Hedy Schleifer entered my world. We did not stay together as a couple, but here is the beauty of it - after 8 years of practicing crossing the bridge into each other’s world, learning to listen with open heart and full presence, our relationship evolved into an unshakable friendship that allowed for relatively smooth divorce and inspiring collaboration in growing our son.
In 2011 I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology with dissertation work, exploring the possibility of inducing Ayahuasca-like state via neurofeedback. I came back to Israel, got licensed and opened private practice, helping individuals and couples connect to inner wisdom and the healing power of love.
In 2017 I received certification as a yoga instructor and completed my second 10-day silent meditation retreat. The more I deepened my meditative and yogic practice the more I was amazed by what was possible for me and my clients. And then something truly extraordinary happened - I met the man of my dreams. Someone I felt deeply resonant with emotionally, intellectually, energetically and sexually. This meeting and our life together (today we are 8 years into the relationship) highlight what I was feeling and not getting in my first marriage - authentic exclusive "lover's bond" is real, powerful and is not something you need to "work for".
Don't get me wrong - we have our disagreements, past relational hurts that trigger and require healing. The fact that we both had done prior personal therapy and could use Hedy's couple's techniques, have been super helpful. Yet, this relationship showed me the depth of pleasure and intimacy that is accessible when we follow our truth, our body and heart in choosing our life-long partner. This allows me to support my clinet on whole new level in their romantic quest. It also allows me to bring clarity to couples, empowering them to let go of the relationship when it is not aligned, rather than spending years and money trying to build something that is not meant to be. On the other hand, I can see when two people are truly deeply loving, being pulled apart by generational relational trauma and / or lack of soft skills such as non-reactive listening, self-awareness and conflict resolution. When we develop these, couple is able to enjoy their bond, deepen intimacy and sexual connection. You'll be surprised of what's possible after a 10-session course!
Finally, in 2022 I have completed my studies and certification as Sex, Love and Relationship coach with Tantric Approach.
Love is truly all that we need and I am happy to show you how healing and empowering your own presence and love can be for you.
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