Cherionna Menzam-Sills

CHERIONNA MENZAM-SILLS was introduced to pre- and perinatal psychology/therapy in the early 1990s as part of her MA program in Somatic Psychotherapy (Dance/Movement Psychotherapy). It was through this training that Cherionna first encountered William Emerson and began training intensively with him for the next six years. Her passion for pre- and perinatal psychology led her to pursue a doctorate in the field, apparently the second person in the world to achieve this. After her first womb surround with Ray Castellino in 2000, she moved to Santa Barbara to teach at the Santa Barbara Institute and immediately began assisting and studying intensively with Ray at his BEBA clinic and through his training and ongoing supervision. This work, along with other modern trauma therapy, Craniosacral Biodynamics, and Continuum (a mindful movement practice), and years of meditation practice profoundly influence her therapy, her teaching, and her life. Cherionna feels deeply grateful to have been able to work so closely with PPN pioneers, Ray and William, as well as founder of Continuum, Emilie Conrad, who authorized her to teach Continuum in 2007. She was also fortunate to study and work closely with John and Anna Chitty, and later to teach with her now husband Franklyn Sills, pioneer in Craniosacral Biodynamics. 

Cherionna began teaching Embodied Embryology through somatic movement in 1997 as part of her doctoral studies in Pre- & Perinatal Psychology, which led to her teaching at Naropa University and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She has taught and facilitated Pre- and Perinatal Psychology/Therapy, Continuum and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy internationally. 

Cherionna currently offers online post-graduate training for practitioners to enhance their skill in recognizing and meeting prenatal and birth material arising in session work, as well as small womb surround process workshops. She has authored three books, The Breath of Life: An Introduction Craniosacral Biodynamics, Spirit into Form: Exploring Embryological Potential and Prenatal Psychology, and The Prenatal Shadow: Healing Traumas Experienced Before and at Birth (spring 2025). Cherionna is committed in her work & life to embodied presence. Originally from Canada, she now lives with Franklyn in beautiful Devon, UK.

You can learn more about Cherionna and her work at:

www.birthingyourlife.org  – Cherionna’s website

www.resourcingyourlife.org  – Online school of Cherionna and Franklyn Sills