Pelvic health therapists
We hold space for your self-healing body by supporting your movement with presence, curiosity, and compassion.
We are transforming pelvic health physical therapy.
“The average medical student doesn’t even hear the word ‘trauma’ in their education.” - Dr. Gabor Maté, author of When the Body Says No: The Hidden Cost of Stress.
At Bodyful, we understand the machinery of stress and the inseparable unity of body and mind.
Bodyful Physical Therapy and Wellness is a somatic movement and trauma-informed pelvic health and chronic pain focused practice serving all body identities. We are sensitive to stories of persistent pain, and we respect that trauma—whether physical or emotional—often heals with a scar that needs tending to.
Your care is met with attuned presence. Most sessions are a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing time to listen deeply and understand what you would consider a sense of completeness and conclusion in your physical therapy care. We support your quest to understand your pain, strengthen your physical confidence, and feel more at home in your core.
Feel safe with a pelvic health physical therapy specialist in Oakland, CA.
Who Are the Therapists at Bodyful?
Our work integrates:
Pelvic floor physical therapy
Somatic movement therapy
Pilates Reformer personal sessions
Yoga-informed movement
Dr. Maryssa Steffen, PT, DPT (she/her), Co-founder, ABPTS Board-Certified Pelvic Health/Women’s Health Clinical Specialist
Dr. Maryssa is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist. She is rooted in the Bay Area and brings over 25 years of experience in somatic and bodyful movement practices, including Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering®, dance therapy, and traditional and contemporary West African and Congolese dance and song.
She earned her B.A. in Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from California State University, Northridge in 2018. Dr. Maryssa works with adult populations of all self-identified genders, with a focus on persistent and complex pelvic pain and trauma-sensitive care.
Her professional grounding includes active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health, the California Physical Therapy Association, the International Pelvic Pain Society, the National Vulvodynia Association, and the Body-Mind Centering® Association. She has completed Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) coursework through the Prague School of Rehabilitation and Manual Medicine, taught by Dr. Clare Frank of Movement Links, including advanced Pelvic Floor Skills training.
She is currently enrolled in the Somatic Movement Educator (SME) program through the School for Body-Mind Centering®, hosted at Moving Within with Mary Lou Seereiter. This program is approved by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA).
Dr. Maryssa’s practice is informed by her evolving embodiment of Emotional Decolonization (Dr. Jennifer Mullan) and her commitment to community, solidarity, and anti-racist practice. “The source of this process is love.”
Dr. Karah Charette, PT, DPT, RYT (she/her), Co-founder
Dr. Karah is originally from Buffalo, NY and received a B.A. in Biology and Dance from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. A dancer for more than 20 years, Karah has a deeply embodied sense of the wisdom of the body and non-verbal expression. Karah is also a 200 hour registered yoga teacher after training in Ashtanga Vinyasa style in Thailand. She is certified in classic and contemporary mat and reformer Pilates techniques. Karah is currently studying Body-Mind Centering® and Authentic Movement with Mary Lou Seereiter. She focuses on evidence based care that pulls from comprehensive pain science and polyvagal theory. Karah uses skilled manual therapy as well as individualized and somatic-informed exercise during sessions to promote sustainable change from the level of the nervous system. Karah engages in her own consistent embodiment practices so she can show up grounded and present with clients, as co-regulation is key to healing. She enjoys creating a container in physical therapy where cerebral approaches and somatic approaches can support each other. You can expect a safe, collaborative, and curiosity-invoking environment when working with Dr. Karah. She aims to meet you where you are, attune to your beliefs, and be a witness to what unfolds.
Dr. Karah’s relevant training & experiences:
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Course A & B with Dr. Clare Frank
Organ, Fluid, Endocrine, Ligamentous/Fascial Systems, Basic Neurocellular Patterns courses for Somatic Movement Educator Program licensed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the School for Body-Mind Centering®
Authentic Movement Mentorship with Mary Lou Seereiter
Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1, 2A, 2B Trainings
Herman and Wallace Mobilization of the Visceral Fascia for the Reproductive System, Gastrointestinal System, Urinary System of Men and Women Trainings with Dr. Ramona Horton, PT, DPT
Teaching Assistant for GI and Level 1 (mentioned above)
Lymph Drainage & Vascular Release for the Pelvic Therapist
APTA Combined Sections Meeting
Yoga Teacher at Nourish Osteo
Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center
re:Action Pilates
Spear Physical Therapy (NYC)
Athletico Physical Therapy (Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago)
Certified 200 Hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Training with All Yoga
Certified mat and reformer Pilates instructor
Research Assistance with Dr. Cynthia Chiarello, PT, PhD, MS on Pelvic Girdle Pain at Columbia University, NYC
ODC Healthy Dancers Clinic
Alvin Ailey Movement Screens with Dr. Shaw Bronner
Get in touch with Bodyful
Private Pay Physical Therapy
We are a private pay practice.
Our services may be eligible for reimbursement through your out-of-network physical therapy benefits. We do not contract with insurance companies and we do not bill insurance directly. Payment is collected at the time of service, and we are happy to provide a superbill upon request for you to submit to your insurance carrier.
In some cases, out-of-network reimbursement can be more favorable than high-deductible in-network plans. Many clients feel supported and satisfied after even a single visit.
We accept HSA and FSA payments.
Important note: We are not in relationship with Medicare or Medi-Cal and are not permitted to provide skilled physical therapy services to Medicare or Medi-Cal beneficiaries. If you are a Medicare or Medi-Cal beneficiary and would still like to work with us, please ask about our wellness and non-skilled PT offerings.