Lauren H. Collins, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT
Sis, You Need Her Messages
Within the US, the incidences of interpersonal violence amongst Black women is 4/10 persons, and the incidences of sexual assault amongst Black women is greater than 20%. A person who is exposed to trauma has a 2.7 times increased likelihood of experiencing a physical dysfunction. The physical effects of IPV and SA can include a wide range of dysfunctions, inclusive of; pain syndromes, gut issues, urinary and bowel issues and sexual dysfunctions. These issues can be amplified within the Black community due to the exposure to chronic stress due to consistent social, political and economic forms of discrimination. Healing from the trauma of sexual violence, that is concomitant with the chronic stress of negative biases, requires a multifaceted, culturally relevant, trauma-informed approach. This workshop aims to educate participants on trauma and the body, screening for survivor needs, types of referrals and healing practices that can be incorporated; giving autonomy to experiencers.
What You'll Be Able to Do!
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Get a basic understanding of how trauma affects the body,
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Learn how to screen accurately for trauma related physical issues.
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Implement 3 healing techniques to regulate the nervous system.
Who She Is
Dr. Lauren H. Collins is a healer whose work is rooted in deep clinical expertise, cultural reverence, and an unwavering commitment to the restoration of Black bodies and lives.
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With nearly three decades of practice as a physical therapist and more than 20 years dedicated to women’s health, Dr. Collins brings both mastery and tenderness to her care. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy, a certified lymphedema therapist, and a trauma-informed practitioner whose work centers survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. For the past 17 years, her clinical focus has included pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pain, and the complex ways trauma lives in the body.
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A proud Howard University alumna, Dr. Collins earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy in 1998 and returned to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020 — a full-circle commitment to excellence, legacy, and service. She is currently a professor in Howard University’s Physical Therapy program and serves on faculty with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health, where she has also been a teaching assistant for over a decade. Her academic contributions extend nationally, including adjunct faculty roles at Alabama State University and guest lectures at the University of California, San Francisco.
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In 2022, Dr. Collins founded Lauren H. Collins Wellness, a nonprofit created to provide pro-bono, survivor-centered healing services for Black survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. This work reflects her belief that healing must be accessible by design — not by exception — and that culturally responsive care is essential, not optional.
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Her therapeutic approach is grounded in multilayer, whole-self healing. Dr. Collins integrates advanced manual therapy techniques such as Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Myofascial Release, and 5NP Auricular Acupuncture, alongside her training as a sexual assault survivor first responder. She understands that the body remembers — and that healing requires safety, trust, and respect for each person’s lived experience.
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Beyond the treatment room, Dr. Collins facilitates workshops and trainings for survivors and for the organizations that support them, focusing on trauma-informed care, pelvic health, and the intersection of chronic pain and trauma. Through her educational platform Pelvic Love on YouTube, she offers free, affirming pelvic health education to expand access and normalize conversations long silenced in our communities.
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When you meet Dr. Lauren Collins, her presence is unmistakable. She is a clinician, educator, and advocate — but first and foremost, she is a healer who meets people exactly where they are, honoring their bodies, their stories, and their right to heal fully.
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For more information, visit laurenhcollinswellness.com.