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Prentis Hemphill | |
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Antioch University |
| Occupation(s) | Somatic practitioner, writer, author, therapist |
| Organization | The Embodiment Institute |
| Known for | Finding Our Way Podcast |
Prentis Hemphill is a genderqueer American author, therapist and somatic practitioner known for their leadership in embodied healing, healing justice and social justice work. They are the founder and director of the Embodiment Institute and the Black Embodiment Initiatives, and the host of the podcast Finding Our Way. [1]
Hemphill is the author of What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World, written in 2024, praised by Bessel van der Kolk, where they argue that lasting change for individuals, communities, and movements begins with embodied healing and relational transformation. [2] They emphasise that acknowledging the body's sensations and habitual responses, engaging with collective trauma, and cultivating connection and accountability through healing justice embodiment are essential steps in reshaping social structures and systems of power. [2] [3]
Hemphill was born in the United States and identifies as Black and non-binary queer. They hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and trained as a somatic therapist and movement facilitator, working at the intersection of trauma healing, embodiment and collective justice. [4] [5]
Hemphill served as Healing Justice Director at the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and Director of Somatics at Generative Somatics as stated on their official biography. [6] They have partnered with Brené Brown, Tarana Burke, and Esther Perel in their healing work. [2]
They later founded The Embodiment Institute, which offers training and practices for individuals and communities to heal trauma and reconnect with embodied wisdom. [3]
They contributed to the Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Crossroads of Liberation, Collective Care, and Safety anthological book edited by Cara Page and Erica Woodland alongside Adaku Utah. [7]
Hemphill's book, What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World, has received positive reviews for its emotional depth, clarity and transformative approach to healing. Critics praised Hemphill's integration of personal narrative with somatic and social justice frameworks, describing the book as "a vivid tapestry of hope and action" and "a guide for collective healing". [8] The writing was noted for its poetic and accessible style, offering readers a gentle yet powerful invitation to explore embodiment and trauma.
Some reviewers observed that the book leans more toward reflection than structured methodology, with fewer concrete exercises than expected. [9] Nonetheless, it was widely appreciated for its resonance with readers engaged in healing justice and movement work. [10]
Through their work, Hemphill has contributed to redefining healing, embodiment and resilience within Black, queer and feminist movements. [1] [11] [12]
Hemphill has spoken widely on embodiment and healing justice, including in a TED Talk podcast where they describe embodiment as "the practice of being with ourselves in the present moment". [12]
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