Life coach and energy healer Roxana Jones said, “your body, mind and soul were designed to act as one. Connect the three and you will align with the life of your dreams.” To obtain a better idea on how to achieve this; we sat down with our members, Isabella Scapini-Burrell & Michael Burrell of Renewed Pathways. We are excited to learn about their business, their background, their exciting news and why they chose My Annapolis Office.
What can you tell us about your company and your background?
Renewed Pathways is a comprehensive Psychotherapy and Wellness practice. We help you regain your health through psychotherapy and movement practices.
(Isabella) I am a psychotherapist and dance/movement therapist, licensed to practice in NY and in MD. I have over twenty years of experience in this field, accrued initially from working in hospitals and clinics in NYC, among them the Association in Manhattan for Autistic Children, St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York Hospital, The Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center clinic. I have been in private practice since 2000 in NYC, and since 2012 in Annapolis. I have worked in the areas of Schizophrenia, trauma, addiction and severe anxiety disorders.
Now I see all age groups from children to seniors. I specialize in children’s, couples’ and family therapy. I also have expertise in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorder, trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse, body image problems, creative blocks, anxiety, gender/sexual identity issues, family conflicts, affairs, divorce.
I use verbal Psychotherapy with individuals, couples, groups and families. Dance/Movement therapy is often a treatment of choice with children on the Autism Spectrum disorder as well as with people who have a history of trauma.
(Michael) I have studied and practiced Chinese medicine, martial arts and meditation for several decades. I have also worked with subtle energy in people and the environment and examined how they impact your health and wellbeing.
For many years I studied with intuitive masters on developing and applying intuition in daily life. From there, I developed a methodology, SomaLinguistic Interaction™, that allows for the comprehensive identification, assessment and treatment of injuries, trauma and physical illnesses. When you engage in SomaLinguistic Interaction™ classes with me, you find the simplicity in a movement that leads to a depth in awareness of your body, your movement, your choices. You find new ways of experiencing yourself, a less painful and better quality of life.
How did you get started in mental health?
(Isabella) I originally trained as a Ballet dancer. I experienced firsthand the joy as well as the sacrifice involved in professionally training a body to be and function “perfectly.” When I retired from Ballet, my studies, undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate training were geared towards understanding the connections between the body and the mind, and between self and others.
Since those early days I have kept this commitment to continue to study and explore what causes anxiety in the mind and in the body, how trauma affects the body and the mind, how family relationships can be both a source of growth and a source of intense pain, how children adapt to stress, and how people heal and grow.
(Michael) I worked for many years in the corporate field, in the US and in Europe, helping executives and business owners make decisions, through intuitive and practical means, about the right technologies and resources needed to move their business forward.
This experience has led me to focus my work now on helping people deal with their physical challenges, to help them tune into their own innate intuition and their body’s wisdom and movement, at times when the body feels assaulted by physical trauma or illness.
In the space with me, people begin to trust and reconnect to their bodies as a source of strength, support and growth and can find they can move more freely, more consciously. The body as a source of growth rather than just pain and illness.
What is something about your philosophy that most people do not know?
We come from different backgrounds and training, yet the treatment modalities we offer are both comprehensive and complementary.
We both believe in the communication between the body and the mind to be central in healing. Sessions with Isabella are traditional talk or movement therapy sessions while Michael is both a witness, a guide and a teacher. Michael’s classes are not “instructional,” but provide a space where your movement is your own, and from there the potential for physical relief of pain, increased mobility, increased movement repertoire is born.
Where do you see your practice in 5 years?
We are looking into expanding to a wider client base and reach as many people we can who can benefit from our services. We are interested in growing organically, attracting those people who can use our services and are committed to a more in-depth journey towards psychological and physical healing.
(Isabella) I am interested in writing about and presenting more of my work to the psychoanalytic community as well as to the general public, about family, couples’ work and to support parents’ understanding of their children’s challenges.
(Michael) I am interested in writing about the movement technique I have developed, hold workshops and educate people about the limitless potential of the human mind and body, regardless of age or physical limitations.
How did you meet?
(Isabella) We met in college in a religion class, as Michael says, “many, many moons ago!” And the rest is history. We both love classical music and classic rock, going on walks. I love to dance…Michael… not so much. Michael is a wonderful cook…me…not so much!
Other than your professions, what are you passionate about?
We love to spend family time. We are passionate about social justice, morality coming from an open and compassionate heart, even during times when the “dog eats dog mentality” seems to win the race. Nurturing children and teenagers to have the courage to be and become fully who they are so they can be part of the solution of moving society further along, despite the obstacles.
What types of activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
(Isabella) I enjoy volunteering teaching Ballet to adults and in a Buddhist center.
(Michael) I enjoy gardening and biking with our younger child and holding deep philosophical conversations with the older one. We also love to eat good food and laugh together as a family.
What is your favorite place to eat in Annapolis? Favorite dish there?
We have enjoyed eating at Royal Karma. They have great Indian food and we love their Panak Paneer, Tandori Vegetables and of course the Mango Lassi.
Why did you choose My Annapolis Office and how has working here helped your practice?
We first started leasing at My Annapolis Office in 2015. We have enjoyed the option of an office away from the more populated hallways, where it is quiet and private. It’s been nice throughout the years to see some usual friendly faces and chat by the coffee machine. It makes the day lighter. We have met attorneys, therapists and other entrepreneurs and gotten to know a bit about their lives and their business.
The office suite at My Annapolis Office provides a clean, professional and confidential space for our clients. Our clients know they can come and go for their regularly scheduled appointment, and their privacy is respected. Some of our clients have stayed with us for years. They are reassured by the kind and professional atmosphere that both Jessica and Adriana work at maintaining for us.
Is there anything new you would like to share with us?
We are very excited to announce that we are in the process of building a new website for Renewed Pathways that will provide all the information about our areas of expertise and services. It will be live by early August.
We are also planning an open house here at My Annapolis Office around mid-August. We would love to meet you, tell you more about what we do and answer any questions you may have.
If you are interested in more information about the Open House, please give them a call at 301-706.9560. To learn more about Isabella or schedule an appointment, please visit Psychology Today and Good Therapy.
