Paula Petry, PhD, is an author, speaker, presenter, and energy medicine practitioner. She specializes in stress and burnout, grief and loss, mindfulness, and personal empowerment.
Dr. Petry’s journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal empowerment began with the birth of her daughter, Alexandra, who was born with a severe disability. In lieu of accepting the fate prescribed by physicians, other health professionals, and educators, Paula chose to pave a new path for not only her daughter, but for many others. She became a strong advocate to meet the needs of her daughter and in that she formed what is now one of the leading parent advocacy organization in the country. She brought that knowledge and her passion for family-centered care services to her faculty position at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics— for over a decade preparing pediatricians to work with children with special health care needs. Her daughter’s death brought great loss, suffering, and new beginnings. She studied energy medicine, sound healing, mindfulness, and somatic therapies to heal. She now finds purpose and meaning in helping others pave their path forward to their own bright beginnings.
Dr. Petry has provided hundreds of energy medicine healing sessions to individuals with chronic pain, grief, depression, anxiety, burnout, and high levels of stress. Individuals consistently report higher satisfaction with their lives, a sense of renewal, and a new found purpose and meaning in their lives.
Dr. Petry has presented to large audiences as well as small groups, totaling over 10,000 individuals. Presentations are designed to meet the needs of the organization on topics including stress and burnout, grief and loss, life after life, mindfulness strategies for well-being, shifting limiting beliefs, and wellness strategies to build one’s inner power.
Dr. Petry is responsible for the development of an annual Women’s Summit for caregivers held in Orlando, Florida each year sponsored by the Family Café, Inc. This mind, body, spirit conference is designed to bring evidence-based wellness strategies that result in lowered stress and anxiety for caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Sponsors include the Department of Education, Department of Health, and private donors.
Dr. Petry uses rigorous evaluation methods to determine the effectiveness of her conferences, workshops and retreats. Using her Joyful Living Instrument, the pre and post evaluation results consistently show a significant improvement in their levels of mindfulness and joyfulness.