Inspiring Conversations with Lucia DiVieste Severtson of The Brave Women’s Transformation Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucia DiVieste Severtson.

Hi Lucia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My journey began as a young actor at the age of 19, embarking on a path dedicated to the world of acting, theater, and extensive training. This was a passion that I pursued with dedication for a considerable period. However, it was a pivotal moment that occurred during my journey that would change the course of my life. The turning point came when I was honored with a scholarship at the Accademia Dell’ Arte in Arezzo, Italy.

This institution specialized in Commedia Dell’ Arte, immersing performers in the art of mask work and the profound importance of physical theater. It was here that I discovered a new dimension of drama, one that transformed lives. Through this work, I began to realize that I was not only undergoing physical transformations but also embarking on a profound psychological journey. I was accessing previously untapped parts of myself, learning more about my capabilities, desires, and potential.

This revelation fueled my passion for utilizing drama as therapy, and I knew that I wanted to pursue expressive arts therapy. My quest led me to Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although drama therapy wasn’t available at the time, they offered a graduate degree in Dance/Movement Therapy combined with mental health counseling. I saw this as an opportunity to delve into the most embodied form of expressive arts therapy, and I chose this as my focus.

After successfully graduating, I encountered challenges in practicing expressive arts therapy. Many of my clients were resistant, and I struggled with self-doubt and a lack of confidence. I made a significant pivot in my career, transitioning into a more traditional role as a straight-laced psychotherapist. However, I found myself lacking the passion that once drove me. I became a generalized practitioner, not entirely fulfilled in my work.

Then, in 2019, a life-altering experience reshaped my journey. I encountered a debilitating episode of anxiety that left me barely functional daily. It was a crisis that prompted me to explore every avenue of wellness services available in the vibrant Denver area, from yoga to Reiki, acupuncture to various supplements, and even consultations with psychic healers.

Through the process of recovery, I was relieved to receive a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It felt so good to finally name what had been an everyday part of my existence and to claim it without shame. I uncovered the true essence of everyday bravery. I began to reclaim my authentic self, casting aside societal expectations of who I should be. The epiphany arrived when I embraced Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy.

My therapist saved my life through this particular modality. This psychological technique allowed me to align with bravery instead of succumbing to fear, giving me the courage to confront discomfort and fear head-on. I learned that true courage wasn’t the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it. This moment of profound self-discovery rekindled my passion for combining movement, theatre, and therapy. The Brave Women’s Transformation Project was born.

Today, I offer the only Drama-Based Empowerment Workshops in the Denver Metro Area, led by a psychotherapist. With every workshop, I empower women to tap into their inner reservoirs of bravery, explore the power of their own stories, and embark on transformative journeys of self-discovery. In every movement, in every conversation, we create a space where women find their courage, just as I found mine.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has been far from smooth. The challenge lies in the fact that Drama Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy remain relatively unknown in the broader wellness community of the Denver area.

Consequently, attracting women to my work has proven to be quite a challenge. The very nature of what I offer can appear daunting, even intimidating to many. The notion of delving into the body, dancing, moving, engaging in improvisation, storytelling, and role-playing can evoke an automatic flight response, of “no way” within their mind and body, making it seem unapproachable. It brings up all the self-doubt.

Many people are apprehensive about the idea of facing fear, especially in the realm of psychology. We’ve been socially conditioned to take on physical challenges that test our physical bravery, but the concept of psychological bravery is often neglected. It’s about confronting the giants in our lives, and it goes beyond mere words; it’s about experiencing it in the very fibers of your being. Building psychological strength and resilience is just as challenging as building physical strength.

Another challenge I’ve encountered is guiding women to recognize that what may initially appear as play and fun in The Brave Women’s Transformation Project is, in fact, a profound and serious undertaking. It can be challenging for them to perceive the immense value in what is being offered because they sometimes see it as mere fluff, rather than understanding its potential for profound, life-changing, and transformative work.

The ability to convey that within the joyful and playful exterior lies a depth of transformational life work remains a crucial aspect of my journey with The Brave Women’s Transformation Project. It’s about helping people grasp the gravity and significance of the work they are doing and the immense positive impact it can have on their lives.

Thus, there are two significant obstacles in this journey. The first is conveying to women that I offer modalities through which they will learn to embody values like bravery, play, creativity, and community. Play and creativity, especially within the realm of embodied arts, can often make women feel uneasy. The common response tends to be, “I’m not creative,” or “I don’t know how to play.” This misconception is far from the truth.

Overcoming these hurdles and helping women understand that they possess the capacity to embody these values has been a significant part of the journey. Once women experience the work in a group setting, they often undergo a profound transformation, even when words can’t fully capture the depth of their experience. They become genuinely amazed at how expressive, creative, brave, and deeply connected to others they feel during these workshops.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The mission of The Brave Women’s Transformation Project is to give women the awareness and skills to break free of societal and family conditioning that can cause anxiety and prevent them from living full lives. Using therapeutic coaching, somatic therapy, drama therapy techniques, and creative writing, in a live group setting with other women, bravery replaces fear and confidence replaces anxiety.

This action-oriented theatrical approach helps women navigate and challenge anxiety – not ignore or suppress it. We strive to create a different culture among women. One that teaches the concept of embodied empowerment of one another and a shedding of comparison and competition between one another. We offer a cohesive community that provides validation and where everyone feels heard and is dealing with similar challenges.

The Brave Women’s Transformation Project (BWTP) stands alone as the sole organization providing clinical empowerment programs for women, utilizing drama and dance/movement therapies. Notably, it is the only organization within the state of Colorado offering these modalities under the guidance of a licensed psychotherapist.

This distinction is of paramount importance. The presence of a trained mental health therapist at the helm of such transformative work is vital. In a group environment, without the expertise and guidance of a qualified professional, there exists a substantial risk of inadvertently causing psychological harm, potentially even retraumatizing individuals.

Values: We value bravery, community, play, and creativity.

Bravery: When we embody bravery we feel fear and hear negative thoughts BUT we choose to move forward even though fear is still there. We get uncomfortable and creatively co-exist even when fear tries to co-star in our lives. We identify and change the destructive or disturbing thought patterns using cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.

We practice flexibility with Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) where we accept negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances while also committing to healthy, constructive action. We break the cycle of fear and avoidance with exposure and response therapy or ERP.
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Community: Despite rhetoric about “sisterhood” and “boss babes” there’s still competitive and passive-aggressive behavior among women. BWTP creates a cohesive community of women who lead, create, and empower each other.

Play: At some point, we’re told to stop playing and become adults. Or the only acceptable playing becomes video games or sports. But there’s so much more to play! Drama Therapy allows us to connect with ourselves and our co-stars and to show our true, unadulterated selves.
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​Creativity: Like play, creativity is undervalued and rarely valued in our culture. We are born creative beings but at some point, we’re sold a story that we’d never make it as an artist or an actor and we need to “get serious about our lives”. I can’t be the only one who was criticized by an elementary art school teacher right? It seems silly, but those criticisms hurt and we take other people’s truths as our own. BWTP allows you to play and create through performance, creative writing, and visual art. Your ideas matter and are needed, and only you can bring them to life.

What I want readers to know about my brand and offerings: I take immense pride in the transformative work that empowers women to challenge the social and familial constructs, beliefs, roles, and projections that have been placed upon them. It fills me with great joy to witness many of the women I work with confidently establish firm boundaries in their lives and assertively say “no” when necessary.

Interestingly, I often find that my work attracts individuals who are natural people-pleasers, and this is a source of immense satisfaction for me because I share in their journey. I deeply appreciate hearing their stories of setting boundaries, raising their interpersonal and professional standards, and aiming for the stars. It’s inspiring to witness them embracing newfound self-confidence and viewing themselves as leaders, a transformation they might never have envisioned before.

I have had the privilege of leading two twelve-week programs, as well as various shorter programs, where women have joined forces to collaboratively craft healing pieces of theatre. The satisfaction I derive from this work is immeasurable. I hope that through The Brave Women’s Transformation Project (BWTP), we can create a movement in which women foster a unique culture of mutual support and upliftment.

There is a profound joy in coming together to create something truly transformative with other women. Together, we embark on this journey, and it’s a process that is not only profoundly satisfying but also filled with fun and life-changing moments. As we bravely take the stage and perform these pieces, we become living examples of authentic power, showcasing the strength of vulnerability and truth-telling to effect change in the world.

Our performances inspire and motivate others to make positive changes in their lives. They grant permission to be authentic and to embark on their journeys of healing and self-discovery. The work of BWTP serves as a testament to the extraordinary power of women coming together to uplift one another and create transformative, healing, and empowering experiences.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
For women who are interested in working with me, I extend an invitation to schedule a 30-minute Zoom call. This call is designed to provide more information, create a space for questions, and help you gauge whether this journey aligns with your aspirations.

Additionally, you’re welcome to reach out via email at Lucia@bebravewomen.com for any inquiries or to express your interest. Here is the link to schedule that Zoom call: https://calendly.com/bravewomentransform-/30min Furthermore, I offer a Women’s Monologue Group, meeting twice monthly on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Additionally, I’m introducing a Women’s Therapeutic Journaling Group that convenes weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Detailed descriptions of these offerings can be found on my website. Whether it’s individual or group work, there are diverse opportunities to embark on this transformative journey.

For those interested in collaboration, I’m eager to expand the reach of The Brave Women’s Transformation Project and bring its transformative power into organizations. Whether it’s team-building workshops or therapeutic programs, I’m open to opportunities with various kinds of organizations.

This includes settings like hospitals, where this work can contribute to healing and recovery, as well as addiction recovery programs. Educational institutions, including schools, can also benefit from these programs, particularly for teachers and staff members. Also if any theatre artists would like to collaborate and create a space for therapeutic theatre in Denver I would love to hear from you. Generally, mental health clinicians who value this work and want to talk about merging our work I am very open to new ideas

My ultimate goal is to reach as many women as possible and to share the empowerment and transformation that The Brave Women’s Transformation Project can offer. So, I’m enthusiastic about exploring collaboration opportunities with organizations that are aligned with this vision. Feel free to reach out, and let’s work together to make a meaningful impact. I am available through email at Lucia@bebravewomen.com, phone at 720-412-7858, or through a 30-minute Zoom call which you can schedule at this link: https://calendly.com/bravewomentransform-/30min

As for support from the community, input and feedback are invaluable. I’m eager to hear from women about the kinds of offerings they’d like to see in the future. Your insights and desires can shape the direction of this project. What types of experiences, workshops, or programs would truly resonate with you and the community? Your input will help create a more enriching and empowering environment for all.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas about what you’d like to experience. Your valuable feedback will be instrumental in shaping future offerings to align with the needs and aspirations of the women I aim to serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bravewomentransform.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravewomentransforming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bebravewomen/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@luciadivieste-severtson3246/videos