We value listening touch

Our mission

Preserve the legacy of Ilana Rubenfeld

Ilana Rubenfeld was a pioneer of body-oriented therapy and psychophysical education. Our mission is to pass her legacy to future generations.

Promote the Rubenfeld Synergy Method®

We promote trainings and workshops in the Rubenfeld Synergy Method® accessible to those who want to optimize therapeutic and educational outcomes.

Support somatic therapists & educators

Our goal is to educate the public and support practitioners using somatic approaches to learning and healing that integrate empathetic talk and touch.

hands holding hope

Words of Hope from TIRF’s Board

Join us in promoting safe touch and open listening

in our healing, in our homes, in our schools,

in our tender and ferocious world.

There is a method, an ancient method,

a natural movement, a synergy,

a synchrony (a symphony)

of vocalization and touch, together.

Refined by Ilana Rubenfeld. Teachable. Learnable.

Unifying the split of thoughts from sensations.

“Bodymind is one word.”

And so she taught. And so we teach.

We welcome seekers, somatic therapists,

and anyone in need of safe touch and open listening.

—Bonnie Muller, president

Meet the board

  • Bonnie Muller, president, Ilana Rubenfeld Foundation

    Bonnie Muller

    PRESIDENT

    Bonnie Muller, a clinical social worker, Certified Rubenfeld Synergist, and past president of the International Association of Rubenfeld Synergists resides in Hamden, CT. She describes herself as coming from a musical household, a strong faith community, and parents who were healing professionals. At the age of 10, her family attended a Quaker gathering where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught nonviolence and unconditional love. She began a lifelong process of recognizing the effects of her privileges and committing to equity as well as empathic listening. When first experiencing Rubenfeld Synergy, she resonated with Ilana’s musicality and use of empathetic listening touch. She applied Ilana Rubenfeld’s insights to her work in schools, community mental health and early childhood education. She believes those insights will continue to enliven the field of somatic therapies, softening/strengthening the tenderest and the hardest/hurtest of hearts.

    Contact her at: bonnie@rubenfeldfoundation.org

  • Catriona Moore, International Coordinator, Ilana Rubenfeld Foundation

    Catriona Moore

    INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR

    Catriona Moore is an Integrative Health Consultant in Dublin, Ireland combining a holistic skillset as a kinesiologist, nutritional and stress management coach, nurse, psychologist, somatic bodymind therapist and energy medicine practitioner. But more importantly, she is a mystic gardener of the soul, a relaxation reverere and a nature and animal lover. She has spent her life co-creating with Nature, including natural essences from fungi, trees and plants, to use in her practice and share. Having traveled the world as a citizen of everywhere and nowhere, she has lived her life studying, becoming and being in places as diverse as Europe, North America, the Far East, Middle East and Africa—enough to experience the transpersonal connection among all people and to understand the human experience of self, the bodymind and spirit. She has discovered the deeper we go within…into our stillness…the more we realize how interconnected we all are. Because while interconnection depends on your relationship between self and others, intraconnection is at the core of any relationship without yourself.

    Contact her at: catriona@rubenfeldfoundation.org

  • Patricia Orphanidis

    Patricia Orphanidis

    SECRETARY

    Patricia currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She is a graduate of Ilana Rubenfeld’s 12th training cohort and has served as a teaching intern, which deepened her understanding of the Rubenfeld Synergy Method.  She has been propelled on a life-long journey of optimal health - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - as a result of Ilana’s methods which integrate body, mind, emotion and spirit.  Her learnings are expressed in the classroom as an Elementary Education  teacher, a Kundalini yoga instructor, while caring for seniors, and in her way of living.  She has recently been certified in The Somatic Grief Relief Program of the Integrated Wellness Institute, which utilizes RSM methods of listening with deep curiosity while connecting to one’s body.

  • Justin Salvio TIRF Tresurer

    Justin Salvio, MHSA, CRS

    TREASURER

    As clinical leader and organizational executive in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for over 40 years, Justin’s deep commitment to the recovery and wellbeing of youth and adults is grounded in fostering the innate ability for healing. He draws on his Rubenfeld Synergy training, 18-months in Japan studying martial and healing arts, 25 years of marriage to a committed, courageous and insightful partner, and the support of 7 male friends who have gathered monthly for over 30 years to explore intimacy and spirituality.

    With a B.A. in Religious Studies from Yale University and a Master’s in Management from Antioch New England University, Justin completed 3 years of Rubenfeld Synergy Method training in 1992, then 2 years of RSM Graduate Study. Justin completed Rubenfeld for Life training, mentoring training and has been part of the architecture of RSM organizationally since the mid-90’s, including the original ethics and certification committee.

  • Deborah Merkle

    Deborah Merkle

    RUBENFELD SYNERGIST, TEACHER AND MENTOR

    Deborah completed her training and began her practice of the Rubenfeld Synergy Method in Portland, Oregon, USA, in 2002.  Over the years she organized numerous workshops in the Portland area for Ilana Rubenfeld and Master Synergist Rob Bauer.  She has supported scholarships and marketing within the Synergy community and has edited the newsletter of the International Association of Rubenfeld Synergists since 2017.  

    Deb has also trained in biodynamic cranial therapy and in Gestalt therapy at the Portland Gestalt Training Institute.  She currently teaches introductory biodynamic courses and maintains a part-time private practice, seeing clients and mentoring professionals in bodymind principles.  She brings deep passion and commitment to the Rubenfeld Synergy Method and continues to explore integrative approaches to healing and personal growth.