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  3. Mara Benner
Mara Benner

Mara Benner

Rev, RMT

Spiritual Director, Director of FDW Center (Affiliated with GWCIM)True North in Holistic Wellness
Mindfulness Teacher
Interfaith Minister
Qi Gong Instructor
Reiki Master Teacher All levels
Mind-Body-Spirit Executive Coaching Mindfulness, Meditation & BiofeedbackReiki

Overview

About Mara

Mara brings over 25 years of experience in holistic healing, blending real-world understanding with spiritual practices to help patients connect mind, body, and spirit. As a Reiki Master Teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister, she offers Reiki sessions and training (both online and in person), spiritual guidance for exploring questions of meaning and faith, and compassionate support for individuals and families seeking greater well-being. Her training includes work with Qigong Masters in China and Lakota Native American healers, giving her a rich, multicultural perspective on healing.

At Four Directions Wellness (FDW), Mara creates a safe and supportive space where her clients can experience the gentle, restorative power of Reiki for stress reduction, pain management, and overall wellness. She takes a holistic approach, whether you're seeking physical healing, spiritual exploration, or deeper inner peace.

Another important direction in Mara’s practice is a Corporate Wellness Coaching program.

CLINICAL FOCUS

What conditions do they treat?

Pain and FatigueOther ConditionsMental Health & TraumaCancerHealthy Aging and GeriatricsCorporate WellnessMind-Body-Spirit Executive Coaching

Background

Life Journey

Mara's approach is shaped by a lifetime of diverse experiences. She understands the stresses and challenges of everyday life because she's led organizations, built businesses, and navigated the complexities of the healthcare world for decades.

Mara also discovered the power of healing and inner peace. For years, she has studied ancient traditions, learning from Qigong Masters, Reiki Masters, and Lakota Native American healers. She's explored meditation, mindfulness, and other practices to find balance and well-being.

This unique combination of real-world experience and spiritual wisdom allows Mara to offer a truly holistic path to healing. She brings both practical understanding and deep compassion to help her clients find greater peace, balance, and well-being in their lives.

Clinical Practice

At GWCIM and Four Directions Wellness Center, Affiliated with GWCIM

Mara has been a valued affiliated provider at GWCIM for over 16 years. In her role as Spiritual Director, she holds a safe, compassionate container for GWCIM providers, patients, and their families. Mara's presence on the team ensures that patients seeking integrative care have access to the kind of grounded, soulful support that conventional medicine rarely offers.

At her Alexandria-based practice, Four Directions Wellness, Mara and her team offer a range of services:

  • Reiki Healing: restorative energy of Reiki with Mara and her associate, Catherine Miller. They offer all-levels Reiki sessions, both in person and online.
  • Reiki Training: Mara and Catherine provide Reiki training at all levels.
  • Spiritual Support: Mara provides a safe, compassionate space to explore your spiritual journey, find meaning, and connect with the inner self.
  • Executive Coaching: Mara also offers executive coaching services, blending her business experience with holistic wellness techniques. This is ideal for those seeking to improve their leadership skills while also prioritizing their well-being.

Personal Life

How to Contact Mara Benner Directly

  • True North Executive Coaching: www.truenorthexecutivecoaching.com
  • Four Directions Wellness: www.fourdirectionswellness.com

From Our Patients

What Patients Say

They are the very best and most knowledgeable. Affiliated with GW Center for Integrative Medicine, both of their instructors have performed reiki in clinical medical settings.

— Google Review (FDW Center)

I had ReiKi level one with Mara and I can say that it was a really amazing experience since I found Mara to be a professional and caring and very knowledgeable person and she definitely knows what she is doing, provides you with the exact knowledge you need to know, has a very good teaching approach and her class is really fun and productive, you feel connected and attentive in her class and I really enjoyed every second of it. Thank you Mara and I wish you the best.

— Google Review (FDW Center)

Accepting new patients

Start your healing journey

Book a consultation with Mara Benner.

Make an AppointmentCall 202-833-5055

Expertise

  • Spiritual Direction & Contemplative Guidance
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Reiki, all levels & Energy Healing
  • Executive and Leadership Coaching
  • Corporate and Organizational Wellness Consulting
  • Small Business Entrepreneurship and Professional Growth
  • Nonprofit and government relations leadership

Education

  • Ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual Minister — Two-year seminary program in interfaith and interspiritual practice
  • Reiki Master Teacher, training with Luan Jacobs and various Reiki Masters
  • Certified Qigong Instructor
  • Integrative Reflexologist training
  • Studied with Lakota Native American healers and integrative healthcare professionals
  • Trained in the 8 Dimensions of Wellness framework developed by Dr. Margaret Swarbrick, Rutgers University

Professional

  • GWCIM: Affiliated provider and Spiritual Director (16+ years)

Speaking Engagements

  • Frequent Presenter at Corporate and Community Wellness Events

Publications

  • https://fourdirectionswellness.com/four-directions-wellness/fdw-blog/

Awards & Recognition

  • Numerous Small Business Awards, Del Ray, Alexandria, VA

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