Justine Halliwill
Empowerment Self-Defense
Justine Halliwill brings over 20 years of professional experience in clinical settings, demonstrating her expertise in the field. In 2002, she devised and implemented a yoga program specifically tailored for cardiac rehabilitation at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Later relocating to Oregon, Justine now serves as a yoga therapist at the Oregon Health and Vascular Institute, where she specializes in working with patients undergoing cardiac and pulmonary rehab.
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At Hope for Healthcare, Justine seamlessly combines her extensive clinical background with her proficiency in empowerment self-defense (ESD) to provide valuable support to healthcare professionals. Since 2015, she has been an instructor of ESD at the University of Oregon. ESD is the sole form of self-defense training backed by research evidence substantiating its effectiveness. Justine has actively contributed to the development of an evidence-based, trauma-informed, and inclusive curriculum for ESD. Moreover, she has trained numerous students to lead ESD workshops and has presented her expertise at national conferences.
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Justine recognizes the significance of individuals' intersecting identities and is committed to a holistic approach that prioritizes trauma-informed care and inclusivity. She firmly believes that everyone deserves to possess the skills necessary to foster a safe and supportive environment. By imparting techniques such as de-escalation, bystander intervention, verbal strategies for setting boundaries, and non-violent physical strategies, Justine empowers individuals to feel safer. When individuals feel safer, they become more effective in delivering healthcare services, fostering improved communication and trust among colleagues. Justine's vision is that these ESD tools will ultimately contribute to enhanced patient outcomes.