Craniosacral Therapy Certification Courses in San Diego
Taught by Dr. Debbie Novick, DC | Novick Integrated Medicine, Carlsbad CA
If you're a practitioner, bodyworker, or healing arts student seeking to deepen your understanding of the body’s subtle rhythms and unlock a profound therapeutic toolset, Dr. Debbie Novick’s Craniosacral Therapy Certification Courses in San Diego (Carlsbad) offer an exceptional opportunity for hands-on learning, professional development, and lasting transformation.
With over 28 years of clinical experience and 19 years of teaching, Dr. Novick brings her deep understanding of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) to a supportive, small-group setting designed to help you master the art of healing through gentle touch. Each level of training—CST I, II, and III—builds sequentially on Dr. John Upledger’s 10-Step Protocol, offering both foundational and advanced concepts of CST in a way that is digestible, applicable, and certifiable.
Courses are held in Carlsbad, California, just north of San Diego, and include lecture, demonstration, and intensive practicum, plus a Certificate of Completion issued by Dr. Novick.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on bodywork technique that supports the body’s natural ability to heal by improving the function of the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. By releasing restrictions in this system, practitioners can help improve the functioning of the central nervous system, reduce pain, and bring the body back into a state of balance.
CST is especially powerful for addressing:
Migraines and tension headaches
TMJ dysfunction
Neck and back pain
Nervous system dysregulation
Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
PTSD and emotional trauma
Sleep and digestive disorders
Level I – CST I: Foundations & The 10-Step Protocol
Time: 10:30am–1:00pm and 2:30pm–5:30pm
Tuition: $200
Location: Novick Integrated Medicine – Carlsbad, CA
Class size limited to 10 students for personalized learning
CST I is your gateway into the craniosacral world, teaching the core 10-step protocol developed by Dr. John Upledger, which remains the gold standard in craniosacral practice. You’ll learn how to feel and track the cranial rhythm, make light-touch corrections, and safely interact with the craniosacral system using highly specific, gentle hand placements.
Topics covered include:
Introduction to the craniosacral system
Anatomy and physiology of the membranes, bones, and CSF
Palpation training: how to feel the cranial rhythm
Performing the full 10-step protocol (hands-on practice)
Contraindications and safety considerations
Clinical applications for common physical and emotional issues
This training is perfect for chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, nurses, and students looking to integrate a somatic, trauma-informed modality into their practice.
You will walk away with a Certificate of Completion, confidence in the protocol, and the skills to begin using CST in a therapeutic setting.
Level II – CST II: Deepening Your Practice & Listening Skills
Once CST I is complete, CST II invites you to go deeper into intuitive listening, anatomical specificity, and real-world application. This level introduces expanded listening stations throughout the body and focuses on developing sensitive palpation skills and practitioner presence.
Topics in CST II include:
Advanced anatomy of cranial sutures, sacrum, and dural tube
Enhancing practitioner sensitivity and inner quiet
“Listening stations” for detecting restriction patterns
Addressing fascial drag and body memory
Layered tissue release: working beyond the craniosacral pulse
Emotional release work and holding safe space
The CST II module is deeply experiential. You’ll spend much of the time in partnered practicum, developing the subtle awareness and stillness needed to become a skilled craniosacral practitioner. Dr. Novick guides students closely, offering detailed corrections and advanced clinical insight throughout the day.
Level III – CST III: Integration, Trauma Resolution, and Clinical Mastery
CST III is a masterclass for those serious about becoming confident, intuitive craniosacral practitioners. This level integrates previous learning with deeper work on unwinding, energy cysts, and the intersection of physical trauma and emotional memory. You will also learn how to create your own treatment flow beyond the 10-step protocol while maintaining therapeutic presence.
Topics include:
Unwinding and energy cyst resolution
Interfacing with somatoemotional release
Advanced fascial dynamics
Case-based approaches to chronic pain, migraines, and trauma
Developing a clinical session from intake to resolution
Ethical considerations in subtle energy work
You’ll be encouraged to listen beyond anatomy, trust your intuitive presence, and build a strong clinical container for working with complex patients. CST III is especially valuable for those working in integrative, trauma-informed, or functional medicine settings.
What to Expect: Workshop Schedule & Learning Format
Each CST course is a 6-hour in-person workshop split into two sessions:
Morning: 10:30am–1:00pm (lecture, demo, initial practicum)
Afternoon: 2:30pm–5:30pm (advanced practicum, case discussion, Q&A)
The small class size (maximum of 10 students) ensures that every participant gets personalized attention, practice time, and feedback directly from Dr. Novick. You’ll work in pairs, practicing each CST technique under guided supervision, with opportunities to both give and receive bodywork.
By the end of the day, you’ll not only understand the techniques—you’ll have felt them in your own body, building somatic intelligence and confidence in your touch.
Certification and Requirements
Upon completing each level, you will receive a Certificate of Completion signed by Dr. Debbie Novick, affirming your participation in the CST program. The courses are grounded in the teachings of Dr. John Upledger, and you’ll be required to obtain the book:
Craniosacral Therapy by John Upledger, D.O., F.A.A.O & Jon D. Vredevoogd, M.F.A.
This text will serve as both a pre-reading and ongoing reference to deepen your learning and clinical understanding.
Why Learn CST from Dr. Debbie Novick?
As a chiropractor with over 28 years of practice, Dr. Novick blends her expertise in structural medicine, homeopathy, and clinical nutrition with the subtle wisdom of craniosacral therapy. Her teaching style is hands-on, intuitive, and grounded in decades of experience with real-world patient care. Based in Carlsbad, California, her courses attract healing arts professionals from across San Diego County and beyond who are seeking authentic training in mind-body medicine.
Enroll Today – Space is Limited
Ready to bring your healing work to the next level? Whether you’re new to craniosacral therapy or ready to deepen your practice, these CST courses in San Diego offer rich, hands-on experience and a supportive environment to grow your skills.
Next steps:
📧 RSVP: drdebnovtep@gmail.com
📞 Call: 760-519-1759
📍 Location: Novick Integrated Medicine, 2745 Jefferson St., Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
💰 Tuition: $200 per course
Space is limited to 10 students per session—reserve your spot today and join a growing community of craniosacral therapists changing lives one gentle touch at a time.