Skukura Woods (pronounced: shoe-coo-ruh) invites clients to bring awareness to and critically analyze their life experiences and perspectives of the past, present and future, while offering support through journeys of awakening, unlearning, and development; simultaneously guiding them to intentionally honor themselves with confidence and love. Above all, Skukura values honesty, reciprocity and balance. 

Born and raised in West Los Angeles, CA, she is currently based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Intercultural Communication from Juniata College and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, yoga instructor, eldest sister, taco and tea enthusiast, beach-lover, adventurer, and novice gardener/herbalist.  

Skukura's professional journey has encompassed 10 years of serving diverse populations, including elders, young adults, teens, and children facing various distresses such as life changes/transitions, depression, anxiety, and grief/loss. Currently, she works full-time as a trauma-informed academic and employment coach for Evolve Coaching, who specializes in neurodiversity, autism and ADHD. In addition to her client caseload, she provides individual and group clinical supervision to staff and leads a Social Group for adults. Her therapeutic framework is influenced by liberation psychology, solution-focused, holistic and existential theories, and somatic practices.

Skukura's training also includes Green Dot (bystander intervention), Intergroup Dialogue, and the Sanctuary Model. Lastly, she is a registered yoga teacher (RYT200), having received her education from MyVinyasa Practice's Tantra Yoga Teacher Program; and, most recently completed a year-long “Yoga Class Curator” certification program through the Ignite Institute of Yogic Leadership and Social Change. 

In 2020, just before the onset of the COVID pandemic, Skukura founded Intimate Ascension, in hopes of offering a structured pathway to self-actualization for herself and those seeking her assistance. She is deeply grateful for every individual and group she has had the privilege to serve and welcomes others to join her on this empowering journey.