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ABOUT
What Is the Art of Collective Integration?
The Art of Collective Integration was originally developed by David Young (楊正賢) as a trauma-informed practice and framework for transforming fragmentation in human systems into coherence, resilience, and wholeness.
Today, ACI is a training, development and consulting organization. We help individuals, leaders, companies, civic groups and other communities integrate the unspoken and hidden forces that obscure their capacity to relate with those who they believe to be different, wrong, or even dangerous.
What We Offer
Our Approach
Polarization arises when unresolved tensions and historical wounds surface in an individual, group, collective, or society. These tensions and wounds show up as topical live wires that create a sense of distance between ourselves and “others.”
By practicing embodied presence and holding these hidden dynamics with care, we open pathways for authentic relating. Instead of forcing empathy or agreement, this approach emphasizes expanding self-awareness. This allows shared spaces to emerge where diverse experiences, perspectives, and distance can coexist.
Drawing from neuroscience, systems work, somatic practices, team development, and collective healing methodologies, ACI helps recognize hidden dynamics, release patterns of contraction, and cultivate the capacities needed to meet today’s complex challenges.
At its core, this art is about restoring relational health and empowering groups to create sustainable solutions together.
Polarization is not a failure of relationship, but a signal that a system's awareness of itself is ready to grow beyond its current capacity.
About the Founder
David Young (楊正賢), M.A., CMMT is the founder of The Art of Collective Integration and the Co-Executive Director of Somatic Experiencing International, and a Senior Advisor at the Global Restoration Institute. With over 20 years of experience in systems change, trauma-informed consulting, public speaking and leadership development, David is an accomplished teacher and facilitator.
He has designed and facilitated large-scale leadership retreats and community healing initiatives in over 30 cities across the US and Europe, focusing on intergenerational leadership, cultural resilience, and conflict transformation. David is also a co-creator and co-facilitator of training programs such as Attuned: Becoming Trauma Informed & Trauma Responsive in Professional Settings (accredited by the Law Society of Ontario) and The Leadership Dojo, an eight-week practice-based facilitation training.
David trained in collective trauma integration with Thomas Hübl, holds a mindfulness teaching certification with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, and is a certified Design Sprint facilitator with AJ&Smart. He is also a teacher on Insight Timer, a global meditation app. His facilitation style blends mindfulness, relational attunement, and design-thinking to foster healing, transformation, and effective decision-making.
A passionate martial artist, David enjoys traveling, tea shops, and camping with his kids.
Meet The Team
Dasha Gaian
Suresh Schlanger
Heather Thalheimer
Nancy Jubb
David Young
Joe Snowdon