Trauma visits most of us, whether from accidents, emotional or sexual abuse, shocking life events, or violence. The stress of trauma may leave traces in our bodies. Body-oriented and touch therapies can be helpful to survivors in resolving the lingering impacts of trauma. I adapt body-oriented therapies to be more accessible, comfortable, and effective for trauma survivors. My overall approach is to have sessions be client-led, informed by a client's in-the-moment inner awarenesses. We work together to create sessions that feel supportive to a client's needs that day, including practices such as:
- identifying trauma triggers that may impact receiving bodywork and developing a plan to avoid foreseeable triggers
- creating a foundation of the most relaxing and least triggering techniques to return to when needed
- frequent communication to assist a client in remaining aware of inner experiences to help avoid or ease patterns of emotional flooding or dissociation
- no-touch and limited-touch therapies for times when touch feels too triggering: stretching, breathing techniques, body-oriented meditation, self-massage instruction, self-care plan development
- grounded sensitivity for when emotions need to flow or when thoughts need to be spoken
- choice in level of disrobing for session, from fully clothed to fully disrobed & securely draped with a sheet
- choice in receiving massage while seated (massage chair or regular chair) or lying down (massage table)
- flexible session length to allow for extending time when possible and for ending early when needed (session fee is rounded up in nearest 15 min increments)
