Touch-for-trauma
When a trauma victim is in a state of pain, sometimes words aren’t what is called for. Often what’s most needed is a sense of safe, caring, calm, nonsexual physical connection. A dysregulated body greatly benefits from co-regulation and deep support.
Respect your boundaries
Trauma is a form of a boundary rupture, and it’s my job to help you feel that you have control in our sessions and that your boundaries are respected. I check in with you to make sure you’re ready to receive touch, that the pressure is okay, the room temperature suits you, and things are done slowly enough for your nervous system. The places the body is locked or braced in trauma are areas understandably caught in the past. I want you to gradually feel a safe human connection and a present-time experience of your body. With practice, you get to feel more embodied and regain a sense of power and emotional clarity.
Feel you body
It is normal to feel like parts of the body aren’t relating to one another and when there’s deep trauma this can escalate. TT can help you feel from the inside a relationship between parts of your body that might have felt all alone.
Touch sessions can happen with you in a sitting in a chair or reclining on a heated massage table. You do not remove any clothing and no oils are used. Unlike most massage techniques, I exert very little pressure with my hands and they may be over one area for an extended time. I might rest my hands around ankle joints, cupping a kidney, or supporting you under your skull. Depending on your preference, sessions can involve little talking or we can incorporate more verbal healing techniques.
Calmness and safety
Over time, the calmness and safety of our sessions will invite your nervous system to relax. When this happens the energy that has been stuck can finally begin to move. As the nervous system releases the excess energy, you may feel vibration or heat. This may then enable the body to complete a defensive gesture that it would have wanted to do long ago. Later, your body may finally be able to deeply relax and leave the charge of the threat behind you.
BOOK YOUR SESSION
If you are interested in trying a session, My one-hour sessions are $130.
You can book your session through my website or by emailing me at harmonyyogastudio@comcast.net.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW
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Absolutely. I frequently collaborate with client’s therapists so we can bring the most benefit to the healing journey.
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If touch is frightening to you, then it may be best for you to wait to use this modality. It is not uncommon that past abusive touch can make you uncomfortable with any kind of touch, even from a well-intentioned and trustworthy therapist. If this is the case, I would suggest doing Somatic Experiencing sessions without using touch to gain confidence that you do have boundaries and your body is yours. As with all therapeutic relationships, it is never appropriate for touch to be of a sexual nature.