What happens when trauma stored in the body collides with the body’s need for touch?

I try to find a comfortable meeting place for these two in every massage session by relying on my nearly 2 decades of experience in sexual health and pleasure&consent focused education. While this is the foundation of the trauma informed care I offer – it’s you that holds the most knowledge of how trauma lingers in the pathways of your body.

I can’t know what your body will need to feel safe, but what I can do is create a resourced container where we find what safety and comfort looks like for you together.

This is what I mean by “trauma-informed care.” When you as the client are working with a power dynamic where me, the practitioner, holds power – how does a practitioner create an atmosphere where clients feel empowered as collaborative participants in shaping the bodywork they’re receiving? As a Cancer sun with a Virgo moon and venus, I have some very intentional and thorough answers to this question about care work.

Some things I’m thinking about when considering trauma-informed care (it’s a lot):
• the information you’re given before coming in for a massage
• the placement of my body and yours in the massage studio
• the questions I ask during our intake conversation once we’re settled in the studio
• listening for what needs care, not what needs “fixing”
• setting clear intentions with you for the flow of our session
• how I exit and enter the studio
• a massage table that allows comfort and trust for more body types
• naming where to expect the pressure of my hands on your body
• introducing the energy of my touch to your body before specific work begins
• clear communication about where your body will be draped and undraped
• the language I’m using to refer to your body
• how I move around the table and you during session
• check-ins about comfort, pressure, temperature, hydration, emotions, safety

I’m here to take care of you, to support you, to show up for you in your healing goals.

As always, if you have questions about trauma-informed care and how I practice it you can contact me. I’m always available for consultations and would love to hear from you.