Trauma Informed Bodywork
NOTE: I hope to begin providing Trauma-Informed Bodywork in Rochester, starting May of 2025. If you would like to be added to my waitlist, please let me know with the contact form tab above. Thank you!

Most people are familiar with massage and its benefits (releasing tight muscles, stress reduction, etc.). Trauma-Informed Bodywork encompasses a wide area of practice--but it is not the same as massage. What distinguishes bodywork for trauma from massage is its focused approach to personal growth and psychological healing through increased body awareness, more deeply felt emotions, and the synchronizing of body, emotions, and spirit through the use of various body-mind modalities. This way of somatic experiencing is Somatic Psychology in its most personal form.
In the Bodywork field, we say: "People hold their issues in their tissues." We say this because our emotions are expressed through our bodies. In other words,
emotions are embodied energy. Think about it, when you experience tension, pain, or restricted movement in your body--isn't it often related to an emotionally charged situation/trauma in your life? Trauma-Informed Bodywork focuses on these areas of restriction and pain, assisting them to "unwind" or "release." These releases allow many people to experience less anxiety, less depression, and an overall sense of peace and integration. Some releases are also related to specific traumatic experiences from a person's past--and they are able to move forward in their lives in new ways.
These benefits are the primary focus of Bodywork. Bodywork for trauma, personal growth and working through emotional issues is known by several different names (Somatic Psychology, Body-Mind Psychotherapy, Somatic Integration; Body Psychotherapy; Energy Psychology, Energy Work, etc.). There are now several graduate programs that offer training specifically in Somatic Psychology.
In the Bodywork field, we say: "People hold their issues in their tissues." We say this because our emotions are expressed through our bodies. In other words,
emotions are embodied energy. Think about it, when you experience tension, pain, or restricted movement in your body--isn't it often related to an emotionally charged situation/trauma in your life? Trauma-Informed Bodywork focuses on these areas of restriction and pain, assisting them to "unwind" or "release." These releases allow many people to experience less anxiety, less depression, and an overall sense of peace and integration. Some releases are also related to specific traumatic experiences from a person's past--and they are able to move forward in their lives in new ways.
These benefits are the primary focus of Bodywork. Bodywork for trauma, personal growth and working through emotional issues is known by several different names (Somatic Psychology, Body-Mind Psychotherapy, Somatic Integration; Body Psychotherapy; Energy Psychology, Energy Work, etc.). There are now several graduate programs that offer training specifically in Somatic Psychology.
What will a Trauma Informed Bodywork session be like?

Sessions are different for everyone. In the first session, most people feel relaxed, and experience a sense of deep quiet/find themselves reflecting on insights/ emotions they have experienced during the session. People may feel an increased level of energy, heightened awareness, and greater emotional freedom. In following sessions, people may feel strong emotions and/or have powerful memories/images surface during bodywork. Bodywork can assist you to release and "let go" of blocked emotions/energy in your body. Because I am a licensed mental health professional, I am comfortable with you experiencing your emotions--and can help you focus on areas you are processing in therapy with your counselor.
What issues can be helped with Bodywork?

Touch is really our first language to develop, a way of communication. It is not difficult to see that "bad touch" communicates harm, injury and ill intent. Absence of touch often communicates neglect or lack of connection. Many people, due to trauma, have become "cut off" from their feelings. Trauma Informed Bodywork can help people literally "get back in touch" with themselves, i.e. their feelings. In addition, Bodywork is a means to reverse the feelings of disconnection and disembodiment that are a byproduct of our very isolated and impersonal society. It is a way to experience deep nurturing, affirmation and care for the "True Self." Bodywork may be able to assist those who are working through issues in which the body has been impacted.
Specific issues may include: trauma (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, negative body image, touch deprivation, eating disorders, depression/ anxiety, self-injury, and shame. Research is showing the effectiveness of Bodywork in helping process through these issues.
Specific issues may include: trauma (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, negative body image, touch deprivation, eating disorders, depression/ anxiety, self-injury, and shame. Research is showing the effectiveness of Bodywork in helping process through these issues.
Can I do just Bodywork?

No--I have found that it is important for you to continue working with your talk therapist when you add bodywork. You will need an established safe place for you to integrate/ process your bodywork sessions. In my clinical experience, counseling is the primary treatment and bodywork is the additional work that supports your work with your counselor. If you have never been in therapy, and would like to try Bodywork, you will need to begin work with a counselor first.
Therapeutic Bodywork is WORK. Unlike regular massage in which a person typically
leaves a session feeling refreshed and relaxed--this may not be the case with a Bodywork session. This is why it is important to be engaged in your own counseling/growth process.
Therapeutic Bodywork is WORK. Unlike regular massage in which a person typically
leaves a session feeling refreshed and relaxed--this may not be the case with a Bodywork session. This is why it is important to be engaged in your own counseling/growth process.