Trauma-Informed Somatic Bodywork:
A Whole-Person, Nervous System-Oriented Approach
I currently offer two types of sessions: Nervous System-Oriented Therapeutic Massage (60 or 90 min), and Somatic Bodywork with Verbal Cues (60 or 90 min). For more details on what to expect in each session, see Rates and Services
In my understanding of bodywork, the practitioner isn’t just working on a person’s muscles or fascia—they are working with another human being, mind, body, and spirit. Massage acts on the whole nervous system, facilitating changes in multiple aspects of the physical body as well as in the mind and subjective experience of the client.
My goal is to facilitate a greater feeling of ease and comfort for my clients that they can carry with them off my table and into the rest of their lives. In the Nervous System-Oriented Therapeutic Massage, I use touch, assisted movement, and gentle assisted stretching to help my clients experience their body in new and empowering ways, re-learning their relationship to themselves. These sessions are great for general relaxation, muscle tension, and relief from chronic pain. The Somatic Bodywork Session goes deeper into the process of unwinding trauma held in the body. Using careful client tracking and verbal cues, I aim to help my client become more aware of their own bodily sensations, and through that awareness of body, develop the ability to become aware of and remain present with their full range of emotional states.
The goal of both types of work is that this exploration and re-learning can lead to less pain, increased range of motion, and an improved sense of well-being, both physically and emotionally.
To support this process of exploration, I strive to create an interpersonal dynamic that feels safe and supportive, allowing their nervous system to open up to the new sensations they are experiencing. In my practice, I try to avoid inducing painful sensations through excessive pressure or overly intense stretching, and instead aim to help my client find, but not go beyond, their “edge”—helping them gradually understand and expand their experience of what is comfortable and possible within their own embodied self. I conceive my role as an attuned, sensitive facilitator, as much a follower as a guide. The true work of healing happens within each person; I am there to help create the space for that work.
In my practice, I utilize techniques from many bodywork modalities, as appropriate. One of the most distinctive characteristics of my style is that I move very slowly, giving my client’s nervous system time to truly respond to my touch, and myself time to deeply attune to the changes occurring in their body/energy field. Each session is tailored to the needs of my client, and I try to find the style of touch that resonates best with them and produces the best results. I can provide any level of pressure, working deep in tissues or staying at the level of skin. I work with my clients to establish their goals and check in frequently to ensure their experience with me is meeting their needs.
Training and Certification
I received my primary training at the Pacific Center for Awareness and Bodywork on the island of Kauai, in Hawaii. In addition to bringing students top-notch bodywork instructors across a variety of modalities and providing the thorough education on anatomy, kinesiology, and physical pathologies necessary for competency as a bodyworker, the program also included a heavy emphasis on affective neuroscience and somatic psychotherapy.
The PCAB program incorporated the most up-to-date information on the neuroscience of pain and trauma. We learned about stress responses and their impacts on the body, as well as how to track and help regulate these stress responses as a therapist.
I recently completed the first part of Janet Evergreen’s course Exploring the Vagus System: The Health that is Never Lost. I am excited to incorporate my new knowledge of the vagus system and somatic therapy techniques into my sessions, as well as a new somatic therapy offering.
I have also pursued continuing education in Thai massage at Carolina Thai Healing Arts.
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Virginia.