Trauma Touch Therapy™
YOU’re STRONGER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE
Trauma Touch Therapy™ is the cornerstone of my practice. Trauma’s aftermath is generally marked by a loss from our sense of self, often leaving us with hyper-vigilance that creates excess energy within the body, an aversion to or loss of safety in touch, and an intolerance to being present(dissociation). The purpose of Trauma Touch Therapy™ is to reverse these effects in a safe and empowering environment.
What is Trauma Touch Therapy™?
Trauma Touch Therapy™️ is somatic based work. A noninvasive client centered bodywork modality which allows clients to gain tools dissipating the energetic charge of trauma and integrate this new skill set to their lives. Trauma Touch Therapy™ is an unhurried process, allowing for a gradual, integrative release of tension, buried traumas, and pent-up emotions. Together, the Trauma Touch Therapist and client create a safe environment in which trust can unfold, the client’s bodily needs can be seen and understood, and healthy boundaries can develop.
For the survivor of trauma, the awakening of full awareness and sensation may seem too explosive to risk potentially causing shutdown or re-traumatization. Because of this, the therapy always proceeds on the most manageable level of exploration, with the utmost respect for the client’s sensitivities and limits. In practice, the therapist will guide the client on how to ground, drop into their body, and monitor the client’s physical response that may be outside of the client’s awareness.
Through this partnership, the client learns how to build trust in themselves and others. The client will then discuss what they are feeling and experiencing in their body, and try to understand what their body is needing on a deeper level. The therapist will help to progress the growth by supporting processing, providing feedback, listening deeply, managing safety needs, trouble-shooting obstacles, and creating goals. The intention is to empower the client, reintegrate the body and mind, and restore losses as a result of trauma.
MOVEMENT
Nonverbal communication and an outlet for somatic release. Movement increases bodily awareness.
BREATH
Send breath to the parts of the body that know why you’re here. That you are okay and whole. Breath allows us to ease into our bodies when we struggle to get out of our heads.
PLAY
Find tools for co-regulation. Explore things and activities that spark joy without having to be hyper vigilant. Change the orienting response.
TOUCH
Address the parts of the body where the trauma is stored. The parts that are ready to process their experience. Gain a sense of healthy touch and a healthy sense of self.
Is Trauma Touch
Therapy™ Right for Me?
Trauma is any event that overwhelms the bodies, natural ability to adjust and cope and “shock” begins when we are confronted by an experience so stunning we are forced to disconnect from our bodies. Trauma fundamentally alters our sense of safety, overwhelms our normal coping mechanisms, causes us to feel helpless, and becomes an instant habit. Trauma’s aftermath is generally marked by a loss from our sense of self, sense of belonging, trust, capability, worth, value, and bodily autonomy. Trauma often leaves us with a hyper vigilance creating excess energy within the tissue and a marked intolerance to presence encouraging dissociation (the mind disconnecting from the body). The purpose of Trauma Touch Therapy™ is to reverse these effects.
Examples of Trauma include, but are not limited to
Domestic / Physical Abuse
Verbal, Emotional, or Psychological Abuse
Assault / Sexual Assault
Sexual Abuse, Rape, Incest, and Molestation
Witnessed Violence
Car Accident/Injurious Accident
Medical / Surgical Trauma
Chronic / Ongoing Stressors
Traumatic Childbirth
Job Loss
Loss of a Loved One
Divorce
Neglect
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Chronic Illness or Pain
Terrorism
War / Combat Experience
Abortion
Surviving A Natural Disaster / House Fires
Trauma can affect you even if it was a loved one or a close friend who experienced any of the above.
10 SESSIONS TAILORED TO YOU
What Should I Expect?
All sessions are tailored to the individual needs of the client and there are three main phases to all Trauma Touch sessions. Session times are 90 minutes in duration. Sessions that start late due to client arrival time will still be subject to the agreed upon end time. Sessions are bi-weekly (5 weeks) or weekly (10 weeks) unless we determine the need for an accelerated series. This will be discussed and agreed upon before our first session.
01: Check-In
During this time we will discuss any awareness that you had during or since your last session, as well as any goals for the current session. In order to focus our time together, refer to the pre-session check in form. This typically takes 15 minutes – additional time spent in this portion of the session may reduce treatment time.
02: Treatment
Treatment is in a 10 session format. During each session, we will address the body’s present needs and concerns. This may or may not include touch.
The first session is the most informational session, gathering your history and going over the basic tools of the work so you have the clearest understanding of our interactions going forward.
Sessions 2-9 are determined by you, the client, each session building on the next as you create a flow of awareness discovering, connecting, and being.
Our last session is our transformation session, where we reflect on the last 9 sessions to celebrate our discoveries, shifts and reclamations. From here we also determine what our next steps will be regarding if more support is needed and if so, the frequency of sessions.
03: Integration
During this time, we may discuss what happened during the treatment time and may perform grounding activities to integrate learning prior to departure. This portion of the session will last approximately 15 minutes, or until pre-determined session end time.
04: Post-session
Temperature changes (feeling hot and cold)
Waves of emotions
Impaired Digestion regulation (may include abnormal bowel and urinary habits)
Nausea
Vivid Dreams
Increase in sensation (vivid taste, smell, touch, hearing, sight)
Energy fluctuations
Please be aware that these sensations are a normal part of trauma release. Feel free to jot these sensations down in the pre-session check in form to discuss at the start of your next session or with your physician or mental health provider.
WHAT TRAUMA TOUCH IS NOT
- Psychotherapy, although there is talking
- Traditional massage
- A solitary approach to healing
- A “one size fits all” approach
Because it is not psychotherapy, clients may wish to be in therapy outside of trauma touch while completing their 10 session series. Although it is not a requirement, it is encouraged.
Experience the Healing Benefits
Experience the transformative power of Trauma Touch Therapy™. This gentle, client-centered approach helps release tension and buried traumas, fostering a profound reconnection of body and mind. In a safe, supportive environment, rebuild trust and resilience on your path to holistic healing.
- Encourages Small Organic Releases
- Integrates the Body and Mind
- Teaches Healthy Self-Regulation
- Eases Muscle Tension and Joint Rigidity
- Restores Physiological Efficiency of Breathing, Movement, and Posture
- Encourages Healthy Boundaries
- Makes Space For Sensations And Emotions
- Fosters Renewed Trust and Security
- Calms Panicked Areas of the Body
- Reduces the Potency of Triggers
- Fosters New Stress Management Skills
- Improves the Capacity for Intimacy
- Models Acceptance and Compassion
- Provides a Sense of Grounding and Belonging Within the Body
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
Book a Discovery Session
Curious about Trauma Touch Therapy™? Book a 30-minute virtual consultation to learn more and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your healing needs. — schedule your discovery session today and take the first step towards healing and navigating life a little easier.
Finding embodiment
As a trauma survivor with years of therapy behind me, I understood “embodiment” as a conceptual goal for healing but it was only through Trauma Touch Therapy™ that I came to actually live in my body. Zest’s gentle, unhurried way of facilitating TTT allowed me to explore my triggers and dissociation tactics, to develop boundaries, and move or play with the somatic expression necessary to release the tension. The ongoing practice of the techniques learned through TTT continue to support me in settling my body in times of stress or activation and in building capacity to stay embodied.
– Angela I.
Start Your Healing
Journey Today.
Take the first step towards reclaiming your inner peace by booking a bodywork session today.
