Let’s be totally open here…..
Working within such a sensitive and nuanced realm of sexual energy, it is essential to be aware of the client’s previous trauma and the potential to elicit trauma within a session.
As a Trauma-informed therapist, I have studied trauma, how it affects the nervous system, how to spot symptoms of people going into a process or disassociating, and what to do in these moments.
Learning how to navigate the effects of trauma is a prominent piece of this work. This is because the therapy involves releasing stored emotions that have been carried around for a long time. And to do it in a safe and aware manner is essential for safe and effective results.
The Trauma-Informed Practice model and using Somatic Body Awareness techniques to heal may be the missing pieces you have been looking for when traditional therapies for sexual trauma have not worked. I often have clients approach me saying that traditional psychotherapy, talk therapy or CBT has not been fully effective, and they are looking for something different that may shift something for them.
Ongoing Informed Consent is another crucial component of this work.
We cover boundaries and consent extensively at the beginning of every session, even if we have previously worked together. Consent is an ongoing process, and I hold a safe space for you to always speak your truth. You have full permission to change your boundaries and remove consent once again.
This itself is Medicine For You!
“Trauma comes back as a reaction, not a memory.”
Bessel Van Der Kolk
What Is Trauma?
It is not just one event carrying a painful memory. Instead, it is an accumulation of emotional or physical overwhelm to the body-mind with the inability to process those related emotions.
Trauma can occur when;
There is too much too soon
There is too much for too long
There is not enough for too long
Autonomy and power are denied
When our primal intuitions and responses are prevented
There is not enough time, space and permission to process.
What happens when we have trauma?
When pain or unexpressed emotions associated with the traumatic time were not allowed to move through the body, they are splintered off, frozen in time, left untouched, shamed and dissociated. They lie dormant in the unconscious mind AND in the tissues of the body.
Trauma can lead to dysregulation of the nervous system with a tendency to either become hyper-aroused, stressed and panicky or low, lethargic, disconnected and numb in response to emotional triggers. It can be like carrying a deadweight: Affecting feelings, emotions and availability to participate fully in life.
We are becoming more aware of trauma and how it affects our lives. Fortunately, therapies that support the body to heal the trauma are becoming more widely accepted, supported and used to significant effect.
We have termed these types of therapies Somatic Therapies.
The word somatic comes from the Greek word 'Soma', the word for body, but more to the wisdom of the body within.
Somatic Healing allows the participant to express, give time to and integrate the unexpressed emotions that could not be processed at the time of first experiencing.
This type of Tantric Bodywork and De-armouring is a Somatic Healing process that I am proud to support people with.
“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not have to be a life sentence.”
Dr Peter Levine
Impeccable Standards and Accountability
The words Tantra and Tantric Massage have been tainted.
Unfortunately, there are predators out there that are abusing their position, and not being trauma-informed.
I want this to change because I know how powerful these techniques are and how much they are needed. And, we need to do this safely and maturely. The way we do this is with high standards of integrity, trust and safety.
I encourage completing written feedback after the session, which you can send to an organisation called The Tantra Alliance. This organisation is for participants and practitioners by having a third-party system for resolving issues using safe mediation and other processes.
Gender Inclusivity
We all carry female and male energies within us, and living as close to our authentic expressions of these polarities and how they dance together is how we can have healthy relationships with ourselves and with others.
This includes unconditional love and acceptance for all expressions of this polarity.
Having said that, I specialise in supporting people who have female genitalia. And, so far, I have worked with clients with different sexual preferences and gender identities.