What is Integrative Bodywork?
Integrative Bodywork helps you move from stress and overwhelm to re-discovering balance --- building on your own natural resilience.
Integrative Bodywork is body-centered, "whole-person" therapy, working in relationship to elicit the organismic healing response.
How do you do that?
My hands-on work will vary as
appropriate to you. I don't just apply a formula or technique but
integrate what's most effective for you. The umbrella term, bodywork, includes massage therapy, movement, and
somatic education. Your individual therapy sessions, in my private office in Claremont, incorporate these approaches:
- Somatic Experiencing helps re-regulating the body's natural protective responses. Contact may include gentle support, or facilitated movement. This work does not include massage and clients remain fully clothed.
- Craniosacral Therapy, gently easing the body's natural movement.
What if I just want a massage?
I began practicing massage therapy in 1991, and continue to welcome clients who prefer to receive massage therapy.
When you schedule your appointment, just let me know it's for massage therapy. My massage therapy sessions may include Neuromuscular Therapy (St John), using deep pressure for structural balancing, strength and flexibility, as well as Myofascial Release. But each session will be tailored to your needs --- the pressure, the areas treated --- within your big-picture goals. With 18 years experience, including several at a local athletic facility, I have provided professional massage for people from 8 to 88 --- from the high school cross country team to moms, dads, and grandparents. My holistic approach can complement your ongoing fitness training, physical therapy, psychotherapy, or other care.
How often should I schedule therapy sessions?
I usually recommend a week or ten days between the first few sessions. We'll work with your schedule, to meet your goals! If your goals include changing a long-held pattern, our regular contact helps to keep the new physiological balance on course. The time between sessions is valuable, too! Your body will be integrating what's new, so that next session builds on the last.
Do you accept insurance?
I can provide itemized receipts that you may submit for insurance reimbursement.
What ethical guidelines do you follow?
A national level professional organization, Assoc. Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals, publishes ethical guidelines at abmp.com. I have been a member since 1991.
As a professional therapist offering skilled touch, I respect client boundaries. For example, with new clients, I may begin our first session by stating that touch is optional in my practice. Clients may always remain fully clothed. Clients requesting massage will be draped as needed. Sexual contact is not a part of professional massage therapy.
What advice might you have for someone new to bodywork?
Be curious. As you try something new, how do you know when something feels better?
Look beyond the technique or modality, to the healing context provided by our relationships.
