Special training?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dustin T. Fox, CMT on October 24, 2009 at 11:39am

Hello and welcome Martha....You may find that working with the abused is a challenge that is not normally presented by the recipient of your massage services voluntarily. The normal process of dealing with the abused usually begins when the inidividual is seeking treatment for that specific problem and those kinds of problems are usually handled by licensed counselors, physolgogists or people who have been abused and are trained to work in that field. Examples are abuse hotlines, domestic abuse and violence centers or rape crisis clinics. I was trained as a counselor who works with both individuals and families where emotional neglect and physical abuse are present but did not endeavor in the beginning to make it a part of my massage practice. It was only after I was approached to work with women who had been raped that I actually crossed the bridge to include the horrible impact of that form of violence as something that massage could possibly have a positive impact on. I was asked to work on these women because in the aftermath of that act, the woman still needs to deal with being touched by a male since that will probably happen in the future. I worked, using the VAM technique, on the recipients while they were fully clothed. Some of these recipients wore 2 or 3 layers of outer clothing to protect their bodies from the perception that they would be harmed yet again. I always had a member of the clinic staff present during the session to provide additional support and a sense of safety for the recipient. I used a very non invasive level of unconditional touch and never spoke during the session. I was further educated by the clinic staff about how I could effectively interact verbally with the victims and by the 6th session, I was participating in the followup counseling process. In the end result I found, that with limited exceptions, all humans respond well to unconditional loving touch and that when given the chance to be accepted as who we truly are, not what others think we should be, then we can and do unsually move forward in learning from the lessons of life. From my personal and professional experiences with the abused, I have seen and felt what being sncerely cared about by another being means. I relax emotionally and the body simply follows. When working with the abused, we must look at the symtoms, but in the end we must discover and help them find, understand and resolve the root cause that is locked in their past. When that happens, they release their hold on it and move forward. Since I am not a women and therefore am limited by not having the genetic makeup that allows me to totally understand the way women "feel", I work with a wonderful life coach who picks up when my touch and support reach a point where the recipient indicates that they are now ready to move forward. I continue to massage them during the lifecoaching process and for as long as they feel the need receive my massage. I would suggest that you become involved with a local domestic violence center and discuss how you may be able to interact with them to learn what you may be facing and how to handle it when the abused do get on the table. If you have suffered abuse or emotional neglect in your own life, then you already know how it feels and so a common sense approach werein you express empathy and provide love and support would serve to help you when working with the abused. I have found that it is easier for me as a victim to be empathetic and have been told that it is being expressed through my touch. It is, I can tell you with the upmost certainty, that your massage application will not be what you were trained to do in school since most schools in this country do not address the emotional aspects or outcomes of a massage. They tend to focus on the physical. In my 1200 hour program we had 450 hours of A/P that included an autopsy. YUK! Massage has become so clinical in the training process that I feel we have lost sight of what power it has to provide an open door for emotional release to the one stressed out by the day to day way of life. I hope that you continue to pursue your dream and set the example for others in your class who were not as "comfortable" with the idea. The reason may be because they may also be victims or abuse or neglect. We as humans tend to hide the things that we blame ourselves for and are ashamed to speak about. Blessings be upon you for your willingness to step where very few have gone and please keep us posted on the progress that you make during the integration.

Dustin

Permalink Reply by Carol Gott on October 25, 2009 at 8:31am

Greetings,
There are hundreds if not thousands of special trainings available to help you along your path, and a lot will depend on where you are comfortable taking your practice. Whether or not you prepare for trauma survivors you will have them on your table, as most everyone in life has experienced trauma to some level. Who you market to specifically is another matter. A good general basis (IMO) is Upledger's Somatoemotional Release curriculum. The course 2 stuff is particularly useful. Your trainings should include a lot of what would be specific to your target market. Are you looking to help clients of domestic violence, child abuse or war veterans? While a lot of the information on PTSD may transfer, you do need courses designed for the population you want to reach.

Don't forget that in your area the domestic violence centers, veterans centers, and victims assistance groups could always use the donation of free sessions for those who cannot afford your services. It will give to the community while building your practice through word of mouth. Also consider donating your services to first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) regularly and in times of crisis such as after a tornado or hurricane in your area. These folks face the worst things imaginable on a regular basis, and may not think of bodywork as a first line of defense in dealing with those stresses. Once they and thier co-workers realize the benefits, they are much more likely to become your paying clients and spread the word.

As you work with various clients and find the group or groups you're most comfortable working with, learn all you can about the issues they face in addition to actual therapist trainings--it will help you meet them where they are.

Good luck!
Carol

Permalink Reply by Antonia Nelson on October 25, 2009 at 9:24am

For me personally, I found that Myofascial Release with John Barnes has provided great techniques for working with people around various "traumas". Through this work I also was able to work with my own healing around trauma and abuse. I also have been part of an organization called the Way of the Heart, which provides training around life mission and purpose, and a tool to gently and easily digest stress and trauma so that we can live the life we came here to live. Many times its the going through the trauma and working with it that brings us to great gifts in our lives. vs getting stuck in the trauma and living as a victim for life. I have found over the last 29 years that doing my own personal work is a huge key to working with others, I have heard over and over again, "you can only take someone as far as you are willing to go"
welcome to the list, congratulations on your graduation and heading into the bodywork field! there is a lot of good stuff out there.
Antonia

Permalink Reply by Martha Kay on January 14, 2010 at 7:16pm

Thank you all for your help! Now I know where to start. :)

Martha

Permalink Reply by Erica Olson on January 14, 2010 at 9:03pm

The school I graduated from, the Colorado School of Healing Arts teaches Trauma Touch, specifically for trauma bodywork. It was developed by Chris Smith, one of the administrators, and I've seen people fly in from all over the country to take it. Looks like she's recently split it into two levels; I plan on taking the first course this May.

Permalink Reply by Mimi Rhys on December 15, 2010 at 6:54am

Dear Martha,

Dustin's idea to volunteer to work with trauma survivors is a good one. There are, however specific trainings you can attend to go to that deal with trauma and loss. The first is the Upledger school of CranioSacral therapy. It starts with direct cranial work for  the CST 1 and 2, and then the third and fourth classes are SomatoEmotional release 1 and 2. After the first level of SomatoEmotional release you would be eligible to take CADD (CranioSacral Around Death and Dying, taught by Don Ash, which also covers loss, such as the trauma of loss of a limb.  These classes deal with locating and releasing the restrictions in people's bodies that occur during trauma, whether emotional, physical, and verbal.. There is also Heart Centered Therapy, offered by Alaya Chikly as part of the Chikly Health Institute, which is a verbal dialoguing technique that is very helpful to clients, but is defiantly not psychotherapy. It helps clients locate where trauma is held in their own bodies and to dialog with it with the therapist's help. There is also Somatic Experiencing, as developed by Peter Levine. Another course of study is Dr Barral's Visceral Manipulation course. The first level, Abdomen 1 teaches liver, stomach and Intestines release, which is very helpful, because anger and the feeling of security in the world are held in these organs. I specialize in trauma release, and with the exception of Somatic Experiencing,  As a trauma survivor myself, I have studied and use all of these therapies and find them very effective.

Permalink Reply by Carol Jean Springer on January 21, 2011 at 1:22pm

Hi all,
I'm so glad that Martha asked about special training. In my 29 years massage & trauma care and 18 as nurse, I have found that most people with trauma histories benefit from approaches designed to help them stay in present time - vs relive old stuff; to learn more sustainable ways of being with themselves when old stuff gets triggered. I also find it helps to use an approach - Trauma Touch Therapy, in my case - that can help people learn how to experience safe touch, vs. starting out with touch.
I used to teach Trauma Touch Therapy at CSHA, but it is trademarked and only allowed at that venue. I shall be teaching a variation, Return to Your Senses - in March, 2011. For details: www.mtcwc.com

Permalink Reply by Corenia Murphy, LMP on March 10, 2011 at 3:26pm

Hello all! I am so happy to see that there are others that are interested working with this demographic. One recomendation that I have, being an LMP that is married to a mental health therapist is that we truly need to understand and practice within our ethical boundaries to not re-tramatize those that we are working with, this is a very easy thing to do. One suggestion is to get training from your local chapter of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assult agency - they are a great resource and provide 40hours of CEU's teaching people how to be a good survivor advocate without stepping into a "fix it" role. This training is generaly at no cost to you as the participant. Another suggetion is to reach out to the Mental Health Care professionals in your area and get some helpful guidelines around protecting yourself, your clients, and the profession as a whole.

Permalink Reply by Carol Jean Springer on March 13, 2011 at 7:28am

Good suggestions, Corenia. I plan to pass them - and this site - on to participants of the body centered trauma course I plan to teach - near Newport, RI - in a few weeks. (more info: www.mtcwc.com) After a course like this, people want suggestions of ways to network, and your suggestions can be followed anywhere in the country.
Take care,
Carol

Permalink Reply by MountainHeart School of Bodywork on April 4, 2011 at 10:42am

We have a great Transforming Trauma class here at MountainHeart School in Crested Butte, Colorado!

Permalink Reply by Char Huber on May 16, 2011 at 10:34pm

Another course to check out is Somatic Trauma Resolution taught by Sharon Porter. Based on Somatic Experiencing but doesn't take 2 years to complete. Sharon is in California now but will travel for a large enough group, or she has instructors in Colorado.

Permalink Reply by Tina Allen on June 1, 2011 at 2:34pm

 

Hello Martha & all,

 

I was happy to find this group and be able participate in discussions with others who are also working with abuse and trauma survivors.  My main focus is working with women and children who are survivors of abuse. 

 

Myself, I have provided hands-on touch therapy and education with shelters for domestically abused women and children, parents who are trying to regain custodial rights of their children, children who have the effects of PTSD, abuse (physical, verbal, sexual, emotional), neglect, and children who live in care settings (foster, orphanage, displaced, homeless and abandoned). 

 

My courses are for healthcare professionals (body workers, massage therapists and healthcare staff) who work or wish to work with pediatric populations to further their healthy growth and development. 

 

You can find more information about infant and pediatric massage courses at the Liddle Kidz Foundation website: www.LiddleKidz.com