Let The Body Talk: supporting mental health through bodywork

I often get asked "which of your services would you recommend for me?" when talking with potential clients for either counseling/psychotherapy or energetic bodywork.

I realize that the way my service menu is set up is as if I am asking you (or someone referring you) to pick a tool to use, kind of like a builder asking you to choose a hammer, table saw or tape measure to work with on your kitchen project. My bodywork and psychotherapy services are all standalone therapies, AND many of them can be woven together in a session to provide a more customized approach to addressing whatever you need shifted, cleared or moved in terms of mental or physical well-being.

Having a service menu is a long standing practice in the massage and bodywork world; it is not in the psychotherapy world. However, I am seeing a trend in my psychotherapy practice where the referring party asks for very specific skill sets and techniques to be used in sessions. An example of this might be a client or referring party stating that they need CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to be used in session. CBT is a modality that can be applied in psychotherapy, yes, just as Polarity Therapy is a modality and framework from which to work with a client on the table, often to work on emotional as well as physical and spiritual concerns.

This can be *potentially* problematic, especially in the psychotherapy world, as it discounts the discernment, experience and assessment skills of the therapist, and co-creative nature of therapy and bodywork.

So, when I feel stuck and lacking clarity on something, like I was on this issue, I turn to the energy of inquiry. In this instance, I asked the questions "what would be possible if the client and I sat down to find out what could be created with all the tools I have and more importantly, THEY have?", and, "what would be possible if I created some bodywork sessions to honor that desire people might have to self-identify their needs and goals up front?"

Because I am a hybrid practice and allow online booking, I have a menu and will continue to have one. I believe in self determination and choice. And, to address some of the issues above, and to help answer that original question of, "which service is best for me, right now?", I have created a few issue- specific sessions on my menu that you can now choose. They are the Chill and Vitality Bodywork sessions. These are designed to address and support specific emotional and mental health concerns through body/energy work (to be clear, these are not psychotherapy sessions/treatment). Also, you will see an option to book an Integration Bodywork Session, and I may use a blend of techniques, experience and background to address whatever is coming up for you that day regarding your body/mind/spirit.

I hope this helps you in your journey to wellness and lends some assistance in choosing when you are considering working with me.

I am always willing to talk via phone, email or text if you'd like to book directly with me or have more questions burning to be asked.

Please remember, regardless of the entry point you take with me, your sessions and healing work are a co-creation with me, driven by your wants and needs, and that all that I offer can be customized to start where YOU are.

As we journey on into Summer, be well, stay in the question, and if it feels light for you, reach out!