Trauma Informed Care

Who it's for

Trauma informed care at Backcountry Bodywork is for anyone who faces challenges with touch therapies. For many, touch can feel dangerous, threatening and can call up painful memories. Some examples of who can benefit from this approach to massage therapy are:

PTSD sufferers, those who have experienced sexual assault, physical assault, domestic abuse, or bullying, people with sensory processing differences, those experiencing body image distress or gender dysphoria.

What it's for

Somatic therapies, such as massage, are an important part of the trauma healing process and a way to reclaim your body as wonderfully your own. This approach opens the possibility for those who haven't been able to receive bodywork to get the care they need. By communicating together in advance, you and I create the massage experience that will suit your specific needs and tolerance levels. This ensures your total comfort and feelings of safety. You have my respect and confidentiality. My goal is to earn your trust and provide a healing experience.

How it works

Call, text or message me before booking so we can determine how to plan the session. I'll ask about physical areas of concern you want me to work on. I'll ask what areas I need to avoid for you to feel comfortable. You'll be able to choose how much to dress down and can even be fully clothed. In that case I'm able to use compression and stretching techniques to provide an effective massage. I'll explain how you'll remain fully draped under the sheet except for the area I'm working on.

You can start face up or face down on the massage table or I can use a massage chair where you'll be seated and fully clothed. You'll control the light in the room, the temperature and music. I will adjust the pressure to your specific request. Scents used in aromatherapy can be triggering so we will discuss in advance which ones, if any, you're ok with. I'll tell you that you can stop or pause the massage at any time.

It's normal to have an emotional release during my sessions. In fact it happens to many of my clients. The body holds on to painful emotions, memories and traumas throughout our entire lives. When we are able to let go of that hold, to take back the power those memories have on us, an emotional response such as crying, shuddering, trembling or wailing is not only ok, it's needed.

Qualifications

First, know that I am not a mental health therapist or counsellor and this is not talk therapy. I am here to listen sympathetically and hold space if you need to talk but my job in this trauma informed role is not to offer advice or suggest remedies beyond somatic (embodied) solutions. I am certified in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy and will utilize those skills to aid in creating a care plan specifically for you.

Your Rights

To ensure you feel safe, protected, seen and supported, you will have the following:

Agency: you are in control of the direction of the session and can end it or pause at any time
Respect: I respect your individual concerns, fears, needs and instructions without judgement
Communication: we'll talk through, step by step, the flow of your session
Boundaries: you set them, I respect them
Alliance: you and I are in this together and I am here to support you

Let's talk

Trauma informed care can be as varied as each individual's specific trauma experience. I understand you may have more questions than I can answer here and invite you to contact me via this form. You can also call, WhatsApp or text.

Ali Route, LMT and Owner of Backcountry Bodywork

Tel: 928-612-4451