Sharon became interested in working with clients with trauma years ago as she realized some of the unresolved issues of her clients from the past were showing up on the massage table. Her first journey into studying somatic psychology was with the Hakomi Institute. The tools there were so beautifully laid out to support the client in organic movement that was non-aggressive, supporting unity, handled with mindfulness, and mind-body holism. The intention of Hakomi is to work with missing nourishment and understanding and help resolve core beliefs through mind-body experiences. It is very peaceful and soothing to the soul.  This method of support can be very helpful with bodywork as it touches into the deeper cellular awareness.

However, this training did not cover the trauma aspect as much as it did the developmental stages of growth. It was important to gain new tools to help clients with PTST,  sexual and wartime trauma, and other anxiety issues as they were presented in sessions. So she went on to study with Pat Odgen, who is the author of “Trauma and the Body”. This took her training deeper into understanding how to work with trauma during a massage session in a more open and comprehensive way. In the simplest terms, what came out of this training was that the body wants to complete its own healing by moving through the biological process that were hindered during historic fight or flight experiences. So while Sharon is not a psychotherapist, she does have the skill and experience to work with trauma when it does show up. She supports her clients in working in the best window of opportunity possible through safe boundaries and holding.

Because of her interest in the mind/body/spirit connection, Sharon also went on to study Advanced Craniosacral work which incorporated learning how to dialogue with the “Inner Physician”, a term coined by Dr. Upledger. How this works is that the therapist works with the rhythm and finds out the significance of certain events depending whether the CS movement turns on or off. The body and the CS rhythm especially are truthful indicators as to knowing how to follow the Inner Wisdom Within. This is because the body has no agenda except to be.  When trauma does show up, the therapist lets go of all advice and figuring out, and supports the body in following through to completion what was originally frozen up during a traumatic event. This way, the client is in charge of his or her own session and what wants to be revealed and worked through. The therapist holds the space, and supports the movement of the soul. This is a safe and nurturing environment to process and let go. Let Sharon know if there is any trauma that you are aware of. Again, while she is not a psychotherapist, she will work with you gently, to allow your own Inner Light shine the way through.