Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72098
Q & ART those emotions, either verbally or physically. In the early days of the Human Potential Movement,1 some therapists would perform painful work, exhausting clients until they would fi nally break down in tears or yell in anger, knowing that the therapist would be satisfi ed and lighten up. An important principle in our work is to never attempt to induce any emotional response—sadness, anger, contact with an "inner child," or repressed memories. When potential clients ask me if I do emotional bodywork, I tell them that I am very comfortable with anything that comes up in a session, but I do not consider myself to be an evocative therapist who attempts to manipulate the session. Some clients will, of course, be looking for just such a relationship, and there will always be some well- meaning therapists who will serve these peoples' needs. However, these practitioners are treading on thin ice. Often, the cathartic releases really aren't therapeutic and can simply be unconscious reactions to play along with the therapist's agenda, or a repeating drama without any real connections to deep emotions. Some clients practice a repeating cycle of several emotional release sessions until the routine seems repetitive, then move on to another therapist to start the cycle anew. Superfi cial reactions are usually not problematic and may well serve a purpose for some clients, but amateur attempts to initiate emotional catharsis can amplify serious consequences such as transference, projection, and other quagmires. There is also the danger of releasing deeply held emotional trauma that the massage therapist is unable to deal with. GUIDELINES A respected teacher and good friend, Lucy Rush, offers the following advice for dealing with clients who have an emotional reaction to your bodywork: An important principle in our work is to never attempt to induce any emotional response. • Never try to create emotional release. • Support a spontaneous release when it arises—whether it's sadness, anger, or physical reactions like changes in breathing or muscle movements—by simply observing and allowing it to happen. Do not attempt to intensify or prolong reactions by saying, "Let it all out," or engage in dialogue asking them to explain their feelings. • Always have a glass of water and a box of tissues nearby. Some reactions may build on themselves. If you feel that the reaction is escalating in an unhealthy manner, ask the client to sit up and offer water and a tissue. • It is our job to maintain the safe shape of the session at all times. Avoid asking, "What would you like to do?" This may allow for some options that are not appropriate, such as the client asking you to leave the room or for close physical contact. • Don't give the perception that you are uncomfortable or that the response is inappropriate. After an appropriate amount of time, check in on the client and offer specifi c options, such as working in a different area, sitting quietly, working with the breath to return to normal patterns, or winding down the session. Frank, it is gratifying to see your ability to not look at everything that teachers say as written in stone. I hope you glean some useful techniques from the class, and I'm confi dent you can maintain your professionalism. Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques (North Atlantic Books, 2007), which has been translated into seven languages, and the seven-volume DVD series Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release: A Video Guide to Techniques. Visit his website at www.deeptissuemassagemanual.com. Art Riggs is the author of Deep Tissue NOTE 1 The Human Potential Movement arose in the 1960s with the goal of cultivating what its advocates believed was the untapped potential for growth and change lying dormant in all people. Some examples include Werner Erhard's EST training, Abraham Maslow's theories of self-actualization, Transcendental Meditation, primal scream therapy, walking on hot coals, rebirthing, intense bodywork, and many other psychological and bodywork philosophies aimed at uniting the mind, body, and soul. tune in to your practice at ABMPtv 33