Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/588318
Why not be transparent by using speech? It can be as simple as, "I'm curious what you're feeling while I'm here at your right arm," or, "I notice when I'm working here at your thigh that your shoulders tense up. Can you feel that, too? What's happening for you?" If having that much awareness is painful, frightening, or uncomfortable for your client, that may be a good sign to refer her to a physician or mental health professional. "WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?" I believe what my clients notice in a session is much more important than what I notice. As a craniosacral therapist, fostering connection within my clients is my goal. But rather than just toss the question back, I've developed a vocabulary of first- order sensation words that avoid interpretation and judgment, but accurately describe what I'm noticing. I may say, "This area is more dense than further down," or, "Your right shoulder feels more fixed than your left, and a bit forward." And then I'll say, "But what you notice and feel is really what's important here. What does it feel like to you?" Their answers are usually quite insightful, and just their putting attention toward what they're feeling has a positive effect on the tissue. Clients often ask what I'm noticing when there's been a change, so when I notice signs of release, I let them know. I'll point out fasciculation, heat, sighing, softening in the tissues, and so on. They may not have noticed these sensations before, at least not in this context, but they can feel them. I just help them recognize what it is they're feeling. It's one more way to empower my clients; they're able to know when the work is helping them, which helps make them the experts in the room. PERSONAL QUESTIONS While I live in a large, urban area, we all know it's a small world. I often have a few people or places in common with my clients. I'm committed to maintaining confidentiality for them and a healthy amount of privacy for myself and my family. I also aim to be honest and of service. When clients ask how I am, I'm mindful of their core needs and craft my answers toward meeting them. Just last week, a client saw me at the vet picking up a cone and bandages for my dog. When she comes in tomorrow and asks about it—and she will ask—I'm going to tell her briefly, but honestly, how Willa's doing. I'm also going to tell her that I've scheduled my week so Willa won't be home alone until she's able to rest comfortably. This assures my client I won't be distracted during our session, and I don't have to pretend my life is a long, perfect stretch of ease and bliss. ADVANCED USE OF SPEECH IN CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY In upper-level craniosacral therapy (CST) classes at the Upledger Institute, a specific form of speech is taught: Therapeutic Imagery and Dialog. It's an advanced use of dialoging and takes years of training and dedicated practice to master. A concept central to CST is that all our life experiences are processed through our bodies. When an experience is overwhelming (physically, emotionally, or otherwise), the body holds onto its effects and does its best to work around it. Bodies reliably vie for homeostasis, and even when they're in intractable pain or engaged in destructive behaviors, our clients are always aiming toward the best health possible to them in the present moment. Deep within, I believe, the body knows what's needed to heal, and it will when the right resources are available. MINDFUL SPEECH Resources Hanson, R. Hardwiring Happiness. New York: Harmony Books, 2013. Upledger, J. Cell Talk. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2003. Scurlock-Durana, S. Full Body Presence. Novato: New World Library, 2010.