Why Transforming Touch®?
The way our nervous systems develop—from our earliest experiences in the womb, throughout childhood, and beyond—can influence how we physiologically respond to life’s stressors, how we respond in relationship, and ultimately how we experience the world around us.
We may find ourselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed, shut down, disconnected, or constantly “on alert.” Sometimes these responses can feel automatic, even when we consciously know that we are safe.
Not only does our nervous system affect our emotions and psychological functioning, but there is growing research to suggest that our early experiences can influence our physical health. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study found associations between challenging experiences in childhood and a range of health outcomes later in life.
Transforming Touch® offers a way to work with these patterns through the body and nervous system with the intention to cultivate greater regulation and resilience. By addressing the effects of chronic stress on the nervous system, this work may help create a more supportive foundation for physical and emotional well-being as part of a broader approach to health.
Why We Work with the Body
This points toward an important realization: meaningful change may require more than thinking differently about our experiences. We may need to engage with the body itself.
While many traditional approaches work from the “top-down,” using thoughts and cognitive processes to influence emotions and physiological responses, somatic approaches take a “bottom-up” approach, working with the body and nervous system
Drawing from this understanding and other relational and attachment-based theories, Dr. Stephen Terrell, PsyD, SEP, developed Transforming Touch® to address patterns associated with developmental trauma.
Rather than asking the mind to convince the body that it is safe, we create experiences that may allow the nervous system to discover greater safety, which can, in turn, influence our emotional experiences and thought patterns. We do not force change, but rather invite the body to experience something different, and over time, develop greater capacity for regulation.
The goal is not to eliminate discomfort or difficult emotions, but to cultivate greater capacity to be with them. As this capacity grows, we may find more tolerance, flexibility, and resilience in ourselves, our relationships, and life in general.
What Happens in a Transforming Touch® Session?
Sessions are typically about 60 minutes long.
Using the “7 Point Protocol” as our structure, I gently place my hands beneath different points of the body. The touch is light and intentional. There is no massage or manipulation.
For those who prefer to work remotely or who prefer not to receive physical touch, we can utilize Transforming Intentional Touch®, which involves bringing awareness and attention to different areas of the body without physical touch.
You remain fully clothed and in control of what we do throughout the session. Your experience, comfort, and sense of safety are central to the process.
Is Transforming Touch® Right for Me?
There is no single path to healing, and every person’s experience is unique.
You don’t need to have a specific diagnosis or identify with the word “trauma” to explore this work. You may simply feel overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck, or curious about developing a greater sense of ease and resilience.
Transforming Touch® offers an opportunity to slow down, become more aware of the body’s experience, and explore what may be possible when we approach ourselves with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to be with what arises – learning to inhabit our bodies more fully, honor our emotions and experiences without judging or trying to change them, and reclaim our agency in our lives.
If you’re curious about whether Transforming Touch® might be a good fit for you, I invite you to reach out. We can talk about what you’re experiencing and explore whether this approach feels right for where you are in your journey.