Perinatal, Pediatric and Family-Based Bodywork

The work I do is appropriate and helpful for all ages, and I consider working with young people to be such an honor.

Kids and babies offer so much inspiration to me in the ways they already know how to heal, how to feel good, how to be honest, how to ask exactly the right questions, and how to say when they are all done and ready to do the next thing! Young people of course benefit as much as adults from mindful, skilled, safe and compassionate touch and presence. They tend to love learning about their bodies in a way that helps them re-member how smart and healthy they are already, and what they already intuitively know about how to be healthy and feel good.

Sessions can be arranged to offer support, context and education regarding:

• • Difficulty sleeping

  • Chronic illness

  • Birth trauma / difficult birth

  • Difficulty with nursing

  • Fear of movement or being restrained in cars or strollers

  • Frequent inconsolable tantrums

  • Pain in muscles, joints, bones, teeth, ears, sinuses, etc.

  • Concerns about gait, movement or posture

  • Extreme shyness

  • Difficulty focusing

  • Allergies and sensitivities

  • Easy startle and difficulty in calming down

  • Dental concerns

  • Support with nursing and weaning

  • Concerns about IEPs, school politics, communicating with educators and administrators

  • Appetite concerns

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Social Anxiety/Shyness

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Concerns regarding learning styles

  • Explorations concerning "ADD/ADHD" or "Sensory Integration Disorder" diagnoses

As Bessel Van Der Kolk's book names, "The Body Keeps Score" and these symptoms are oftentimes the evidence on the "score card" of our life experiences. Other times they are linked to other structural or physiological "roots." In any case, we all seem to benefit from more curiosity, support and resources!

There is no need necessarily for the child or infant to speak of any incidents in order for them to resolve or complete in their system. In fact, this is oftentimes not the preferred approach. As is held by many therapists and healers across cultures and modalities, often the body heals best "In An Unspoken Voice," as Peter Levine's book title implies. (See suggested reading list under STR menu). This is more the realm of the Craniosacral and Bodywork modalities, and it also happens in the work of Somatic Processing as we learn the skill and the art of tracking body sensations and following the inner workings of the body.

I practice community-based, client-centered, spiritually-oriented and collaborative health care. I believe in empowering and educating my clients so that we can all take more joyful responsibility for our own health and vitality.

Starting young people out in these ways can be life-changing for them...

**See notes on STR and SP work as well, as it greatly influences my work with young people.