Defining Trauma-Informed Care: Our Philosophy at RituaLuna Wellness

Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “trauma-informed care.” Originally coined by researchers in the mental health field in 2001, these words are now ubiquitous in the world of bodywork and massage therapy, from social media to practitioner bios. 

It’s true: “trauma-informed” and “trauma-aware” have become buzzwords. Because this language is used so often, it’s easy to think of it as another piece of marketing jargon. It might even seem meaningless — like something that we talk about rather than embody. 

At RituaLuna Wellness, we use the phrase “trauma-informed care” to refer to a very real and specific practice: our way of shaping each session around the individual client’s unique needs. 

Consent and communication are essential in massage

Our founder, Roxanne O’Hara, has been a massage therapist for more than 25 years and is now an instructor at East-West College of the Healing Arts. In that time, she’s learned that what makes bodywork powerful isn’t technique alone: it’s the relationship between the bodyworker and client.

Communication, consent, and trust are core values in every session, helping the therapist focus on the client’s needs and allowing the client to receive the full benefits of bodywork. Everyone deserves to feel safe and nurtured during bodywork and massage. 

Trauma awareness builds on this foundation of trust and communication, to more fully support individuals with trauma history. “Trauma-informed care isn’t a single shape,” Roxanne shares. “It’s a lot of things, and it’s a lot of different things for different people.” 

Trauma-informed care is an expansive practice

Instead of a checklist or a pre-determined set of steps, Roxanne sees trauma-informed care as a practice of presence within a session. A trauma-aware approach means that our massage therapists are focused on the client’s individual goals and attuned to their feedback. 

One simple example is pressure. While gentle techniques like myofascial release are often highly beneficial for people living with trauma, different levels of pressure register differently depending on the individual. Verbal check-ins and close attention to physical tension both help the massage therapist stay in touch with the client’s needs in the moment. 

Ultimately, a trauma-informed session will look different for different people. For some people, individualized care means more talking. For others, it means more silence. In all cases, it means continual consent and communication. 

Holding space for all feelings and reactions

When someone has lived through significant trauma, whether acute or long-term, they may feel disconnected from their own body. Careful, intentional bodywork can be a powerful tool to rebuild that relationship, reminding the nervous system what safety feels like.

“We’re not only working to avoid triggering trauma,” Roxanne says. “We're also working actively to help people really come home to their bodies.” 

After someone has been disconnected from their body for a long time, the feeling of reconnection can be startling or moving. All of our therapists have had clients experience moments of release on their tables: there might be tears, a deep breath, or a tremor. 

When that happens, the therapist doesn’t pull away from the client or try to “fix” their reaction. Instead, we check in. After making sure the client feels safe to keep going, we hold steady, giving the client space to sit with the experience and express what they need next. 

Creating a nurturing environment for all

At RituaLuna, trauma-informed care isn’t a slogan or a buzzword. It’s how we show up each day: with presence, consent, and trust at the center of every session. We believe that making space for healing to unfold naturally, in its own shape and time, benefits all of us. 

If you’re curious what that feels like in practice, we’d love to welcome you in. Book a session with one of our trauma-informed therapists and experience care that meets you where you are: body, mind, and spirit.