Defining Trauma-Informed Care, Part 2: Ongoing Consent During Massage & Acupuncture

NOTE: In our blog post Defining Trauma-Informed Care: Our Philosophy at RituaLuna Wellness, the RituaLuna team shared how we approach sessions for clients with trauma. Today’s post focuses on trauma-informed care in action: learn how we sustain a consent-led space through communication, collaboration, and awareness. 

Within this blog post, we’re discussing trauma as a psychological or emotional injury caused by a distressing experience. Effects of trauma can include physical, social, emotional, and spiritual consequences that can make it difficult for people to feel at peace in their own bodies, in the world, and on the table.

Trauma-informed bodywork honors a client’s full personal history by reflecting and meeting their unique needs. This safe, nurturing space starts with the therapist modeling honest communication, inviting collaboration, and planting seeds of empowerment. 

“We’re letting people define the goals and intentions of the sessions,” says RituaLuna founder Roxanne O’Hara, LMT. “And we ask specific questions about what the client needs for the care we’re providing to be trauma-informed.” 

Ongoing consent is collaborative

Communication begins with an intake form each client receives via email once they book a session. These are broader questions that give therapists a jumping-off point for more specific questions to ask in person. Once the client arrives for their appointment, the therapist will also check if there are any areas on the body that may cause physical or emotional discomfort, and ask the client to let them know if any part of the treatment feels painful or uncomfortable.

Our therapists weave consent into each session by continuing to check in with the client verbally. For many clients, more talking increases relaxation and builds trust, especially during the first session. “For some clients with trauma, having mundane conversations during bodywork can be a gentle distraction,” Roxanne notes. “It helps people diffuse tension.” 

Sometimes, in an early appointment, it might even seem like your therapist is checking in with you too frequently. It isn’t just to be polite, however: they actually do want to know how the bodywork feels to you. “I’m an expert on bodywork, but I’m not the expert on being in your body,” shares Maya Seidel, LMT. Your feedback helps your therapist better serve your needs. 

Practicing full awareness 

Having worked with many different people, we understand some clients may find it difficult to speak up during bodywork. That’s where a therapist’s awareness of nonverbal signals comes in.

We have a lot of practice reading body language. Each of our therapists are skillful at recognizing discomfort, gently bringing it to the client’s attention, and redirecting the treatment as needed. Reading the body requires full awareness: only then can you notice signs of discomfort (tense muscles, clenched hands, furrowed brow), as well as comfort (relaxed muscles, slow breathing, dozing off).

“If a client has trouble finding their voice, we can communicate in a different way,” says Sierra Morgan, LMT. Signaling discomfort could be as easy as raising a hand, or tapping the massage table. Making a plan for nonverbal communication is a simple way for nervous clients to feel empowered and heard, without having to speak more than they’d like to.

Healing as a destination and journey

Healing is rarely easy. Creating a nourishing space where clients can experience deep, expansive healing work all starts with consent and communication. Ongoing consent matters because it enables bodywork clients to fully unravel and unwind, becoming present for the full healing journey. 

If you feel drawn to this approach, we’d love to welcome you in. All of our therapists practice trauma-informed bodywork and prioritize ongoing consent in every session. Book a session with one of them to experience our values in action.