I Need Touch

[Suzetig]

I read a couple books and "Trauma and recovery" by Judith Herman is still considered "the bible" on the subject, at least according to several therapists I have spoken with about it and I remember she said anything like that, any physical contact beteween the therapist and client was a real big no no.

Judith Herman is fantastic in many ways, particularly in making a case for complex trauma and complex PTSD. Trauma is quite a new discipline though and different types of therapy approaches view physical touch with varying levels of helpfulness.

Yes, care is needed I'd say in most cases of trauma but can also be one of the most powerful ways to connect with someone when done safely. It's never all or nothing.

 

[Mach123]

Lol except for me, its ALWAYS all or nothing! I'm getting better though! :happy:

 

[Deleted member 42665]

I still think it's ok in some cases. Each therapist/client should be able to decide that and it can still be within ethical boundaries.

I know my T works a lot with DD people and many of those struggle with boundaries and often just hug random people etc, so I am sure he is used to it.

 

[Surfngirl]

Hello to my new PTSD Friends! Just found this site recently and this is my first post. This thread is re...

Hi - I love that your therapist holds you. I have been trying to find that from a therapist but everyone seems uncomfortable with touch. I have been in and out of therapy for a long time with not much progress. I have always thought that if I could just pay someone to hold me for session after session, that maybe that would bring the healing that I need. My body also shakes. I think it's from the list of issues I have: depression, PTSD, attachment issues, anxiety, etc. Could I have the name or email of your therapist? Where is she located? Thanks!

 

[Suzetig]

Just a reminder that this site isn't a "safe space" in that anyone can post here and people aren't always who they present themselves to be. Please think very carefully about sharing information that might identify you or someone else without their permission.

 

[SophiaWisdom]

I have been trying to find that from a therapist but everyone seems uncomfortable with touch.

I am in cranial-sacral therapy, which is a hand-on healing modality. It is the ONLY thing that has helped my CPTSD. I also shake under duress and CST helps to locate where the trauma is stored in the body and what it's trying to tell us. Every CST is very different, and not everyone will take to this - but just throwing this out there as a touch-intensive therapy that is meant for healing trauma. I have gone through 4 different psychotherapists in my lifetime AND I went to graduate school for MFT myself (and studied somatic therapy while in school) and I never found true healing until cranial-sacral.