Why try Process Acupressure?
Trauma
Far too many of us have experienced some type of trauma at least once in our lives, and many of us have survived sustained trauma. Many suffer from Vicarious Trauma, especially those in the helping professions of healthcare, first responders, social workers, therapists. Trauma can be any sort of serious injury, a car accident, a work related incident, natural disaster, fire, assault, sexual assault, emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
The problem with trauma is that even when we’re not seriously injured, or we recovery physically from our injuries, our bodies continue to hold the memory of the incident in its tissues. Severe trauma can change our brain even when we haven’t received a traumatic brain injury. This is why even when we tell the story of our trauma, we don’t necessarily feel better or function more like our normal selves. Sometimes telling the story over and over only serves to re-traumatize us. With PA, you don't need to tell the whole story over and over again. We can go right to the stuck energy that is the source of your pain and heal the traumatic event in the way that feels right to you in a very short time.
Personality Parts
We all develop different Parts of ourselves as we grow and develop and experience life. Some of our Parts develop in response to conditioning that we’re exposed to in our families, communities and wider culture. Some Parts we unconsciously create ourselves, usually to protect us from some perceived danger to our psyche.
These Parts show up in all sorts of creative and interesting ways. Most of us have some common parts, such as the Inner Critic, or some form of Protector, or Defender. We probably created these parts as some form of defense mechanism in early childhood. They may even have served us very well at that time but usually by the time we are adults, they start getting in the way of our living life in alignment with our true purpose. In a PA session, we kindly explore these parts and get to know them, acknowledge them, thank them, release or recreate them to serve us in our life now.
Unconscious Beliefs and Vows
In response to conditioning and experiences, we often make unconscious vows or develop unconscious beliefs. Unconscious just means we are not consciously aware that they exist, but our bodies and our subconscious are very well aware of them, and are often slaves to them. We find we keep making the same decisions that don’t seem to serve us, we don’t seem to be able to get where we hope to go, make the connections we want to make, find our tribe, right work. We can’t finish anything, or start anything new, or make any changes, and often feel like we’re spinning our wheels. All this is very often due to Unconscious Beliefs and Vows. During your PA session, we discover these Beliefs and Vows, where they came from, and the best way to release them or change them so they're no longer getting in the way of you living life from your True Nature.
Inner Child
We were all children once, and our inner children of every age continue to live in some part of us, even when we say we can’t remember being a particular age. Very often as children we were injured in some way, be it physically, emotionally, sexually. Maybe we just had parents who couldn’t meet our needs, either because of their own limitations, or unwillingness to provide what was needed. Children are not very adept at understanding these limitations in the adults in their lives, and so they tend to compensate by creating a Part, or developing a Belief, making a Vow. These compensations stay with us, unconsciously, into adulthood and as addressed above, eventually get in the way of letting us discover and live our soul’s purpose for this life.
All these bits are a part of us still, part of our physical bodies and energetic selves. In Process Acupressure, we explore these pieces with friendly curiosity through dialogue and gentle bodywork on the table. We ask to get to know them, discover how they came to be and what their purpose is, and then to consider how we might heal them: to shift them to better serve us now, or release them altogether. The work is gentle and respectful. After all, they are a part of us! We have a saying that the practitioner can not take the client anywhere the client is not ready and willing to go.
So, what would a session look like?
You come to my office wearing comfy clothing. We’ll talk for awhile about your hopes or goals for the session - how you want to feel differently following the session. If you don’t know, or can’t express it, that’s okay. Your body will give us some signals that will lead us in the right direction. You’ll get on the table (no need to undress as with a massage) and I’ll make you as comfortable as I can. That’s important for you to feel safe and be able to relax enough to allow your energy system to start to open to the work. I’ll be applying light fingerpad pressure to various points around your body. If you have ticklish or sensitive areas, it’s good to tell me ahead of time so I don’t surprise you. Meanwhile, I’ll be observing your body’s signals and when I notice one, I’ll follow it by bringing it to your attention and we’ll explore it together. An example of a signal might be a change in your breath, a fluttering of eyelids, a tension in some part, continued movement of some body part that you don’t seem aware of, etc. YOU might begin to notice physical signals - pain, pulsing, tingling, or mental signals - thoughts that keep coming in, or a wave of emotion. You’ll bring this to my attention and we’ll follow it. At all times you will be safe in all ways. You will be held in compassion and respect every moment. My full attention will be with you during our time together. We will bring your session to a graceful conclusion and you will be well grounded and ready to return to the world before you leave. We’ll chat briefly before you leave so I can assess how you’re doing, offer suggestions for “homework” that I think may be helpful to integrate and make full use of the work you’ve just done, and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have. You can always email or call me after your session if questions or concerns arise.
How often should I get sessions?
People ask me this all the time and it’s hard to say. I suggest that you consider the fullness of your schedule and wallet. Those are realities of life and we should be respectful and realistic about them. If you’re committed to doing a big chunk of work that may have many pieces to it, it’s optimal to meet once every week or two while you’re working through it, but it’s really very individual. Regular sessions are most helpful as the work will have a cumulative effect and it’s also important to have time between for integration and practicing new habits.
Is this work right for me?
Do you feel stuck in any part of your life or find change too difficult or painful?
Do you feel you keep making the same “mistakes” over again?
Do you struggle to find the right work, job, career?
Do you want to take better care of yourself but don't commit to doing so?
Do you find yourself searching for the friends or partner that you can be yourself with?
Do you want closer relationships with family members?
Do you wish your physical health was better?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may very well find Process Acupressure a helpful tool to create these positive changes in your life and get on the path you were meant to be living.
