“I began seeing Sarah for Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy sessions in person. Sarah helped me with several chronic issues including back pain. I recently moved away and continued to have online sessions with Sarah who is a wonderful therapist. She is highly intuitive and she has a thorough knowledge of the mind-body connection which has helped me to work on and heal past trauma.”

The client who wrote the testimonial above found the change from in-person to online work seamless. We have continued to make good progress together.

For some clients, receiving the session whilst in the safety and comfort of their own homes is of enormous benefit and convenience. This could be for many reasons.

It may be the client suffers from an auto-immune condition or incapacity which prevents them from travelling even relatively short distances. Some clients will have their session online if they are away with work or even on holiday to maintain continuity. For a client feeling a little under par, having the option of being able to change from an in-person session to an online one at short notice enables them to reap the benefits of their session and potentially have a profitable rest of the day.

With internet connections being as good as they are today, distance is no longer a barrier to being able to work with the therapist of your choice.

I not only have clients across the length and breadth of the UK but also in Europe, North America and East Asia. I work with clients in a fully hybrid way. Some are completely online, and some are completely in-person. Others move happily between the two ways of working to suit themselves.

For new online clients not too far away, there is always the opportunity to see me in person for the first session. I will find a day and time in the diary to allow the necessary travelling time to enable this.

Both online and in-person sessions follow the same format. We have time to arrive and gently come into a relationship with each other. At the beginning of the first session, some background information may be taken (although clients will often send me their trauma history in advance) along with the usual client intake questions. I may then incorporate some Somatic Experiencing dialogue into our settling process. This can help the client begin to resource themselves and feel at ease.

The sessions can be experienced either sitting back or lying down comfortably. I encourage you to arrange cushions, pillows and blankets as necessary. Then, provided I am able to see you clearly on the screen, we can begin.

Every session is individually tailored to each client.

We follow the wisdom of their own nervous system or, as it is also known, the inherent treatment plan. I believe it will only offer up something it feels is safe for us to work with that day.

Online work is an expansion of the practice of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. Craniosacral Therapists are trained to work with the relational and perceptual fields within which and from which our physical bodies are formed. Working online through a relational and perceptual field is simply an extension of existing core Craniosacral Therapy skills.

When using my Craniosacral perceptual skills online, my work still very much encompasses the sense of relational touch. The quality of the relational field being created and sustained depends, as with any hands-on session, on the depth of presence and awareness within myself as the practitioner.

During a session, my conscious presence is the fulcrum, as with a hands-on session, around which the session process revolves. My awareness creates the container that meets you where you need to be met and holds your process. I engage with and read the system ‘off the body’, just as I would in an in-person session.

My hands function equally effectively as sensitive listening antenna when reading the body online.

You may ‘feel’ the same things as during an in-person session. For some, the sensation may be even more apparent. The shifts and releases experienced may be felt even more clearly.

Get in touch to book a free phone call if you would like to know more about online or in-person Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

The post Working Online with Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy appeared first on Ytene Healing.

This could be of support for you if you have suffered a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or termination.

You may have survived a traumatic pregnancy or birth. You may feel disconnected from, or have a difficult relationship with, your womb space or pelvis for any number of reasons. For example, womb pathologies (endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, fibroids etc.) or it may be that you have suffered physical or emotional abuse at some stage during your life. Maybe you have experienced injury to the pelvic area due to an accident or have been through abdominal surgery resulting in adhesions. These can cause pain and constriction affecting many areas of the body including compromising the reproductive organs.

It may be that the Endocrine system requires attention. This is your body’s hormonal system which should ideally be functioning to the best of its ability but could be compromised by for example, thyroid issues or adrenal fatigue. Peri-menopause, menopause or hysterectomy may also interfere with endocrine function.

How does womb healing and rebalancing work?

My work and experience over many years has shown me that our bodies can maintain, and hold on to, an energetic imprint or tissue memory of things that have happened to us in the past, maybe even decades ago. This felt-sense tissue memory can stay with us over time and make us feel as if we are living through those same experiences even now in the present moment.

I work with you to help your body resolve these somatic memories using a combination of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing skills. The aim being, to rebalance and heal from past happenings and ordeals. These therapies are equally effective online, as well as in-person, as I do not rely on physical touch but on a deep, respectful connection with your nervous system. In my experience, it can be more beneficial to hold the empathetic therapeutic space while listening to, acknowledging and facilitating the unfolding story of your somatic memories, rather than actively trying to elicit change.

If any uncomfortable feelings or somatic memories emerge during a session, we notice where it is in the body they originate from, gently observing and supporting while allowing the sensations to either dissipate or become integrated by the nervous system. It may be that we step back and resource occasionally to prevent the possibility of overwhelm and maintain presence.

My intention is for the musculoskeletal structure of the pelvis to be in a state of balance.

The reproductive organs should have a relationship with each other and/or the space they inhabit, and the network of glands and organs of the endocrine system should work harmoniously (the main organs being the female ovaries, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands). Energy may be released on occasion during a session, potentially resulting in a muscular twitch or jerk. Another sign of a shift, change or release of old patterns may be a yawn, sigh, deep breath or even a swallow. It may be that heat, cold or tingling sensations are occasionally noticed in the body.

Clients often report that by the end of a session, they feel lighter, looser and more balanced with a sense of layers having been peeled away. The number of sessions required is always an individual decision and you will have my full support on your healing journey.

Case History

This story is told with permission, and I have changed the person’s name. We had worked together on several occasions in the past. She is well-resourced and has good support at home. 

Monica had been trying for a baby for a while and had experienced several miscarriages. This time she was not even sure she was pregnant but had a suspicion that she may be. Unfortunately, she suffered an ectopic pregnancy in the early weeks and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency surgery to remove her left fallopian tube. I went to visit her at home about a week later.

We began by addressing the phlebitis in her right arm caused by the cannulas that had been inserted in a clumsy fashion, in haste, due to the life-threatening situation prior to the surgery. Monica’s whole right arm and hand had been swollen all week, and she was still unable to bend her elbow and wrist joints without excruciating pain. This was a priority for her. I made a very light contact with her upper arm for ten minutes or so and by the time I finished, the swelling had reduced and Monica was able to move her arm and hand without any discomfort. She reported that within three days the limb was completely back to normal.

We then turned our attention to the trauma Monica experienced due to the emergency surgery to remove her fallopian tube. She was still feeling very jittery and hyper vigilant post surgery with a high level of anxiety, elevated heart rate and fatigue. She had stiffness, pain and bruising and soreness around the three scars on her abdomen.

I did not physically touch Monica but sat to one side and connected with her ovaries and uterus. I could sense her left ovary unwinding and releasing shock. Eventually it energetically reconnected with the right ovary and then her uterus. I connected with her adrenals and held intention for the whole endocrine system to come to a state of balance.

Monica could sense more space in her abdomen at this point as the tension and constriction released from the left side. She reported that the anxiety had lifted and noted that her heart rate had reduced. The abdominal pain had disappeared and the fatigue had gone, instead she was feeling energised. She was also able to move around much more easily.

That one session, lasting less than an hour, was enough in Monica’s case to facilitate resolution of the trauma trapped in her system due to the ectopic pregnancy and subsequent surgery.

Please ensure that if you have any concerns regarding your health you contact your GP in the first instance, as usual.

The post Womb Healing and Rebalancing appeared first on Ytene Healing.

With the help of a very thick veterinary anatomy textbook, I familiarised myself with the anatomy and physiology of each animal I was able to work with.

Healthy bones, joints, organs, tissue and fluids all present with the same lemniscate and motility patterns regardless of species. Their positions may vary from species to species. But all can demonstrate that same sense of motility, tone and flow when healthy.

As with my human clients, when working with animal clients, I connect and I observe.

Strain patterns, torsions or constrictions may become apparent through the nervous system. I continue to observe. Observing and acknowledging layers of dysfunction allows for their transmutation back into a state of health through the unwinding and telling of stories by the tissue. The power of holding space for and being with the nervous system cannot be underestimated, whether for humans or animals. Working from a place of deep respect and compassion can facilitate these layers falling away and allow access to inherent health.

To further enhance the skills I had adapted for animals, I trained as an Animal Reiki Practitioner.

Animals are highly receptive to energy healing. I find it helpful to be able to move from a place of observation and intention to access health to being able to allow space for healing energy to consolidate any change or shift that has taken place.

The final piece of the puzzle was Animal Communication. I embarked on several rounds of one-to-one mentorship with Joanne Yeoh of Animal Communication Insights. I aim to offer, to the best of my ability, the same level of listening and understanding for animal clients as I offer humans. Animals can often be misunderstood by their carers, who may focus on a particular behaviour and wish to change it. Understanding the reason for the behaviour and putting steps in place to resolve the issue can lead to a less stressed or anxious pet.

In addition to emotional issues, animals also like to have their physical issues addressed.

Sometimes this can be injuries that careers were either unaware of or had thought not to be significant. Our animals and pets can sense and pick up the emotional and physical states of those around them. On many occasions, I have worked with both the animal or pet and their carer to resolve issues that affected them both.

I think of our animals and pets as companions. We are their carers rather than their owners, and we return their unconditional love with our love, care and respect.

If you have any concerns regarding the health of your companion, then please consult your Vet.

The post Physical and Emotional Trauma Healing for Pets and Animals appeared first on Ytene Healing.

A year after my grandson was born by emergency Caesarian Section in May 2018, my daughter was still suffering from discomfort along the length of her scar and, in addition, lower back pain. I wanted to be able to help her, so I searched for the most appropriate skills to help. I began the MSTR® training in July 2019 and received Certification in April 2020, having completed an examination and several case studies, one of whom was my daughter. Some research on using MSTR® on Caesarean Section scars can be found here.

Scars do not just arise from surgery

Accidents, wounds from wars and conflicts, personal attacks and many other traumas, including soft tissue damage or tears, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff injury, disease and other medical conditions, can all leave scars behind.

Tattoos can also act as scar tissue. The body forms scar tissue as a natural response to trauma when the skin is lacerated or punctured either by accident or purposefully, eg surgery. The collagen being laid down during the repair process results in a thickened, fibrous mass, which, for some, can mean long-term effects on neural pathways, range of movement, blood and lymph flow, energy flow (Chi), loss and grief.

Additionally, the severing of delicate nerve tissue often results in dysthesia (nerve damage) of not only the scar but the adjacent, surrounding tissue. As the scar is fibrous and non-elastic, it will have a dragging and pulling effect on the bio-mechanical function of all physiological systems, particularly the fascial membrane covering muscles, organs and glands. Some MSTR® case studies can be seen here.

Each scar represents the event that created it and can potentially hold emotional trauma

Some examples are C-Section (both emergency and planned), hysterectomy, mastectomy, amputations, knife/bullet wounds or burns. There can often be long-term psychological and emotional reactions, including:

• anger
• fear
• anxiety
• depression
• PTSD
• shock
• guilt
• failure
• trauma
• low self-esteem and a sense of worthlessness
• feelings of disconnection
• sleep disturbances
• loss of libido

These reactions are all coping mechanisms.

The MSTR® technique is an extremely gentle, hands-on treatment. During a session, I constantly liaise with the client to ensure they are comfortable and that my contact is well within their tolerance level. We only work for a short time, around 15 minutes. We then break to allow for integration, further palpation and examination. The work is then repeated once more. Two or three more sessions may possibly be required.

My approach is to offer clients Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy skills in addition to MSTR® to allow for the safe and contained release of any difficult emotions that have become trapped in the damaged tissue. The work is taken slowly and respectfully to fully allow integration and resolution through the client’s nervous system.

The treatment of scar tissue is a vital element in the treatment of musculoskeletal and myofascial pain

Untreated scar tissue may inhibit other treatment applications from successful and longer-lasting outcomes. Psychological and emotional states may also improve as scar tissue is addressed and the client experiences better integration and normalisation of the tissues.

If scar tissue release and healing is something you would like to discuss, then please get in touch to arrange a free, confidential telephone call.

Please ensure that if you have any worries or concerns regarding your health, you contact your medical practitioner in the first instance.

The post Scar Tissue Release and Healing appeared first on Ytene Healing.