Cranial Sacral Therapy
Julie was introduced to Cranial Sacral Therapy at the beginning of her Physical Therapy career. After years of study and integrating different styles of this modality- it is part of every session. The cranial sacral system is the nervous system. At the heart of this modality is the capacity of the practitioner to attune to the whole being and invite the nervous system to deeply settle. From a place of rest, our bodies and whole being can communicate what the priority is and the dance begins!
Julie embodies a deep trust in her own body wisdom and invites others to open to their own self discovery. This relational style of therapy empowers clients to show up and trust their own capacity for healing and balance. She weaves in energy work and psychosocial approaches- the Satir Model, somatic emotional release, somatic experiencing and Hakomi.
Visceral Mobilization and Fascial Release
Many people have heard ‘strong abdominals create a strong back’. This can be true.
What happens, when there is too much tone or tension in the abdominal wall and the whole torso? Given that the organs are wired to the hard frame, excessive pulls, scars and adhesions in and around the organs can pull us out of alignment, restrict our breathing and create physiological imbalances. The organs have their own language, motility, range of motion and they work most effectively when they are free to move. There are also many layers of fascia overlying our organs to give us protection and the viscera is held in place and linked to the whole fascial system. Fascia is an interconnected web of connective tissue from head to toe. For example, a primary restriction around the liver on the right side, can pull diagonally on the left shoulder or be compressing the right pelvis.
In visceral mobilization and fascial work I am listening, palpating, following and deeply trusting what the organs and tissues are communicating. All systems of the body are interrelating. The subtle sensing of the cranial sacral system and energy work also guides me to what the client’s body is prioritizing at any given moment. Goals and steps towards health are created in this collaborative approach.
Spinal and Pelvic Alignment
A mentor once said to me ‘the spine is divine' I hold that intention when working with clients to invite the spine, pelvis and all joints to remember their optimal position for posture, strength and ease.
I was introduced early to manual therapy in Physical Therapy trainings -orthopaedic levels up to Part A and trained in many different styles of osteopathic mobilizations including muscle energy techniques, fascial active release and Mackenzie technique. While working with Claudia Scrivener at Riverside Clinic in West Vancouver (1993-1999) we had some of the most complex pelvic pain clients in the lower mainland of BC. This was a time of rich learning with private mentoring from Claudia. She gave me a solid foundation of pelvic floor rehabilitation from a pelvic pain perspective, fascial release, visceral mobilization and cranial sacral therapy and how to use all these modalities to optimize spinal, sacroiliac, pelvic and hip alignment. Collaboration with Diane Lee was a strong influence as well.
Whole Person Approach…
Satir Model Integration
Somatic Therapies
Energy Work
Embodiment/Spiritual Practices
Satir Model Integration
“I believe it is essential to do our own personal growth work in order to hold a compassionate, therapeutic space for clients. The teachings of the Satir model have become the container for holding myself and my clients in this kind of awareness. The words of my university professor Joyce Manton - ”This work is as much art as science and you need to remember you are working with a whole person” - echoes the message of Satir.”
This quote is an excerpt from Julie’s chapter in the recently published book - Virginia Satir’s Evolving Legacy: Transformative Therapy with a Bodymind Connection. For more info see www.agiopublishing.com or www.mayleslie.ca
Virginia Satir is most associated with family therapy. What may not be as familiar is the creative ways she included the body and tracked energy in her therapy with individuals and families to bring about transformational change. This book highlights how Satir was engaging in somatic therapy well before that was a norm in counselling circles. Each of the seven authors share how they have integrated the Satir Model in their practices and personal growth.
Julie immersed herself in the Satir model trainings with Level 1 (four modules in 2000) and Level 2 (four modules in 2001). In both trainings there was practice and personal exploration in triads throughout each year. Julie was also part of the T4T(Training for Trainers) workshops in 2019/2020. This was an in depth experiential training to become a trainer of the Satir model. Julie continues to offer retreats and trainings that include Satir’s teachings as part of completing that program.
Listen to Julie’s presentation for the Satir Institute of the Pacific on how she integrates the Satir model with body/energy work -specifically Cranial Sacral Therapy:
Somatic
Therapies
How we present ourselves to the world through our personality and the state of our nervous system can be evident in our posture, how we move or don’t move. How we breathe or don’t breathe. There can be stored energy and emotion in the organs and fascia which is referred to as tissue memory. I would say that is true of any part of our body; fluids, bones, muscles, nerves, spinal cord/brain, cerebrospinal fluid. When we can be aware of Self -our deepest essence- we can listen with compassionate presence to all aspects of our being including what messages are coming from our body. Engaging in somatic awareness gives opportunity for parts of our being that have been out of our consciousness to be released, transformed or anchored as a resource. Intuition, creativity and wisdom can arise from our sensate and movement experience if we are able and willing to listen. As a therapist my capacity to be congruent; aware of my own body, energy and whole Self, helps opens up the relational field with clients and allow more possibilities for change. We can experience these changes in our physical body and energy system as we understand more about our patterns of coping, explore perceptions and expectations and gain access to our deepest yearnings.
Energy Work
“ I can’t light your light. I can only light mine so that I can illuminate for you to see your own light.” Virginia Satir
Description to come….
Embodiment / Spiritual Practices
“Embodiment is beyond being grounded or simply aware of touch and physical sensations. Embodiment is soul energy inhabiting our body and being aware of our inner world and outer world moment by moment. We are present to Spirit, intuition, creativity; we experience through our senses, including our subtle senses.” Julie Gerhardt
Description to come…