Transforming Touch Therapy

Talk therapy isn’t the only way to heal the wounds left by developmental trauma (otherwise known as “complex trauma”). In fact, trauma specialists have long understood that talk therapy has some limitations when it comes to treating and healing the wounds of developmental trauma.

Because of this, we at Evergreen Counseling prioritize discovering and training in alternative therapy interventions that make it possible for people to heal from their trauma in lasting, holistic ways. That’s why we’re proud to offer Transforming Touch therapy as a treatment for our clients.

What is Transforming Touch therapy?

Transforming Touch is a body-based (somatic) therapy approach that uses the gentle touch of the therapist to help people regulate their nervous system and feel safer in their own bodies. It is also rooted in the principles of attachment theory. Transforming Touch was created by Dr. Stephen Terrell, PsyD, SEP – a renowned trauma therapist and founder of the Austin Attachment and Counseling Center.

How does Transforming Touch therapy work?

Transforming Touch creates nervous system regulation through intentional, attachment-focused touch in a safe environment. This means that the therapist is focused on gently and intentionally engaging with external parts of a person’s body that are connected to the internal nervous system. The safe touch of the therapist can introduce an internal “felt sense” of safety in the body much more effectively than traditional talk therapy. It also helps people overcome the trauma symptoms they often feel in their body, but may have a hard time identifying with words.

How to know if Transforming Touch is the right therapy for you?

We find that Transforming Touch is effective for all sorts of clients who are experiencing a range of mental health issues, however, we especially recommend this therapy modality in the following cases:

You have experienced developmental or complex trauma
You have a hard time engaging in talk therapy because you often feel overwhelmed by the process
You have tried talk therapy several times but feel like you are stuck
You have a constant sense of anxiety inside your body, even when you know you are safe

Frequently Asked Questions about Transforming Touch therapy

Transforming Touch work begins after an initial intake session, where the therapist will spend the entire session talking with the client to better understand their symptoms and therapy goals. The therapist will also spend time describing the Transforming Touch process, how it works, and answering questions.
Once a relationship has been established, the Transforming Touch work can begin in the following sessions – but only with express consent from the client. In a typical Transforming Touch session, clients will lie on a professional massage table in any way that feels comfortable for them, with their clothes on. The therapist will use gentle touch on relevant points of the body that help with nervous system regulation (i.e. the back, head, and feet) in a specific order, for a short, predetermined amount of time, but all sessions are under 53 minutes. This process will repeat each session.
Many survivors of developmental trauma struggle to allow people to engage with their bodies. This is totally normal. Your therapist will work with you on alternative ways to receive the benefits of Transforming Touch by letting you be in charge of the session and making decisions that feel safe for your body. A Transforming Touch therapist will never touch you without your express consent. All touch that does occur is on top of the client’s fully clothed body.
No, Transforming Touch therapy is not massage. The touch involved is much lighter and does not include active movement. However, many people who take part in this therapy state they may feel more relaxed after a Transforming Touch session, much like they do after a massage.
Yes, you can. Transforming Touch sessions may include an element of talk therapy, where up to half the session can be the therapist and client talking to one another.
There is no need for you to pause therapy with your primary therapist while you participate in Transforming Touch. We encourage all clients to stay with their current therapists for ongoing processing and support, especially since Transforming Touch does not typically include much verbal processing.
There may be many signs that Transforming Touch is helping you, including: feeling more regulated and safer in your body, feeling less anxious, and being able to verbalize your feelings or experiences in a more productive way. Please note that this is a “slow” therapy, meaning it may take weeks to notice a difference in the way you are feeling.
Clients as young as 5 years old can receive Transforming Touch therapy. At Evergreen, the youngest clients we see are 10 years of age or older.
Yes, it is possible to receive Transforming Touch therapy in a virtual environment. The therapist will work with you to accommodate the session.
No. Transforming Touch somatic therapy is considered outpatient therapy treatment, and will be billed as outpatient therapy treatment to your insurance company, if you use insurance benefits for therapy services. Your typical fee (copay, co-insurance or cash rate) will still apply.
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