Trauma Resolution Skills for Massage Therapists
and Other Health Care Professionals

with Michael J. Shea, PhD

September 3-5 | Wednesday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
21 continuing education contact hours | $425

NOTE: This seminar is open to licensed massage and bodywork therapists, mental health professionals, and other health care professionals.

As a result of September 11, 2001 and other world events, stress and/or emotional trauma has increased in our clients. When threatened or injured by shock or traumatic stress, the body and the nervous system respond by dissociating, stiffening and/or collapsing. These unconscious defense strategies immobilize the body and brain to prevent further threat or injury.

If these somatic patterns of dysfunction and held stress in the musculoskeletal system are not given an opportunity to reorient to a functional, integrated midline (spinal relaxation, tissue flexibility, etc.) a myriad of symptoms may occur. Some of these are anxiety, depression, insomnia, visceral dysfunction, chronic pain, headache and other adaptive responses. Current research in the field affirms that these are the most intelligent compensations the body can make when in a state of overwhelm.

When skillful observation of the client’s autonomic nervous system is made and hands-on work is applied gradually, stored stress in the sympathetic branch is given the opportunity to release. Release may be indicated by tissue vibration, body trembling, accelerated heart rate, sweating and other autonomic events.

To address this phenomenon, you will learn a new approach to add to your existing practice called neuro-affective touch. This is crucial for the successful resolution of trauma imprinting in the brain and body. Our focus will be practical application of new research with hands-on work to increase clinical effectiveness for a wide variety of musculo-skeletal problems. Note that emotional release work will not be taught.

In this workshop, you will:

• Understand the stress response between the brain and the body
• Learn the relationship of the autonomic nervous system to the musculo-skeletal system
• Study the neuroscience of the client-therapist relationship
• Recognize the complementary role of hands-on therapies in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in conjunction with licensed mental health providers

Michael J. Shea is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology and craniosacral therapy. He presents seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. He received his master's degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. Dr. Shea was certified in 1986 as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. He is currently adjunct faculty and teaches human embryology in the pre and perinatal psychology doctoral programs at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute in California.

As a long-time student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his teaching style is grounded in his spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy. For many years he has also apprenticed with a Navajo medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Along with this in-depth study of shamanism, he brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing. Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, his clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma.

Dr. Shea is the author of a number of books, including, Somatic Psychology, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy - Volume I. He is a Certified Advanced Rolfer, has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings. He makes his home in South Florida with his wife, Cathy, and can be reached through his website: www.michaelsheateaching.com.


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