Trauma Touch Therapy Services
We’re Here to Help
Trauma Touch Therapy is a process, allowing for a gradual release of tension, buried traumas, and pent-up emotions.
Trauma’s aftermath is generally marked by a sense of loss, a hyper vigilance creating excess energy within the tissue and a marked intolerance to presence encouraging dissociation (the mind and body disconnecting). These losses can range from our sense of self, trust, capability, worth, value, power, our bodily rights and/or a sense of belonging. This therapy is client-centered and client-led in order to facilitate empowerment and restore what may have been lost in trauma. This restoration gives way to resilience and the opportunity to discover the gift within the wound. Some common forms of trauma can include:
- Verbal/Emotional Abuse
- Witnessed Violence
- Terrorism
- Combat
- Sexual Abuse, Rape, Incest, and Molestation
- Abortion
- Violent Crime
- Domestic/Physical Abuse
- Medical/Surgical Trauma
- Injurious Accident
- Traumatic Childbirth
- Natural Disasters
- Chronic, Ongoing Stress
- Job Loss
- Loss of a Loved One
- Divorce
- Neglect
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
Trauma Touch Therapy Benefits:
- Integrates the Body and Mind
- Eases Muscle Tension and Joint Rigidity
- Restores Physiological Efficiency of Breathing, Movement, and Posture
- Encourages Healthy Boundaries
- Enhances Awareness of Sensation
- Fosters Renewed Trust and Security
- Calms Panicked Areas of the Body
- Reduces the Potency of Triggers
- Fosters New Stress Management Skills
- Improves the Capacity for Intimacy
- Models Acceptance and Compassion
- Provides a Sense of Grounding and Belonging Within the Body
A Session In General
Because many trauma survivors’ nervous systems have been overloaded with sensation, causing dysregulation of hypervigilance and shutdown, it is our goal to create a safe space that is conducive for body connection and find a pace that maintains that connection through tolerated sensation. TTT is founded in presence and empowerment. Because of this, sessions are deeply intimate and specific to each person. That being said, we are always anchoring back to our Somatic Bill of Rights and our 4 basic tools being: Breath, Movement, Touch and Play.
Sessions consist of connecting and dropping into our body senses, staying, discovering and then integrating what you learned however many times you are comfortable to engage. Because survivors learned more safety in their minds and to be plan-oriented to function, the most trying challenge is often just to show up, knowing our goal is to just be with the body letting it guide us as we go. Ironically, the greatest celebration is also reclaiming the joy of being, spontaneity, and trusting our bodies and minds in friendship. Our greatest challenge becomes our most precious gift.
As Chris Smith says – the gift in the wound
Not ready to schedule a consult but seeking more trauma resources to support your journey? Click here.
“I met Jesse in 2014 when he was teaching speed and agility at Body Zone to my girls when they were 9 and 13. He was so in tune with their form and making sure they were doing the drills properly. When he left and started personal training it was a no brainer that we would follow him wherever he went. For the past 5 years my girls have been with him and he has truly become part of our family. My husband and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. We know that when our girls are performing at their best, that he has had a major role in that. Jesse supports our girls at soccer games and track and cross country meets. I even use him to stretch my girls for cross country at Wyomissing High School. We appreciate all Jesse has done with our girls and will continue to follow him in his next adventure.”
"Jesse Hershey is so knowledgeable about how our bodies work. He is a pleasure to work with and my sessions are so effective."
"Whitney was more than helpful in helping me prepare for my first half and full Ironman. She first pointed out issues to address that would allow me to properly absorb nutrients, and then helped me to make those specific changes to my diet. As a result I had more energy for training and gained more lean muscle mass than I ever have in the past. I was successful in both events (including placing 5th in my AG in my first half Iron and 18th in my first full). The help she has continued to provide allows me to be much more aware of how my body responds to what I consume, allowing me to fuel in the best ways that I can. Overall I can’t say enough about what working with her has helped me to do both performance-wise and on an everyday nutrition level."
“I have worked with Jesse for two years and am amazed at my improved strength and overall feeling of wellness and enhanced energy. He inspires me to do more but also encourages rest and recuperation. My golf game has improved as my overall strength and endurance have
increased. I consider Jesse a friend, and am grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and compassionate trainer.”
"As we all know...COVID put a damper on a lot of people's physical / mental health, and both Ariel and I fell right into that category. After we got engaged in April, we made a pact that we were going to get back in shape and be our best selves for the wedding. I heard about Ampersand through a family friend and immediately signed us up for a preliminary meeting with Whitney, where she did a deep dive into who we are as an individual and where we would like to see growth. From there, she built a separate plan for both of us to follow and then scheduled regular check-ins to see how we are doing. Whitney is beyond passionate about her occupation and does an amazing job coaching you through the journey. We couldn't recommend Whitney and the rest of the Ampersand team more!!"
“I met Whitney about four years ago. I had GI issues that were not resolving after seeing a gastroenterologist for about 2 years. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel with constipation. My doctor had prescribed two different medications which were ineffective. There was little nutritional counseling at this practice and I was instructed to avoid broccoli and beans and possibly take an enzyme if I wanted to eat these foods. My symptoms persisted and I was uncomfortable daily. I felt that some of my issues were from food because it seemed to correlate with eating. I just couldn’t figure it out.
A colleague recommended Whitney to me. He said his wife had worked with her and she was feeling much better.
I had a consult with Whitney. She was extremely thorough. We broke down my food intake and then made a plan. She suggested an elimination diet. At first I wasn’t sure I could do it! After 2 weeks I was feeling so much better! At 6 weeks my issues were more improved. I had intolerances that were unknown to me. Once we figured out what was best for my gut, my symptoms went away. I had been on Prilosec for 20 years for reflux and did not need it anymore. I was having regular bowel movements and GI pain and bloating were gone. I learned what was good for me and have felt well ever since. It took work and commitment on my part but with Whitney’s help I felt so much better! It is a daily commitment to eat what is right for me but the reward of a pain free, healthy gut is worth it! I could not have not done this on my own. Whitney’s counseling helped me immensely. I am so grateful I met her and know her!”
“I started to have gastric issues in March of 2020. After a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and a lot of useless tests I was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the stomach lining. The doctors did not provide a solution. Luckily for me, Whitney George was recommended to me as a nutritionist. With her expertise, knowledge, compassion, and devotion she got me back from 95 lbs. to my normal weight of 108lbs. It has been the biggest challenge of my life. Whitney and I meet on Zoom, she is in PA and I am in NC. She provided me with a wonderful website called Cronometer. There I can enter daily what I eat and do. Cronometer breaks down my food letting me know if I need more or less of something. Based on her recommendations with supplements I got rid of some bacteria the medical systems only treat with antibiotics. Whitney has been holding my hand since May 24th, when I first met her on Zoom. When I panic, she is right there for me via phone or email, late at night or even on the weekend. I am extremely lucky to have her as I have no idea where I would today without her help.
Thank you, Whitney, for being such a caring human being.”
“I have been working with Laural Miller for a few years now. First as a life coach, where she helped immensely in my healing from marriage and continued healing from childhood trauma. She is now my trauma touch practitioner, and has created such a safe space for me to bring even more healing.
If you are local to Berks County and are looking for trauma informed healing, reach out to Ampersand and get in touch with Laural. God truly has gifted her in many ways.”
"The level of experience spread among the practitioners of this building is incredible. I'm able to get my physical therapy, personal training, massage, cupping, nutrition, and my career and goal orientation planning in one place. The best thing about this is that this place is truly the model of integrative health where every practitioner speaks with every other practitioner to give you the best chance for success in ever evolving goals.
I assure you you can't go wrong working with any or all of these individuals! Truly a gift to Berks county and surrounding areas."
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