“Transforming Touch® is the practice of becoming more aware, paying attention, holding intention, being more fully present for whatever is happening within the client while supporting being more responsive and authentic…in holding a safe space for our clients to rediscover their whole, true selves.”  ~ Stephen Terrell, PsyD

Transforming Touch® is a body-based (somatic), trauma-informed therapeutic approach developed by Stephen Terrell, PsyD. It combines principles from attachment theory, developmental psychology, and nervous system regulation. Transforming Touch® is a “Trauma-Informed” modality that implements Regulation-Focused Approach to the repair and healing of Developmental Trauma. The modality is based on the idea that when there are ruptures during early platform development, they continue to disrupt a person’s life. 

Transforming Touch® supports the importance of presence and relationship. John Bowlby’s work showed us the importance of the Secure Base while growing and healing. This relationship supports the client’s transition from insecure attachment to earned secure attachment. This transition opens the way for the client to show increased vulnerability which increases the potential for healing.

Transforming Touch® integrates safe therapeutic touch into mental health care. It’s designed to support individuals who have experienced early developmental trauma, attachment wounds, trauma, chronic stress, or relational difficulties.

Transforming Touch®  helps restore foundational experiences of safety and co-regulation that may have been disrupted early in life.

Transforming Touch®

• Supports repair of early relational disruptions
• Works with preverbal trauma
• Helps regulate the autonomic nervous system
• Restores a sense of safety and connection

This approach recognizes that trauma is not just a cognitive experience — it is stored in the body. The body holds experiences that words alone cannot access. Through carefully attuned, consent-based therapeutic touch, and somatic awareness, and working with the nervous system directly, clients can experience:

• Reduced anxiety and hypervigilance
• Feeling more grounded and present
• Increase nervous system regulation
• Improve emotional regulation
• Increased sense of safety
• A deeper sense of internal stability
• Greater emotional resilience
• Support healthy attachment
• Greater capacity for connection
• More resilience and self-trust
• Repair of early attachment wounds
• Strengthened boundaries

Who Is It For?

Transforming Touch® may benefit individuals experiencing:

• Early developmental or attachment trauma
• Complex Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
• Anxiety and chronic stress
• Dissociation
• Relational challenges
• Difficulty feeling safe in their body

Sessions are collaborative, paced carefully, and guided by your readiness. It is especially helpful for people who feel that traditional talk therapy has not fully addressed the “body-based” aspects of trauma.

What to Expect in a Session

Sessions are collaborative and paced according to your comfort level. You can expect:

• A strong emphasis on consent and choice
• A safe, supportive therapeutic environment
• Slow, attuned pacing
• Gentle, structured therapeutic touch (when appropriate and agreed upon)
• Verbal processing and reflection
• Focus on nervous system responses
• Greater awareness of bodily cues
• Grounding and regulation exercises and practical tools for nervous system regulation
• Sustainable healing rather than short-term coping

When appropriate and consented to, Transforming Touch® uses structured, therapeutic touch to support nervous system regulation and healing. It is always client-led, trauma-informed, and grounded in clear boundaries and safety.

***You will always be asked permission before therapeutic touch is employed.  You have the right to decline therapeutic touch without needing to explain it, or without any fear or concern about reprisal or judgment and without fear of judgement or shame. If you do not feel comfortable with therapeutic touch, or if the session does not call for it, session work will not include touch.  The work can also be done through guided somatic awareness without physical contact. Therapeutic touch is never required. ***Sexual touch of clients by therapists is always unethical.

~You Do Not Have to Relive Trauma To Heal It ~

Begin Your Healing Journey Today

 

Finding the right therapist is so important.  Contact me to set up a Free 30-40 minute No-Obligation Consultation/Visit to make sure we are a fit.  During this Consultation/Visit, you will be able to tell me a bit about your story and your needs for therapy and ask any questions you may have.  I will share more about how I work and what our work together will look like.

To set up a free 30-40 minute No-Obligation Consultation/Visit; fill out the contact information or call me at 952-215-5208. or email me direct at info@hopeinhealing.org Contact Stacy today to schedule a session and start your path toward healing.

 

Significant professionals that have informed and influenced my work:

Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP is a recognized leader in Developmental Trauma.  He trains healers, therapist and bodyworkers across the world on cutting edge treatment to stabilize autonomic nervous system and support clients in moving to a new normal. Terrell is the founder of Austin Attachment Counseling Center which treats those affected by Developmental Trauma.

Stephen Terrell and Kathy Kain  co-wrote: Nurturing Resilience: Helping Clients Move Forward from Developmental Trauma–An Integrative Somatic Approach which  is an innovative book in a growing field of neuroscience-informed, somatic approaches. that assists healers, therapists and bodyworkers to help clients stabilize their nervous system to heal developmental trauma.

Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP is a recognized leader in Developmental Trauma.  He trains healers, therapist and bodyworkers across the world on cutting edge treatment to stabilize autonomic nervous system and support clients in moving to a new normal. Terrell is the founder of Austin Attachment Counseling Center which treats those affected by Developmental Trauma.