Infant and child sessions are most often done using multiple modalities including Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, parent education, and more. The goal of any infant/child session is to help calm their nervous systems and assist them in finding more ease within their bodily movements so they can more comfortably and successfully explore and enjoy their environments and relationships. It is also important to address the concept of co-regulation, which is where an infant/child learns to manage his/her own nervous system responses by modeling that of a well-grounded parent or caregiver. At times, support is offered for parents and caregivers to help them regulate their own nervous systems. I began working with infants and children within my practice in 2018 and studied with a variety of infant and child teachers including Dr. Miranda Clayton, DO, Michelle Emanuel OTR/L, Sue Ricks, and more.

Craniosacral Therapy – CST

CST is a very gentle method of bodywork that can have a great impact on a child’s overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Sources of stress in an infant/child may include prenatal stress, birth trauma, general family environment, developmental issues (including oral tethers like tongue tie, etc), pain and more. Using CST in a bodywork session can help to access the child’s autonomic nervous system and allow him or her to be more well regulated and at ease by calming the nervous system and alleviating myofascial tensions in the body, which have been caused by trauma or stress.

Reflexology

Reflexology for infants and children can be a game-changer as it is also gentle and a more indirect approach, which is beneficial especially when a child has undergone extensive procedures and medical interventions. As the feet (and hands and ears) represent the body as a whole, a practitioner can address a variety of issues including but not limited to nervous system regulation, hormonal stress response, digestive issues, behavioral issues, and more. Reflexology works via nerve endings on the feet and specific reflex points, which correspond to specific system organs and parts. I am a certified Practitioner and Instructor of Gentle Touch Reflexology for Babies and Children (Sue Ricks Academy).

Infant Massage/Education

Based on the work of Vimala McClure, Founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, parents may learn how to massage their own babies and children using a combination of Swedish and Indian Massage as well as Yoga and Reflexology techniques. I am a Certified Educator of Infant Massage through the International Association of Infant Massage.