frequently asked questions

WHAT CAN I EXPECT OF ALLIE AND MEG?

  • We primarily offer virtual options for the sake of convenience and accessibility.

    If you are in one of our areas (Denver, CO or Dallas, TX), we can also talk about in-person or hybrid options that allow for a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.

  • TC-TSY and trauma-informed movement sessions can range from 15 to 90 minutes depending on what you prefer. Trauma-informed creative arts, music, and languaging sessions tend to range from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what you wish to explore.

    To begin each session, we might connect for a few moments to start. Following this, we will invite you to explore different choices for movement or discussion* guided by your preferences. At the end, there will be time for questions and feedback.

    *Our sessions are not talk-therapy, and we will not ask for personal details. Sessions within languaging and the arts often can be combined with physical movement, and our discussions will be based in exploring how to sensitively reframe the use of language towards oneself and others and reconnect with your inner artist.

  • Sounds great to us! If you are interesed in a physical exploration, we can approach our sessions from the movement style that you connect with best.

  • Anyone! Our goal is to create a space with an open door, where anyone can feel safe to be and explore themselves without fear of judgement.

    As humans ourselves, we connect with others through our shared intersections: LGBTQ+, veterans and veterans’ spouses, women, caregivers, artists and musicians, educators, and mental health professionals. We constantly discover new overlaps in our intersections, and we welcome your own in our home.

  • We never want price to be an obstacle. Our pricing is based on a sliding scale that can be adjusted based on your budget.

    Based on your income, you might feel comfortable with something in the following ranges:

    • 1 hour session: $50-$150

    • 30 minute session: $25-$75

    • Other session lengths can be planned via consult

    Any amount goes towards the support of HAH’s mission and those most in need of affordable services.

    Payments can be made through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. If these are not accessible to you, please let us know so we can find the right approach for you.

about tc-tsy

  • This practice is an opportunity for you to be in charge of your body in the present moment. You are welcome to notice sensations in your body, in your muscles, and make choices based on what you notice. Or you might not feeling anything at all. You might choose to rest instead. Or you might decide to sit while I stand. The moment is yours, and there is no “correct” way to experience it. This emphasis on your internal experience (vs what we think we should look like externally) is the power behind this method and is why it is considered a successful adjunct treatment for complex trauma.

    All language is invitational and shapes and directions are guided by your choices. This alone can be its own practice, and I support your experience by following your choices and hearing your feedback.

  • Choice-making, empowerment, and embodiment are core elements to the TC-TSY method that help recreate the sense of agency that trauma can damage or remove.

    The method is based in Neuroscience, Trauma Theory, and Attachment Theory. Studies conducted in 2021 that focused on female veterans and PTSD related to sexual trauma in the military showed it as an effective complementary treatment to complex trauma and PTSD. TC-TSY was compared to Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which is often considered the first choice for treatment; those in the TC-TSY group experienced faster improvement in their symptoms, better participant retention, and sustained effects equal to those in the CPT group. For more information on these and continuing studies, visit the Trauma Center’s website.

  • Interoception involves our senses and how we feel them inside our bodies. Feelings of hunger, pain, our breath, the sensation of a muscle group within a shape are examples of interoception.

    Exteroception involves our awareness of stimuli that occurs outside of our bodies. Sounds in the room, colors or other visuals, and air temperature are examples of exteroception.

    Why these matter? You can choose to change your sensations, both interoceptive and exteroceptive. You can choose to move out of a shape if it is uncomfortable. You can choose to change the rate or depth of your breathing. You can choose to put on a sweater if the air is on too high. And you can choose to remove yourself from a situation if something does not feel right. The idea of taking such effective action on behalf of ourselves is a key element of TC-TSY.

  • Activations, triggers, and emotions can be experienced in a physical way. Movement can be used to practice understanding and response to those physical sensations with free choice. You are in charge of your own body and discovering this can offer a sense of empowerment and choice in the control of your own space.

    I am not a clinician, and it is possible we will never talk about your experiences in or out of our session. You are welcome to share or not share - the TC-TSY approach will stay the same. I always welcome your feedback on how the session went for you and how I can improve my facilitation. I am happy to answer questions about the practice itself and hear your thoughts on what might be next. However, because I am not a mental health clinician, we will not process things like emotions or memories that come up for you within the session. This is when it is helpful to have a mental health practitioner available to you who is trained to process your experiences.

  • While talk therapy (in its various forms) is highly recommended when possible, it is not required to begin a TC-TSY practice. TC-TSY is helpful as an adjunctive treatment, but there are many reasons why someone may choose to try other directions (cultural, financial, accessibility, etc). I do encourage those in TC-TSY to have some form of support system in place prior to beginning their practice. This allows you to have another space in which to process what might come up for you in a TC-TSY session.

  • There are many helpful places online to learn more about the various types and sources of trauma. We are working on an Explore page where you can discover more about the environments and intersections where trauma can hide.

    And soon, on our Resources page, we will be continually updating and adding links and information to other informational sites as well as information on support groups and other ways to connect. If you have a suggestion for our resource listing, please feel free to contact us.

WHAT IS TC-TSY and trauma-informed movement LIKE?

  • A goal of TC-TSY and other trauma-informed movement is to let go of attachment to outcomes by choosing what you would like to experience. There is no right and there is no wrong. There is no correct version of a shape or pose to aim for - you create your own version. You find the sensations you wish to explore, and you choose when and how to add or remove parts of your experience.

  • We are facilitators for your own experience; you are in charge. Each person’s authentic preferences are unique, and both facilitator and participant share the same space and time. We offer options to choose from based on your needs. You can choose from those options or explore your own options when ready. In other words, we serve as a partner to your own discoveries; “normal” yoga classes are typically more command oriented, framing certain poses as better or worse than another. This is not the case in trauma-sensitive yoga.

  • Each person’s experience is so different and can vary based on different factors. It is not uncommon for certain shapes (AKA “poses”) to bring up emotions, thoughts and/or physical sensations that are sometimes unexpected. This can be challenging for some survivors.

    That being said, YOU are in charge, YOU choose the direction, and YOU can say “stop” or “more” at any time. We are with you every step as you explore and change your preferences. We are here to hold a safe, consistent, and reliable space with you.

    Some experienced yogis or athletes might find it to be a slower and calmer practice than a “typical” yoga or movement class. However, this is the goal; a TCTSY or trauma-informed practice allows time and space for you to explore, change, and choose your choices based on what sensations you’d like to experience. As your practice evolves, you might incorporate these principles into other physical and mental activities.

  • Yes! This approach to movement is accessible to anyone no matter your unique set of physical abilities. Before we practice together, we can discuss any needs particular to you. Some participants explore using physical objects like blocks, straps, blankets, and pillows, and some like to move without those material additions. As we explore your practice together, you might find yourself discovering new possibilities in your body. We can explore creating shapes that are best suited for your own unique being.

  • TC-TSY specifically avoids all physical touch, as it can distract from you experiencing the sensations in your own body.

    That said, this is your practice, and if you prefer exploring physical assists and touch in your practice, we can chat about how to approach consensual touch through a trauma-informed approach.

  • Short answer, no.

    Long answer: you can practice this movement in any comfortable environment, with or without a yoga mat, in whatever clothing suits you. It is not uncommon for individuals and facilitators to practice TCTSY and trauma-informed movement in everyday clothing.

    While nothing is needed, you might find certain equipment and/or comfy clothing to be helpful. These are options you are welcome to explore in your practice, and we can talk about this during our first consult.