[adel34]

Hi Everyone,
Just had a quick question.
Ive been working with my new therapist since October. I finally had that conversation this past week about the importance of touch for me in therapy, how it made me feel closer to my last therapist and was so helpful. She at least listened and said she understood the need. She admitted that she's not very familiar or comfortale with physical closeness in therapy. She did give me a knitted shawl off her chair to wrap up in which was nice, but not the same as being held which my former t would have done so easily. She also admitted she's struggling in working with a blind client, because she believes so much of how she expresses her caring is through facial expressions.
I was wondering how one might find a therapist who's more comfortable with using touch/holding in therapy. GTGT, I'm thinking of your case in particular, but also any others who have experienced this and found it helpful. I know with my former t, she was an expressive arts therapist certified in a branch of movement therapy, where they had training on touch in therapy, and just personally I know she was a very touch oriented person.
I know I should give this new t a chance. I like having my therapist, case manager, groups and primary healthcare all in one place, so wouldn't want to change ts unless this really doesn't work out. I'm also limited by being only on medicade and don't have much money at all for therapy. Just wanted to put the question out there.
Thanks.

[Sunne]

Touch wasn't incorporated into my therapy until about 6 months in. We talked extensively about it and we hug at the end of each session now, which is quite nice. Being held is not something that would happen and I'm not sure it's quite a common practice.

I do know that therapists with humanistic approaches might be more open to touch then other therapists.

[Syra]

I was going to say what Sunne said - those from therapies that identify as coming from humanistic approaches tend to be more comfortable with more touch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanistic_psychology

When I found my current therapist, I did a phone interview that usually took between 5-20 minutes. I asked about cost and availability and other mundane things. I also asked what approach(es) they used. It was quite helpful in narrowing down who I would choose. I think I would have been comfortable asking about how comfortable they were with touch as part of therapy but I didn't thnk about it. Where did they draw their boundaries. I'm thinking asking them is the only way to find out, unless you know someone with an anecdote that suggests they are comfortable with touch.

The other thing I would think about is talking to my T about the role of touch. the benefits and risks. What you want and why etc.

[Willowleaf]

I have body psychotherapy and it seems to be normal therapy but with touch when needed and I ask for it. She also does biodynamic massage. As I never had touch as a child it is very important to me. I can't imagine therapy without touch. I imagine without sight touch is even more important. I hope you manage to sort something

[Syra]

I wonder if you would be interested in a Rosen Session.

http://www.rosenmethod.com/

[adel34]

Thanks everyone,
Wlow leaf, I've had body psychotherapy before, and found it helpful. Yes, without sight touch is even more important,
Sera, I'll look up that Rosen thing.
I'll keep you guys posted on how things go.

Asked to an Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFTwith permission of the OP.)

If it were her, she would contact the EFT community in Chicago. She would go on the ICEEFT site first, and find a Supervising therapist in Chicago. There are more EFT people in Chicago than are listed on the site. Some EfT'ers don't join the site - it can be expensive. (S = supervisors, A = advanced had all the training, C= trained and certified) Tell them exactly what you want. Ask how they do they do touch. Tell them what you got in NH that worked for you. Any of the EfT community should be comfortable with some level of touch. Start with a supervisor, and explain to them exactly what you are looking for, and the amount/kind of touch you are looking for. Your advantage is that you've had it before, so you can explain exactly what you're looking for.

Best of luck Adel!

[adel34]

Hi GTGT,
Thanks so much! This is so helpful.
I'd be very surprised if any of these ts take medicade, or if not, how we'd figure out a fee. but it's certainly worth a look.
It's really nice that I'm still in touch with VMT t. I e-mailed her last night just venting about how things are going with new t and everything I don't like about her and how hard it is starting out with someone new. We're gonna set a time to skipe, (our first time doing this yay!) sometime soon and she said we'd talk more then. We'll just have to see what happens.
Again thanks so much.