[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

gather information for the session.
If you observe the client reacting to pressure by holding their breath or tension in
their body (a protection mechanism), suspend the treatment immediately. Inquire
about pressure, depth of touch and pain. Seek their guidance about how much
pressure and depth they can tolerate without displaying this type of protective
response. This process not only empowers the client and reaffirms the therapist’s
trustworthiness, it also presents an opportunity for the client to know what to
expect from the therapeutic experience. By engaging the client in this way, the
therapist teaches the client what to expect and knowing what to expect can
greatly diminish any anxiety related to the unexpected, which is common in
those who have experienced trauma (Fitch 2014). Additionally, as noted in
Chapter 7, trauma survivors commonly experience PTSD-type presentations and
stimulating the protection mechanism not only detracts from the productiveness
of the treatment, this also may trigger complex consequences for the client.