Alternative Practices for Emotional and Physical Wellbeing After Trauma: How are professionals in Cleveland, OH using alternative therapies and practices to help expand access of care that address symptoms of trauma?
Abstract:
Traumatic events happen to individuals and groups of people around the world every day, resulting in short and long term emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, and existential reactions. In the United States, exposure to trauma is more prevalent in marginalized and over-exploited communities, many of which are home to lower income and/or BIPOC individuals and families due to historic and current policy, culture, and inequities. Not only is exposure to trauma unequal between privileged and marginalized persons, access to healing services is also unequal, with many integrative or alternative therapies excluded from insurance policies and government programs.
This qualitative, community-based field research looks specifically at integrative and alternative bottom-up approaches to addressing impacts of embodied trauma including massage therapy, yoga, somatic therapy, art therapy, and cardio drumming. Over the course of January-April of 2023, this case study used semi-structured interviews, auto-ethnographic reflection, and archival research to explore ways in which alternative therapies and trauma-informed care can become more accessible to people and communities who need them. Looking specifically through the lens of the practitioner, practices such as sliding-scales, collaboration throughout the community, prioritizing person focused attitudes, and education/advocacy are all explored as means to create more accessible wellness. This applied thesis also includes a business plan specific to trauma-informed massage therapy to Cleveland, OH that aims to provide guidance to other practitioners looking to widen-access of their practice.
Key Words: Embodied trauma, trauma-informed care, mental health, bottom-up approach, integrative therapy, accessibility, massage therapy.
If you would like to read my entire thesis, please click the link below! If you check it out I would love any feedback or comments!
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