Instructor: Beth Villante, RN, LMT, BSN, with Sasha Silverman LCP
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 9am-6pm
Cost: $230 – price goes up closer to date of class!
CE Hours: 8
NCBTMB-approved course CE4022004
This continuing education course is designed to provide massage therapists with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to integrate trauma-informed care into their practice. Trauma can manifest in the body in various ways, and it is crucial for massage therapists to understand how to create a safe, supportive environment for clients who have experienced trauma. This course will cover the principles of trauma-informed care, the neurobiological impacts of trauma, the body’s physical and emotional responses, and how massage therapy can facilitate healing in a trauma-sensitive manner.
Participants will learn how to modify their massage techniques and communication strategies to promote client safety, trust, and empowerment. Through lectures, case studies, and practical applications, this course aims to help therapists create therapeutic sessions that are mindful of trauma’s impact while supporting the client’s healing process.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define trauma and explain its various forms (e.g., acute, chronic, complex trauma) as well as describe how trauma affects the nervous system, including the fight-flight-freeze response and the impact on the body and mind.
- Explain the principles of trauma-informed care and why they are important in massage therapy, including safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, including physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators that may emerge during a massage therapy session.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a trauma-sensitive environment in their practice by adapting communication, consent, and boundary-setting techniques to promote a sense of safety and control for the client.
- Modify massage techniques to be trauma-sensitive, including using grounding techniques, adjusting pressure and touch, and recognizing when to pause or stop a session based on client feedback or body language.
- Identify and utilize appropriate self-regulation techniques for both the therapist and the client to manage emotional responses during a session and prevent re-traumatization.
- Understand the role of the body in trauma recovery, including how massage therapy can help release tension, facilitate somatic awareness, and support emotional processing and healing.
- Develop a referral network and understand the importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals (such as mental health providers, trauma specialists, and somatic therapists) when working with clients who have experienced significant trauma.
Beth Villante RN, BSN, LMT With over 24 years of experience in the field of massage therapy and integrative healthcare, Beth Villante is a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals through compassionate touch and holistic healing practices. Having started her journey in massage therapy in 1999, Beth has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various specialized areas, including medical massage, hospice massage, oncology, and reflexology. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development has allowed her to stay at the forefront of her field, always seeking new ways to improve the quality of care she provides to her patients and clients in acute and home healthcare settings. As a highly regarded educator, Beth has spent a significant portion of her career sharing her wisdom and expertise with aspiring massage therapists. With a passion for teaching, she has written and taught numerous courses and workshops focused on medical massage, hospice care, and oncology massage and reflexology. Beth’s dynamic teaching style, combined with her practical experience and deep understanding of the human body, has empowered countless students to excel in their practices, making a meaningful difference in healthcare.
Currently, Beth practices integrative healthcare as a brain injury Registered Nurse (RN, BSN) at a premier rehabilitation hospital. In this role, she integrates her expertise in massage therapy and holistic healing modalities with evidence-based nursing care to support individuals on their journey to recovery from brain injuries. Beth’s unique perspective as both a massage therapist and a healthcare professional empowers her to provide comprehensive, non-pharmacological individualized care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of her patients. Throughout Beth’s career, she has remained deeply committed to promoting the integration of massage therapy and complementary therapies into mainstream healthcare settings. Her dedication to advancing the field of integrative healthcare has earned her recognition and respect within the industry, and she continues to inspire others through her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of her patients, clients and students.
Sasha Silverman is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Pennsylvania with a diverse background in education, writing, and counseling. With a Master’s of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, she has extensive experience working with foster families, individuals dealing with addiction, at-risk teens, couples, and those facing conflict in various settings. Sasha is also a certified mediator, skilled in resolving workplace disputes, family issues, and co-parenting challenges. Currently, Sasha runs her own practice where she specializes in communication, relationships, and family conflict, helping clients navigate interpersonal issues to find strength and healing.
