Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) creates space for individual, present moment experience.  Through practicing simple yoga forms, movements and breathing, trauma survivors are empowered to connect with their bodies in a safe way at their own pace, completely in charge of their experience.

 

Developed by David Emerson and Jenn Turner of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment at JRI in Brookline, MA, TCTSY is an evidence based practice for the complementary treatment of complex trauma and chronic, treatment resistant PTSD.

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For more information, read about the study on the efficacy of TCTSY.

 

Sessions For Trauma Survivors

 

Together, we will practice forms, movements and breathing to help you connect with your body in a safe way at your own pace.  This practice includes no hands-on assists, and no prior yoga experience is required.  Individual and small group sessions are available.  It can be useful for participants to be in individual therapy in order to have a place to process their experience.  * Currently I am offering individual TCTSY sessions online on a secure, HIPAA compliant platform. Please feel free to contact me for details.**

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Half-Day Trainings in TCTSY

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Schedule a half-day training in TCTSY and trauma awareness for your yoga studio, mental health clinic or health service agency.

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Sessions For Social Service/Health Care Agencies

 

For Your Clients: TCTSY is a wonderful complementary therapy for clients with trauma backgrounds to practice stress reduction and self-care.  Sessions may be done in chairs, and no special equipment is necessary.

 

Self-care for Helping Professionals: TCTSY can serve as a valuable self-care practice for social service staff, health care workers and other helping professionals.  Please contact me to schedule an introductory in-service workshop, or a series of classes for your organization. 

Read about the importance of wellness and self-care for social workers from former NASW CEO Angelo McClain.

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Workshops For Yoga Studios, Teachers and Social Service Agencies

 

I offer a three-hour “Introduction to TCTSY” workshop which covers the foundations and key elements of TCTSY, includes an experiential practice, and leaves ample time for questions and discussion.  It is useful both for teachers interested in working with populations likely to have trauma backgrounds (such as addiction and criminal justice), and for those who wish to bring trauma sensitivity to their studio classes.  Please contact me to schedule a workshop at your studio or organization.

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Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy Continuing Education for C-IAYTs

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The prevalence of complex trauma and its role as an underlying factor in many health conditions requires that yoga therapists be versed in both th nature of complex trauma and the key elements of working in a trauma sensitive manner. Using the evidence based methodology of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) as its core, along with best practices in trauma sensitive mindfulness, this 17-hour, two-day course will help yoga therapists explore how to work with clients in a trauma sensitive manner, including handling a client's trauma history if it presents during the yoga therapy intake process.  Students are encouraged to bring case examples from their own practice for consideration and discussion.  This course takes place in New York City, or I can come to your location.  Please contact me to be added to the waiting list, or to discuss scheduling a workshop out of town.

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Testimonials

I attended Karen's weekly women's TCTSY class for 7 months as part of holistic treatment for chronic PTSD. I originally intended to attend for 8 weeks, but I found Karen's teaching to be so helpful that I continued on. Karen's classes are highly structured, she is professional, and very sensitive to the needs of her clients. She was always open to feedback and encouraged questions. Most importantly, her class is a safe and non-judgmental space for survivors. TCTSY helped me feel safe in my body, and helped me ease into other ways to be mindful in my life. I wish more trauma survivors could experience the healing power of yoga, not just as an exercise but as a way to be present in one's body. I was very lucky to find a yoga teacher as talented as Karen. I highly recommend her.

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M.S.

TCTSY Participant

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It was a joy to witness the extent to which TCTSY with Karen helped my client move through difficult moments of the therapeutic work. It was clear that TCTSY helped her feel more connected to and empowered in her body, and there is a genuine sense that the gains she made over the course of the treatment will have a lasting impact on her life. I am so grateful that my client had this opportunity. I wish all of my traumatized clients could be so fortunate.

 

Dr. Amanda Boris

Clinical Psychologist

New Alternatives for Children

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As supervisor to a domestic violence crisis shelter, I was thrilled to have Karen’s skills to augment our holistic approach to caring for survivors of trauma. Many of our clients suffer from symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression, which can be alleviated by a number of interventions including the somatic therapies that Karen has expertise in. Through our collaboration with Karen we have noted her professionalism, calm demeanor, clinical acumen and commitment to our program and to the clients. From the clients’ feedback we know that Karen offers an invaluable space of calm, respect, and choice for the clients, which is exactly what they need in order to reconnect with their bodies and heal from their trauma.

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Katherine Williams, LMSW

Supervising Social Worker, Residential Services

Sanctuary For Families New York

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