Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a CranioSacral Therapy treatment and what will I experience?
Prior to the first hands-on treatment, I will take your case history and we will discuss what has led you to come for a session. For the treatment itself, you will be lying comfortably on a massage table. It is preferable that you wear loose comfortable clothing so that you can relax fully. I will ask you to remove your shoes, belt and/or glasses before getting on the couch.
CranioSacral is a gentle, light touch therapy with no manipulation or massage. Clients often expect the focus of CST to be mainly on the head but it is, in fact, a whole body treatment.
I will lay my hands lightly on the surface of your body and listen to what is going on in the body through the subtle movements of its tissues and the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid. My hands will gently mirror back to your body what they are feeling. You may feel warmth, tingling, pulsing, subtle wave like movements or other sensations as the tissues unwind and release tension, restrictions and holding patterns. It is deeply relaxing and you may drop into a semi-sleep state.
Sometimes during a session, memories and emotions surrounding past or present hurts or trauma may surface. These haven't had a chance to be released or processed and can often be a component of physical problems. We can use therapeutic visualization and conversation to gently help release any residual effects of these during the session.
What does it cost and how long is a session?
The fee is £45 per treatment which is payable by cash, cheque or bank transfer. Each treatment lasts one hour which includes our discussions at the beginning and the end of the session.
How many CranioSacral sessions will I need?
As each of us is unique, there is more than one answer to this question! If you are new to this therapy, I usually recommend that you initially try three consecutive sessions to see if CST is for you. In the first session everything is new to you - the treatment, the therapist and the room itself that you are receiving it in. Whilst you will relax with the first treatment, successive treatments will enable you to relax even more. Ultimately though, you are the best judge of how many treatments you might need.
If you have had regular therapy before, then sometimes one session may be enough. Depending on their reason for coming for treatment, clients sometimes have three per month over the course of a few months. Others have a few sessions to address a particular issue and then return at a later date if they want assistance with another issue. There are clients who come for treatment once every 4-6 weeks as it allows them to have space for themselves and their body to deal with stressful situations in their life.
The effects of CST are often cumulative meaning that, the more sessions you have, the more changes will happen over time. If you are working with a chronic, deep seated issue, changes often happen gradually as we sensitively work with your body giving it time to release, process and not overwhelm it. With such cases, a series of regular sessions has been found to be very supportive and helpful.
Testimonials from some of my clients
"I started going to CranioSacral sessions with Eileen about 2 years ago. Initially, I took my children as one had problems with his ankles due to previous fracture and undiagnosed stomach pain. The other had anxiety. My son only had four sessions and I saw a vast improvement in his mood, stomach issues as well with his ankle problems. Eileen was brilliant with him even though he kept saying he was bored as he was so young. My daughter had anxiety and went for a few sessions which also helped her considerably. After they had been, I thought I may try CST for myself as I had anxiety and a lower back issue that played up every so often. I have been going for a while now, even through the lockdowns which affected me and made me more anxious. If I hadn't been to see Eileen I'm sure I would not be in a good place right now. I can safely say I don't have anxiety anymore and if I do get the feeling of anything coming on I now now how to deal with it. I can't recommend CranioSacral and Eileen enough." ~ J.K.
"I suffered from back pain, migraines and was on a really high dose of tablets for high blood pressure. Once I had been to my first few sessions I started to feel a total change. For me, working with Eileen is what has helped me the most. She is knowledgeable, approachable and really easy to talk to. This has helped me further as the work she does is not just for aches and pains in the body but also emotions. Eileen has recommended many self help techniques as well which I do at home in between my appointments. Eventually, I was able to come off the medication." ~ P.T.
"Eileen's powerful but subtle approach has allowed deep unconscious patterns to emerge for observation and healing. With gentle encouragement, she gives you tools to manage and dissolve any uncomfortable memory to surface. In particular a recent trauma, breaking my leg has baffled the medical profession with the speed of my recovery. I feel way more connected and my system much more whole and integrated." ~V.S.
"Prior to having CST, my Complex PTSD symptoms were ruling my life making social interactions almost impossible. Now I have the confidence to not only partake but also to organize social events in my community. I feel like I have a new lease of life." ~J.S.
"After a head trauma in May 2018, I'd suffered weekly headaches radiating from the impact point and had really poor sleep. A course of CST with Eileen has helped me be headache free and I sleep soundly again. Memory, mood and concentration are also immensely improved. I had not realized how much these had deteriorated." ~ S.S.
"When I started my CranioSacral journey I was a stranger to myself. De-centered and afraid to be in my body and the world. From my first session and the warmth and acceptance Eileen's experience brings, my life has changed shape. The combination has brought me to a place in myself that feels like home. A place I never thought I'd find. CranioSacral Therapy is something I now wouldn't be without" ~ H.M.B.