You probably know what relaxation means, but have you ever heard of therapeutic relaxation? And did you know that relaxation techniques could be used during a therapy session? I wrote this short article to give you some insights about this technic by answering three basic questions:
What is a therapeutic relaxation?
What happens during a session?
How can it help you?
1) What is therapeutic relaxation?
Therapeutic relaxation uses the body and its language as a doorway to well-being. The method originates from William Reich’s theory which states that repressed emotions result in muscular rigidity. In other words, our body keeps a trace of our emotional wounds.
Therapeutic relaxation will allow you to quickly relax your body and your mind through muscular and vascular release.
2) What happens during a session?
Before starting the relaxation, we take some time to talk about anything that you wish to address or that may have happened since our last appointment for up to 30 minutes. Then I will suggest you to lay down or to stay seated if you prefer and I will draw your attention towards different areas of your body by naming them. Each relaxation session is dedicated to a part of your body (head, arms, legs, torso etc) and lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes.
You will then have a moment to come out of the relaxation and drink something if you wish. It is advised that you remain calm and introspective to process whatever you have experienced by writing in your journal, staying silent for a while or through any other way that best suits you.
3) How can it help you?
This technique can really help you if you suffer from stress, anxiety, depression or if you are experiencing a disconnection with your body (eating disorder, pre/post natal depression, trauma etc).
During the relaxation the aim is to become aware of your body and to direct your attention inwards. This technique involves a certain level of freedom (eyes open or closed, staying seated or lying down, etc.) which also makes it a great tool to gain or regain empowerment.
To summarize, therapeutic relaxation is a tool that you can apply and learn in order to gradually become more conscious of the connection between your mind and your body. It will help you gain clarity and develop self-confidence.
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