Tumwater – The Regulated Healer: Trauma Informed Foundations for Practice

Hrs CE: 8

Class Description:
Trauma responses are not something that only appears in therapy rooms — it often shows up quietly on the massage table, through the nervous system, the breath, or the body’s protective responses. As massage therapists and bodyworkers, we are already working with trauma physiology — whether we have the language for it or not.

This NCBTMB approved 8-hour, in-person ethics course offers a grounded, embodied understanding of trauma and the nervous system, and how to apply trauma-informed principles ethically and practically within massage therapy sessions. Rather than focusing solely on rules or compliance, this course emphasizes relational ethics, nervous system awareness, and presence — supporting both client safety and practitioner sustainability. By the end of this 8-hour course, you will be able to:

• Define trauma and understand its effects on the nervous system and body.
• Recognize trauma responses in clients and how to respond appropriately.
• Apply trauma-informed principles directly to massage sessions.
• Create a safe, supportive therapeutic environment for trauma survivors.
• Respond ethically and appropriately when trauma responses occur.
• Strengthen consent, boundaries, and ethical decision-making.
• Develop self-care strategies to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue.

This course is experiential, reflective, and grounded in real-world practice.

Instructor: Samantha Moyer

Instructor Bio:
Samantha is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington and Idaho. Her passion for this work comes from a deep respect for the mind-body connection. Samantha began her career as a massage therapist, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact bodywork can have on healing.

Registration Link