Touch therapy is a consent-led, relational form of support that uses safe, intentional contact to help the nervous system settle, soften, and feel supported. It’s about emotional regulation, presence, and connection. It offers the body a chance to experience safety, closeness, and rest in a way that many people don’t often receive. Through gentle, attuned contact, the body begins to relax. Stress responses ease, emotional awareness deepens, and many people experience a greater sense of calm, grounding, and connection with themselves.

When we experience safe, attuned contact, the body naturally releases hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These are all associated with bonding, wellbeing, and emotional balance. At the same time, levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can begin to fall. This helps shift the nervous system out of “fight or flight” and into a state of rest, repair, and regulation. In this state, the body can soften, breathing slows, muscles release, and emotional processing becomes easier. This isn’t something you have to try to do. It’s a natural biological response to safety and connection.

Unlike massage, this work isn’t focused on muscles, knots, or physical treatment. The emphasis is on emotional presence, co-regulation, and relational safety. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it works directly with the body’s calming systems through non-verbal communication, proximity, and touch. This often reaches places that words alone can’t. Many people come to this work after realising that insight, analysis, or talking hasn’t been enough on its own. Rooted Touch offers a more embodied way of experiencing calm, connection, and emotional safety.

It can look similar on the surface, but the intention and structure are very different. Rooted Touch takes place within a professional, clearly bounded, consent-based framework designed specifically for emotional and nervous system support. It isn’t casual affection. It’s an intentional space where touch is used thoughtfully, slowly, and responsively. The focus is always on your experience, your boundaries, and what helps your body feel safe.

Rooted Healing blends: • A strong understanding of how touch affects the nervous system • Clear ethical and consent frameworks • A deeply human, emotionally attuned presence This combination allows people to experience change not just mentally, but physically and emotionally. It happens through felt safety, not just understanding.

A Rooted Touch session is a slow, intentional space where you are invited to soften, settle, and feel supported emotionally, physically, and mentally. We begin with a gentle check-in, where we take time to arrive, ground, and connect with what you need that day. This includes your boundaries, preferences, and anything you would like me to be aware of. From there, everything is co-created and led by your comfort. This might include sitting side by side, hand-holding, close presence, or resting together in a way that feels supportive to you, if that is what you want. Some people prefer quiet. Some like to talk. Some move between the two. There is no set script. No pressure to “do it right.” Nothing is rushed, nothing is assumed, and nothing happens without your clear consent. Each session is shaped around you, not a formula. Many people leave feeling calmer, more grounded, and more connected to themselves, even after a first session.

Yes, if you want to. Some people like to talk, reflect, or share what is coming up. Others prefer quiet presence, stillness, or simply being held without words. There is no right way. These sessions are led by your needs in the moment. You are always welcome to speak, or to rest in silence. Both can be deeply regulating.

Most sessions last between 60 and 120 minutes, giving enough time for you to arrive, settle, and experience the space without feeling rushed. If you are unsure what length feels right for you, we can talk this through together.

Rooted Touch sessions take place in calm, private, and carefully chosen environments designed to feel safe, comfortable, and non-clinical. I work from a range of appropriate settings across Worcestershire, including therapy-style rooms and quiet, supportive spaces selected with nervous system regulation in mind. In some cases, sessions may also take place in: • My home environment (particularly for nature-based or outdoor sessions) • A client’s home or workplace • Residential settings or hospices This is always discussed and agreed in advance. While Rooted Touch is primarily an in-person offering, there are some situations where sessions may take place online. This is usually when the focus is on presence, connection, and guided relational work rather than physical contact. The most important thing is that the setting feels safe, appropriate, and supportive for you. We will always discuss and agree on the location in advance so you know exactly what to expect. If you have any access needs, sensory sensitivities, or concerns about the environment, we can explore these together. This is exactly what the free 15-minute consultation call is for, to find what will work best for you.

Rooted Touch sessions start at £80 for 60 minutes, with longer sessions available for deeper settling and integration. Many people choose 90 or 120-minute sessions, especially for their first visit. I also offer packages for those who want regular sessions, and a free 15-minute consultation call to help you decide what feels right. Online Rooted Touch sessions are priced differently, as they are presence-based and guided rather than physical, and are offered at a lower rate. We will always talk through what is appropriate for you.

Yes. I hold a small number of reduced-fee spaces each month for people experiencing genuine financial hardship. These are limited, so that I can offer this work in a way that remains safe, steady, and sustainable. If cost is a barrier for you, you are welcome to mention this during your consultation call and we can explore what might be possible.

There is nothing special you need to do. Arriving clean, wearing comfortable clothing, and being open to discussing your boundaries and preferences is enough. If possible, try to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in without rushing. Avoiding strong fragrances or perfumes can also help keep the space gentle and sensory-friendly.

Whatever you feel most comfortable in. Loose, soft clothing that allows you to relax tends to work best, similar to what you might wear for lounging at home or gentle movement. The most important thing is that you feel at ease in your body.

Yes, if that feels right for you. Some people come once to try it out, while others return regularly as part of their ongoing self-care or emotional support. Everyone’s rhythm is different. There is no expectation either way.

No. Rooted Touch is strictly non-sexual, fully clothed, and professional. The intention of this work is emotional safety, nervous system regulation, and human connection, not sexual or romantic intimacy. Every session takes place within clear ethical boundaries and a professional Code of Conduct. Touch is used intentionally and thoughtfully, with your consent, to support emotional wellbeing, not physical stimulation.

Arousal can be a natural physical response to closeness, safety, or deep relaxation, even in non-sexual contexts. If this happens, there is no shame or embarrassment. I am trained to hold whatever arises with calm, professionalism, and care. We can pause, adjust, or shift what we are doing based on what feels safest for you. What matters most is that you feel heard, respected, and in control.

Absolutely not. Consent is the foundation of every session. You always decide what kind of contact, if any, feels right for you, and you can change your mind at any point. Some people want more physical closeness. Others prefer very little or none at all. All responses are valid. Many clients arrive unsure or hesitant. Over time, some discover that safe, respectful touch feels soothing. Others find that presence alone is enough. There is no expectation either way.

Every boundary you hold is respected, before, during, and after the session. Consent is not a one-off moment. It is an ongoing conversation. You are always in control of what feels safe, appropriate, and supportive for you. You can say yes, no, pause, or change your mind at any time.

You are always allowed to change your mind. You can pause, shift, or stop at any point. You do not need to explain or justify yourself. Your “no” is always respected, and your “maybe” is treated gently. This work is about agency, not endurance.

Your privacy is extremely important. All personal information and session details are treated as confidential. Nothing is shared without your explicit consent, except where legally required for safety. This is a space where you can be honest, vulnerable, and human.

Everyone’s experience is different. Some people feel deeply calm or grounded. Others feel emotionally tender, reflective, or quietly spacious. Occasionally, people notice tiredness or a need for rest as their nervous system integrates the experience. All of these responses are normal. There is no “correct” way to feel afterwards, and you are always welcome to share or ask questions about what comes up.

Rooted Healing is trauma-informed and consent-led. You are never asked to do anything beyond what feels safe or comfortable for you. Sessions can begin with no physical touch at all. For some people, simply sharing space, talking, or practising communication around boundaries is enough to begin. Over time, this gentle and responsive approach can help the body relearn that it is safe to be seen, safe to be close, and safe to soften, without pressure or expectation.

That is completely normal. Being in a new kind of space can feel unfamiliar, especially if you are used to holding everything together on your own. Many people find that nervousness softens once they are met with warmth, clear boundaries, and a steady, respectful presence. Everything is adjusted to what feels truly safe for you.

That is completely okay. Many people come to this work because they have been carrying a lot for a long time. When the nervous system finally feels safe, emotions sometimes release naturally. You will never be rushed, judged, or “fixed”. My role is to hold a calm, steady, regulated presence so your body can do what it needs to do. Crying, laughing, shaking, or needing silence are all natural nervous system responses. Nothing about that is too much here.

I understand that trying something new can feel daunting. For first sessions, this can sometimes be discussed on a case-by-case basis. The priority is always your emotional safety and what will best support your nervous system. We can talk about this during your consultation and decide together what would feel most supportive for you.

Rooted Touch is for anyone who wants to feel more connected, calmer, and more grounded. You might be navigating stress, loneliness, anxiety, grief, burnout, or simply noticing that you have not had enough safe, affirming connection in your life. You do not need any prior experience with therapy, bodywork, or touch-based work to benefit. People of all genders, sexualities, identities, and backgrounds are welcome here.

If you have ever felt overworked, disconnected, emotionally stretched, or simply longing for a sense of peace, you are not alone. A free 15-minute consultation call is available so you can ask questions, share what you are looking for, and see if this feels like the right kind of support for you. There is no pressure to decide.

This work supports a wide range of people, including: • Those recovering from burnout, grief, or major life transitions • High achievers or caregivers who are used to holding everything together • People exploring identity, body image, or neurodiversity • Anyone craving non-judgemental, human connection If your nervous system feels tired, overwhelmed, or longing for rest, this space may help.

People often describe feeling: • More relaxed and calm • Less alone • More emotionally steady • Better able to rest and sleep • More connected to themselves • More supported and held • More confident in their boundaries and needs Everyone’s experience is different, and nothing is guaranteed. Many people, though, find this work helps them feel more at ease, more grounded, and more present in themselves. These shifts happen as the nervous system experiences safety, support, and connection, allowing the body to settle and regulate more naturally over time.

Rooted Touch is designed to support people who are open to gentle, relational, consent-led work. That said, it is not the right fit for everyone, and that is okay. If you are looking for clinical treatment, medical intervention, or sexual or romantic connection, this will not be the right space for you. If you are unsure, a short consultation call can help us explore whether this kind of support feels appropriate for your needs.

Yes. Research in neuroscience, psychology, and nervous system regulation shows that safe, attuned human connection can support emotional wellbeing and stress reduction. Rooted Touch works with these well-established principles, integrating them with trauma-aware practice, clear ethical frameworks, and professional consent training. This work is grounded in both care and evidence, not intuition alone. You can explore this further on the Science page.

I am a certified Cuddle Therapist, trained through Cuddle Professionals International, with a strong focus on ethics, consent, trauma-awareness, boundaries, and nervous system safety. I am also a qualified massage therapist and a trained spiritual healer, with over 20 years of experience in human-centred roles across leadership, care, HR, and emotional support. This means I bring both emotional depth and real-world understanding of responsibility, burnout, vulnerability, and life complexity. My work is informed by neuroscience, polyvagal theory, and trauma-aware practice, not intuition alone.

Yes. I hold appropriate professional liability and public-liability insurance, so you can be assured that this work is offered within a safe, ethical, and accountable framework. Like many practitioners in complementary and relational work, this insurance supports the professional standards of the service rather than acting as a medical or clinical endorsement.

Life happens, and nervous systems do not always run on perfect schedules. I ask for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling wherever possible. This allows me to offer the space to someone else and to work in a way that is sustainable and fair. If something genuinely unexpected or urgent comes up, I always encourage open communication. My approach is human-first, not punitive. Full details are shared at the point of booking so everything is clear from the start.