Trauma-Informed Restorative Massage Therapy

Annie Bray, RMT

Serving Ottawa, Ontario

427 Gilmour Street

Ottawa, K2P OR5

By appointment only

Registered Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement with most insurance providers. Please check with yours to be sure.

Massage Therapy Services

  • Trauma Informed Massage Therapy

    Trauma-informed, somatically oriented massage to support recovery and wellbeing. I centre consent, respect and care so you can experience safe touch at a pace your body can tolerate and benefit from.

  • Restorative Massage Therapy

    Restorative massage therapy goes beyond relaxation to support the body, the nervous system and the whole human. It can include gentle or firm pressure and a range of techniques to encourage balance and wellbeing. This approach to massage is an ideal support for stress, burnout, bereavement or simply to incorporate meaningful self care into your routine.

  • Mobile Massage Therapy

    I offer a limited number of monthly mobile appointments for patients who would benefit from receiving massage therapy in the comfort and safety of their own home.

New patients

Option 1 : If you’re ready to book your intake session, please click below and book your appointment or email me at info@anniebray.com

Option 2: Book a free introductory phone or video. These calls are helpful if you have questions or would be more comfortable connecting and building some rapport before our first in-person appointment. Click below to book an intro call!

Returning patients

Book at any time through the online booking service or by emailing me at info@anniebray.com

As an RMT, I bring warmth, great communication skills and a whole-human approach to massage therapy. I’m committed to staying current with research and follow an evidence-informed approach to assessments and treatment.

My treatments progress at a speed that fosters rapport, connection and eventually, trust. I practice ongoing consent, creating clarity and agreement at every step so you feel safe enough to receive my support. 

I strive to create a stable environment for those who are on the journey of trauma recovery, as well as a welcoming space for all bodies to be held with care. 

I’ve been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist since graduating with honours from the International Academy of Applied Health in 2013. Since 1999 I’ve trained and worked as a registered acupressure therapist, registered yoga teacher and have completed many years of training and mentorship as a meditation teacher.

I bring years of experience as a community mental health worker to my treatments and more recently have finished an immersive program in body-based, trauma-informed somatic coaching. You can read more about me and my training here.

It can be helpful for some new patients to have a short chat by phone or zoom before adding your name to the waiting list or coming in for your first visit.

What to expect from trauma-informed restorative massage therapy?

My trauma-informed approach can help make it possible to access safe touch at a pace that is manageable for you, which can be a valuable part of a trauma recovery journey. 

While clients sometimes experience emotional release, and I am equipped to hold space for that, the intention of these sessions is not to provoke trauma release. I am not a mental health professional and it is outside my scope as an RMT to provide trauma therapy.

I believe in approaching trauma supportive massage therapy at a doable pace that supports your nervous system to reclaim a sense of resilience, regulation and safety, over time.

Whether you are living with traumatic stress or not, I believe that everyone can benefit from a trauma informed, somatically-oriented approach to massage.

Potential Benefits:

Decrease pain

Improve sleep

Improve breathing mechanics

Support recovery from injury, surgery and illness

Reduce stress and relieve tension

Improve mobility, joint function and tissue health

Promote mindfulness, self-awareness and self-compassion

Nervous system regulation 

Increase a sense of choice and agency through consent

How does this work differs from therapy?

My approach to somatically oriented massage therapy can be supportive in addition to therapy or even by itself, however I am not a clinical therapist or mental health professional trained to resolve acute crises.

I offer my work through a trauma-informed lens, because trauma is a normal yet often untended part of life and this work is an excellent support for anyone on a post-traumatic growth journey.

At the same time, if you are currently in crisis or have a history of unresolved trauma, I would suggest bringing in dedicated support for that before we start working together.

If you’re not sure if this is the right fit I’m here to help figure that out. I will always prioritize your wellbeing and refer you to alternate professionals when I believe that’s needed.

Reach out here.

I believe all bodies deserve respect and care.

My intention is to offer a supportive space for all bodies to receive care. I practice through a lens of body neutrality, and remain committed to unraveling biases based on extremely narrow cultural norms. 

During my time as a massage therapist, many folks with non-conforming bodies—including those with larger bodies, tattoos, piercings, disabilities, scarring (including self-harm), body-hair and more—have reported feeling ease and safety in my practice.

As a cisgendered, white woman I’m committed to dismantling internalized racism and homophobia and learning to hold meaningful and supportive space for BIPOC and LGBTQ2IA+ folks. 

Accessibility

Our clinic is working towards full accessibility.

At the moment we have a full ramp but recognize that our double front door might be an obstacle for some people. We ask that you reach out if you would like to make a plan for accessing the space so we can help. We have an accessible bathroom and we also have chairs that can comfortable accommodate a range of body sizes in all of our rooms.

In my massage practice I often use a cushion that can be supportive in the following scenarios:

  • Back pain and tension

  • Larger or heavier bodies

  • Large or tender chest

  • Pregnancy

I also offer a very limited number of mobile massage appointments for clients who live with decreased mobility, who are recovering from injury or surgery or who would benefit from their appointment taking place in the safety and comfort of their own home.

Please contact me at info@anniebray.com to inquire about mobile massage therapy.

 Book Me in Ottawa

By appointment only

Mondays 7 PM- Mobile Massage

Tuesdays 9 AM-430 PM

Thursdays 12 PM-730 PM

Fridays 9 AM-430 PM

Second Saturdays 10 AM- 2 PM

427 Gilmour Street- Suite 1

Ottawa, K2P OR5

Parking information and how to prepare for your treatment will be provided in your booking confirmation.

The space is on the first floor. We are currently working towards complete accessibility but right now there are several steps to access the building. Please reach out if I can help make a plan for accessiblity.

Rate includes HST:

75-minute intake or ongoing treatment - $170

60-minute ongoing treatment - $140

Please note: 60-minute treatments are only offered in certain cases. Please ask if you would prefer a shorter appointment

Mobile massage treatment - $200 or $185/each if 2 ppl book

I offer a small number of sliding-scale spaces. All spaces are currently full but I can add you to the waiting list.

I have a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Sickness and emergency will always be taken into consideration but in other cases, the full fee will apply if you cancel inside the 48-hour period. Thanks in advance for your consideration of my time and livelihood.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Description text goes here

    Trauma-informed massage is a therapeutic approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on an individual's body and mind. Practitioners of trauma-informed massage are trained to create a safe and supportive environment, acknowledging that past experiences can influence a person's response to touch and physical therapy.

    Key principles of trauma-informed massage include:

    1. Safety: Establishing a safe space where clients feel comfortable and secure is paramount. This can involve clear communication about the massage process and techniques used.

    2. Choice and Empowerment: Clients are encouraged to express their preferences regarding pressure, areas to be massaged, and whether they want to engage in the process. This helps foster a sense of agency.

    3. Collaboration: The practitioner works alongside the client, acknowledging their input and feedback throughout the session. This collaborative approach promotes trust and enhances the therapeutic experience.

    4. Respect for Boundaries: Understanding and respecting personal boundaries is crucial. Practitioners allow clients to dictate their comfort levels with physical touch, ensuring they do not feel pressured to endure discomfort.

    5. Sensitivity to Triggers: Practitioners are trained to recognize potential triggers that may arise during treatment. They remain attentive to the client’s physical and emotional responses, ensuring that adjustments can be made as needed.

    6. Holistic Consideration: Trauma-informed massage takes into account not just physical symptoms but also emotional and psychological well-being. Practitioners may integrate mindfulness techniques and grounding exercises into their sessions to support overall healing.

    By adopting these principles, trauma-informed massage aims to facilitate healing and promote well-being, making it a valuable option for individuals who have experienced trauma or are navigating stress-related challenges.

  • Well… Yes. And, no.

    I work with lots of people who don’t identify as having

  • Somatics (from soma, which is Greek for body) is a term that was coined to describe a range of conscious and unconscious things humans do to support and regulate ourselves. It can include, but is not limited to:

    Dancing, hugging, massage, meditation, taking a yoga class or just an intentional breath.

    Somatic practices are things we do to cultivate calm, security, aliveness and embodied awareness so we can:

    Feel, connect, create, rest, work and play…

    Somatics is not just one thing… To learn more read this article I wrote.

  • This is actually a really important question!

    While I think it’s incredibly important to have peace and quiet during your treatment, if that’s what you want, it’s worth acknowledging that people come in for massages in all kinds of moods and energy levels. Sometimes it feels helpful to chat for a while as you are settling. Sometimes, it can feel very grounding to have a conversation and connect a bit while you have your massage. Other days it might feel like you just want to doze and listen to the sound of ocean waves in the background.

    There is no correct way to have a massage! You’re in charge and I will follow your lead.

  • No, that is a common misconception with trauma-informed massage therapy. While I do tend to lean more towards a gentle approach than extreme deep-tissue, I understand that we have have different touch needs/ preferences. What feels supportive, relaxing or enlivening depends on the individual and can vary from one day to the next.

    We will always work together to find the appropriate pressure for you, so your massage feels relaxing, supportive and satisfying.


  • I love to work with people from a wide age range!

    I work with patients who are above 10 years old all the way through to gentle care at end of life.

    While the bulk of my patients are adults, I regularly work with teens and I love supporting people at this stage. of life.