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.
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
Massage Therapy Services
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Massage Therapy
Trauma-informed, somatically oriented massage to support recovery, wellbeing and mindfulness of the body. Restorative care through an evidence-informed lens.
In person.
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Somatic Yoga & Meditation
Classes and private sessions that creatively weave yoga-based movement, somatics, mindfulness and meditation drawing on 25 years of teaching and practice
In person and online.
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Mentorship & Training for RMTs
Prevent burnout and deepen career satisfaction by incorporating principals of somatics, mindfulness and trauma-informed care into your work and life.
In person and online.
As an RMT I bring warmth, great communication skills and a whole-human approach to my work.
With 13 years of experience as an RMT and 20 + years as a manual therapist, I bring lived experience, warmth and confidence to every treatment.
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 your first visit.
What to expect from trauma-informed restorative massage therapy?
My trauma-informed, restorative 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.
I centre consent, respect and care and treatments can include a range of techniques and pressure depths to support balance and wellbeing.
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…
It can be an ideal support for stress, burnout, bereavement or simply to add meaningful self care to your routine.
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 differ from psychotherapy?
My approach to somatically oriented massage therapy can be supportive in addition to therapy or even by itself, however I am not a psychotherapist 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 can be an excellent support for someone who is going through post-traumatic recovery.
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 & Postpartum
Book Me in Ottawa
By appointment only
Tuesdays 1030 AM-430 PM
Thursdays 130 PM-730 PM
Fridays 1030 AM-430 PM
Saturdays 1030 AM- 430 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. Right now we have a ramp and fairly wide doors but there are various aspects of the space, including the bathroom that are not fully accessible. Please reach out if I can help make a plan to help you access the building
Rate includes HST:
75-minute intake or ongoing treatment - $175
60-minute ongoing treatment - $140
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.
Thank you for your consideration of my time and livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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While a large number of my patients are in the process of dealing with the symptoms of trauma I also work with many people who don’t identify as having PTSD or traumatic stress symtoms.
While each person’s treatment plan is going to be different, I find that many of the principals of trauma-informed care naturally apply to everyone.
Collaboration, active listening, consent, healthy boundaries and a respectful, nervous-system informed pace are things that every human can benefit from.
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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…
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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.
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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 everyone has unique 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.
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I love to work with people within a wide age range!
I work with patients who are above 10 years old all the way through to gentle palliative care at end of life.
While the bulk of my patients are adults, I regularly work with teens and love supporting people at this stage. of life.