Trauma-Informed Massage Therapy
Massage General Courses

Trauma-Informed Massage Therapy

Author(s): Pamela Fitch, BA, RMT

3CE credits 7 Lessons Text

Delve into the fundamental concepts of trauma and trauma-informed care in massage therapy. Explore the significance of a client's personal touch history and the psychoneuroimmunological reactions to trauma. Learn how to provide support while remaining within the scope of massage therapy practice and discover essential self-care techniques for working with this clientele.

DISCLAIMER: This course includes discussions on sensitive topics that could be triggering for some learners. This course is an introduction to this topic and does not cover all possible situations you may encounter as a therapist. You should use your independent judgment in all situations.

When you finish this course, you will be able to:

1.       Relate the importance of a clients personal touch history.

2.       Recognize the enhanced role of the therapist when interacting with emotionally vulnerable clients.

3.       Determine when massage therapy is contraindicated as a result of a clients emotional state or mood.

4.       Describe how to support emotionally vulnerable clients safely while remaining within massage therapy scope of practice.


  1. Introduction
  2. The Significance of Personal History and Context
  3. Trauma and Massage Therapy
  4. Massage Therapy and Trauma Recovery
  5. Mental Illness, Safety Concerns, and Therapist Responsibility
  6. Summary
  7. References

Pamela Fitch, BA, RMT is a massage therapy educator, writer, researcher and long-time practitioner with more than 30 years of experience. She focuses on the professional, ethical and communicative challenges that face many massage therapists, and how massage affects clients with trauma and complex pain conditions.