A trauma-informed framework is a client-forward approach that recognizes the lived experience of carrying trauma physically, and prioritizes the client having a felt sense of safety and agency whenever possible. This framework can be applied to any modality of care.

The trauma-informed approach focuses on honoring the client’s agency and needs, and expanding the window of tolerance to be able to experience discomfort while maintaining a regulated nervous system. For massage, this includes cues of physical connection to what’s touching the body, gently guided breathwork, and changing the pace and pressure of the work based on communication with the client and felt tissue response.

Your session is yours, not mine, and I take many steps to help you feel more empowered and safe to speak up for your needs while on the table so I can meet them. I know it can be easy to feel like you can’t speak up during your massage for what you need, so one of my goals is to, over time, help you feel safer speaking up for your needs throughout our sessions together.

Because sports massage specifically involves physical discomfort, the trauma-informed approach is essential, as being able to maintain a felt sense of safety while navigating physically uncomfortable experiences is a key component to healing trauma.

Please stay home if you have Covid-19 symptoms, or symptoms of any contagious illness.

If you contract Covid-19, please wait until you are asymptomatic and it’s been at least 10 days since the initial onset of symptoms, or you are asymptomatic, it’s been at least 7 days since the initial onset of symptoms, and you receive a negative PCR or rapid antigen test before coming in.

-All clients, regardless of vaccination status and/or prior Covid infection, must wear a surgical or respirator mask. I can give you one when you arrive if you don’t have any or forget yours.

-I wear a KN95 or KN94 mask with all clients.

-I stay up to date on all recent covid vaccines.

-I leave the window open and fan and HEPA filter on throughout each session.

-I sanitize the table and face cradle after each client.

60 minute - $135

90 minute - $180

120 minute - $220

I have a limited number of $1/minute rate sessions available for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) who are interested and anyone who needs it. These sessions are available to book on a first come, first served basis. There is not a specific income limit in order to book at the reduced rate. I offer these on the honor system, knowing everyone has a unique financial situation. If you genuinely can’t afford the regular rate, the reduced rate option is for you. I offer reduced rate sessions in support of reparations, equity, and accessibility.

You can click here to book your session, and/or sign up for the email waitlist for last minute reduced rate session openings here.

Generally speaking, no.

I start most sessions with a gentle full body rocking warmup to settle into your breath and felt sense of being in your physical body. Then I focus most of the therapeutic work on 1 - 2 regions. This gives me the time and space to fully work at the depth and structural level your body needs, without rushing to go too deep too quickly. Therapeutic work should be uncomfortable but not painful and while moments of the session may feel relaxing, the main tension release comes after the session as the work settles and integrates in your body.

If you happen to show up for your appointment in an agitated or dysregulated state, I may take more time than usual in our session to encourage an overall felt sense of safety and groundedness in your body before beginning the focused therapeutic work.

You will walk up 15 steps outside the front of the building to access my office which is on the second floor. I will open the door to let you in. There is a waiting area immediately to the right, and you can also use the bathroom which is the second door on the left.

Before beginning the massage itself, we will check in about how you’re feeling and what your needs are for the session. If it’s our first session together, this intake may take longer than normal. This intake time is part of your session time as having a clear understanding of how your body is doing is essential to me giving you the best massage I can.

The amount of pressure that is right for your body can change from session to session, and even moment to moment within one session.

Sports massage and therapeutic work will inherently include touch that feels uncomfortable but it should never be outright painful, or something you feel you have to “take,” “tolerate,” or “handle.” If the amount of pressure being used causes you to clench any muscles automatically or restrict your breath, it’s too much, as the nervous system has gone into a defensive mode and can no longer receive the benefit of deep tissue work. More pressure does not automatically equal better results, especially when your nervous system has to become defensive in order to receive it. Moments of gentler pressure are an essential and powerful compliment to the deep tissue work.

I try not to go above a 7 out of 10 intensity level with pressure (roughly where it feels intense but you can still takes full breaths smoothly and keep your muscles mostly relaxed); what this feels like is different for each person and can potentially change throughout each session.

We will communicate throughout the session about pressure to adjust to your changing needs.

I have a scent-free practice and use a sunflower/safflower oil blend with vitamin E. If you are allergic to this, please let me know via email prior to our appointment.

This is 100% up to you.

I have many techniques available to use that work with any amount of clothing, or no clothing. Some clients leave everything on, some clients take everything off including underwear, some clients choose something in between. You can make the same or a different choice each session if you’d like, depending on what your needs are that day.

Most of your body will be covered by the sheet and/or blanket at any given time and intimate areas will remain covered the entire time; I only undrape areas I am working on directly.

If you choose to take off any amount of clothing, please wait until after I leave the room to begin undressing.

I use a chest drape for all clients during skin-to-skin abdominal work regardless of gender presentation.

Sunday: 1 - 8 PM

Monday - Wednesday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

Thursday - Saturday: Closed

My office is in the Grand Lake neighborhood of Oakland, just a few blocks from the Grand Lake Theater.

Street address:
3527 Grand Ave
Suite C (Upstairs)
Oakland, CA 94610

Unfortunately, no. There are 15 steps to the main entrance and 6 steps to the side entrance. I highly recommend my friend and colleague Sebastian Stratton-Clarke who is trauma-informed and an extremely skilled massage therapist, and offers outcall massage sessions to your home or location of your choice. You can reach out via his website: www.allbodiesmassage.love

No. You can pay using FSA/HSA and I can also provide a superbill upon request.

There are metered parking spots along Grand Ave, and unmetered spots along side streets. Finding a spot can sometimes be tricky. If you can, leave an additional 5-10 minutes to find parking. Please don’t park in the spots in front of the office.

Cancelling or rescheduling within 24 hours of the appointment time will incur a fee equal to 50% of the session price. This applies to all appointments, including reduced rate sessions, and sessions booked using a gift certificate or package.

If you request a shorter session less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment, you will still be responsible to pay the rate for the original session length booked.

No shows for scheduled appointments without any prior communication will be charged the full price of the session. Credits used from gift certificates or packages will be forfeited.

Repeated cancellations will result in requiring pre-payment to hold your spot, or potentially termination.

No.

If you’d like offer anything beyond the session fee, you’re welcome to Pay It Forward to help add more reduced rate sessions on the schedule.