.png)
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)
TCTSY Trauma Treatment with licensed professionals in Richmond, VA
TCTSY is an evidence-based, body-centered practice designed specifically for survivors of trauma, including complex and developmental trauma. Unlike traditional yoga, TCTSY emphasizes choice, interoception (inner body awareness), and agency, offering simple movements in a supportive, non-coercive environment. There are no physical assists or pressure to perform—just an invitation to explore your body at your own pace, reconnect with yourself, and restore a sense of safety from within.
Do I need yoga experience to participate?
Is TCTSY like a regular yoga class?
Do I have to talk about my trauma during TCTSY?
What should I wear or bring to a TCTSY session?
How long is a TCTSY session?
Can TCTSY help with anxiety, PTSD, or dissociation?
Can I receive TCTSY with EMDR?
What is the difference between TCTSY and Somatic Movement Therapy?
What is the difference between TCTSY and Somatic Experiencing?
Do I need yoga experience to participate?
Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or fitness level. The movements are simple and offered as invitations, meaning you are always in charge of how—or whether—you engage. The focus is not on perfecting poses but on noticing what you feel in your body and making choices that feel right for you. Whether you're brand new to yoga or have never tried it before, TCTSY offers a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore reconnecting with your body at your own pace.
Is TCTSY like a regular yoga class?
No, TCTSY is not like a regular yoga class. While it uses some shapes and movements that may look similar to yoga, Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is fundamentally different in its purpose, structure, and approach. TCTSY is specifically designed for trauma survivors and focuses on choice, body awareness (interoception), and empowerment, rather than physical performance or flexibility. There are no hands-on adjustments, no emphasis on achieving correct poses, and no expectation to follow along in any particular way. Instead, movements are offered as invitations, and participants are encouraged to notice what they feel and make choices based on their own experience in the moment. The goal is not to “do it right,” but to rebuild a safe and trusting relationship with your body.
Do I have to talk about my trauma during TCTSY?
No, you do not have to talk about your trauma during TCTSY. Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is a non-verbal, body-based practice, meaning there’s no expectation—or even a space—for discussing your trauma history during sessions. The focus is on experiencing your body in the present moment, exploring movement and breath with curiosity and choice. This approach allows for healing without needing to revisit or verbalize painful memories. You are always in control of your experience, and everything is optional. TCTSY offers a safe, supportive environment where your body leads the way—without words.
Is TCTSY therapy?
TCTSY is considered a therapy practice when facilitated by a trained psychotherapist within a therapeutic relationship. Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is an evidence-based adjunct treatment for trauma, particularly complex trauma and PTSD. It is grounded in trauma theory, neuroscience, and yoga philosophy, and has been used effectively alongside psychotherapy to support healing. TCTSY is deeply therapeutic—helping to regulate the nervous system, rebuild body awareness, and restore a sense of agency. TCTSY is usually integrated within other trauma therapy modalities when offered in a psychotherapy setting.
What should I wear or bring to a TCTSY session?
For a TCTSY session, comfort and ease are key. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing you can move in (like sweatpants, leggings, a t-shirt, or layers you can adjust if you get warm or cold). There’s no need for special yoga clothes—just whatever helps you feel at ease in your body. At Seeking Depth to Recovery, we provide a yoga mat, blankets, pillows, cushions, and water.
How long is a TCTSY session?
A typical TCTSY session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. The pace is intentionally slow and grounded, with time for gentle movement, breath awareness, and moments of stillness. There's no rush or pressure—participants are encouraged to move at their own comfort level and make choices that feel right for their bodies throughout the session. At Seeking Depth to Recovery, TCTSY sessions are offered as part of our experiential therapy intensives. Participants can expect that the first 15 minutes of their TCTSY therapy session will start with a trauma-focused therapy check in, followed by 60-minute TCTSY experience, and concluding with a 15-minute check out. Of course, every participant has their own unique needs and desires, which we accommodate.
I help guide individuals safely back into their bodies, and away from dissociative states, chronic muscular tension, and stuck fight/flight/freeze patterns. With the use of somatic experiencing, we can rewire trauma echoes so that you can live a more peaceful and present life.
Can TCTSY help with anxiety, PTSD, or dissociation?
Yes, TCTSY can be very helpful for anxiety, PTSD, and dissociation. TCTSY is specifically designed to support people recovering from trauma-related conditions, including complex PTSD, anxiety, and dissociative symptoms. By focusing on gentle movement, present-moment awareness, and choice, TCTSY helps individuals reconnect with their bodies in a safe and empowering way.
For those experiencing anxiety, the practice can support nervous system regulation and reduce chronic tension or hyperarousal. For PTSD, it offers a non-verbal way to process trauma and rebuild a sense of agency and control. And for dissociation, TCTSY gently encourages body awareness (interoception), helping participants stay grounded and present in their physical experience.
Can I receive TCTSY with EMDR?
Yes, you can receive TCTSY alongside EMDR, and the two can complement each other well. TCTSY and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) approach trauma healing from different angles—TCTSY focuses on reconnecting with the body through choice-based movement and awareness, while EMDR targets the brain’s processing of traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation.
Many therapists and clients find that combining them is especially effective. TCTSY can help regulate the nervous system, increase body awareness, and create a foundation of safety and embodiment, which can make EMDR sessions more tolerable and grounded. On the flip side, EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge of specific traumatic memories, making it easier to be present in the body during TCTSY sessions.
If you're working with both modalities, it's a good idea to let each practitioner know so they can help you pace the work and support integration.
What's the difference between TCTSY and Somatic Movement Therapy?
TCTSY and Somatic Movement Therapy (SMT) are both body-based approaches that support healing through movement and awareness, but they differ in structure, intention, and how they are practiced.
TCTSY is a structured, evidence-based yoga practice specifically designed for trauma survivors. It uses simple, invitational movements to help participants rebuild a sense of safety, choice, and agency in their bodies. There are no hands-on adjustments, and the focus is on interoception (noticing internal sensations) rather than achieving specific poses. TCTSY sessions are highly consistent and trauma-informed, often used as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
Somatic Movement Therapy, on the other hand, is a broader and more varied field. It draws from modalities like Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering®, or Laban/Bartenieff and focuses on using conscious, exploratory movement to support physical, emotional, and psychological integration. SMT may involve guided movement, breathwork, touch (if appropriate), and improvisation, and is used to address a wide range of issues beyond trauma, such as chronic pain, developmental patterns, or emotional expression.
In short, TCTSY is a specific trauma-sensitive yoga method, while Somatic Movement Therapy is a wider field of therapeutic movement practices that may be tailored to many types of healing and personal growth.
What's the difference between TCTSY and Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centered trauma therapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine that focuses on gently processing trauma by tracking internal sensations (like tightness, heat, or numbness) and allowing the body to complete stuck survival responses (such as fight, flight, or freeze). SE sessions are typically conducted one-on-one with a trained practitioner, involve verbal interaction, and may include very subtle movement or visualization. The aim is to help discharge traumatic energy stored in the nervous system without overwhelming the client.