Common Questions About
Our Services
Craniosacral Therapy
What does a Craniosacral Therapy session look like?
A few days prior to your treatment, you will receive, and are required to fill out a brief client intake form. This forms helps your therapist prepare in advance for your session. She/he can find out a little more about you, your needs, and what you would like to receive from your session. It is important to list all health concerns and medication so the therapist can adapt the session to your specific needs without doing any harm.
During your first session your therapist will take a written case history, listening with care to the reasons for your visit. This part of the session is important, both for gathering information and to establish a good understanding with your therapist. It also helps your therapist to customize the session to meet your specific needs and helps her to meet or exceed your expectations.
Next, you will lay down on a warm, comfortable treatment table, fully clothed. Soft music and low lighting are often used to increase your state of relaxation.
Your therapist begins with a hands-on, overall assessment of the body. Gentle pressure techniques are used to feel for tension patterns or disruptive strain patterns in the body’s connective tissue, fascial system, and nervous system.
After the assessment, your therapist will begin treatment. Because the body functions as a whole, treatment may begin by focusing on areas other than where your symptoms occur; although those areas will be addressed as well. Gentle contact with the affected areas, held for a period of time, encourages and supports your body to relax and begin to make the corrections it needs. Although the work is subtle, it can be impactful in helping your muscles and organs to naturally relieve stress, and for structural areas to ease back into alignment.
During your treatment, an old memory might pop up that needs to be addressed. One could even have an emotional reaction, all positive signs of allowing what has been held within to come up and be released.
How do Craniosacral Therapy sessions work?
Can you recall a time when you felt nervous, anxious, or scared. That feeling is your nervous system being out of balance. Craniosacral Therapy can support and facilitate your nervous system to return to a state of relaxation. When your nervous system is in a calm, relaxed state, it will assist the body — the numerous bodily functions it has influence over — to self-correct and heal.
What may I experience after a session?
Each individual is unique and therefore responds differently to their therapeutic experience. Here are a few examples of what previous clients have experienced:
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Relaxed. The feeling of relaxation should not be underestimated. Relaxation is vital and key to the body’s natural ability to heal and correct! The body cannot optimally do its job when it is in a state of hyper arousal, fight, flight, or freeze mode.
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Feeling more energized and alive.
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Decrease in pain and tension.
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Enhanced ability to focus.
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Functioning from a calmer inner state.
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Improved self-awareness and quality of life.
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Improved sleep quality.
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Reduction in anxiety.
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More Present in the here and now.
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Improved healing of injured areas.
The following possible responses are actually positive signs, reflecting healthy shifts and improvements taking place in the body. These shifts and improvements can last for days after your session as your system goes through a reorganization process:
Immediate relief from a discomfort. Or, there could be a temporary increase in discomfort, even muscle soreness (usually a sign that a once-restricted area is receiving increased blood flow). The discomfort typically subsides within 24-48 hours.
Light-headed: This can be caused by increased energy flow, as areas that were once tense are released.
Giving yourself permission and space to fully experience these shifts, along with staying hydrated to flush out toxins is important to your body’s healing process. An Epsom salt bath may be helpful. If needed, please feel free to reach out to your therapist to discuss any concerns you may have.
Is Craniosacral therapy safe for everyone?
Possibly, but it’s best to err on the side of caution. Consult your physician before scheduling your treatment session if you have experienced any of the following:
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Cerebral edema
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Recent concussion
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Blood clots
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Aneurysm
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Traumatic brain injury
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Chiari malformation
How many therapeutic sessions will I need?
Each individual’s system is unique and responds differently to Craniosacral therapy. Some conditions may require one or two sessions. Others conditions may need additional treatment over a period of time, depending on underlying conditions and the length of time they have been there. Once the condition has been satisfactorily addressed, a maintenance schedule can be discussed with your therapist.
With Craniosacral therapy, one’s self awareness and ability to handle life’s challenging situations from a more relaxed state begins to grow. Being more grounded, and more relaxed can translate into the ability to handle life’s challenging situations with more grace and ease — more responsive, less reactive.
When should I not receive a treatment session?
There are a few conditions which would prevent you from scheduling a session. You should not book a session if you have a fever, cold/flu, or contagious skin infection.
There can be certain conditions where your therapist may need to adjust techniques, such as fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, avoiding areas completely if there is a cut or a burn. In some rare cases, it may be a good idea to get approval from your physician. Please consult with your therapist, if you have any doubt.
How long is a therapy session?
The session typically lasts an hour. The first few minutes are to discuss what you would like to receive from your session, followed by approximately 50 minutes on the treatment table, ending with about 5 minutes to integrate the work and to provide valuable feedback.
Is Craniosacral Therapy the same as massage?
No, although your therapist may apply massage therapy techniques, if needed. In a CST session, you remain fully clothed.
Is craniosacral therapy (CST) covered by insurance?
For the most part, CST is not covered by most insurances. An out-of-pocket payment is required prior to treatment.
How early should I arrive for my session?
It's nice to arrive at least five minutes early. This will allow you time to use the restroom, and time to get settled in and relaxed.
What do I do during a treatment?
Please make yourself as comfortable as possible. Your comfort is key to the effectiveness of the session. The more comfortable and relaxed you feel, the more this will allow for the vital flow of energy, nutrients, blood, and other fluids throughout your system. Also, it provides a precious opportunity for your nervous system to do what it knows how to do best, self-heal.
If your therapist wants you to change your position, she/he will either move you or will ask you to what is needed. Otherwise, feel free to adjust your position, to make yourself more comfortable.
Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It’s up to you. It is your session, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. However, the nervous system is more relaxed when we are quiet.
Please let your therapist know immediately if you have any questions or if she can do anything to make your experience more comforting.
Can I talk during my session?
Sure, if you'd like to. The most important thing to remember is that this treatment is all about you relaxing and enjoying the experience. Many therapists discourage talking in the hope you will relax more, let your mind float freely, and ease into a state of, “Ahhhh.” In many instances, people may feel more relaxed starting off talking, and as the treatment progresses, enter into a quiet state.
It's very important that if you need to speak up, please do so. If anything at all is making you feel uncomfortable, please let your therapist know immediately so that adjustments can be made to your liking. Also, let your therapist know if you get too warm or too cold, if the room is too bright, or the touch needs to be adjusted. Remember, if something is not working for you, speak up! It's OK, and your feedback is warmly welcomed.
Am I expected to tip my therapist?
Tips are not expected, but welcomed. It is always appreciated to receive the compliment of a “thank you for good service.”
Cancellations and late arrivals:
A 24-hour cancellation notice is required, or you will be responsible for full payment of your scheduled session. If you are late for your appointment time, your treatment will be reduced in order to finish on time for the next schedule guest. The usual fee for the treatment will remain the same. Thank you for your understanding.
It is understandable that things happen that are beyond your control. Please let your therapist know what happened as soon as possible.
2900 Bristol Street Bldg G, Suite 202, Costa Mesa California 92626 Text or Call Me at: 714-794-2640 Client Intake Form
TESTIMONIALS
Sharon Gonzales CST-T, LMT, TRE, Reiki Master
Anonymous, May 2022
As a new-comer to craniosacral therapy, I cannot say enough about how impactful this approach has been to a chronic pain problem I have had for years and about Sharon’s kind and gentle approach. I highly recommend her!
Kari H., May 2022
This was my first time having Reiki done. I was able to trust the process and completely relax. I highly recommend Sharon.
Anonymous, May 2022
Sharon is a skilled cranial sacral therapist - - I'm so fortunate to have found her!
Linda T., April 2022
This was my first session with Sharon, though I've had lots of other bodywork, and... she has an amazing healing touch. Relaxing, intuitive, and nurturing. I booked more appointments!
Margaux W. April 2022
Sharon made me feel comfortable and ensured that my experience would equip me for my path to healing.
Dawn-Marie M., Feb 2022
Sharon makes you feel at ease during the whole experience and is very thorough at explaining everything to you beforehand. She helped me realize that what I was experiencing could be helped by her and myself.
Claire B., Jan 2022
Sharon is a healer with such profound gifts that every time I leave a session I am stunned. I have worked with all different types of healers through an illness I’ve had for many years, but Sharon is a cut above. I’ve been seeing her weekly for a combination of cranial sacral therapy and reiki - and it is nothing short of magical. She is deeply knowledgeable about the human body, she is professional, she’s gentle and kind and intuitive. She can read, through her ability to tap into energy, exactly what your body wants/needs in a session without you having to say anything. You can just melt into her capable hands as they guide you through a session that will leave you transformed. If you are dealing with any sort of trauma, physical or emotional, Sharon is the person to see. And if you are new to reiki or the healing world in general, she’s a wonderful person to help open your mind. I feel so lucky to have found her. And to top it off, she’s extremely affordable. I can’t recommend her enough. Seriously, just go see her.
Dulce U., Nov 2022
As an oncology client I can say that since I met Sharon she made me feel welcomed, cared, and understood about my needs. I love how she checks in before every session to meet my needs. I’ve never tried anything like this before including Reiki and it had made a HUGE difference in my healing journey. I feel so blessed have been able to find Sharon to help navigate this chapter in my life. She is a true gift. You won’t be disappointed by all the healing energy that she emanates.
Karuna T. April 2021
Very good experience, this is my first time for this kind of therapy, I fell very good and I sleep better that night. I really appreciate your service.