TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Deep Roots
Trauma & Stress Program
Healing begins at the root.

At Deep Roots, we recognize that trauma doesn’t live solely in the mind—it resides in the body, in the breath, in the quiet spaces we don’t always know how to name. Our approach is grounded in the belief that healing must be gentle, embodied, and led by you.

Our Trauma & Stress Program is built on a three-stage model that mirrors the natural rhythms of recovery: Stabilization, Processing, and Integration.

Whether you’re navigating long-held trauma or looking for ways to manage daily stress, we meet you where you are—with compassion, care, and clinically-informed techniques.

Welcome to Deep Roots. Come as you are. Heal as you’re ready. We’ll walk beside you, every step of the way.

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Stage 1: Stabilization — Gathering the Qi

"Gathering the scattered leaves of your life back into your roots."

We begin not by diving into trauma, but by gathering, grounding, and nourishing. Trauma can displace our sense of safety, leaving us untethered. In this first stage, we focus on reestablishing calm, helping your nervous system rediscover what it means to rest and feel safe again.

We draw on the Yin principle—slowness, stillness, containment—to build your body’s trust in the healing process.

Core Focus: — Grounding through Yin energy and therapeutic touch — Creating consistency and safety in treatment — Restoring awareness of breath, body, and boundaries

Modalities may Include:

— Acupuncture using additional calming points

— MPS therapy for vagus nerve support and regulation

— Gentle manual therapy and heat therapy to soften alertness

— Grounding mat for Earth connection

— Breathwork and visualization

— Ear seeds for continued support between sessions

— Body-centered education to understand the stress response

Generally the first few treatments may just contain the core treatment plan to allow smoother return of qi

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Stage 2: Soothing the Trauma Memory — Processing
"Your pace is our pace. Your story is invited, never pushed."

Once stabilization has taken root, we move into clearing residual trauma. This phase focuses on CT Holman’s method of 'Bringing Down the Heavenly Waters'
—a scalp-based technique that descends Qi, calms Shen, and supports emotional release.

Core Focus:
— Clear Heat and reduce internal agitation
— Descend Qi and calm overactivity in the Heart and Mind
— Support emotional expression without overwhelm

Modalities may Include:
— Additional scalp acupuncture
— Added acupuncture trauma protocols
— Cupping and fascial release
— MPS therapy for emotional adhesions
— Somatic cueing and body listening — Essential oils to soothe the sensory system

Clients may revisit Gathering the Qi at any time, as healing is cyclical and deeply personal.

Stage 3: Integration — Weaving Wholeness

"What was once fragmented now lives in rhythm again."

The final stage is where the work becomes woven into your life. Integration is about strengthening the healing you’ve cultivated and building the resilience to carry it with you.

You are not just recovering—you are reclaiming. Here, we help you maintain balance, deepen trust in your body, and move forward with clarity and strength.

Core Focus:

— Maintaining nervous system resilience

— Reinforcing inner safety and body trust

— Building sustainable healing patterns

— Supporting long-term well-being

Modalities may Include:

— Harmonizing acupuncture

— Restorative massage with essential oils

— MPS therapy for nervous system balance

— Ritual elements: auricular seeds, intention-setting, seasonal support

— Grounding mat therapy

— Personalized home care tools

— Ongoing stress-care options

We welcome you back for check-ins, stress resets, or simply to reconnect your body and mind.

Healing is a journey, and our community is here for you.

Stage 1: Gathering the Qi

The first stage centers on calming the nervous system and building energetic stability. Using acupuncture and sensory techniques, it helps reestablish internal safety and re-anchor the body after stress or trauma.

Stage 2: Soothing the trauma memory

This stage works to gently process the emotional residue of trauma. It supports the Shen (spirit) by integrating experiences without overwhelm, while fortifying the Heart and Liver systems to ease tension, grief, or fear.

Stage 3: integration

The final stage focuses on harmonizing mind, body, and spirit. It strengthens the Spleen and Heart systems to promote clarity, presence, and resilience—bringing the healing process full circle and preparing the client to move forward.

Nervous system reset

A calming session designed to support regulation, relief, and reconnection.

elemental healing: earth/water/wood/metal/fire

This treatment is guided by the Five Element model of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We look at your emotional and physical imbalance patterns through the lens of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.

vagus nerve vitality

A restorative treatment designed to nourish the nervous system from the inside out.

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Anchor 3

how it works

How the protocols
work

At Deep Roots Holistic Care, we offer a structured trauma support program built on the respected teachings of CT Holman and the globally recognized tools developed by Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB).

This program is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and uses acupuncture and sensory balancing techniques to help regulate the nervous system and support the body’s innate healing capacity. It is designed to work alongside professional psychotherapy, but can also serve as a gentle bridge for individuals who aren’t yet ready for talk therapy.

The Trauma Protocol Follows Three Progressive Stages:

1. Gathering the Qi

This stage focuses on calming the nervous system and stabilizing the body’s internal environment. Treatments emphasize grounding, containment, and energetic protection. It’s especially helpful for individuals experiencing overwhelm, hypervigilance, or emotional fatigue.

2. Soothing the Trauma Memory

Once stability is established, treatments support the gentle release and processing of stored emotional trauma. This is done with precision and respect for the body’s natural pace—working to unwind what’s been held, without reactivation.

3. Integration

The final stage helps restore emotional clarity, joy, and spiritual coherence (Shen). Treatment supports reconnection with self, strengthening the Heart and Spleen systems to stabilize insight, presence, and resilience.

Each person progresses through these stages at their own pace. There is no pressure to move forward until you're ready, and stages can be revisited at any time. Healing is not linear—and this protocol honors that.

What to Expect

Informed Intake
Your journey begins with a standard TCM acupuncture intake form, which helps us understand your health history and tailor your treatment based on your unique constitution and life experience.
You Lead the Pace
This protocol is entirely consent-driven. You can pause, stop, or modify the process at any time. We encourage open dialogue throughout your care.
Respecting Mental Health Partnerships
Our trauma protocol is designed to complement psychotherapy, not replace it. We strongly encourage working with a licensed therapist or mental health provider, and we are happy to coordinate care if desired.
Gentle Entry Point
For those who are not yet ready to engage in talk-based therapy, these treatments can offer a body-centered gateway to begin healing trauma in a safe, supported, and nonverbal way.
AWB-Informed Practices
Our approach is shaped by the trauma-informed frameworks and field-tested practices developed by Acupuncturists Without Borders, ensuring care that is accessible, respectful, and responsive to the needs of our community.

Deep Roots Trauma & Stress Program Healing begins at the root.

How the protocols work