As a CranioSacral Therapy (CST) practitioner , I wrote this up to capture something very beautiful that happened to me a few years ago. I learned several important lessons through a little client. Here is the story.

Rebecca was 2 years old and  since 8 months of age she had had life-threateningly bouts with severe lung infections, she had been hospitalized numerous times and subjected to impersonal examinations, invasive treatments into her throat and lungs, and was often restrained, given shots, etc. Her mother brought her to me for the first time after another bout the previous weekend.

Rebecca arrived in a good mood, but was very skilled at avoiding me, the treatment table, even her mom. I gave her some time and space for her explore my room, get to know and trust me to eventually allow me to work with her. After some 20 minutes of play and running around in circles, I still had not been able to get my hands on her and start “working”. My ego was whispering “failure”! Mom was kindly reassuring me that she knew that this might only be a getting acquainted session knowing her daughter’s independent personality and all she had been through .

My little client was then about to turn the table on me and teach me lessons in listening and letting her lead the session. She somehow ended up standing on the table between her mom and me but still was not allowing me to work on her body. As she was about to go over the edge of the table, I picked her up and gently held her in extension (a CST technique) with her back to my chest. She softened and stayed very quiet and motionless for a few minutes. Then the playing started again…

Next time she was standing on the table, she suddenly turned to me, put her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulder. She softened against me and stayed very quiet and motionless. Her mom had tears in her eyes, saying that her daughter had never behaved like this before… This time I gently worked with her back and neck, both of which became very hot and her breathing seemed to become more laboured. After what seemed to be 5 minutes, the playing started again…

Then she initiated her “therapeutic/healing protocol” (as described in the previous paragraph) two more times, in exactly the same manner. Her mom continued to cry softly. I centered myself inside my heart and let her guide me for what she needed. I gave up wanting to “do” a session. Something grander and more beautiful than CST techniques was going on here!

After the third time in my arms, she reached for her mom to join us and Rebecca held us by the neck in a group hug that continued for a good minute or so. It felt like so much love was radiating from her and consequently from all three of us. It was so special and beyond words.

Then suddenly the session was over. She expressed that she wanted to come back for another session. I received many smiles, hugs, kisses and goodbyes from her. And off she went into the sunshine…

Rebecca came for a second session one week later and behaved like an old pro at CST sessions: she climbed onto the treatment table, laid back for a whole hour of CST techniques on her spine, chest/lungs, neck, throat and head!

Within a week, I received this feedback from the mom: during the second night after the CST session, Rebecca woke up with a coughing fit, making the parents feel they should go to the hospital again. However, barely awake, Rebecca proceeded to cough and spit a copious amount of phlegm. Then the coughing stopped and she went right back to sleep! And that was that.

The family moved away and I have lost contact with them. However, I will always remember the lessons Rebecca taught me and just thinking about her brings back a ray of love, peace and humility. She was a little angel of love and light and she knew exactly what she needed, when and how! I love this work!

**Name and story details changed to protect privacy

Copyright 2008  Denise Gaulin   All rights reserved.