We recently connected with Liz Allen and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Liz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.

I came to my first CranioSacral Therapy course feeling ready for a change from my Massage Therapy career. Although I had a steady private practice, massage was losing my interest and drive in order to continue down that path. As I sat in the first day of the baseline CST training, I began to feel that spark of curiosity mixed with excitement that I had longed for since attending Massage school. I loved the subtle nuances of this work, and I’ll never forget the day my teacher told us “you are not there to fix anyone. That’s the body’s job.” Mind blowing. Up until that point, I believed that it was my job to listen to what the client told me about what was wrong, retrieve the necessary skill or technique from my mental file, apply it in session and hope for the best. But no, it turns out that the body knows exactly what it needs to heal and thrive, and all I need to do is listen and support. Again, mind blowing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started in Massage Therapy and Bodywork back in 2006 and maintained a private Massage Therapy practice for over 10 years before completely shifting my bodywork practice to CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release in 2020. Right at the height of the pandemic, it was a tough time to say the least to go full speed into a close-quarters type of business, especially as my husband and I were raising 2 kids under 5 to boot, but I knew it was the right move for me. CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a hands-on type of bodywork that is non-invasive in touch and intention. Founded in Osteopathy, CST works with the fascia/connective tissues, the nerves, the core bones (spine, pelvis and cranium) and all the fluids and tissues in between, to assist the body as a whole to come back into natural balance and self-correct. I have seen chronic pain disappear, anxiety abate and hope re-ignite with the clients on my table. I have worked with clients coping with physical and emotional trauma, sustained car accident harm, and chronic jaw pain, to name a few. I find working with people who are equally curious about their bodies, sensations/pain and their histories to be humbling and grounding. I feel true honor to be chosen to hold space, offer assistance, and provide a way of communicating with the inner worlds of my clients. It is a space I will never take for granted to be allowed to be in with them.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Honestly, experience has been invaluable to what I’ve come to learn. CST is so subjective in how it effects you as the client, so getting the opportunity to work with all kinds of different people, including race, age, gender and social class, is the real key, I believe. Ultimately, the client is your biggest teacher, in what works for them and how you can best serve them in the short time you are together. They will also teach you what their boundaries are and it’s how I learned to hone my own boundaries as well.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Word of mouth for sure, but also taking the time to get to know fellow practitioners in my area. I’ve reached out to countless Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Massage Therapists, Psychotherapists, and the list goes on. I don’t always get a response of course, but when a connection is made over coffee or a zoom call and cards are exchanged, you know that every patient/client/etc they see that coordinates with what you do – you are at the top of their referral list. And what’s more, that client/patient of theirs is way more likely to follow up on that referral because they already trust that practitioner. It can take a while to work, but it’s so worth it when it does!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://righttorelax.abmp.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-allen-0a00113/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/lizallencst