I understand.

Let’s make this perfectly clear- I do understand.

As a trauma informed massage therapist, I lock the door when I’m in session for traumatized people.

I also lock the door when I’m in session with a police officer, a Veteran, a firefighter, or a paramedic.

I lock the door when I have a new momma in my space, or a mom with teenagers or a mom with anxiety over her children in college.

I lock the door when a client is overcome with grief for a terminally ill spouse.

I lock the door for the client that has eating disorders and doesn’t like her body.

I lock the door for the client with TBI that hasn’t slept in days.

I lock the door for the client that just lost her job and has no idea what to do.

I lock the door for the man with six month old twins that hasn’t slept through the night in six months.

I lock the door for the woman that has been told she’s selfish for getting a massage and that keeps beating herself up for needing one.

I lock the door for the man that’s withdrawing from pain medication because he doesn’t know what it’s like to FEEL anything anymore. He just feels numb.

I lock the door for the pregnant teenager girl that wonders how she’s going to go through the open adoption and how she could not have raised the baby alone or could she?

I lock the door for the guy that said ‘I’m just a felon’ and when I told him that’s not the name God calls him, he almost cried.

I lock the door for the wife of a police officer that was involved in a shooting. He survived but she’s terrified every time he goes into work.

I lock the door for the tattooed man, for the feeble 80 year old lady, for the powerlifting Strong Man, for the weary teacher and for the young woman getting her very first massage ever.

I lock the door because I understand.

A locked door means I trust the person on my table, and that they can trust me.

A locked door keeps someone else from opening the door and walking in during session when a client is vulnerable.

( y’all know good and well that people don’t always read the signs before they try to open the doors)

A locked door gives assurance that what is said here, stays here- within my heart. This is a sacred space.

A locked door gives a sense of comfort and importance. It shows that their time and presence are valuable.

A locked door keeps out anything that would attempt to take away this time.

The sound of the latch sliding shut brings a sign of relief…. Knowing you’re safe allows for a deeper rest during massage.

I understand. I will always lock the door for each of you and for me,too.

Locking the door means I don’t have to keep an eye on the door to make sure nobody enters.

Locking the door means I can focus on what the body and soul in the room with me needs.

Locking the door offers me peace of mind and a feeling of confidence and assurance.

Locking the door places me in a position of courage and strength and it also protects me and the one with me.

Locking the doors is something I always do because I understand.

You can come and be safe here.

I will lock the door.