CARE AND SAFETY

A lot of care has been put into creating safer spaces for 1-1 sessions and group events.

Also, we must acknowledge that no space is 100% safe. Some of this work can be challenging and emotionally stretching, especially when we are exploring areas of personal growth. Please review the mitigation strategies below before committing to engage in this work.

If you have any additional requests, suggestions or feedback, please contact me directly.

Embrace Connection events have a culture of consent and care designed to work for our safety, comfort and enjoyment.

Culture and Expectations

We aim to communicate openly and unselfconsciously to avoid assumptions, projections and expectations.
All participants agree to these agreements at the beginning of every event.
- Self Care and Authenticity: I will care for my own needs and boundaries, and express my No’s and Yes’s as clearly as I can.
- Care for Others and Consent: I will care for others needs and boundaries, including seeking consent before acting, celebrating no's, and checking in. If needed I will apologize and repair.
- Sober, non-sexual space: I understand this is a sober, non-sexual space, and I will lean away from sexual charge if it arises.
This is a jam. We all take some responsibility for caring for the other members and the flow of the jam. Other participants, whether returning, experienced, or first timers help support the space.
These are spaces to explore our edges and work with our “stuff.” However these are not spaces for going deep into trauma processing. If there are hints of things heading towards a traumatic process, I co-regulate with participants and support them to return to a regulated state.
There is no “correct” way to participate. Different people navigate the event in different ways according to their needs, and that is totally acceptable.
Everything is an invitation. Nothing I say is a command, no request or suggestion by a participant is required.

Practical Steps

I offer a phone/zoom call before the event to help participants feel prepared and reassured.
I am also available for a support/debrief call after events
At the start of the event, participants have the opportunity to speak their needs to the whole group.
If something feels off in any way during the event, participants are encouraged to take care of their needs by: communicating their needs, saying no, making adjustments, taking space, sitting out.
There is a solo space where participants can be in their own process without being bothered by others.

Space Holding

I am always available for direct support during the event.
My role during the event is to hold space and serve.
I don’t seek direct pleasure.
- Sometimes I receive within the context of an exercise, especially when balancing numbers, or when somebody goes out of their way to offer me something. Even then I ensure my receiving is in service to their experience, and I remain aware of the group.
If needed, I can mediate misunderstandings and conflict during the event, and support repair.

I reserve the right to screen clients before choosing to work with them. If the client's needs are poorly aligned with my services, or if a current client begins to require additional support, I redirect them to other forms of support like psychotherapy, GPs, emergency mental healthcare providers, etc.
In case of a mental health emergency, see this list of services from Mind.
I can work with people who have trauma, as long as they have self-awareness and some ability to manage themselves and their trauma. We can collaborate to work with/around trauma and triggers, dipping in and returning out. I can assist with this.
I maintain clear professional boundaries with clients, past clients and event participants:
- I do not have any kind of personal relationship with current clients.
- If I encounter a current client outside of our professional dynamic, I do not initiate an interaction. I match the level of interaction they set.
- After a period of 1 year from the end of a professional relationship, I am open to friendship with a previous client. We will communicate about the power dynamic and its possible impact. If either the past client or I desire to maintain restrictions based on our past professional relationship, we will do so according to our needs.
- During workshops, all attendees are treated equally regardless of our existing relationship outside of the workshop. I do not leverage my power as a workshop spaceholder to influence my relationship with attendees.

I pride myself on the feeling of safety and ease in my 1-1 sessions and events.

The vulnerability of some clients and the importance of care of my role inspires me to rise to my highest degree of awareness and responsibility.

I am a trained and certified Cuddle Therapist and AcroYoga Teacher. I have been facilitating connection and intimacy spaces for 4 years.
I have participated in the Wheel of Consent Like a Pro consent training, plus myriad other consent workshops. I have personal and professional interest in consent, the nervous system, psychology, trauma, attachment, somatics, embodiment, etc.
I maintain strict professional boundaries at all times, and I take responsibility for the boundaries of the space/session. I am comfortable asserting these boundaries with kindness and compassion.
My DBS is valid as of September 2024.
I am not a trained counselor, psychotherapist or medical practitioner. I do not offer trauma therapy. Sometimes, the most appropriate solution is a 3rd party service instead. I can help signpost you to suitable alternatives.
My personal growth journey was accelerated by a few consent and communication issues in my past. These drove me to significant attitude and behavioural changes through learning and self-work. I take responsibility for my actions. A part of my journey forward is through Embrace Connection, to share the lessons I have learned so far and help prevent or support similar issues.
- If you wish to learn more about this journey, please send me a message.

Complaints

If for whatever reason you wish to raise a concern, here is the process. I am open to feedback, criticism and learning opportunities.

Raise it to me directly using whatever platform feels most comfortable: email, direct message, phone call, face-to-face, etc.
- I will send an acknowledgement of your concern within 48 hours.
- We will endeavour to meet via phone, video call or in person within two weeks to review the situation, discuss the issue, and explore possible solutions.
- After this, I will send a written report within 10 business days, including a restatement of the issue by my understanding, our next steps and suggestions, and an apology if appropriate.
You may nominate a 3rd party or mediator to communicate with me.
There is no ombudsman or regulator for this work.

Comfort and safety are fundamental to 1-1 sessions. In order to be vulnerable and open up, we have to feel safe enough to trust. If we want to test our edges, we must have one foot squarely in our comfort zone.

Culture and Expectations

The purpose of sessions is to provide value to the client according to their stated goals (e.g. comfort, education, personal growth, etc.)
Sessions are person-centered. Every client has their particular needs, and prefers different forms of communication. There is no “correct” way to be in a session. I adapt the session to suit their needs and desires. I default to clear, explicit communication whenever there is any uncertainty.
I hold space for clear, open, explicit communication. There are no assumptions or innuendo. We should not avoid addressing uncomfortable topics. Mutual understanding is crucial
No’s are celebrated. Uncertainty is given space. This is a part of the work.
I encourage communication but do not force or coerce more than the clients want to share.
Clients are permitted to discuss sensitive topics if they bring context and value to the session.
All activities are non-sexual, and we remain fully clothed during sessions.

Practical Steps

I require a phone/zoom call before our first session to ensure we are a good fit.
The Code of conduct (link) is read and agreed before sessions.
This safety document is read and agreed before sessions.
We begin the first session by clearly outlining the professional dynamic, communication and consent practices. This is restated and expanded on when needed during sessions.
We communicate what we do before taking action. I check in during and after activities.

Space Holding

I am at all times sensing and attuning to the client’s state, even if they are not explicitly communicating anything. This lets me check in on them or adjust to meet their needs.
I enquire about client’s feelings, desires, boundaries, uncertainties, etc. I create a safe, curious, open-minded space where it can all come out.
Everything I do is in service to the client. My motivation is to help my clients achieve their goals and be satisfied with our sessions.
I am aware of power dynamics with clients, and how it affects communication, boundaries, decision-making, etc. I make space for uncertainty and no’s.
I am not attached to any specific activities, experiences or outcomes in a session.
- When practicing activities and techniques, even when "receiving" or using my own desires as a tool, it is in service to the client’s experience. i.e. if experimenting with testing out boundaries and “no’s,” I could ask for a thing rooted in reality to give authenticity.