Colette Chandler Cramer, CST

My Bio
I’ve had a passion for health and healing for as long as I can remember. I trained to be a Physician Assistant, graduating from Baylor College of Medicine in 1986. I worked as a PA for 25 years in a variety of disciplines, starting in Pediatrics and ending in Hospice. During this time I spent two years apprenticing in a naturopathic clinic and began studying complementary medicine. The two most important things I learned from my patients about medicine and healing are first, that listening deeply to a patient’s story is essential in understanding how to care for that patient, and that listening itself is often a part of the healing process. Second, the body has its own wisdom, and it often speaks to us.

CranioSacral Therapy
When I retired from my practice as a PA, I was drawn to study CranioSacral Therapy [CST]and was certified as a therapist in 2017. I resonate strongly with this modality because it is based on “listening” with my hands to follow the wisdom of the patient’s body.
First, I use my hands to palpate the cranial rhythm, which is created by the movement of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Second, I “listen to” or palpate tension, restrictions, or discordant energy in the tissues of the body with my hands and use a variety of techniques which allow these imbalances, restrictions and blocks to relax, release and restore health. I allow the cranial rhythm to guide me while working. Even though it is gentle work, it can be profoundly effective on multiple levels – physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Turning Point
In the Spring of 2020, near the beginning of the coronavirus ‘stay at home’ order, my niece, Ariana, asked if I would try a ‘virtual’ CranioSacral treatment with her. We had worked together in person many times. Because I was curious and knew it was possible, I agreed to try. We both noted an ability to connect deeply. While I missed the benefit of human touch, I did notice an unexpected gain. We used dialogue as a tool to stay connected; sessions were more interactive. I was able to settle more deeply into my role as guide and witness while she was able to participate more fully in the journey to access her body wisdom. Her request ultimately served as a catalyst for me to expand into distance healing. I took a 30 hour course in Distance Healing from one of my mentors, Suzanne Scurlock CST-D, to refine my skills. And now I’m practicing regularly.

What a Distance Healing session is like
In distance healing, we are working in the quantum energy field [outside time and space]. While we are not together physically, we are connected in a deep energetic way throughout the session. The inner wisdom of my body and your body will be connected and communicating. We can work with whatever challenge you’re facing. We might explore pain or injury in the body, illness, a difficult boundary issue, a decision you’re wrestling with, or bring a non-conscious limiting belief to awareness so that you can move forward.
Distance healing is more interactive than hands-on body work. We each have a role. My job is to create and hold a safe space as I bring my awareness and attention to your body. Your job is to keep your awareness in your body, describing sensations as they come up. Textures, colors, temperature, releases, sounds, images, memories, and even words may arise. We will both talk about what we’re noticing to confirm we’re connected.
Once we identify where in the body to work, several things could happen. I usually offer my “energy hands” to hold and support the part of the body we’re exploring. I often do energetic work to release tension or energy blocks. We will both settle in more deeply to listen to your body wisdom with curiosity and receptivity. I will ask questions to help you access deeper levels of awareness, going as deep as you feel comfortable. The session usually lasts an hour.
Healing may continue after the session, from 24 hours to several days. It’s helpful for you to continue to be aware of sensations, releases, dreams, and realizations during this time.

Testimonials
During virtual sessions, Colette’s neutral, kind energy is very healing. She asks wise questions based on what’s going on in my body that touch my heart and both ground and lighten my energy. I also feel transformed by Colette’s in- person treatments. They uplift my mood profoundly and bring a feeling of integration and peace. Ariana