What Trauma-Informed Support Looks Like
When Care Means Taking Time:
At Healing Arts Center in Virginia Beach, we often hear clients say that what made the difference wasn’t a single technique or moment — it was the way care was offered. Taking time. Listening. Following up.
A recent military client shared:
“Victoria never rushes sessions. I’m naturally reserved and don’t open up easily, but she made me feel comfortable right away. She gives you tools you can actually use in your real life instead of making you dependent on constant sessions.”
Their words capture something we consider essential to trauma-informed care: presence and pacing.
The Difference Presence Makes
In trauma-informed and somatic work, the nervous system is always part of the conversation. When we slow down, listen, and meet someone at their pace, their body begins to trust that it no longer has to stay on alert. That’s when regulation becomes possible.
This is one reason why trauma-informed Reiki and somatic coaching can be powerful supports for those navigating chronic stress, trauma, or transition. The goal is not to “fix” someone, but to create conditions where their system can rebalance itself.
At Healing Arts Center, sessions are designed to be collaborative. Practitioners explain what’s happening, invite feedback, and ensure the client has choice — including how close or distant touch should be during Reiki, or how structured or reflective a coaching session feels. That kind of collaboration builds trust and helps each person stay connected to their own agency throughout the process.
Tools That Last Beyond the Session
The quote above also points to another value we hold: empowering clients with skills they can use independently. Coaching and Reiki are not meant to create dependency; they’re meant to build awareness and confidence so you can take what you learn into daily life.
That might look like:
A grounding or breathing practice you can use before work.
A somatic check-in that helps you notice early signs of stress.
Learning how to pause and reconnect with your body before reacting.
These practices strengthen the body’s natural ability to regulate and recover. Over time, clients often find they can manage triggers, anxiety, or fatigue more effectively because they’ve built an internal toolkit.
Care That Honors Experience
For members of the military and first-responder communities, trauma-informed support can make a real difference. Many are trained to push through pain and stay composed under pressure, which can make slowing down or receiving help feel unnatural at first.
That’s why consent-based, nervous-system-aware care matters. It respects what someone has lived through and works with the body rather than against it. Nervous-system-aware care is a term we use to describe our approach, which is sensitive to the impact of trauma on the nervous system. Our practitioners never rush sessions — we adapt to each person’s comfort level and create a space where rest and regulation feel possible again.
A Center Built Around Connection
At Healing Arts Center, we combine somatic, mindfulness, and Reiki coaching, hypnotherapy, breathwork, and other integrative modalities to support whole-person wellness. Whether you’re working through burnout, transition, or past trauma, our goal is simple: to meet you where you are and help you build tools that last.
If you’re looking for trauma-informed Reiki or somatic coaching in Virginia Beach, we’d love to meet you. Sessions are available in person and virtually, with sliding-scale options for active duty, veterans, first responders, and family members. Contact us today to start your journey towards healing and resilience.
🌿 Victoria Duarte, Somatic & Mindfulness Coach
Healing Arts Center | Virginia Beach & Virtual
