Craniosacral
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a subtle yet powerful form of bodywork rooted in Osteopathy that is deeply relaxing and gentle on the body. It supports the central nervous system and the body's natural capacity to heal.
It works through presence, deep listening, and light touch, meeting you where you are and supporting profound relief from tension and the release of both physical and emotional patterns. It can be deeply restful and restorative, and many describe experiencing a sense of timelessness.
The Practice
This hands-on modality works with the membranes, tissues, fluids, and bones of the craniosacral system, which surrounds and supports the brain and spinal cord.
People come for many reasons: pain, stress, overwhelm, injury, recovery, and the cumulative effects of life. It's also particularly well-suited for times of transition, when the nervous system is carrying more than usual and the body needs support to find its ground again.
What sets this work apart is its subtlety. Rather than forcing change or addressing symptoms alone, Craniosacral works at the level beneath symptoms, where pain, tension, and dysregulation often begin. It helps create the conditions for the nervous system to settle, reorganize, and restore balance from within. The results are often long lasting.
What a Session is Like
Sessions unfold through presence, intuition, and skilled touch. Deep listening guides the session, following your body’s own rhythms and supporting the process as it unfolds. This approach is gentle, subtle, and responsive, allowing space for your system to settle and reorganize in its own way. Sessions are done fully clothed on a massage table.
What It Supports
• Stress, overwhelm, or nervous system depletion
• Chronic tension or pain
• Headaches, migraines, or TMJ issues
• Vertigo & tinnitus
• Pelvic floor pain
• Injury recovery
• Anxiety & depression
• Trauma or the lingering effects of difficult experiences
• Life transitions
• A desire for deeper rest, reconnection, and regulation
Background & Training
I’ve been studying and practicing bodywork since 1999 and have completed over 3,700 hours of training across hands-on, somatic, movement, and mindfulness-based modalities. My work draws from my own heritage and personal journey, and I'm a second-generation healing arts practitioner. I've taught Craniosacral at McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland since 2021.
My background includes Embodied Meditation, Lu Jong Tibetan Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and NARM trauma-informed training.
Craniosacral played a central role in my own healing process, transforming my life and drawing me toward a calling in the healing arts. I am continuously moved by the power and effectiveness of this work and feel honored to share it with others.
Rates
Initial session 75 min $225
Follow-up session 60 min $185
Package of 5 $875
A sliding scale is available. Please inquire.
Questions? Schedule a free introductory call.
What Clients Have Shared
April brings a wealth of knowledge and deep empathy to her practice. In sessions with her, I feel safe and nurtured, and I leave feeling refreshed and balanced. Her treatments provided necessary support after a difficult illness and were a crucial part of my recovery process.
Gillian H.
I came to April because I wanted a gentle way to feel more grounded in my body. Her presence was reassuring from the start, and I felt relaxed and calm by the end of the first session. She is curious, gentle, never intrusive, and I felt well taken care of and listened to.
Robin A.
April’s Craniosacral work has supported me through insomnia, anxiety, mental fog, and body aches, while also helping me stay more grounded and attuned to my body’s rhythms. Her touch is calming, and I often leave feeling as though I’ve experienced deep rest. Seeing her regularly has made a meaningful difference in my overall health.
Hannah L.
Each session has been deeply restful, but this one stood out for the sense of freedom it brought. I felt a release from both mental and physical tension, along with a sense of joy. It reminded me, beyond any doubt, that this kind of relief remains possible.
James R.
April’s Craniosacral work is gentle, intuitive, and perceptive. She allows for a deep unwinding and for the client’s whole being to be heard. I experienced many healing benefits and highly recommend her work.
Catherine K.