(614) 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.com
Somatic Touch with Intention Creates a Unique Environment for Healing|CST

Somatic Touch with Intention Creates a Unique Environment for Healing|CST

craniosacral therapy with gentle touch

Trusting Your Body Again

By Sharon Hartnett, Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist, Worthington — serving the Columbus, Ohio area

Healing is all about receiving gentle, caring input into a system that has been disrupted.

We’re animals with highly complex, centralized brains and spinal cords. As humans we have the added benefit of myelinated axons for fast transmission of information from brain to body and body to brain. Electrical impulses, when strong enough, carry that information with the help of chemical neurotransmitters to the axon terminals. We are superhighways of light and frequency, processing all the time. Our brains and spines stay very busy in response. Given the right circumstances, they can be switched back on to speed the healing process.

When we run into pain or trauma, this efficient system often breaks down — the sympathetic nervous system over-activates and the parasympathetic is held back. That can lead to intense anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, exhaustion, and structural brain changes that favor a fear response over logical, present-moment processing.

When a threat is overwhelming, the nervous system may shut down altogether. That brings numbness, dissociation (detachment from the body and emotions), and feelings of being trapped or powerless. The brain can lose its ability to regulate emotion well. I write more about trauma-informed, body-centered healing on its own page.

This is why craniosacral therapy takes such a gentle, patient approach. Using very light touch and specific techniques, we rebuild a deeply trusting relationship with the body. The signals that were shut down or stuck in patterns of dysregulation can be reprogrammed, so to speak, by restoring trust in the mind-body connection. By correcting restrictions and blockages, craniosacral therapy supports the natural, rhythmic flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spinal cord, delivers nutrients, and removes waste. I explain the mechanics in What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

The best way to free up and nourish the body is presence, in a non-invasive approach. We want to normalize the mind-body through its own inner intelligence by creating a safe environment to relax, de-stress, and come back to Self with ease. Our bodies most often know what needs to be done, and they change accordingly once they shift from fear to ease.

During sessions, some people don’t feel very much. Others feel quite a bit. Either way, as the peaceful melding connection deepens, the nervous system begins to reorganize. Some people get up off the table deeply relaxed. I’ve often heard people say they haven’t felt such ease in years. The one thing I ask is patience — deep healing unfolds gradually.

When the body is rested and at ease, it heals from long-term trauma more easily.

The combination of trust and gentleness, backed by real skill, creates a secure environment that fundamentally transforms the healing process — letting the nervous system shift from high alert to rest, which is essential for repairing body and mind.

Ready to feel better? I’m Sharon Hartnett, a Diplomate-Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D) through the Upledger Institute, with about 30 years of experience listening to the body and helping it heal. My office is in Worthington, Ohio, and I serve the greater Columbus area.

If you’re curious whether this gentle work is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Call or text me at (614) 653-8111.

Learn more about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, read answers to common questions about craniosacral therapy, or find out how to choose the best craniosacral therapist for you.

Finding the Best Somatic Therapist to Help Resolve Your Chronic Pain and Discomfort.

Finding the Best Somatic Therapist to Help Resolve Your Chronic Pain and Discomfort.

Healing Touch with Craniosacral Therapy

Finding the Best Somatic Therapist for Chronic Pain and Discomfort

I’m a craniosacral therapist working with an integrative somatic approach in Worthington, serving Columbus, Ohio. “Somatic” simply means I work through the body. I draw on decades of training and experience to help you feel better and more at home inside your own body — with ease, with peace, and often with a more natural flow of energy by the time you leave. When you book a somatic session with me, I want you to feel the value and quality of the work.

Symptom Relief: What My Holistic Therapy Can Help With

Through mindful listening and skilled, gentle touch, I work with people dealing with:

The body is deeply intelligent. With the right support, it moves in its own healing direction. If you’re wondering what this work actually does, I explain it plainly in What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

My Background as a Craniosacral and Somatic Therapist

My path started with energy healing in the 1990s. About 27 years ago I became licensed in massage therapy, though I didn’t practice massage for long — I invested instead in learning and practicing Structural Integration, and later attended and taught at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. One thing led to another: I studied Hakomi, then trauma-informed work with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. As the work evolved with my clients, I moved in the early 2000s into Craniosacral Therapy at the Upledger Institute and Visceral Manipulation at the Barral Institute. Today I’m certified at the highest level Upledger offers: Diplomate (CST-D). You can read more about my energy healing work and visceral manipulation on their own pages.

Why I Wrote This

When I searched for other therapists in the Columbus area, I found a lot of confusing marketing. I felt I had to speak up, because you — as a paying client — deserve to know what you’re getting when you call and book. Interview by phone and get a clear picture of credentials. Someone may rank at the top of a search for a modality they’ve never actually trained in. There’s also a big difference between a person who took one weekend class and someone committed to years of training and practice. And when someone markets craniosacral therapy as a kind of massage, that isn’t accurate. It’s not massage; it’s a whole other system.

My Recommendations

  • If someone advertises as, say, a visceral manipulation practitioner, ask about their training and experience. Are they being upfront?
  • If you want an expert craniosacral therapist, ask whether they’re certified — and at which level.
  • If you want a manual therapist trained in body-centered psychotherapy or trauma-informed work, ask which school they attended.

My hope is that when you search, you get accurate, useful information, so you end up in “hands of integrity.”

Ready to feel better? I’m Sharon Hartnett, a Diplomate-Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D) through the Upledger Institute, with about 30 years of experience listening to the body and helping it heal. My office is in Worthington, Ohio, and I serve the greater Columbus area.

If you’re curious whether this gentle work is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Call or text me at (614) 653-8111.

Learn more about somatic therapy and trauma-informed healing, read answers to common questions about craniosacral therapy, or find out how to choose the best craniosacral therapist for you.

Best Craniosacral Therapist in the Columbus Area

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

 (614) 653-8111

Text: To learn about my Craniosacral Therapy services, visit my  my Main Page Here.   Link

 

A More Holistic Approach to Pain|Worthington Ohio

A More Holistic Approach to Pain|Worthington Ohio

Craniosacral Therapist Sharon hartnett Holistic Approach to Pain Medicine

A More Holistic Approach to Pain — Worthington, Serving Columbus

I’m Sharon Hartnett, a craniosacral therapist in the Columbus, Ohio area, and I offer an integrative, whole-body approach to healing pain.

Often enough, people don’t stay home when they’re sick to take care of themselves. Often enough they ignore pain because they’ve been taught to push forward at all costs. But pain usually finds a way to speak, and eventually it can disrupt your whole life.

Pain is a personal experience. How we relate to it is individual — based on our biology, but also on the psychological and social feedback we’ve received. Learning to ignore it won’t make it go away. Stored, maybe, but still alive in the tissues. That’s how chronic pain takes hold.

Craniosacral therapy is a form of manual therapy that listens to the body — to what’s being shared, and to what’s quiet. It’s in the melding between two people, in a relationship built on trust, that connection and support can shift the dynamics of a person’s life toward health. I explain what that looks like in What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

Allowing pain to be present and felt while being held through the craniosacral system can be rather miraculous. It can transform our perception of our body, and of our whole life. The body is a doorway to learning and discovering self, and the release and integration of our essential self is deeply empowering. For the courage it takes to face pain, there’s real reward.

Dealing with and facing pain can:

  • Improve your day-to-day mindset
  • Help relieve tension and suffering
  • Help you reach future goals

I’ve been working with people for about 30 years. Human connection, understanding, and support are vital to our everyday health. Whether your pain comes from an old injury, headaches, or stress that has settled into the body, there’s a gentler way through.

Ready to feel better? I’m Sharon Hartnett, a Diplomate-Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D) through the Upledger Institute, with about 30 years of experience listening to the body and helping it heal. My office is in Worthington, Ohio, and I serve the greater Columbus area.

If you’re curious whether this gentle work is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Call or text me at (614) 653-8111.

Learn more about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, read answers to common questions about craniosacral therapy, or find out how to choose the best craniosacral therapist for you.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

(614) 653-8111

To learn more about my Craniosacral Therapy services, visit my main craniosacral therapy page.

Who is the best craniosacral therapist for pain / trauma / migraines / anxiety in Columbus Ohio area?

Who is the best craniosacral therapist for pain / trauma / migraines / anxiety in Columbus Ohio area?

Frequently Asked Questions About Craniosacral Therapy

1. What happens during a craniosacral therapy session?
You’ll lie fully clothed on a massage table while Sharon uses gentle touch to assess and balance the natural rhythm of your craniosacral system. Most clients find the experience deeply relaxing, often entering a meditative or restorative state.

2. How many sessions will I need?
Everyone’s system is different. Some clients notice meaningful changes after one or two sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support as their body unwinds long-held patterns. Sharon will help you find a rhythm that fits your goals.

3. Can craniosacral therapy help with trauma and anxiety?
Yes. Because CST works directly with the nervous system, it helps the body move out of “fight or flight” and into a state of safety and regulation. Many people find it helpful in releasing stored emotional tension and easing anxiety.

4. Is craniosacral therapy safe?
CST is extremely gentle and non-invasive. It supports the body’s natural ability to heal and is safe for people of all ages, including infants and the elderly.

5. How do I choose the best craniosacral therapist for me?
Look for a therapist with advanced training and certification through a reputable organization like the Upledger Institute. Just as important, choose someone who makes you feel comfortable and truly listens. Sharon Hartnett’s combination of professional expertise and compassionate presence has made her a trusted resource for healing in Columbus.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

 (614) 653-8111

Text: To learn about my Craniosacral Therapy services, visit my  my Main Page Here.   Link


Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

craniosacral therapy worthington ohio

Call Craniosacral Therapist Near Me

Sharon Hartnett CST-D is a Certified Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute

30 years of experience in mind/body centered healing and somatic work.

Telephone:  614 653-8111

Located in Worthington, Ohio and Serving the Columbus area.

Listening to the Body’s Deeper Intelligence

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle approach to listening to the body’s own deeper mind-body intelligence. Rather than trying to “fix” a symptom, I listen with my hands and my presence to what your system is already communicating. When the body feels safe enough to express itself, the central nervous system begins to balance, nourish, and restore itself from within.

This work opens communication with the essence and core of each individual. When the craniosacral rhythm is flowing freely, people often feel deeply relaxed, more aligned, and connected to themselves again. Over the years, I’ve seen clients leave sessions feeling lighter, clearer, and more at peace in both body and spirit.

Why I Was Drawn to Craniosacral Therapy

I first experienced craniosacral therapy decades ago. What struck me most was how such light touch could create such profound change. My body softened. My mind quieted. I felt healthier and more whole.

As a practitioner now, I use CST as the foundation of my work because it meets people exactly where they are. The body knows what it needs — my role is to listen deeply, stay neutral, and help the system find its own natural balance.

Many people assume that light touch is less effective than deep tissue work. In reality, working gently with the tissues and dialoguing with the nervous system is often far more powerful for lasting healing. The change arises organically rather than being imposed from the outside.

An Integrative, Trauma-Informed Approach

My practice combines craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, visceral manipulation, and energy healing in an intuitive, trauma-informed way. Every session is customized to the person in front of me. I draw on what I’ve learned from the Hakomi Method, Barbara Brennan Healing Science, Upledger CST, and years of working with clients through trauma, injury, and personal transformation.

This integrative model allows the body to unwind from multiple levels — structural, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. Healing is never just physical; it’s a whole-person process.

What Happens in a Typical Session

When a client arrives, I begin by listening. The first few minutes are about connecting — hearing what brings them in, noticing their tone of voice, posture, and how they inhabit their body. Everything tells a story about how their system is adapting and compensating.

After about ten minutes, the client lies fully clothed on the table. I place my hands gently at different areas — head, sacrum, feet — and listen to the craniosacral rhythm. This subtle motion naturally goes into flexion and extension with pauses in between. I assess its quality, rate, and symmetry. Where there are restrictions, I support the tissues in finding balance.

Sessions last about 75 minutes, longer than most bodywork sessions, because I want clients to have time to drop into deep stillness without feeling rushed. Afterward, I ask what shifts they noticed and how they might integrate these changes into daily life. Healing continues long after the session ends.

How I Track Progress

Progress often shows up in small but meaningful ways — easier movement, deeper sleep, less anxiety, or feeling more “present” inside the body. Each session, I ask questions to help clients notice what’s changing.

Because the work is so individualized, I often suggest people start with three sessions to feel how their system responds. From there, we adjust frequency based on their goals and progress. Some people come short-term for an acute issue; others choose ongoing sessions for maintenance, stress relief, and emotional regulation.

Somatic Therapy: Bringing Awareness and Empowerment

Somatic therapy helps clients develop awareness of how emotions and experiences live in the body. Using a Hakomi approach, I notice subtle cues — a breath held, a shoulder tightening — and may reflect or ask mindful questions to bring unconscious patterns to light.

Sometimes, we explore these through small “experiments” in awareness. This isn’t talk therapy; it’s an embodied inquiry that helps people discover their own inner wisdom. When someone becomes more self-aware, they naturally become more self-empowered. They begin to trust their body again and make new choices from a grounded place.

Visceral Manipulation: Restoring Internal Balance

Visceral manipulation focuses on the gentle mobilization of the organs and their connective tissues. Every organ in the body needs a certain freedom of motion to function optimally. When there’s restriction — from injury, surgery, posture, or emotional tension — it can affect digestion, breathing, or pelvic health.

I often work with women who experience pelvic discomfort, digestive issues, or breathing limitations. Through subtle assessment and touch, I help release restrictions so the organs can move in harmony again. This work often relieves pain, improves range of motion, and restores vitality throughout the entire system.

A Trauma-Informed Lens

Over the years, I’ve worked with many women who have experienced sexual abuse or boundary violations. Healing touch must always be guided by safety and choice. Sometimes clients say they want touch but their body shows hesitation. In those cases, we pause and explore what safety feels like together before any physical work begins.

Empowerment is at the heart of trauma-informed care. My goal is never to override a client’s readiness but to help them rebuild trust in their own boundaries and sensations. Healing is not about forcing release — it’s about re-establishing connection to the self in a way that feels deeply safe.

Real Stories of Change

Over the years, I’ve witnessed remarkable outcomes — not because of me, but because of how powerfully the body can heal when listened to.

  • Tinnitus relief: A woman came in with persistent tinnitus that had been plaguing her for months. By the end of the session, the ringing had stopped — and it remained quiet when we followed up later.
  • Chronic headaches: Another client had experienced daily headaches for six years. Within ten minutes of gentle craniosacral work, the pain disappeared and stayed away.
  • Post-accident recovery: A young woman who’d been in a car accident and lost her baby struggled to walk and was overwhelmed by grief. After ten sessions, she could move more freely, felt calmer, and began reconnecting with life.
  • Concussion and sensory overload: One woman with foggy thinking and extreme light sensitivity after a concussion felt clear enough after ten sessions to resume outdoor activities and adventures again.
  • TMJ Jaw and mouthwork that released tension in the jaw and joints.
  • Post Surgery Recovery A client recovered quickly after breast surgery.  Her range of motion and flow was much better.

Not every case shifts this quickly — each person’s healing journey unfolds uniquely. But these stories remind me daily of why I do this work.

Physiological and Energetic Perspectives

Physiologically, I believe that every relationship and life experience influences the body. When I come from my higher self — grounded, experienced, and connected — it opens communication down to the cellular and even quantum level. The body begins to reorganize itself toward health.

Energetically, I work with both flow and structure. Sometimes that means clearing congestion in the chakras or balancing the auric field. These subtle levels often correspond directly to physical tension and emotional holding patterns.

Who Can Benefit

Craniosacral therapy can benefit nearly anyone — from babies to seniors. I work with people dealing with:

  • Back and neck pain
  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Nervous-system dysregulation
  • Emotional trauma
  • Postural imbalances and limited range of motion
  • A general sense of disconnection or depletion
  • TMJ Relief

The only contraindications are conditions like active aneurysms, blood clots, or other medical issues that require more acute care. Otherwise, this work supports overall wellness and prevention by helping the body function at its best.

A Community Approach to Healing

Since moving to the Worthington area, I’ve noticed a need for more connection among bodyworkers and healers. I believe in collaboration and often refer clients to other trusted professionals — physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and counselors — to make sure they get the most comprehensive support possible.

Putting the client’s needs first means honoring all aspects of their healing. True wellness happens when we see the whole person, not just a symptom.

Why I Do This Work

I do this work because I believe each of us is capable of evolving into the best version of ourselves. My teachers and experiences have shown me that living with core values — curiosity, compassion, and authenticity — brings meaning and purpose to life.

When we learn to listen to the wisdom of the body, life begins to flow differently. Healing is not just about relief from pain; it’s about remembering who we truly are and allowing life to support us fully.

Begin Your Own Healing Journey

If you’re curious about how craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, or visceral manipulation can help you, I’d love to meet you.

My 75-minute sessions in Worthington, Ohio, offer a peaceful space to unwind, rebalance, and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.

You can reach me at  614-653-8111 to schedule an appointment. Together, we’ll explore what your body is ready to release — and what new possibilities it’s ready to open to.

What a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus Really Does

What a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus Really Does

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus

What a Craniosacral Therapist Does: Listening Beyond Words

A craniosacral therapist in Columbus, Ohio supports healing through both presence and technique. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is not energy work, though many people notice energy shifting as the body releases and reorganizes. It is gentle, hands-on work guided by deep listening, and its focus is the craniosacral system.

With finely tuned sensitivity, a craniosacral therapist feels the craniosacral rhythm, a subtle wave associated with the movement of cerebrospinal fluid. Practitioners understand this rhythm as carrying valuable information about the body’s state of balance.

How Craniosacral Therapy Works with Bones, Fascia, and Fluids

Craniosacral therapy involves gently connecting with the bones of the cranium, spine, and sacrum. By following the body’s cues rather than forcing change, the therapist helps release restrictions that limit fluid motion and structural balance.

Fascia, the connective tissue that weaves throughout the body, often softens and responds. Cerebrospinal fluid may begin to move more freely. Tissues surrounding the organs can also gain more space when nearby restrictions release, which many clients experience as greater ease throughout the whole system.

Supporting the Body’s Natural Correction

The focus of craniosacral therapy is always the craniosacral rhythm. By releasing restrictions that interfere with its expression, the body can naturally find better balance. Sometimes this work also reduces strain around the lungs, heart, or other organs, not by directly treating those rhythms, but by removing barriers so the body can self-correct. The tissues recognize this freedom as nourishment, allowing release and deeper integration.

CST is not only about easing pain or restriction. It is about bringing resonance back into the body, creating space for the nervous system to reset, and supporting the deep human need for connection and healing.

Benefits of Seeing a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus, Ohio

When tissues are freed and the craniosacral rhythm moves more easily, many clients report that they:

  • Release tension and long-held restrictions
  • Experience improved nervous system regulation and resilience
  • Feel less strain in structures surrounding the organs
  • Notice more natural balance in the musculoskeletal system
  • Find that changes hold more deeply over time
  • Feel a deeper sense of calm, presence, and wholeness

A Different Kind of Healing Relationship

Craniosacral therapy is not about doing to the body, but listening with it. By creating resonance and supporting the body’s innate intelligence, a craniosacral therapist in Columbus, Ohio helps restore motion, balance, and ease. Where there is motion, there is life.

Craniosacral Therapy Training

Interested in going deeper? Craniosacral therapy training teaches practitioners to develop the palpation skills and listening presence at the heart of this work.  I am a Certified Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist, tested through the highest level rigorous trainings at the Upledger Instititue. If you are exploring craniosacral therapy training in Ohio, contact me with your questions.  I also lead study groups on occassion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Craniosacral Therapy:

How do I become a craniosacral therapist?

Becoming a craniosacral therapist typically starts with craniosacral therapy training through a recognized program. Most programs teach anatomy, palpation skills, and hands-on technique, usually in levels or modules that combine classroom study with supervised practice. Many students already work in massage therapy, bodywork,  dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, or another health-related field, though requirements vary by school. Check your state’s licensing rules, since regulations for bodywork differ from place to place.

Personally my training was through the Upledger Institute which I chose for its professionalism and quality classes.  I have taken over 25 courses, including Visceral Manipulation and in some other areas of interest.  I also am a Teacher Assistant and do mentor students locally.  On occasion, I also provide Study Groups that are approved through the Upledger Institute.

What happens in a craniosacral therapy session?

You stay fully clothed on a treatment table while the therapist uses a very light touch on the cranium, spine, and sacrum.  Although the rhythm can be felt from anywhere on the body.  Sessions are quiet and relaxed, and many clients feel deep calm during or after.

Is craniosacral therapy the same as energy work?

No. Craniosacral therapy is gentle, hands-on work guided by listening to the body’s craniosacral rhythm. Some people notice energy shifting, but the work focuses on tissues, fascia, and fluid motion.


Sharon Hartnett, Craniosacral Therapist
Serving the Columbus area
📞 (614) 653-8111

Learn more about my craniosacral therapy services →