Finding a Craniosacral Therapist
Craniosacral therapy can be an essential tool for healing tension patterns related to torticollis, scoliosis, tongue or lip ties, and emotional & physical injuries, so it’s no wonder it’s becoming more well-known. (Click here to read my article about the legitimacy of CST.) However, despite the numerous benefits of nervous system support, it can be challenging to determine where to find the best craniosacral therapist (or CST) for your unique needs. In this article, I’m going to share tips on finding a craniosacral therapist and how to choose the best CST to support you and your family.
Finding the Best Craniosacral Therapist for You
Craniosacral Therapist Training
As in any profession, each craniosacral therapist (CST) is different so you will want to find one who specializes in your unique needs. There are several different kinds of training programs available to learn craniosacral therapy and then there are advanced traingings for pediatric or infant CST and CST for expecting & postpartum mothers. There are also CSTs who work specifically with pets, horses or dolphins!
Aside from the various trainings within craniosacral therapy, the therapist/practitioner themselves may have primary training in a different modality. Some chiropractors now also offer CST, and many OTs, PTs, IBCLCs, LMT, doulas, midwives, and SLPs are getting trained too. Then there are CSTs who (like me) learn about something as they train in CST and train in that other thing as well!
Everyone’s training journey is different … you just want to make sure they’ve done more than a quick one-day or weekend course. It takes time and a lot of practice to hone in on the CST assessments, tools, and overall practice of listening to the body. For example; my advanced infant craniosacral therapy (CST) training cost me around $10K and consisted of five courses (each a month or weekly intensive in length) over the period of two years. I spent quite some time integrating what I learned into my practice between courses and then taking more training outside of CST.
At my practice, I often find my clients need an integrative approach (I call them wellness visits). Depending on the age of the client and their needs, I may incorporate my training in lactation/feeding, movement, breathing, myofunctional therapy, and sleep to support them.
Craniosacral Therapist Visit Costs
In the U.S., CST is not covered by insurance, so clients need to pay out of pocket via cash, card, Venmo, or use an FSA/HSA card. The cost itself varies depending on the CST’s training, other services they are providing, and the area they are in. Not all CSTs integrate their work so you may go in and only get CST without their lactation knowledge or massage therapy, etc. Some CSTs are able to offer clinic days, sliding scale, or low-cost options. If you live near a CST training center there may be lower-cost clinic days where you get CST from a student. At the time of writing this I charge $130 per one-hour office visit and do not offer in-home visits. When I did offer in-home visits I charged an added nominal flat-rate travel fee for my time and gas/miles/wear on my car. I’m in a rural part of Northern California and due to the needs of my family, have very limited office hours but the same small business costs as if I had more hours so I am very strict with my cancellation policy and fully charge last-minute cancellations (less than 48 hours) and no-shows. All of my visits are an hour and I spend just as much time and all of my education in each visit so I do not do a higher priced initial consult with lower priced visits after that session, all sessions are priced the same. Some CSTs do tiered pricing and others from modalities that take insurance are integrating it into their practice and essentially offering the CST free within the visit. It all varies greatly based on what the provider can afford to do while trying to make it available to those who need CST. Your total cost for CST care will also vary based on the visits you need. In general, I like to see clients at least four to six times … though depending on what patterns are in their body we may need a lot longer than that.
What to Expect During a Craniosacral Therapy Session
The CST Office
Just as each CST practitioner is different, so is their office space. If you see an LMT/RMT, the environment will be the same as when you get a massage, but because CST is done with the client, not to the client, you may be more involved, and there will be more dialogue as you work through things. In general, CSTs use a massage table or similar (it may not have blankets on it since you remain clothed). A pediatric CST may also have floor mats, a rocking chair, a play area, and other items to fit their clientele. Here’s a peek at what my office used to look like. Your local CST may offer the option of in-home sessions (this typically includes a travel fee) in which case they would bring a mobile massage table and any tools.
What’s Craniosacral Therapy Like?
Craniosacral therapy uses 5 grams of pressure or lighter to work with the fascia in your body — the connective tissue that retracts to protect us when we perceive danger — which allows better movement once released. Because these tension patterns are often linked to the nervous system and life patterns, CST sessions encourage neuroplasticity and include home care activities to avoid continuing old tension patterns. For babies, this may mean encouraging parents to swaddle less or try tummy time in different ways. Because the fascia tightens at perceived emotional or physical trauma, it can hold emotions in the body, and when these physical or emotional areas of restriction are released, you may have a physical or emotional response. You might cry. You might fall asleep. You might feel nothing at first, and then wake up the next day feeling totally different. Everyone’s path is unique.
Craniosacral Therapist Search
There are several online CST provider listing websites available to find a CST nearby, but not all CSTs are listed on these websites, so if you can’t find them on one of those sites (listed below), a CST provider in your area may require a Google search and a phone call or email. Ask as much information up front as possible based on your needs— training matters. Vibe matters. You deserve someone who explains things clearly, asks for consent, and gives you take-home strategies to support your healing between visits. My resource Your Baby’s Tie Care Bestie includes a questionnaire that you can use when interviewing a CST.
You may also find the below provider listings helpful:
- Beames CST grads (every grad is listed)
- Carol Grey CST grads (listed if grad requested to join)
- Upledger and other institute grads (only listed if grad membership purchased)
Whole Person Healing Starts Here
If you’ve never experienced craniosacral therapy, I hope this post inspires you to give it a try. Whether you’re working through neck pain, chronic stress, birth recovery, or oral tie support, CST can offer a level of safety and unwinding your body has been craving.
You were never meant to do this alone. And you don’t have to.
❤️ Ready to Learn More?
Connect with me on Instagram @NavigatingParenthood, explore CST and oral tie resources at NavigatingParenthood.com, or book a session.
You’ve got this—and I’m cheering for your healing journey every step of the way. 💛
