Someone leans in for a hug, and your whole body goes tense. A partner reaches for your hand, but instead of feeling comforted, you feel trapped. You might care deeply about the people in your life and still find yourself pulling away when they get physically close.
After trauma, touch can bring up reactions that don’t always make sense in the moment. You may feel startled, disconnected, frozen, or unsure how to explain what you need. Sometimes you might avoid touch altogether. Other times, you may say yes because you don’t want to disappoint someone—even when your body is telling you no.
None of this means there’s something wrong with you. Your body may be responding to experiences that taught it to be cautious.
Reclaiming Touch After Trauma is a workshop for people who want to better understand their relationship with touch and explore what safety, comfort, and choice might look like moving forward.
Led by Hannah Wojda, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Aaron Gunn, Licensed Massage Therapist, this workshop will explore:
How past experiences can affect your body’s response to touch and physical closeness.
How to recognize the difference between what feels comforting, uncomfortable, and overwhelming.
Ways to notice your boundaries and communicate them more clearly.
How to say yes, no, not right now, or I’m not sure without feeling guilty.
Approaches to reconnecting with your body and exploring touch on your own terms.
The goal isn’t to push yourself past your comfort level. It’s to help you feel more able to listen to your body, trust your boundaries, and decide what feels right for you.
Group Details
Date: October 18, 2026
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Health in Tandem | 3338 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Cost: $125
A note about registration: Because this workshop addresses touch after trauma, we ask interested participants to complete the brief inquiry form below so we can help determine whether the workshop is an appropriate fit. The form takes approximately 10 minutes. If approved, you’ll receive a payment link to confirm your spot.
Questions? Email us at info@healthintandem.com