TCTSY Works.

Experiences of psychological trauma profoundly change our relationship with our body. TCTSY works by restoring a felt sense of safety in the body through our embodied, collaborative approach to healing that utilizes yoga forms and the power of authenticity and presence.

The TCTSY methodology is based on central components of the hatha style of yoga, where participants engage in a series of physical forms and movements. Elements of standard hatha yoga are modified to maximize experiences of empowerment and to cultivate a more positive relationship to one's body. 

Since 2009, TCTSY has been featured in over 40 peer-reviewed publications, doctoral dissertations, and academic journals. It continues to evolve through clinical practice, global trainings, and community partnerships.

In 2021, a pilot study led by Ursula A. Kelly, PhD, of Emory University and the Atlanta VA, further validated TCTSY’s effectiveness with women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma. Co-authors included Melinda Higgins, PhD; Terri N. Haywood, MPH; Meghna Patel, PhD; David Emerson; Kimberly Hubbard, BA; Jennifer M. Loftis, PhD; and Belle Zacarri, PsyD.

By 2023, the full randomized clinical trial was published in JAMA Network Open, demonstrating that TCTSY led to faster symptom improvement, higher retention rates, and similarly sustained results when compared to Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)—a leading evidence-based treatment for PTSD.