What is Craniosacral Therapy, and can it help you?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of bodywork that works with the deep structures of the body, including the bones, membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Using extremely light, subtle touch, it helps the body release held tension and restore its natural rhythm, calming the nervous system from the inside out. At Be Well Hawthorn, Sonia Stocco brings over 30 years of bodywork experience to every session.
I have been a client of Sonia’s for 12 years, having a monthly treatment over that time. I have several chronic conditions which impact my wellbeing- frozen shoulder, knee bursitis, L5S1 bulging disc. I look forward to my sessions with Sonia.
- H
Book your session with Sonia
Craniosacral sessions run for 60 or 90 minutes. Sonia, our Craniosacral therapist, is currently available Mondays, 9 am to 1 pm.
What can Craniosacral Therapy help with
Sonia works with clients navigating a wide range of conditions, as well as those simply seeking deeper rest. If any of the following sound familiar, Craniosacral Therapy may help.
01
Chronic stress, trauma and nervous system regulation
02
Chronic pain, headaches and physical tension
03
Fatigue, poor sleep and general depletion
What happens in a session with Sonia
Arriving
You'll lie down, fully clothed. There's nothing to prepare beyond arriving well-hydrated and comfortable.
The session
Sonia places her hands lightly on your body, often the head, spine or feet. There's no manipulation, cracking or deep pressure; the touch is light and subtle. She's tuning into the subtle rhythm of the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord, the fascia and connective tissue, organs muscles,and when that rhythm is restricted, often from stress, old injuries or held tension, she gently encourages it to release.
Afterwards
Many clients describe a sense of deep calm, a settling of the nervous system, or old tension simply letting go. It's worth leaving some space in your day, as some people feel sleepy afterwards.
Is Craniosacral Therapy right for you
Feel wired, anxious or stuck in fight-or-flight?
Are you carrying the physical effects of stress or past trauma?
Experience chronic pain, tension headaches, migraines or jaw (TMJ) dysfunction?
Are you exhausted, sleeping poorly, or recovering from injury, illness or surgery?
Find deep tissue or remedial massage too intense and want a gentler, nervous-system-led approach?
Are simply looking for a deeper form of rest and restoration?
What our members say
I have been a client of Sonia’s for 12 years, having a monthly treatment over that time. I have several chronic conditions which impact my wellbeing- frozen shoulder, knee bursitis, L5S1 bulging disc. I look forward to my sessions with Sonia.
- H
Be Well member
Private health insurance
Craniosacral Therapy rebate eligibility varies by insurer and by extras cover level, and isn’t included under all remedial massage policies. Sonia is also a qualified remedial massage therapist, though, so Craniosacral Therapy delivered in combination with remedial massage may be eligible for a rebate under your extras cover. We recommend checking directly with your health fund before booking.
Looking for something else
Combine with TRE
Sonia also offers TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), a body-based practice for releasing stress and tension through guided exercises.
Looking for a clinical treatment for a specific injury
Remedial massage or Lymphatic Drainage with Megan may be a better fit.
Looking for general relaxation
Therapeutic massage with Amanda may be a better fit if you're looking to unwind rather than release tension held in the nervous system.
Ready to book with Sonia?
Her sessions fill quickly. We recommend securing your spot sooner rather than later.
Questions
Common questions
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive bodywork technique that uses very light touch to work with the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It helps release held tension and restores the nervous system's natural rhythm and balance.
Craniosacral Therapy can calm and regulate the nervous system, relieve chronic pain and tension, reduce headaches and migraines, support relief from TMJ (jaw) dysfunction, improve sleep quality, and aid recovery from injury, surgery, trauma or stress. It also supports general physical, emotional and mental well-being.
No. Craniosacral Therapy involves no deep pressure, manipulation or muscle work. The touch is extremely light; many first-time clients are surprised by how subtle it feels, even as they notice significant effects afterwards.
No. It's one of the gentlest forms of bodywork available, making it well-suited to people who find deep tissue or remedial massage too intense, as well as anyone seeking a more subtle, nervous-system-led approach.
Craniosacral Therapy is commonly used for chronic stress, trauma recovery, chronic pain, tension headaches and migraines, TMJ (jaw) dysfunction, poor sleep and fatigue. It also suits anyone simply looking for a deeper form of rest and restoration.
Sessions at Be Well Hawthorn run for 60 minutes.
This depends on what you're working with. Some clients notice a shift after one session; others, particularly those working through chronic stress or long-held tension, benefit from a regular course of sessions. Sonia will talk you through what she recommends after your first appointment.
Arrive well-hydrated and in comfortable clothing; you stay fully clothed throughout. It's worth leaving some space in your day afterwards, as many clients feel deeply relaxed, and occasionally sleepy, following a session.
Craniosacral Therapy is a complementary therapy, not a substitute for medical treatment. Many clients report benefits such as deep relaxation, reduced tension and improved sleep, though individual experiences vary. Speak with your GP or specialist if you're managing a diagnosed medical condition.
All three are gentle, non-invasive therapies Sonia practises at Be Well. Craniosacral Therapy works with the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord; Bowen Therapy uses gentle rolling movements over muscles and connective tissue; Reiki is an energy-based practice focused on relaxation and balance. Sonia draws on all three depending on what each client needs.
This depends on your insurer and level of extras cover. Check with your health fund before booking.
Be Well Hawthorn offers Craniosacral Therapy with Sonia Stocco at 6 Roche St, Hawthorn VIC 3122. Call (03) 8851 9686 or email hello@bewell.com.au to book.
The People
Meet Your Massage Therapist
Megan
Remedial Massage | Lymphatic Drainage | BNurs | DipRemMass | Private Health Insurance approved provider
14 years' experience
Megan brings 14 years of remedial massage therapy experience alongside a clinical background in nursing. This combination gives her a deep understanding of how the body works and how targeted massage techniques manage pain, restore mobility and improve overall wellbeing.
She takes a holistic approach to every session, beginning with a thorough assessment to understand each person’s unique needs, and tailors her treatment accordingly. Megan works with clients across a wide range of conditions, from acute injuries and chronic pain to postural issues and sports recovery.
Megan specialises in lymphatic drainage, a technique she is passionate about and keeps in mind with every remedial massage. Megan is an approved provider for Private Health Insurance claims for Remedial Massage Therapy.
Sonia
Craniosacral Therapy | TRE Certified Provider | Bowen Therapy | Reiki | Remedial Massage Therapist
30+ Years
Sonia is an experienced holistic bodyworker with over 30 years of practice, grounded in a foundation of remedial massage therapy. At Be Well, she specialises in Craniosacral Therapy, Bowen Therapy, Reiki and TRE: gentle yet profoundly effective approaches to releasing tension, restoring balance and supporting the body’s innate capacity to heal.
Craniosacral Therapy holds a special place in Sonia’s practice. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, her sessions support the body in unwinding long-held patterns of tension, helping clients find a deeper sense of ease, balance and wellbeing. Her TRE certification was completed under the supervision of Richmond Heath, one of Australia’s leading TRE trainers and researchers, and her additional training in Somatic Exercise Releases for Trauma further deepens her understanding of how the body holds and releases stress.
Sonia believes real healing happens when the whole person is met: body, nervous system and spirit. Whether you’re navigating a specific condition or simply seeking deeper restoration, she offers a safe and skilled space to come home to yourself.
Amanda
Therapeutic Massage | 20+ years of practice | Reiki-informed
20+ Years
Amanda, known to her clients as Amandala, was born and raised in Melbourne. She is a generous and gifted practitioner whose ability to connect with people through touch has earned her a devoted following built over more than two decades of practice.
Amanda began her therapeutic massage practice in her first year of university and has trained in Reiki alongside her hands-on bodywork ever since. That combination shapes everything she does. She works across the physical, mental and emotional dimensions of wellbeing in every session, not just the physical.
Amanda provides people with a truly exceptional experience, which is why she has such a large and loyal following. Her bookings fill quickly. If you want a session with Amanda, get in early and come often.
"Drawing on 20 years of experience, Amandala provides people with a truly exceptional experience. Get in early, and come often."
At Be Well Hawthorn
Explore more
Remedial Massage
Clinical treatment for musculoskeletal pain, injury and postural dysfunction with Megan