The CFT Intensive
You’ve been dealing with the same headache, jaw tension, back pain, poor sleep, anxiety, overwhelm, or chronic tension for long enough.
Maybe you’ve tried massage, chiropractic care, stretching, PT—or just about everything you can think of. And still, something isn’t quite changing.
You’ve tried everything. Let’s look deeper.
What is CFT + The Gillespie Approach?
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT)
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) is a gentle, hands-on therapy developed by Dr. Barry Gillespie that works with the fascia and craniosacral system to support nervous system regulation, brain function, and whole-body healing.
With light, non-forceful touch, the body is guided to release stored tension so cerebrospinal fluid can flow more freely, supporting nourishment, detoxification, and ease. Many people come in for things like headaches, TMJ and jaw tension, chronic neck or back pain, anxiety, sleep challenges, lingering concussion symptoms, digestive issues, or when their nervous system simply feels stuck or overwhelmed.
What is CFT + The Gillespie Approach?
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT)
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) is a gentle, hands-on therapy developed by Dr. Barry Gillespie that works with the fascia and craniosacral system to support nervous system regulation, brain function, and whole-body healing.
With light, non-forceful touch, the body is guided to release stored tension so cerebrospinal fluid can flow more freely, supporting nourishment, detoxification, and ease. Many people come in for things like headaches, TMJ and jaw tension, chronic neck or back pain, anxiety, sleep challenges, lingering concussion symptoms, digestive issues, or when their nervous system simply feels stuck or overwhelmed.
CFT Intensive Testimonial
I am amazed of how the CFT Intensive has been the springboard in putting my body back together. I have had many accidents/broken bones in my life…chronic stressors over the last two years led to acute chronic pain. Katie met me where I was every visit. I am hopeful I do not have to live my life in chronic pain.
- Erica L.
Unsure Which Service to Book?
Everyone is different and no two treatments will be the same! Schedule a free discovery call and we can discuss the plan of action for your treatment that will help you specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Both are hands-on approaches, but they feel and work a little differently.
Therapeutic Bodywork is closer to what you might think of as a traditional massage, with more direct work to muscles and soft tissue. It’s a great option if you’re looking for focused work on areas of tension, soreness, or restricted movement.
CFT (Craniosacral Fascial Therapy) uses very gentle, non-forceful touch to work with the fascia and craniosacral system. Rather than digging into tight muscles, we follow what the body is showing us and allow the tissues to unwind at their own pace.
Not sure which one you need? You don’t have to figure that out on your own. We can talk through it before your session.
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If you’re looking for something that feels more like a massage, want focused work on tight or sore muscles, or simply love deeper pressure, Therapeutic Bodywork may be a great place to start.
If you’re curious about CFT, have recurring patterns that don’t seem to respond to traditional massage, or feel like your body is holding onto something you can’t quite work your way out of, CFT may be worth exploring.
And if you’re still thinking, “Okay…but I have no freaking clue,” that’s completely fine. We can help you decide.
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Your first session begins with a conversation about what’s bringing you in, what you’ve been experiencing, and anything you think may be relevant to your body’s story.
From there, you’ll get comfortable on the treatment table fully clothed. CFT uses light, subtle touch—you won’t experience deep pressure, stretching, or forceful manipulation.
You may notice warmth, pulsing, tingling, movement, relaxation, emotional shifts, or absolutely nothing you can easily put into words. Every body responds differently.
The goal isn’t to make something happen. We’re creating the conditions for your body to respond in its own way.
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You’re not failing—you’ve probably just been approaching in a way that is not sustainable for you and your nervous system. Most of the people I work with have tried diets, rules, and “shoulds” that end up feeling restrictive and exhausting.
At Ripple, we focus on expansion rather than restriction. We avoid diet culture and Instagram influencers, and instead help you unpack what “healthy” truly means for you—for your digestion, energy, hormones, stress, and lifestyle.
Once you have that clarity, making choices that actually support you stops feeling like a battle. Health becomes something you move toward naturally, instead of something you have to force.
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Somewhere between science and woo, with a grounded approach, an athleisure uniform, and a tendency to cuss a fuck ton.
You don’t need to know your rising sign, moon sign, or which way Mercury is doing whatever it’s doing. I sure as hell don’t. You don’t have to know anything about bodywork. And you definitely don’t have to pretend you understand something if you don’t.
I’m a skeptic too, so I actually love the questions, the curiosity, and the occasional “okay, but how the hell does that work?”
The goal is for Ripple to feel grounded, comfortable, and real—a place where you can exhale, be yourself, and get curious about your body without taking yourself or the healing process too seriously.
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You’re in good company.
Many people find their way to Ripple after trying massage, stretching, exercise, chiropractic care, physical therapy, or other approaches and still feeling like the same patterns keep returning.
That doesn’t mean those approaches “didn’t work.” It may simply mean there’s another layer worth exploring.
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Ripple accepts HSA and FSA cards for eligible services. Whether a particular session is reimbursable depends on your individual plan and its requirements, so we recommend checking with your HSA/FSA provider before booking.
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Whatever you’re comfortable in! CFT is performed fully clothed, so choose clothing that allows you to relax comfortably on the table. Soft, loose-fitting clothing is ideal.
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Absolutely not.
You can come in because something hurts, but you can also come in because you feel tense, overwhelmed, disconnected from your body, aren’t sleeping well, or simply feel like something is off.
You don’t need a diagnosis or a perfectly articulated reason. Sometimes “I just don’t feel like myself” is enough.
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People come to Ripple for all kinds of reasons, including chronic tension and pain, headaches and migraines, TMJ and jaw tension, old injuries, scar tissue, concussion-related symptoms, sleep challenges, digestive discomfort, overstimulation, and stress that shows up physically.
CFT and bodywork aren’t a treatment or cure for any specific medical condition, and results vary from person to person. The goal is to support the body and work with the patterns we find rather than treating a diagnosis.
If you have a specific condition or concern and aren’t sure whether this work is appropriate for you, reach out before booking.