What options are there for the neurodiverse community?

Sessions are designed to be adaptable to sensory needs, communication preferences, and the way each person's nervous system works.

Is your massage table inclusive of all body types?

Yes, sessions suit all body types and fitness levels, using pillows, bolsters, and modified postures.

Do you do discounts for people on low incomes?

Yes, the Olive Tree Fund offers 30% off any session for LGBTQI+ and QTIPOC people living on a low income in Edinburgh.

Are you a trans inclusive business?

Yes, Olive Tree Therapies is a queer-owned, actively LGBTQI+ and GSRD-affirming practice.

Referrals and multidisciplinary collaboration

I welcome referrals from GPs, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and other allied health professionals working with clients in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

My practice sits at the intersection of therapeutic touch and somatic therapy, rooted in trauma-informed, consent-led, and person-centred care. Whether used alongside talking therapies, medical support, or as part of ongoing rehabilitation, my work supports healing through the mind-body connection, with particular experience supporting people living with chronic pain, trauma, dissociation, and complex emotional and physical presentations.

How I can support your clients

Clients may benefit from sessions with me if they are:

Living with chronic or persistent pain
Navigating trauma or emotional overwhelm
Feeling disconnected from their bodies or experiencing dissociation
Seeking gentle touch therapies alongside psychotherapy or clinical care
In recovery from illness, surgery, or injury
Receiving palliative care
On a gender-affirming journey and looking for safe, respectful touch
Wanting to explore somatic awareness and emotional regulation through body-based therapies
Living with neurodivergence, sensory processing differences, or nervous system dysregulation

Sessions are always client-led, with ongoing consent, space for verbal or non-verbal processing, and adjustments made for sensory, physical, or emotional needs.

For an overview of the research base supporting this work, see the Evidence base section below.

Therapies offered

My work draws from several traditions and methods, including:

Somatics / trauma therapy – drawing on Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing™, Babette Rothschild's model of trauma resolution, and Jan Winhall's FeltSense PolyVagal Model™ for trauma and addiction healing
Integrative massage & bodywork – including Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic techniques, and manual lymphatic drainage
Nuad Thai – traditional Thai massage trained in Chiang Mai, Lisbon, and Milan
Scar Care & Integration – evidence-based scar tissue management, including post-surgical, oncology, and gender-affirming surgery scars
Oncology massage – specialist touch therapy for those in cancer treatment or recovery
Reiki and energy healing – gentle, consent-led, fully clothed; suitable for those who find touch difficult

Each session is uniquely tailored to the individual's needs, pace, and capacity on the day.

Collaborative care & communication

Where appropriate and with a client's informed consent, I welcome the opportunity to communicate with other professionals involved in their care.

This may include:

Sharing relevant insights about a client's physical or emotional presentation
Coordinating around treatment goals or boundaries
Providing progress updates or observations from touch therapy sessions
Discussing contraindications or adjustments based on medical or psychological factors

All collaborative communication is consent-based, confidential, and conducted with full respect for ethical and professional boundaries. Clients can withdraw consent at any time.

About André

I'm André (he/they), founder of Olive Tree Therapies. I bring an integrative approach to body-focused therapies shaped by over twelve years of experience in front-line mental health services – including NHS Scotland, Cruse Bereavement Care, Samaritans, and Rethink Mental Illness – alongside six years of dedicated bodywork practice. Full profile and ethos →

Qualifications & professional memberships

Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation (SMTO) – membership no. 3347
Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society of Thailand – membership no. 680000757
Fully insured by Balens
Working under monthly clinical supervision

Full training and qualifications →

Evidence-informed

The therapeutic benefits of massage and somatic bodywork are supported by a growing body of research. In 2024, the Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) published a systematic review of current evidence: download the report →

You may also find it useful to read the story of Angel, a client experiencing chronic pain and nervous system dysregulation who uses touch therapies and somatics as part of their ongoing healing: read the case study →

Client safety and ethics

Fully insured, accredited, and working under monthly supervision
Member of SMTO and Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society of Thailand
Committed to trauma-informed, consent-based, and client-centred care
All records and communications comply with GDPR and professional confidentiality standards
Working within professional scope. I do not offer diagnosis or crisis support; clients are always encouraged to remain under the care of their medical or psychological providers and they may be referred to more appropriate support when the need is identified

Referral process

If you'd like to refer a client or discuss their suitability for touch therapies or somatic sessions, please get in touch directly. I'm happy to speak briefly in advance of a referral to help determine the best approach.
Email André → | WhatsApp: +44 7497 142 632