John P. Conger is a noted somatic and analytic psychologist. His writing is often beautifully poetic:
“Like fire, touch is from the gods. It is elemental and essential like dance. Even words ‘touch’ us. There are no alternatives, no replacements. For children, touch is food. Not to touch them is abusive. … A phobic response to touch strikes against the joy of life.
Touch carries the voice of the body. Touch is the vehicle of spiritual healing through the laying on of hands. Touch, in therapy, for some will seem primitive, unreflective and dangerous, but I believe it is a tool like any other. Any tool can be a weapon…But used correctly, thoughtfully, judiciously, the tool of touch is a balm that heals ancient wounds long forsaken.”
