What is Emotional Release Therapy (ERT)?
Developed by Pat Jackman, ERT (Emotional Release Therapy) is a hands on healing modality that utilizes trigger points of the fascia and body to stimulate, “unlock,” and release stored emotions and holding patterns, sometimes triggering the client into a full expression of any emotions that may have been held onto for (usually) much of their life.
The goal of this work is to invite the individual down into their body using conscious breathing and the naming of sensations and feelings as they are being guided by the practitioner, and to meet themselves and their Inner Child fully where they are at. This work addresses emotional wounding from both childhood (with emphasis on the Inner Child) and adult life, inviting space for what is present in both the client and practitioner, with the practitioner serving as a facilitator of the ongoing process of witnessing, allowing, and releasing.
This modality deeply honors and allows the innate wisdom of the body to work its magic, encouraging both the client and practitioner to listen to and allow what it is trying to communicate through its fullest expression. The goal here is to fully allow, express, and love each and every one of our parts/Inner Children as they come up by creating a safe space to give them a voice.
“This type of work is the work of the warrior, the lineage breaker, and those brave enough to look into the depths of themselves and face the feelings that, at some point along the journey, were not safe to express. You are so welcome here, exactly as you are. You are not broken.”
-Suzanne Hallerman, ERT with Inner Child Immersion Training Reference Guide, 1st Edition.
The Inner Child
The inner child is the little you who lives inside of you. It’s the part of you that holds your earliest feelings, memories, and experiences—both happy and painful. This “little one” carries your instinctive reactions, deep emotions, and sometimes the wounds or unmet needs from childhood.
Inner Child Work
Inner child work is a gentle, conscious practice of connecting with, listening, acknowledging, and caring for this part of yourself. It involves:
Recognizing unmet needs or suppressed emotions from early life
Offering compassion, safety, and validation to your inner child
Helping heal the wounds that may unconsciously influence your adult life
This work is not about reliving childhood trauma but about integrating and nurturing this little one and early experiences so they no longer unconsciously shape your behaviors, relationships, or self-perception.
Inner Child Work in Emotional Release Therapy (ERT)
In ERT, we weave inner child work into the process of emotional and somatic release. Because emotions and trauma are often stored in the body, ERT provides a safe, embodied space to:
Connect with the little one inside of you
Access emotions and memories your inner child holds
Gently release tension, fear, or old emotional pain
Comfort and nurture your inner child through movement, breath, and guided attention
Through this integration, many people experience profound healing, emotional clarity, and a renewed sense of connection to themselves.
Understanding the Inner Child & Inner Child Work
*This work shares similarities with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, that many might be familiar with, which also focuses on understanding and nurturing the different parts of ourselves, including our inner child. For a comprehensive overview, you can read more about IFS here.
Who is Emotional Release Therapy (ERT) For?
People ready to connect deeply with their body and emotions.
Those carrying emotional or physical pain from trauma, chronic stress, or unresolved wounds.
Individuals who have tried talk therapy but feel like something is still stuck beneath the surface.
Anyone seeking a somatic, body-centered approach to healing.
Veterans or trauma survivors looking for gentle but powerful ways to release held tension and reconnect with themselves.
People willing to face uncomfortable feelings in a safe, supportive space.
Who is Emotional Release Therapy (ERT) Not For?
Those expecting a quick fix or a purely talk-based therapy.
Individuals currently in crisis or needing urgent psychiatric care (ERT is a supportive therapy, not an emergency intervention).
People uncomfortable with somatic or body-based work, including hands-on touch or breath-focused practices.
Anyone not ready or willing to feel and process emotions as they arise during the session.
ERT Mission Statement
“To empower people to embrace, know, trust, and utilize their body’s innate wisdom in order to move stuck and stagnant energy. And to welcome all parts of themselves home, so that they may live in alignment with their highest potential, as peaceful, loving beings on planet earth.”
Why do we do it?
Emotional Release Therapy (ERT) supports healing by helping the body release unresolved emotions that may be contributing to both emotional and physical pain. When feelings from the past weren’t safe to express, they often get stored in the body and continue to shape our present-day experiences. ERT creates space for those emotions to move—so they no longer need to repeat through patterns, symptoms, or relationships.
By expressing what was once held inside, we create more room for clarity, choice, and deeper alignment with who we truly are.
