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The science of connection: Honouring our somatic intelligence: A conference report 2018 USABP National Conference November 1– 4, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.

Two young women stood arm-in-arm at a microphone that was technically closed for further questions. Supporting one another in their embrace, they courageously made their request to the rather prestigious panel onstage: ‘We want a response to Carmen.’ The audience at the 2018National Conference of theUnited States Association for Body Psychotherapy erupted with applause. And Carmen Joanne Ablack, President of the European Association for Body Psychotherapy, who had been warding off tears of frustration and invalidation, visibly relaxed. Ablack had shared her thoughts with the panel: StephenW. Porges, winner of the 2018USABPPioneer of Body PsychotherapyAward, JudythO.Weaver,winner of the 2018 USABP Life time Achievement Award, Christopher Walling, UABP President andAline LaPierre, USABPVice President, as theydiscussed the future of body psychotherapy. Ablack spoke about social justice, trauma, touch. She talked about the impact of diversity within the dynamic of a collectivewhole in hopes of galvanizing our collective embodied wisdom to help society restore a sense of safety and heal the current flow of violence and negligence. The panel listened attentively. When Ablack finished, she noted that perhaps she hadn’t asked a question but hoped she had offered enough to start a conversation. The panel sat silently for a few moments then Dr. Walling redirected their focus with another question. The audience’s shock was palpable. Dr. Porges had just discussed the reality that violations are common inour society, but nowwehave the skills, the knowledge to repair violations to nervous systems waiting for repair. We understand violation and the physiological shifts that occur when one feels violated, he had said, and the resulting defensive narrative patterns that come to our unconscious rescue. Ablack was violated by their silence. Our nervous systems felt the violation; we waited for relief and repair,