Reviews

This section contain text written from my clients. I proposed them to write me a review, to explain what suspension (or any of the sessions we did together) meant for them, and how it affected themselves and their life. I believe reading from their experiences can help you understand the real benefit of the services I provide.

But before you read their words, I would like to write about how my clients and our sessions had an impact on my life.

The services I provide are my greatest passion and love. Every single time I am amazed, honoured, and bursting with joy and love, to realise that my clients give me so much trust. Those people who started as strangers, reached out to me and opened up to me. They trusted me with their mental and physical health, they often even trusted me with their secrets. But most of all they trusted, that I could help them through their healing, their growth, and their self-discovery; and that means the world to me. 

Witnessing people go through so much, so many different emotions, so many internal fights and struggles, so many achievements, and much more during the sessions, fills my heart with love. I am extremely grateful that my clients allow me to facilitate for them with the intention to help them heal themselves.

To all of you who ever used my services, I say thank you with all my heart.

Charlyne864

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After a year of curiosity and months of contemplation, I decided to actually book a hook suspension and couldn’t be happier about it. From scheduling the consultation to the actual session, the communication was very clear and consent-focused. 
My intention for the suspension was to explore the physical sensations, how it would affect my thinking in that moment (since I have a very visual mind), and to feel out (and possibly push) my limits. I was hoping and to some extend assuming to enjoy the experience. Beforehand, I’ve read through reviews and articles discussing other peoples intentions, motivations, and experiences from and for first timers and experienced suspendeés which helped me keep an open mind and my expectations in check. 
For me personally, the whole setting up (including the piercing/ insertion process) wasn’t too bad. I had two hooks placed on my upper back and was getting pulled up from a cross-legged sitting position. The pain from being lifted by your skin on the other hand was greater and different than I anticipated. Writing this now (a few weeks after my suspension), I’m not sure when exactly I got lightheaded but it was shortly after hanging completely off ground. I told them, got lowered onto the ground into a sitting position and was offered water and a dextrose tablet. We chatted until I felt normal and tried again. I think I got the same reaction just less, communicated that and Charlyne proposed to lower me so far that my feet were on the ground with my knees bent (kinda like a wall sit) so I could move on my own terms and feel out my body. That worked incredibly well and allowed me/ my body to acclimatise so far to relax into the discomfort. I was so present in my body and focused on myself, I  forgot the past, the pain, and that I was being watched by two people.
Afterwards, I felt rather normal. Exited but not changed in a big way. The days following were the ones where, when it had settled, I felt rushes of confidence and overall just very confirmed in my perception of myself, my agency, and the ability and decision to start over, accommodate, try something new.

Note: Charlyne had asked me if I was okay with another person helping to which i agreed. I felt super safe with both and am very grateful to have had such a pleasant experience. 

Note 2: One thing that slipped my mind in preparation which I didn’t anticipate to hurt as much was the massage after the hooks were taken out. I was well informed about the whole process and knew about the massage but for some reason didn’t connect the dots of stressed skin and pressure.

-anonymus 

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On a warm summer afternoon I set out to meet with Charlyne, having had sessions with her twice before I’m well aware of what to expect and I can approach it without any form of anxiety. In previous sessions we’ve talked about my unique anatomy because of my disability and she has been very willing and professional to accommodate my needs. Even though I myself have been blindfolded during the sessions, on the first one my girlfriend was there to observe and sate her curiosity. She confirmed from her point of view what I could also feel. That she is very skillful, and careful in here practice to make sure everything is done safe and pleasantly. 
For this specific session we started out talking about what I would like to achieve or experience during the session. We had a little heart to heart about my current state of mind and body and plotted a course to set. As she is very warm and understanding, I felt very comfortable sharing with her. 
Then we had short meditative moment to calm our senses and get on the same wavelength. 
The blindfold went on and I was off on a journey. Guided by her touch and support she calmly started taking away my agency, but securing me in a safe spot. First she bound my head, somewhat enclosing my senses and casting me into my own world. Then, slowly but surely, she bound my arms and chest. Bit by bit I fall more into myself until she slowly hoists me up from the floor and puts me into suspension carried by her skillful knotwork. At first me and the ropes were struggling a little bit, but once I was set and secure in the right position I slowly melted into the ropes like a cat into any cointainer it can fit into. 
In conjunction with the rhythmic tones of Tool on the background, and our breathing. I slowly drift for a while as she repositions me several times putting pressure and release on different parts in my body, changing my internal flow of thoughts and emotions. 
After floating around for a good while like this I had some kind of buzz of calmness well established in my system, and as I was slowly grounded again, we both took our time to wind down after the session before we said goodbye. For me with the wish to experience something similar to this with her again as soon as time would permit it. 
I feel it will be hard to find kinder, and more skillful hands to put your trust in than Charlyne’s 10/10 would recommend 😉

Tim

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I want to express my gratitude for the suspension you gave me last Saturday. You made me feel safe and salvaged. The suspension brought me to my inner self and gave me some clarity in my head. My body and mind became more relaxed then it has been in more then a year. 

S. Violeta

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From beginning to end, the suspension process with Charlyne was a very good and safe experience. We talked about the whole process in detail before and all my questions and concerns were answered. I feel that Charlyne is a very professional and reliable person, who accepts people for who they are — I tend to be quite reserved and quiet but still felt comfortable and taken care of every step of the way.
This was my first time suspending. For me this suspension was a part of a self-discovery journey and finding myself. In a way it was a ritual to embracing who I am and self-acceptance. 
This was a challenge for me both physically and mentally. When Charlyne started to apply pressure and pull me up, my first response was to tense my body and I tried to hold myself up with my legs. It was hard to let go and relax. Thankfully Charlyne was very patient with me and we took the time I needed. After a few tries and moments of dizziness I was able to trust myself and my skin, and I was up. 
Before my appointment I was expecting to feel a rollercoaster of strong emotions but instead I was very calm and relaxed. I felt very peaceful and almost blank in the moment. It felt very freeing to be up, swinging back and forth a little. 
This suspension gave me inner peace, strenght and courage. It gave me joy and confidence in myself. In a way it reassured me that it’s okay be my own person with my on interests, likes and dislikes. I feel now that I am a step closer to where I wish to be in life. It was an amazing experience and I’m thankful to have met Charlyne. While writing this, it has been less than a week since the suspension, so I’m excited to see where my journey takes me and how I can reflect on this experience going forward. 
Veera 

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I felt safe every step of the way. It was my first suspension ever, and Charlyne worked to remove the preconceptions I had about what you can or can not do on your first time. I was guided throught the process beforehand and I think that builds a lot of trust, that there is nothing secret hidden from you.
During the suspension itself everything that was described beforehand happened, but it was so much more ofcourse. With Charlynes presence and knowledge it was easy to relax and try to focus on your personal intentions. It felt like had I been less shy with new people there would have been space for opening up older and deeper wounds and having a look at them in safe company.
When it comes to the material side of things everything was super good. Everything ran smoothly and was clean, and at one point I think Charlyne was handing me sugar and water at the same time as she was holding the tension up, multitasking like an octopus. I got very patient and thorough answers to my questions and feel like this is something I want to learn more about and definitively do again!
Kupla

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Suite à ma première suspension il y a 10 ans dans une cour intérieure, je souhaitais renouveller l’expérience mais dans un cadre plus nature.
 Après quelques recherches je trouve des personnes qui ont l’air chouettes mais qui sont soit trop loin, soit pas dispo en même temps que moi. Finalement je vois que Charlyne de The Occult Therapy se réinstalle en France, joie ! Je la contacte et on cale une session.
 Dès la consultation en viso je sais que ça va bien se passer, car elle est très posée et sa qualité d’écoute est réelle. Très carrée sur la notion de consentement, elle va jusqu’à demander comment je voudrais quon se dise bonjour quand on se verra (merci pour ça, la bise obligatoire c’est l’enfer). On part sur l’iddée d’une suspension «simple» avec deux crochets dans le dos. L’idée, c’est de trouver du fun, de lâcher prise, et d’ouvrir les yeux sur le réel: j’ai les clés en main pour vivre ma vie comme je l’entends. C’est aussi un rituel de passage de la quarantaine pour moi.
 Le jour J, armé de deux amis proches, on récupère Charlyne et on file explorer un nouveau parc à la recherche d’un arbre qui nous accepterait. Après une bonne dose de persévérance on trouve le bon et on s’installe. Y’a les cigales qui sont à fond. On démarre avec une petite méditation entre humains et pin. Et on pose les crochets. Charlyne prévient à chaque étape de ce qu’elle va faire, la communication est au top,  et ça passe crème sans douleur. J’essaie  de me monter tout seul, mais je me tape une bouffée de chaleur et je sens que ça va pas passer. Pas grave parce que l’idée c’est pas d’insister comme un bourrin, c’est aussi d’accepter ses limites et l’aide d’autrui. Y’a aucune pression de toute façon. Donc j’abandonne l’idée de base sans souci et je me laisse faire, et ça passe beaucoup mieux, hop on décolle en douceur. J’ai mis une playlist un peu dark et dansante parce que c’est mon crew. Je passe beaucoup de temps à juste me détendre et observer ce qu’il se passe les yeux fermés. Charlyne me pousse de temps en temps, et je vole comme un bébé oiseau je me sens stupidement content et j’oscille entre contemplation interieure et gratitude (pour les humains précieux qui sont là, et pour le cadre, et pour m’offrir ça). Mes bras refusent certains mouvements que je leur propose, et je n’insiste pas trop. J’apprécie fort déjà tout le reste.Je rigole bien aussi, et je chante. Je me reconnecte à moi-même, et je sais que je suis bien entouré. 
 On enlève les crochets et on reprend une petite méditation pour clore la session. 
 Je ne suis bizarrement pas trop fatigué, ça m’a donné beaucoup d’énergie en fait. Toute cette bienveillance, cette force de tout le monde durant ces moments. Une intensité très positive, très riche, très connectée. Je remercie énormément Charlyne pour sa puissance, son professionalisme, sa bienveillance et sa gentillesse. Je recommande fort et je reviendrai!

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Mon expérience de suspension corporelle avec Charlyne – Un voyage profond et sécurisé J’ai découvert la suspension corporelle à un moment de ma vie où j’avais besoin de me libérer de blocages profonds. Au-delà de l’expérience physique, je cherchais un véritable rituel de transformation personnelle, une pratique capable de m’accompagner dans un processus de guérison émotionnelle et spirituelle. Avant même la pose des crochets, Charlyne m’a accueilli dans un entretien informel. Ce moment a été bien plus qu’une simple discussion préalable : c’était un véritable espace d’écoute où j’ai pu poser des mots sur mes motivations, mes blessures et mes intentions. Grâce à ses questions ciblées et bienveillantes, elle m’a permis d’approfondir ma réflexion et de comprendre mes besoins réels. Cet échange a été une première étape essentielle qui a solidement préparé mon esprit et mon corps à la suspension. Charlyne a pris le temps de tout expliquer en détail : chaque étape, chaque sensation possible, chaque consigne de sécurité. Sa façon d’être, à la fois douce, rassurante et totalement transparente, m’a immédiatement mis en confiance. Je me suis senti totalement accompagné et respecté, sans aucun jugement. Tout au long de la pose des crochets, Charlyne m’a systématiquement demandé mon consentement avant chaque action. Cette approche, d’une écoute et d’une éthique irréprochables, m’a permis de rester pleinement acteur de mon expérience. Pendant la suspension, elle a continué à veiller attentivement sur moi, ajustant son accompagnement en fonction de mes besoins et de mes ressentis en temps réel. Elle ne s’est jamais contentée d’un cadre technique : elle m’a également proposé des suggestions et des conseils pour traverser les émotions et les sensations physiques intenses, ce qui a donné à la séance une vraie dimension thérapeutique et holistique. Cette présence bienveillante et attentive m’a permis de lâcher prise en toute sécurité et d’aller au bout de mon cheminement intérieur. Grâce à Charlyne et à The Occult Therapy, j’ai pu vivre une suspension qui a été bien plus qu’une performance physique : ce fut un acte profondément libérateur, un passage, un rituel, une ouverture vers une transformation durable. J’ai pu reconnecter avec mon corps et mes émotions dans un cadre sûr, respectueux et sacré. Je recommande sincèrement cette expérience à toute personne en quête d’un travail de guérison émotionnelle, d’ancrage corporel ou de dépassement de soi. Charlyne incarne une approche rare où l’écoute, la sécurité, l’éthique et la spiritualité sont au cœur de la pratique. Je remercie de plus profond de mon coeur The occult therapy et Charlyne pour cette expérience inoubliable.
Michelle.

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My Suspension Experience with Charlyne
From the moment I arrived at Charlyne’s place, I felt completely welcomed. There was an immediate sense of trust and safety that settled over me, like I was in very good hands. Charlyne took the time to explain each step of the process in detail, which helped me feel calm, grounded, and deeply safe — something I don’t take for granted.
Before the hooks even went in, we shared a moment of meditation and ritual that brought me a profound inner peace. And then, as the hooks were set, I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline — intense and electrifying, but not overwhelming. As the pressure began to build, my body responded with waves of warmth. At first, everything felt heavy… but then, as I lifted into suspension, there was this astonishing lightness. It felt like letting go of something I didn’t even know I was carrying.
And then came the relief. A massive, beautiful release.
People often ask why I suspend, and honestly, I still don’t have a clear answer. I used to think it was about reclaiming my body — about taking control back from the dissociation that often steals it away. But it’s more than that. So much more.
Suspension is like standing face-to-face with every fear I’ve ever had — and moving through all of them in one breath. It’s a moment of absolute surrender and absolute power at the same time. It feels like a rebirth — like wiping the slate clean and remembering that I have the strength to become whatever I imagine.
This experience with Charlyne was more than physical. It was transformative. I’ll carry that feeling — that lightness, that strength, that clarity — with me for a long time.

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This suspension was about space. Allowing space to individual needs. Respecting boundaries and personal values. 
The moment we gathered at the train station already created this energy of love, understanding and community. 

Don’t get me wrong. I have an amazing community and loving group of friends in my everyday life at home. They love me and I love them. I can rely on them if I need them, they respect me and treat me well. But they are not part of the suspension an bodymod community. They don’t get it.

My experience in suspension is something deeper, that I can not describe in words to those who did not experience it themselves. Some get it and they feel happy for me when I tell them about my experiences. Still they never will fully understand unless they are part of the community. 

Lately I felt like I don’t belong. I don’t belong in society. I don’t belong in capitalism, I don’t belong in the hamster wheel that is my job. I don’t belong in the mediocre regular mid-western social group of shallow feelings.
I want more. I want deep feelings, I want to feel joy and love with fire and the heart of a child that has never experienced pain. And I want to cry so loud and express the deepest sorrow from the darkest place of my broken heart. I want to share this with people where they dance the silly happy dance with me and hold me when I break to pieces and let go completely. 

That’s what suspension does for me, what Charlyne does for me in particular. During this suspension and through the whole event, start to finish, I felt like this is my place. I took me some time to adjust on that day because it has been so long since I’ve been within the community, I needed time to open my shell again.

Seeing the other suspendees, how they experienced their session, how the crew treated them with every tiny individual need, it made it easier for me to realize, that this is the space where I can let go. Where I can be me and will not be questioned. Where I am not too much. Where it is ok to ask for help and take the space I need.

I had happy silly jumping and flying moments, just how I love my suspensions. Letting off steam, loud metal music, feeling how much my strong and powerful body can do. And yet again the hooks, the pain, the joy and the safety of this small community helped to open the door to my deepest sadness and letting it all out. I cried so much and felt all the feelings that I kept hidden for quite a while because I knew that through the pain and the hooks I was still connected to reality. Suspension takes away my fear of completely losing myself when I let go of my demons.

Charlyne was there all the way, giving me space to feel all my feelings at the time that they came. She took such good care of me, physically and emotionally. 
I can never express how grateful I am to know her. I’m thankful for all the people that were with me there in the forest that day. Thank you for creating this space for me.

Sam

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This two point chest suspension was something I had wanted for a very long time. I just never found the courage to do it and neither the right facilitator whom I could feel comfortable with. Finding Charlyne and looking in to The Occult Therapy I instantly felt that this is the reason I’ve been waiting for so long. 
I had done suspensions before, but never this professional. With no rush and no judgement I got to take each step in my own pace. I got to ground myself and set my purposes while Charlyne meditated with me before the hooks went in. I felt safe and very well cared for all through the experience. And Charlyne seemed to know exactly when I needed her and when to just let me float away with the experience. And for a moment when my feet left the ground I was completely in another realm. 
The release of emotions felt natural and Charlyne provided the comfort I needed, and I am not usually one to show such emotions easily in front of others. 
I am forever greatful for these moments.
Not only did this trip to Oslo challenge my social insecurities but also gave me a reassurance that I am allowed to let go of things and be vulnerable. It gave me a more profound understanding of who I actually am. I don’t always have to be a “one man army” through life. 

Andreas

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One of my best decisions so far. Guided shadow work and numerology reading with Charlyne. It is a game changer experiance that has made a difference and signeficently improved my life. I have previously spent more than a year and a half in intense sessions with my psychotherapist but here we made many significant improvements in only several sessions. It was so efficient! I do not have enough words to describe the magical sessions where I felt open and free to discuss my specifics. I have learned a lot of very important things about myself, increased my confidence, and learned effective techniques how to overcome my triggers and fears. All thanks to the amazing work of Charlynez The only thing that I wish is that I would have done these sessions years earlier.

Charlyne is very polite, respectful, and professional. It is very easy to open up my inner world and share it. Moreover, all sessions are very effective and well-planned. Similar to the perfectly hosted hook suspension that I did early last year. I share my deepest gratitude to Charlyne and her professional work! Thank you so much!

Robert

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It was my first hook suspension and I’m very glad that I’ve done it. I’ve already felt that Charlyne was the right person to do it with when we had the videocall to talk about it beforehand.
 I instantly felt safe to talk about myself and my insecurities and Charlyne was very mindful about explaining every step we would have to take. When I arrived at the place on the day of the suspension I was not as panicked as I expected but just my normal nervous-awkward self. They gave me a lot of time to acclimatise and then again explained what will happen. I loved the rituals in the beginning, the meditation while holding hands with the facilitators helped me to be grounded and to tune into the energy of the other persons in the room. I chose to start the suspension from sitting on the ground as it made me feel more safe. Charlyne was there all the time but stayed a bit on the side so I knew I can reach out when I needed to. When they started to pull the ropes I instantly turned inwards and I think I was pretty sure about how to handle the situation and my feelings on my own. I was told to move back and forth and to the side so I wouldn’t feel the pulling up too much. I began to move to the music I’d chosen to listen to. And it felt as if I was in this meditative state, completely in the here and now, experiencing everything that was happening very intensely. Also, the pain. But intuitively I knew that there was no way around it, so it wouldn’t work to look at it as something negative, something to fight against. So I just surrendered. And I leaned into it. As I got pulled up further for a brief moment I thought that the hooks – or my skin – would not hold my weight and it would tear. It was a brief moment of panic. I could have reached out to Charlyne and I know she would have reassured me. But again I found what I needed whithin myself. I could tell very well that these were only thoughts which created fear. While in everyday life it’s harder to realise unhelpful thought patterns, in this situation it became very clear and it was easy to distinguish them from the fact that I had enough proof that it would work and the deep trust I felt towards the facilitators, my body and – perhaps that the universe wants good things for me.
When I got through that moment I became almost impatient about going up and I also began to lean into the hooks and the pain to really feel it and to test it out. Once I was up, I had the desire to swing around to experience every sensation of it. Being up there was both exicting – I felt like a child on a swing for some moments – and also very humbling and relaxing. At some point, I just wanted to be, to exist and I felt great about it. I think I could have stayed in this state forever, but my body got to its limits and I was about to faint so we had to stop. 
The aftercare was done very mindfully and there was room for me to “come back” and to talk about what I’ve experienced. 
For me it was a very powerful experience in many ways. As a new situation it challenged both social insecurities and the fear of the unknown (regarding the latter I was very grateful about the careful preparation and guidance). Furthermore, the suspension helped me to get into a state of mind where only the present experiences matter – which is really rare for me as I tend to overthink all the time. Being able to get into this state, to experience how good and how sure I can feel about myself helped me a lot. 
For the future I hope to be able to reach this state of mind more often – or even change my mindset to lean more towards that deep feeling of trust and away from fear. I guess it’s about accepting what is happening, being open about every sensation and emotion that comes in and move through it by really feeling it instead of losing energy by fighting against something I can’t change anyways. 
I’m very grateful that I’ ve had this experience and that I’ve chosen Charlyne to guide me through it. – Lea 

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Charlyne is very professional and makes sure you are comfortable ( as comfortable and you can be of course) during the session, I always felt safe and in good hands. Good communication as well ! I went to test myself as I have a big need for being in control (often too much), and my experience was very positive, I felt safe in her hands, while giving her power and control.

-Charlotte

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I went into my first hook suspension without specific expectations about the process or outcome. I only really knew that I wanted to embrace some insecurities and be authentic along the way. I feel the space for this intention was facilitated incredibly well. Everything flowed very organically, the usual barrier between my preoccupied brain and my skin and everything in between and outside lifting without much resistance. It allowed me to wander down unforeseen, very personally significant paths and gain valuable insight. Beyond this, I’m moved to have found this particular suspension also working in more mystical ways. Being swallowed for a fleeting moment and coming back with no words to describe the experience, a small dose of something so absolutely true and yet with no decipherable message. I have witnessed this in other people during suspensions and I know that some body modification practices can have this effect on me. But it’s unpredictable and fickle and then when it happens such a precious gift. Along the entire journey from first contact to aftercare I felt attentively and genuinely cared for, all my boundaries and judgments respected. This has been helping tremendously in weaving all kinds of moments – the effortless, the difficult, and the unplaceable – into myself. There is no denying that such intentional events are in harsh contrast with many everyday routines – including mine – which is quite challenging to deal with. For this reason, I’m also honouring my patience to approach suspension at a point in my life and in a setting where I was feeling safe enough for ambivalence and distress. A few weeks later now, I’ve found myself able to integrate small bits of what happened with a persisting sense of gratefulness. It’s a little early to predict the long-term impact, but I do bloody cross my fingers for the cute scars to hang around.

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“There was no audience this time.
Only my companions in the process.
Only my will, intentions, and breath to guide me.

When I am getting pierced, I whisper to my cells to melt. I visualize my skin like butter and the hook like a hot blade, piercing through with ease and efficiency. I envision my body accepting the hooks… almost as if, for a moment, I am the one pushing it through.

I have noticed my tendency of looking forward to something, and in the middle of the experience I already want it to be over. I was severely aware of this while suspended in the air. I have been searching, craving, dreaming for this experience for the last 6 years. Why would I want it to be over already in just a few minutes? 

So I kept breathing. 
I let shakes pass through. 
I let sounds escape. 
I felt blood start to pour down.
And I sat with my pain. Like plant medicine has taught me. 
I did not have to succumb to panic. I had awareness and I had ability. I kept calling my attention to be present in that moment.

There was so much trust in this ritual, not just for my piercer and their knowledge and experience, not just for my dear friend who cradled my head in his hands while I was pierced. I had to trust the rope and the hooks. And I had to trust my skin to hold me. 

Blood is a profoundly powerful substance, it is one aspect of our life force. It is a gift I offer to the moment. It is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Because this is my decision, it was not forced from me, I gave it up with grace. This ritual was a gift to myself.

After I returned to the floor, I remained still as the sensations continued to wash over me. I marveled at the vibrancy of my blood and its consistency. I felt called to put it over power centers of my body, so I did. For some reason, I always release by crying after suspending in hooks. I almost cried several times just on the train ride up to the city, so it was no surprise as I felt it rise up again and I let it flow out. I wonder when I’ll get to experience a giddy high from a suspension. I’m sure that day will come in it’s own time.

And I was so full of gratitude.
 -Muza de la Luz”

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Doing hook suspension was a magical experience for me and I am so happy that I was brave enough to take this step. I entered into it with the intention of experiencing new, heightened physical sensations, but it became so much more on the actual day. With Charlyne’s sensitive approach, and attention to details, it became a spiritual experience. The rituals we did together helped ground me into the moment, and I felt very held by her, which was important to me, as someone who has had traumatic physical experiences in the past. The actual suspension was painful, and I felt proud that I could surrender to this level of pain and even enjoy it. I was very lucky that the weather was nice, and feel so grateful that I could do my first hook suspension in nature. Charlyne facilitated everything singlehandedly, and I was very impressed by her aptitude in this craft. My experience was spiritual, exciting, peaceful, cathartic, joyful, fulfilling and thrilling! I highly recommend choosing Charlyne as your facilitator if you are looking for someone caring, skillful and down to earth!
Finn.

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Charlyne is great at what they do, and creates a very safe and comfortable environment for being vulnerable and present in the experience. I’m so thankful for the way they incorporated my partner in my suspension, and urged them to take up space. They did a good job preparing me for what was going to happen in the session, and collect my thoughts and intention.

I was preparing for grief or another intense emotion, but I felt calm, present and thankful for what is now. They welcomed the feelings and thoughts as they came, and put no pressure on what they would be, or how I would feel. 

It’s very clear that they’re also amazing in the technical aspect, and while preparing to place the hooks they took time to ask me what felt most comfortable, and I’m so thankful they did, because I can imagine the suspension would be a lot more painful/uncomfortable if they didn’t. 

I would recommend Charlyne to all different kinds of people, as they are so good at adapting and meeting you where you are. I’m very thankful for this experience, and you will be lucky to have them guide you through it.

Oliver

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I am so happy I waited to do my suspension until now. I had been wanting to do this for years and years and seriously started to look for an opportunity few years ago. I didn’t feel ok doing something like this in an event in front of other people and I couldn’t find anyone in Helsinki that would serve my needs in that way until I accidentally came across Charlyne864 on Instagram. I wasn’t yet following her but luckily her post about coming to Helsinki popped up on my feed. It still took me about a week to actually send her a message asking if she had still time for suspension during her trip. I already knew from her post that I’d need to be able to say at least something why I wanted to do this. So, this was a good reason for me to tune into myself and start discovering why I found suspensions so intriguing. Eventually I narrowed it down to my damaged relationship with pain. My back pains had made my life miserable for years, but pain had also been the only way I knew to cope with the emotional pain I had bottled up during the years. In a way I wanted to prove myself that I am not that helpless, hopeless child anymore.

Already during the video call with Charlyne864 I felt safe and like nothing could hurt me, even though I knew she would. It was very easy to be open with her and her reaction to my dissociation was great. I only learnt about my dissociative disorder about a year ago so I am still figuring it out and it makes me quite nervous, but Charlyne864 was able to give me the reassurance I needed that it will be ok, I am in capable hands.

The suspension day finally came and I was at the same time excited and terrified. We went through how we would proceed and, just like after the video call, I had no questions and felt good. To me it has always been a good sign that after getting all the info I don’t have questions: this person clearly knows what they are doing and I can just concentrate on my part. My part was easy until my feet didn’t reach the floor anymore and the dizziness started immediately. Charlyne864 handled this, and the second time when the dizziness was even worse, amazingly. I felt safe the whole time even though I wasn’t sure if I could avoid passing out. It is easy for me to start feeling like I’m failing and that I am an inconvenience to others, but the way she handled the situation made me feel that it’s ok, this happens, and instead of me giving up at this point, we tried again. This time I decided to trick my brain a little: I held my legs so that it was like I was sitting. I had my eyes closed and at some point, I opened them to see that the floor had gotten further away from me and she was smiling next to me. I was up and no dizziness even after I straightened my legs. At this point the happiness was just overflowing. I did it! It was so much fun to get to swing and see how strong my skin really is, but I was also terrified I would accidentally kick Charlyne864 when she pushed me from my lower back to give me more speed. I had thought the suspension would take max. 1,5 hours but apparently time flies when you are having fun.

I didn’t discover anything mind blowing from my subconscious during the suspension. I really had to concentrate on my breathing and not tensing up my muscles so much. It was a struggle for me and not at all the meditative moment I had visualized. I had thought I would just concentrate on what comes up from my subconscious mind while hanging, but in the end, we actually ended up chatting with Charlyne864 quite a lot. It was so nice to get to know her a little and our conversation about self-awareness actually gave me something to consider in my own behaviour. After the suspension I felt like I could conquer the world. Though my brain got tired. I am not sure if it was just because it was hard to process the situation or was my conscious and subconscious minds having some other battle that wore me out. My dissociation/subconscious mind works hard to not let things come into my conscious mind and it causes a distinctive fatigue. In the end I am just amazed how much pain I can endure or more like how little pain I actually felt. But the biggest change I only noticed the next morning. My dissociation started when I was 3 and nearly drowned. Somehow after the suspension I have seen the world differently and even felt different physically. Everything is just so much more intense. It’s like I am more mindful about everything. I don’t know how long this feeling will last, but I will enjoy it as long as I can.

If you are considering trying suspension, I can easily recommend Charlyne864. It was incredibly easy to be with her even for an extreme introvert like me. It shows in the way she works that she has been doing this for a long time, she is a professional and she is passionate about her work. With her you can just go with the flow.

Krista

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I can’t say enough how grateful I am to have met charlyne. She is professional, kind and trustworthy and I really appreciate that about her work. 

Together with her assistant Daniel she creates a peaceful atmosphere, a space where I can be myself and let go. There is still so much to learn about me.

With each suspension I learn more about myself and that wouldn’t be possible if she didn’t give me the space to do that. She gave me wings to fly, but I have to teach myself to fly, that is the only way I can learn more about myself. 

Thank you for being part of my life journey .

Nina

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After 10 years of mental prep for my first hook suspension, it turns out that the waiting pays off. Charlyne is on tour and visiting my town Oslo. Already from the preparatory video call, I feel that I’m on the right path with the decision of reaching out to Charlyne to schedule the suspension. She is very professional in every aspect of the process, a great listener, and intuitive in understanding my state of mind. Her attention to detail inspired me to take extra good care of the various steps included in my personal preparation process; from my intentions, and my diet to the playlist. Writing this a few months of integration of the experience later, I feel so grateful and proud. The integration path is introspective, as I am personally not surrounded by (m)any people which have had such an experience. Slowly I gain access to ways of articulating what I learned from the suspension and passing on that knowledge to my peers by touching on anchor points in the mundane. I want to acknowledge that Charlyne’s passion for this work is key to creating the desired atmosphere for this experience and her interest in and care for the desires and intentions of the suspended reflect a deep understanding of the craft and potential ritualistic purpose of suspension. I have a lot of respect for her facilitation skills and felt validated when she approved of the spot I chose to suspend at, and the tree I chose to suspend from. Until we meet again <3 

Gartner

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It was an amazing ritual for my body and soul. I felt safe and pampered. I am familar with body suspensions for a long time “from the books.” So, it was the right time and place to do it in practice. I was amazed! Finally I met my body suspension – my “friend” for many years. For me it was like a special meditation. Even at the next day after suspension I feel the strong emotional connection to the event. This is my journey. To be tattooed, to be pierced and have a body suspension. I am happy about by life and the joy that it brings. Looking forward to expand my experiance also in the future. Roberts.

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Life is a permanent moving sea. With many hurricanes that you have to avoid, or go through them, hoping the journey will make you stronger and coming back with new ressources. We definitely have to learn, to find the strength inside us, this force who is making us better, stronger and prouder. 

A path to accept yourself and to have the courage to say yourself I love you.

The_occult_therapy guided me once again in this journey. Many decisions are important now for the future, and I can say because of her and our ritual, I feel more stronger than never, with a clear and spiritual mind. I know what I want and where I want to go. I know what I have to quite or abandoned to (re)build myself in a different way more accorded with my soul and my present energy. I know to what and who I have to be thankful, to accept and access to this new part of my life.

Being an adult will be the most complex stuff I have to achieve. But also the most beautiful. With beautiful souls to guide me and accompany me.

Find the force in yourself, you are the one who can change their own life.

@max_maesbrussels

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This year has been full of changes for me, transitioning from one phase to another, adjusting to abrupt endings and new beginnings. Some moments have been full of love and joy, others have been full of grief and sorrow. Suspension always seems to find me at the right time, reminding me that I can pull through no matter how hard it gets. Our pain reminds us that the joy we felt was real. Suspending with Charlyne was a wonderful experience in every way. I felt safe and cared for the entire time. The space was calm, clean, and intimate. Having my partner there to support me was incredible, and together we created memories that we’ll hold onto forever. 
— js

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Opening wounds in order to heal. The bundle of relational suffering I’ve endured, it is located in my chest. All the times I’ve been neglected, abused, let down, abandoned,  

I carried that pain in my chest. But I also denied the weight of that pain for the majority of my life, I attempted to silence and discard the hurt child. I abandoned her, too. I didn’t want to be her anymore, I wanted to grow, and not be defined by that pain. So I repressed that pain. But in order to heal and complete myself, I realised I needed to embrace her and embrace my pain. 

I wanted to surrender to the pain that I have been carrying in my chest for years. And by surrendering to it, let go of it. I tried to soften all the muscles of my body that were resisting the suspension, my shoulders, my thighs, my abdomen. While I was being pulled upwards by the hooks in my chest, I tried to soften my chest the opposite way, downwards, giving the weight of my flesh to earth’s gravitational pull. I cried, I howled. I bled from my chest, roads of ruby running down to my feet. I let my voice be heard. Charlyne never let go of my hands. She gave me the emotional support I needed so I can go through this, while offering me to embrace the pain. She guided and accpompanied me every step of the way, giving such importance to every detail. She gave crystal clear intention to every moment, so I could in turn have clarity in my decisions, when Charlyne can pierce me, when to be pulled up. So I could say I wanted to go again, so I could say I cannot go further. So I could listen to myself deeply and vocalise what can and cannot be done to me. 

When Charlyne removed the hooks, she layed me down again and gently wiped the blood from my skin, speaking softly with me. When the hooks were out, she laughed and handed me the wipes and said “here, you’re a big girl now”. She rubbed red ink into the wounds. Red, a colour I chose but later on looked up, and found an interpretation that resonated with my experience: “Often associated with bloodshed, the colour red can trigger feelings of sorrow and defeat. It can also be a fortifying presence, letting us know that we’ve endured another painful scar. From overcoming to persevering, the colour red tells a different story for all. Though it can precipitate misery and remind us of loss, the color red is a symbol of strength. Those who have seen their fare share of red ought to be proud of their emotional endurance”.

Bláthin.

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After a self care day and some silent moments this words came out:

Dissociation, PTSD, Anxieties, Trust issues. 

Words which accompanie me since a while. 

Verbale therapy is an approach I follow. 

Bodywork, like shibari, another one. 

In my first rope suspension emotions came in waves moved by an inner storm… 

crying of sorrow, upcoming body memory of abuse, transformation, stress release and silent tears of happiness.

When the blindfold was removed and after the rope elation, I felt calm, a brief sense of balance and openness, an inner realization that I can trust!

Piece by piece I dismantle my invisible wall. 

That feels good, lighter. 

(exhale)

In all this Charlyne was by my side, only communicating through her touch, I never felt alone, I knew she was all there, I felt safe and respected, that was so important to me, that gave me the trust I needed to feel!

Thanks a lot for this experience Charlyne, for being in this intense release moment by my side 💜

K.

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Backstory 

During my first ever rope session, I discovered that restricting my bodily movements would be able to help me calm my always busy mind. This was a completely accidental discovery: the goal of me and my then partner was to create patterns and express our creativity through the use of Rope. The realisation afterwards that I was calm and able to feel like myself, to be myself was an added bonus. Ever since then, I was looking for a way to feel that again but then in a way that I am able to keep that feeling for the long term and take steps like I have never taken before. 

I came in contact with Charlyne864 @the_occult_therapy through a common friend of ours. She just had her first hook suspension with Charlyne and was really positive about the entire experience. This got me interested in her work as well. We quickly got in touch and it clicked really well. My head already started planning a trip to Berlin before we even discussed actual possibilities to be hanging out together. This came quite soon after and less than a month later, I found myself on a train to Berlin! 

Intention

My intention for the session was to clear my headspace and to experience the feeling of being completely out of control. The fact that I would be flying was an added bonus ☺. During our preliminary interview we discussed a few topics I could address in the session, my femininity / gender nonconformity were one of the first topics to come to the surface. In addition with my lack of self-confidence when wearing dresses or heels, it became the starting point of where the session would focus on. It did result on overthinking and stress of what to wear. This was easily resolved by just bringing a few possible outfits and then just feel what would be the best for the current mind-set. 

Results/impact

Overall, the session with Charlyne864 gave me the courage to be myself and be calm enough not to overthink every single action. The very next day I already felt all the freedom that was in my head. It suddenly felt easy to be me, to not care that much about what others think. Now, I am just wondering why I ever cared about futilities like what clothes are appropriate to wear for what gender, or gendered items at all. I spent the next few days in Berlin just frolicking around in one of my favourite dresses and not caring about anything at all, not even that I was wearing not so cute hiking boots or no makeup. This was a first time for me and it was awesome! Now it’s time to find the courage to go out at home as well…

To close off, I would like to thank Charlyne864 again for being a wonderful person, for giving me this awesome experience and not in the least for coping with my last minute overthinking of everything! I can’t wait to hang out with you again!

–Elise

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Writing this review has been challenging because it’s hard to know where to start and put into words how much my hook suspension with Charlyne meant to me. 

Suspension is something that has fascinated me for so many years, so when I met Charlyne in the year before I turned 30 and found out how she facilitates suspensions, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to mark the end of a tough chapter and the start of a new one. 

While it for sure did this, what I experienced during my suspension was so much more confronting than I was expecting. Being confronted in both good and challenging ways brought up so many different feelings, and I was able to really experience them due to how safe and supportive Charlyne and Daniel made me feel. These are two really wonderful, special people who created a space where I could access and release emotions in ways that I wasn’t expecting. 

Ongoing topics during my 20’s unexpectedly came up in my body’s response to being suspended and Charlyne and Daniel were there with me through the whole wild ride – from laughing, to crying, to fainting, to dancing.

Charlyne suggested that we end the session with the burning of a letter I wrote to my 20’s self. It was such a cleansing end to the whole experience and for me shows that she really heard what i wanted from the suspension and made it possible. 

I’m still tripping about it all 3 months later. Charlyne and Daniel, thank you. You’re awesome

Aoife

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Suspensions mean a lot to me but this first (and definitely not last) one I had with Charlyne meant even more because it was the first one I did with a defined intent.
I knew I was strong enough to overcome hurt in my life but I always crave a starting point to give it more meaning. This suspension changed me. It gave me more strength than I ever thought I could gather in myself and it also made me aware of how I could use pain and hurt to channel a positive outlook for the future.
Whenever someone asks me, why I do suspensions, I always reply with: „I never felt as beautiful, light and godlike before I did my first. I realized that I am my own creator and from time to time I need a reminder so I always come back to hooks.“ This definition for me never lost its truth and I am proud that I found my way of being me within such a wonderful community. 

Nagii

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As some might know, I have a real low self – image/-confidence, because I’ve been bullied a lot as a kid. People would only treat me from the way I look on the outside.. a ‘not skinny’ person. Once I changed from a normal high-school to an art-high-school people would like just take me from the person I actually am. But that didn’t meant that I also started to accept myself. Ever since my first tattoo I was like, okay.. maybe I’ll like myself after that.. Well it did helped a bit, another tattoo also.. But ever since my first hook suspension I was even more amazed by what’s my body capable of, what’s my mind capable of. It did so so much more than any tattoo I have. You walk into the room and all these people are welcoming you, being genuinely nice to you, which was something new for me. Charlyne asked me if i was open for something spiritual, once I agreed she ‘cleansed’ my spirit (or how to describe it) with smoke which was so satisfying. After the preparation i was ready to get pierced, which went as smooth as butter. Once I was ready we started to dance to stretch my skin, loved it. Because of my first suspension I genuinely started to accept myself but the second suspension was even more beautiful, first of all I really enjoyed the attention of 3 piercers which actually made it even more special because of the chair position. I finally had the wings I wanted so so badly, and mostly the self-confidence I’ve searched for all my life. Suspension actually helped me so so much with my ‘self-acceptance’, I even started loving myself for who I am.

Adelita

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Charlyne went to visit me a few years ago and offered to do Shibari. I didn’t know anything about it first and I have no experience with suspension either, or anything like that. 

I have an anxiety disorder and therefore I have a kind of a hard time trusting people or being touched in general.

Since Charlyne is my friend and I trust her, it was perfectly okay for me to trust her, but I think also if I only knew her for 5 minutes it would have been okay because she is super professional, strong and I just felt completely safe (which is really rare and the moment I write this I realize that there is no other person i was able to trust this much).

As I said, I never had any experience like that before and I want to share this life-changing session:

We put on some music that we both enjoy, (I think it was TOOL) lightened some candles and she explained the whole process first, and asked me how I would prefer (which clothes I want to wear, if I want to have photos, if I want to he hugged, or if I prefer not to be touched at all, blindfolded, etc. I decided to wear shorts and a Tanktop and I also wanted to have pictures as a memory and I also wanted to be held, and lifted up and blindfolded.) Charlyne also asked me to tell her when a position is too painful.

So I was basically blind and couldn’t move. She started tying me up and I really couldn’t move. First I had thoughts like “Ouch, this is somehow painful and uncomfortable.” But the second thought was “Nothing can happen to me, it’s okay” then something like “I can’t move, I can’t do anything about it, and it’s only pain”. And then the pain somehow transformed into a warm and peaceful feeling and the position started to feel comfortable. I know, it sounds unrealistic, and I wouldn’t have believed it if somebody would have told me that, but it’s the truth. After a short while, when I got used to the position and started to relax I had another thought like: “This is nice, I could stay like this for ever.” Charlyne changed the position. It started again like before, first it was really uncomfortable, but after some seconds the pain changed into peace and then it was a really good feeling. She changed the positions in various ways. Sometimes I was a bit scared (but really only a bit. I knew I could trust Charlyne so it was only a matter of seconds until my mind was calm again. It was just so unusual to me, and she tied me up in positions I would never sit or lie. I didn’t even know my body was flexible like that.) Also, we didn’t talk the whole time, but Charlyne seemed to understand what I thought, what I felt and she the way she changed the position was so perfect, I started to feel like in a trance and had a “dream” or vision. First I only saw a tape. Like the old school tapes where you listen to music. The one wire is the past, the other is the future and nothing of both matters. The only thing that matters is where the magnet is (present). That’s the music you hear. When you live in the past you get depressed, when you live in the future you get anxious. That deep realization was so soul healing like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I also saw flowers in the wind, and that’s how I felt. Like, one time Charlyne lifted me up and I was just hanging and swinging, I was totally in peace with myself, the world and the pain (that wasn’t actual pain any more, it really felt like what the wind is for flowers). Step by step I didn’t even have active thoughts and more and I think that’s what Lao Tse described as being connected to the Tao, being connected to the Universe, letting go of your Ego, just total peace.

Charlyne’s ropes are made of natural, unprocessed Jute and she oils it so it gets a bit softer and doesn’t damage the skin. I asked a lot about the ropes because it’s just so interesting! And since I’m also a body piercer I was also interested in suspension (even though I’m still too scared to do get suspended myself) and she told me everything about it and if I’m brave enough to try it, I’ll let nobody else do it, only Charlyne.

Lucy

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I’ve been suspended by Charlyne and can say she’s one of the most passionate, caring, and professional facilitators I came across. The knowledge she has is so big that I’ve always felt safe. From placement of hooks to rigging. Everything is so fast and detailed. Within her hands you can be certain: safety is the most important part. From hygiene to piercing everything is perfect. As a personal coach she helped me figure out that the problems I have/had aren’t things I can’t/couldn’t overcome. With her help and guidance I’m finally able to say I can see progress. She opened my eyes to get some more help to do my shadow work. I’m so happy to call this amazing person not only my savior, but also a friend.

Aiko

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I have worked with Charlyne for 5 body suspensions over the last two years. Every suspension she facilitated for me was unique and special, thanks in no small part to her kindness, competence, and creativity.She is always excited about new projects and will work towards making her clients’ ideas come to life. From hooks and needles to rope bondage and impact, she combines her varied skills to create beautiful experiences. She provides a safe environment with quality piercing and rigging work, and constantly listens to her suspendee’s needs, offerring unparalleled support during the entire procedure.I would recommend her with no hesitation to new and experienced suspendees.

Sallie

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I think many people who suffer from PTSD due to abuse, can relate when I say being blindfolded and tied up by a stranger, in nothing but underwear, is really fucking scary. This is by far the most scary yet empowering thing I have ever done. I believe that trust is a lot based on choices. But choosing to trust a stranger is frightening. I am really glad that I made the decision to do this and were able to let go of everything in that moment. I felt safe and respected at all times throughout the experience. I am slowly tearing bricks down, from the wall that I’ve spent so much time on building. I am no longer as scared as I was (don’t get me wrong, I’m still a total mess), but I am slowly realising that my words do matter. That I deserve to be respected. I deserve to be heard and seen. But most of all, maybe I can allow myself to trust more people. Not everybody out there is going to cause pain. And in order to have control, I have to lose control.

~ Andrea Austeen