There is limited research of soft massage (SM) in child- and adolescent psychiatry (CAP), and no research investigating the experiences of giving SM in CAP has been found. The aim was therefore, to describe nurses’ experiences of SM as a nursing intervention in CAP. Ten nurses trained in SM and working at five different CAP clinics in the middle and southern part of Sweden participated. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, transcribed verbatim and analysed by qualitative content analysis. SM was seen as a valuable complement to other treatments there is to offer in the CAP setting. Attentiveness and respect for the youngsters’ integrity was essential in creating a trustful relationship with the youngsters. SM was seen as generating different forms of processes. Being a nurse was seen as a strength, since the nurses used touch massage in combination with psychoeducation on self-care, to extend the relaxing outcomes for the youngsters. Teaching next of kin the massage was seen as giving them a tool to help their youngsters to relax. SM is a holistic nursing intervention in CAP and a complementary method to offer for youngsters experiencing mental illness. The findings can gain insight and knowledge in implementing SM in CAP.