The Essence Of Change - Working with the Body Intelligence

8th and 9th of June 2024

This workshop highlights the key elements contributing to effective therapeutic change. As a therapeutic method, Focusing includes and “activates” all key factors, leading to effective, embodied, and lasting change – the client’s own unique change.  

The essential and most significant quality in any therapist is the capacity for unconditional and consistent Presence, which is the most powerful, transformative healing aspect.

Scientific studies have shown that when we mindfully pay attention to our body (body awareness), it activates and develops parts of the brain that increase self-awareness and self-regulation and enable us to have empathy towards others. Emotional resonance with others with mindful awareness helps us to make sense of the lived experience and be compassionate to the other. In a state of Presence, self-awareness, and compassion, we can achieve higher levels of integration, a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

Two decades of research confirm that Therapeutic Presence as a way of being and relating optimises therapeutic techniques. Consistent cultivation of therapeutic Presence ensures the therapist can remain centred and effective even in challenging situations. This type of relating helps clients feel accepted as they are, understood, and “feel felt,” able to co-regulate their emotions and achieve balance and integration. Cultivating the qualities of Presence sustains therapists’ vitality, connection, and effectiveness.

This comprehensive, in-depth and practical workshop will help you advance:

• Understanding of the process of change in Focusing and FOT 

• Ability to maintain an open, connected and grounded state of therapeutic Presence 

• Knowledge and skills in working with a felt sense – the body intelligence that is inclusive of and broader than the cognitive and emotional intelligence

• Skills in starting sessions in different ways and utilising a variety of “entry points” into felt-sensing 

• Refining and broadening the process-reflections and invitations

• Inviting missing aspects of a felt sense 

• Following the client’s process and working at the experiential depth

• Recognising particular process difficulties (micro-conceptualising) to avoid stuck points and deepen the exploration.

This workshop is a part of the advanced training in Focusing and FOT, and the previous completion of the Focusing Course is required.