Sometimes, to facilitate lasting change we need a change in perspective. I work with a client-centred focus and offer dialogue sessions with a somato-emotional focus (somatic therapy), or body-based psychotherapy using the Pesso-Boyden method.
SOMATIC THERAPY
"The mind is like the wind and the body like the sand: if you want to know how the wind is blowing, you can look at the sand."
Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen author of "Sensing, Feeling and Action"
Somatic therapy focuses on exploring where you are in life, what you might want, and where you feel stuck or lost. If it feels OK for you, during the session some time will be spent helping you to feel safe in your own skin, and either begin to become aware of, or deepen your awareness of the physical sensations associated with your thoughts, memories and emotions. The intention is to help you move towards a better understanding of where you are, how you feel, what you would like to change, and how you might get where you want to go.
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This way of working is inspired by the teachings of the pioneers of somatic, or body-based, psychotherapy including Wilhelm Reich, Al Pesso, Diane Boyden, Eugene Gendlin, Ron Kurtz, Peter Levine, Pat Ogden, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Richard Miller.
PESSO BOYDEN
"Providing people with experiences that were missing during their growth and development. The artistry of a Pesso-Boyden structure can be a unique and profoundly life-altering experience."
Bessel van de Kolk, author of "The Body Keeps the Score"
I also offer one-to-one and group sessions using a system of somatic psychotherapy known as Pesso Boyden Psychomotor System of Psychotherapy (Pesso-Boyden method)
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Al and Diane Pesso developed the Pesso-Boyden method after working with dancers and noticing what happens when they slow down and connect with the felt sense in less easeful movements – thoughts, memories or emotions emerged from the unconscious memory. When the dancers then received longed-for interactions in response to these thoughts, memories or emotions, shifts began to happen leading to a sense of pleasure, satisfaction, meaning and connectedness. From these observations, the Pesso’s developed the method to provide a felt sense experience of longed-for interactions being met, rewiring the brain to create a better basis from which to respond to life.
In a Pesso-Boyden session, known as a structure, we have the opportunity to explore either a present issue or whatever arises in the moment.
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In the structure, we externalise our inner world with objects (placeholders) to represent people or things that are affecting us, making it possible to see patterns and connections between situations, thoughts and relationships in our present that may link to our past.
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If the work is taking place within a group setting, other members of the group may be called upon to assist with this by playing ‘roles’ in the structure to provide longed-for interactions or to respond to what arises in a way that fits the client and feels right to them. In a one-to-one session, we will explore ways to symbolise the role of a supportive or protective presence or person that would help us connect to our felt sense by using props and the imagination.
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