EXPERIENTAL THERAPY
Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy encourages self-study, a kind of curiosity and invites you to notice in detail how past experiences affect your emotions, mind and body in the present moment.
In somatic (body-centred) therapy we focus on current challenges and how past experiences may express themselves through experiential phenomena like:
- Emotions – those changing emotions or unexpressed background feelings
- Mind - blanking out, speedy thoughts, conflicting thoughts, memories
- Body - heart racing, holding your breath, muscle tension, a feeling of heat or numbness
... just to name a few.
Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy enhances other evidence-based therapies.
MIND-BODY AWARENESS
In a nutshell, this type of practice increases mind-body awareness. It does this in a particular way that enables you to notice important information and to respond to it in effective or preferred ways. This is not like pioneering into unknown territory all alone but with the supportive, connected presence of someone else, the therapist, and it proceeds at your own pace. This can bring positive change at all levels and promote developmental shifts. It brings a release of energy to the system, available for natural healing and growth that is immediate or more subtle over time.
This approach to psychotherapy is a way of assisting self-study with non-judgement. All aspects of one’s experience are respected and welcomed. This process throws light on our habitual, but less conscious functioning, makes sense of why it is has come to be and allows something new to become possible.
No special skills, knowledge or previous experience is required initially to benefit from this type of therapy.
People who work therapeutically in this way tend to more easily access their potential. They become more fully themselves in the way they prefer - like feeling at home in themselves. It can help you change direction in your life, achieving self-management and increasing wellbeing.
WANT TO LEARN MORE
If you would like to read more, the Hakomi Institute has an overview of the Hakomi method.
Or experience it for yourself during a session.