somatic-psychotherapy.org

04/20/2024

So many different ways of accessing the mind through the body.
Be sure to distinguish ‘regular emotions’ from emotional trauma.
I recommend Pete Walker’s 13 steps for recovering from an emotional flashback, to be the go-to steps before feeling any feeling that is overwhelming in any way, especially when by yourself. 💕
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5n1T3ir_vq/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

04/18/2024

I love this quote by Artem Zen in conversation with Guy Sengstock about Circling because it exemplifies what I think is universal and such a missing key for so many people about feelings and experience: 😍 “33 years old, learning Circling, and learning how not in tuned I am with my feelings and emotions... 👉🏼 after reading half a dozen books on emotions and 👉🏼still not knowing how to navigate them, and then coming into this and✨ getting a taste of, oh this is how you do it — through practice!! 😳 Through relationship! 😃 In the moment, not when I’m sitting, reading a book,🤔 and everything’s calm, 😌 but in the moment when something’s activated, 🫤 and seeing, oh, what is this like? 😯 how I’m behaving, 🥹🥸🤓 and how I’m reacting 😏😋 or responding to it.” 🥳
Watch more of the interview to hear Guy Sengstock response to Artem Zen

60 seconds · Clipped by Marenka Cerny · Original video "Guy Sengstock - The Yoga of Conversation | Elevating Consciousness Podcast #8" by Artem Zen

04/16/2024

This is a good article by Marian Sandmeier for introducing the process of Focusing with clients or friends. ✨ It is my perspective that Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing should be an integral part of basic training for all therapists. ✨ This is a step by step somatic practice for teaching clients to sustain focus on their inner world below the thinking mind — beyond everything you already know, to the realms that require more refined attention.

✨ The research from the 1980s showed that a client’s ability to reflect in the way that Focusing does is considered a prerequisite for the success of the therapy. Even though I have my ideas about why, it still feels hard to fathom why the field hasn’t already integrated this very approachable body-oriented reflection practice. ✨ Our world might even be embodied by now if 40 years ago more of the therapists and training programs had been willing to take a stand sooner for including the body in small ways in psychotherapy.

✨🌬️We can at least start now to be more vocal and assertive about the importance of every therapist knowing just one or two basic body practices. Like, simply pausing from talking 🌬️ at least once during every session to do some basic breathing exercises. ❄️✨

Eugene Gendlin and his work on Focusing and the “felt sense” left an indelible mark on modern mind–body approaches to psychotherapy.

04/11/2024

Sandra Bullock and Red Table Talk discussing EMDR! ✨💫💥

04/11/2024

Managing expectations by being direct. It’s not always easy! As social beings as well as sovereign individuals we naturally have empathy for the inevitable negative impact we have on others. However unintended. Especially when we disappoint them. It can help along with the ‘no’ if there is something to say or do to acknowledge something about them, or to emphasize your care for the relationship. Maintaining security in relationships requires regular mutual recognition of the meaning and value we have for one another.

12/17/2022

What is Circling? Guy Sengstock describing Circling from 2013
https://fb.watch/htZI4a6jEc/

12/16/2022

I don't care for the click-bate title, but I appreciate the beginning of the video for Brene Brown's description of emotions and their relationship to language and relating with others. The concept of "near enemy" is a good one. She discusses how the near enemy of connection is not disconnection, it's pity, and it's control.

Learn about emotions and how they affect how we act. We also have the same concept of a "near enemy." It is an emotion or virtue that mimics what we are tryi...

01/20/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW8BDgLpZkI

I created this project for an art class at my high school in Chicago. I wanted to capture the beauty I saw in my peers, but it turned into an experiment abou...

01/06/2022

There is an exercise for soothing your nervous system called "Hugging til Relaxed." I've always really appreciated Stan Tatkin's description of this exercise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9FBdC2Kykg

Even though he titled this an exercise for couples, it's important to take note of the fact that it comes originally from viewing secure mothers with their infants.
And that this exercise for making contact with your loved one before doing anything else is of paramount importance in multiple ways throughout the day, not only when arriving home.

When Tatkin first posted this video a little over 10 years ago, our phones weren't even as big an influence in all our lives as they are today. So while Tatkin notes that shifting rooms is also a time to apply this exercise to sync up nervous systems, consider that there are so many different moments to reconnect *first* with those you care about before making a request or asking a hard question or giving challenging feedback etc.

If you're not already doing this with your loved ones, start with the exercise as it is described. If you don't have a partner or kids, or if it doesn't feel appropriate to have this kind of hug with your friends, there are other ways to sync up nervous systems.
This is also akin to everything you know about building rapport, *except that both people are doing it together, intentionally.*

Consider making the effort to apply this basic concept "of hugging" -- or "breathing" or "pausing" or "closing your eyes" -- "til relaxed" to many moments in all your relationships, inviting your loved ones to pause more often to sync breathing and eye contact and heart rates and nervous systems.
It will do so much for the world if more of us found more creative ways to connect more often throughout more of our days.

~ Marenka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9FBdC2Kykg

12/08/2021

For therapists looking to expand your creativity in your work, I was just recommended this therapist who works out of the San Francisco Bay area. I am interested in bringing more creativity and more life to psychotherapy. If you are too, and you’re needing more help with that, perhaps this woman can help. 

She also has a podcast through her website to hear more.

Exclusively For Therapists & Healers: Create The Program That Will Launch The Next Phase Of Your Business

09/25/2021

Listening to and deeply appreciating on so many levels …
Polysecure by Jessica Fern, narrated by Jessica Fern, Eve Rickert, Nora Samaran:

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Attachment theory has entered the mainstream, but most discussions focus on how we can cultivate secure monogamous relationships. What if, like many people, you’re striving for secure, happy attachments with more than one partner? Polya...