Somatic Wisdom in Relationship Hakomi Experiential Psychology Manuela Mischke-Reeds MA, MFT International Hakomi Trainer and Co-Director of Hakomi Institute of California
Ron Kurtz- Method Founder
Hakomi Institutes in 11 Countries and growing ‌US, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Israel‌
How do you stand in relation to those many realms? Who are you?
People are different from machines. They are organisms, self-creating, self-organizing, selfmaintaining. They heal. (Ron Kurtz)
While the conscious mind is telling the story, the unconscious is commenting with body information. Jon Eisman
The Principles 5 Classic Principles Unity inclusive awareness of the interrelatedness of things Organicity recognition and honoring or each person’s individuality Mind/Body/Spirit Holism assumption that all elements of experience are essential Applied Mindfulness value of being genuinely aware of exactly what is happening Nonviolence commitment to respect and loving regard
2 Contemporary Principles Truth pursuit of the actual nature of things Change trust that process moves and evolves
Within the safety and wisdom of the healing relationship, mindfulness is supported. In mindfulness, little experiments yield discoveries. Ron Kurtz
Safety and Loving Presence
Trauma States
Tracking
Emotions & Sensations
Trauma Trauma States
Loving Presence
Attuned Attachment
Applied Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a state of consciousness that allows for a non-judgmental, witnessing awareness of the present moment.
Applied & Integrated Mindfulness
Mindfulness in Hakomi • • • • •
Manages the “state” of the client Cultivates witnessing consciousness Engages self-reflection (therapist & client) Focuses on self-study Informs interventions: what are the organizing beliefs? • Interrupts relational patterns
Use of Mindfulness and Body 1. Sensing the body with safety & resource 2. Having a new & in the moment experience 3. Client can notice the attuned therapeutic, as well as moments of dys-regulation 4. Introducing experiments the client can engage in • “Imagine a safe place right now.. what happens? What do you notice in your … breath?”
Sample Hakomi Techniques • Contact • Tracking • Experiments
Contact
Through contact one does not have to try to change, change simply occurs. (Polster)
Sample Contact • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Confused, huh? Feeling sad, huh? A lot going on Your curious about that Something is happening It’s hard work A lot of feelings with that Ah, that makes you angry I have a sense that you are feeling I notice some tightness That’s painful for you Sad, cold, uncomfortable. Lost..(all emotions) Not quite it
“Contact statements are not mandatory. They are optional. Creating a connection is mandatory.” (Ron Kurtz)
Tracking
Active present moment observation
What we do naturally
Mindfulness turned outward
In Trauma States: Tracking becomes vigilance
Importance of tracking
• Early attachment needs get activated: • Caregivers track/impact the infants non-verbal communications • Attunement and safety are built through mutual tracking
3 Kinds of Tracking Client
Therapist
Relationship
Self
Tracking the storyteller…not just the story • Clients want to be seen, heard and gotten • Storyteller tells inner story • Body Movement, Gesture and Postures are indicators of Core beliefs • Assessment and Diagnosis
How to Track • Observe & Soft Focus • Refrain from Interpretation • Let go of meaning making Not paying attention
Example of client’s actions The client is telling a story Looking down Pressing arms to her sides Sitting on her hands Switching topics Asking you to lead
HOW? What to track: Movement Eyes Emotions Pace Posture Voice Rhythm Unspoken‌
Suspend Meaning Making: Track and Contact Sample:
I notice you just looked down- literal You seem unsure-interpretive
vs. Are you unsure?
Tracking the Body Assumptions: • Body indicates internal experience • Body reveals sensoryemotional patterns • Body shows arousal patterns of stress/ trauma • Body hold inherent cues of regulation, resources and wisdom
Job of Hakomi Therapist • To make conscious the internal model of the world • Help clients experience new options • Encourage aspects of self to emerge that have been underresourced, hidden due to selflimiting beliefs
Experiments • Creative & mindful new experiences that allow the client to discover a new option: • “Safe enough” • “Exploring safe anger” • “Stating an embodied truth” • “Taking in Goodness”
Proving Safe Missing Experiences
Available 2015 W.W.Norton