basslake

 

 

 

 

 

The reality of the other person

is not in what he reveals to you,

but in what he cannot reveal to you.

 

~Kahlil Gibran

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hakomi Therapy

 

The Hakomi Method was initially conceived by the late Ron Kurtz and has evolved with input from practioners around the world. The word "Hakomi" translates from the Hopi language as "How do we stand in relation to these many realms" and points to the spiritual and integrative nature of the work and of life.


The Hakomi Method is grounded in Five Psychospiritual Principles that describe the qualities embodied by the therapist and that infuse the therapy process. The result is a safe and effective form of somatic, experiential therapy.

 

Five Psychospiritual Principles


  • Mindfulness: a practice of turning our attention inward with a receptive attitude
  • Non-violence: respect for the client's wisdom and agency creates safety
  • Mind-body Integration: mind and body influence each other and jointly express our core beliefs
  • Organicity: the natural unfolding of one's psycho-spiritual journey toward ease and wholeness
  • Unity: the human body, our social links and all life, can be seen as interdependent systems

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While responding to your unique needs and pacing, I call upon specific tools and steps in a well-articulated process:


The Process:


  • We establish a relationship and create safety between us and within you
  • Elicit mindfulness, a compassionate, curious inward gaze
  • Explore direct experience of self through the creation of experiments
  • Highlight core material, where long-standing, life-shaping beliefs are held
  • Process strong emotions providing the nourishment of release and/or revitalized energy
  • Engage child states, typically with early memories, and provide the "missing experience"
  • Transformation of the core material results
  • Integrate the new sense of self by linking back to the issues that brought you to therapy


One of the most respectful and potent facets of the Hakomi method is known as supporting the defense. Here the therapist brings acceptance and curiosity to the wisdom of the protective behaviors (tight muscles or harsh self-talk, for example) and then goes a step further by "taking over" this protection. With this support, clients usually find that they can redirect those previously bound energies toward what is more creative, fluid and satisfying.



To learn more about Couples Therapy, EFT and other influences on my work, go to the EFT page.