Is what we mean by “Somatic Psychotherapy” changing?
The term “Somatic Psychotherapy” has evolved over time to an umbrella term that can include various schools of psychotherapy.
In my previous articles on somatic psychotherapy and on the History and Purpose of Somatic Psychotherapy I talk about some of the schools that I’m familiar with, and what I believe to be essential qualities of good therapy.
In this article I would like to explain why I believe that the therapist’s own personal therapy is essential both before and during their training:
First of all, when you experience the process yourself, your understanding comes from lived experience in addition to reading and hearing other people’s accounts.
This will give you a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the ups and downs of the healing journey, and reinforce your trust not only in achieving desired outcomes, but also in the importance and value of the journey itself.
Secondly and even more important, our perceptions are influenced by our beliefs, values, feelings and life experience, and they are distorted by unresolved emotional charge. In the words of Dr Wilhelm Reich, “we perceive through our armouring”.
Good therapy will help us deal effectively with our own cognitive and emotional issues and trauma, and become aware of any cognitive dissonance, which refers to beliefs that are held so strongly that we are unable to change them even in the face of clear evidence that they do not apply to the present.
Good therapy that works on both the content and the emotional charge will highlight and uncover attitudes and biases that we are not consciously aware of, and facilitate emotional discharge, integration and balance.
This enables us to know ourselves better and understand and empathise with our clients’ perception and experiences more accurately. It will also reveal hidden strengths that can help us both personally and professionally.
Personal therapy sessions before and during training will also make it less likely that we will experience “vicarious trauma”, ie that we will be traumatised by some aspects of the training and by our clients’ accounts of their traumatic experiences. And if we are triggered anyway, continuing with our own personal therapy will likely be very helpful.
How did core development evolve from somatic psychotherapy?
Core Development is based on the principles of the original somatic psychotherapies however it is not a clinical process. It is a learning process.
It does not diagnose character structures or personality types, instead it looks for what’s trying to happen and what is getting in the way, without pathologising.
It is not a substitute for clinical and pathological based therapy. It often works when other therapies don’t, however in some cases medical or clinical attention may be required.
Click HERE for more information about this.
Donald Marmara created Core Development , a learning process which acknowledges the unity and inter-relationships of mind, body, emotions and spirit.
It draws on the principles and understanding of somatic psychotherapy, structural dynamics, and Donald’s own personal therapy, professional training and life experience.
Core development adopts a flexible approach, recognising that what works for one person may not work for another.
Donald currently resides and practices in Sydney, and is available for individual sessions, couples sessions, sessions for teenagers and parents, and facilitating training programs and workshops. He is also available for Zoom and phone sessions worldwide.
He can be contacted on 0412 178 234.