PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
August 26-31, 2016
SugarRidge Retreat Center in Wyebride, Ontario, Canada
IIBA – INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BIOENERGETIC ANALYSIS
The Body of the Therapist: Protection, Shame, Somatic Countertransference

In this IIBA Professional Development Workshop we will explore the internal activity of the therapist within the therapeutic relationship. As a therapist we are focused on the sensations, energy, emotions and beliefs of our clients but rarely do we examine closely the commitment of and internal impact on the therapist. These observations and questions are even more crucial as the demands of our clients change, echoing the changes in our society. New pathologies, mostly narcissistic and trauma related, force a more interactive intervention by the clinician. The client’s “self” demands the commitment and engagement of the clinician’s “self” as a partner of an intersubjective relationship.

How does one combine proximity/intimacy between the body of the therapist and the body of the client? According to which principles? Following which rules? For what outcome? How does the body of the therapist suffer these emotional and body mobilizations aroused by multiple patients?

Certainly, the somatic resonance experienced by the clinician with the physical state of his/her client is already part of the specific therapeutic factors explored by bioenergetic therapists. However, what other signals are detected by an arousal or titillation in the body of the therapist? We will explore the limits of the commitment of the therapist “body-self” within that context.

Here is what others have said about their experience attending a PDW:

“Even though I had been to a PDW before, I was surprised to discover that part of me was afraid to go: afraid I would be judged, evaluated and found lacking. It was exactly the opposite. I was supported in my growth as a person and as a bioenergetic therapist. I “worked” as a therapist in front of my peers (and betters) and received so much supportive and useful feedback, suggestions and exposure to new techniques that I am eager to get back to work tomorrow and put some of this new knowledge into practice.”

“As a Jungian Orientated Bioenergetic Therapist I was strongly drawn to the workshop topic. I decided to go with some fear and reservation about how the Bioenergetic part of the training would be for me. I was pleasantly surprised at the graceful and loving acceptance and appreciation of different modes of body work being honored. The International atmosphere was powerfully nurturing and affirming on deep levels for me.”

“This was one of the best experiences of training and supervision I have ever had. I wouldn’t have enjoyed this difficult experience of presenting and teaching as much as I finally did, had there not been all those conditions.”

“A unique opportunity that should not be missed-powerful, supportive learning.”