Therapists begin working in their chosen field using what might be called the “junior game.” They apply the techniques they´ve learned as well as they can, try to use the concepts they´ve been taught as guides to the work with clients, and try to be “loyal” to the frame of their method. Working this way, they will often find some benefit to clients, sometimes surprising results, but will also experience a sense of their own limitations, and will continue to take courses, supervision, mentoring to increase their sense of their own ability.

This course looks at the transition to the “senior game,” where the therapist begins to have confidence in his/her mastery of the essentials and expects that the work will in general result in perceivable and lasting benefits to the clients. The topics that we will explore include technique, method, relationship, principle, as well as presence, resonance, mirroring and rhythm. These all refer to very specific elements of almost any therapy. They are signposts for where a therapist can focus his/her attention to refine, add nuance and specificity to their growing competence.

We focus on therapeutic behavior, as well as understanding, and examine the pratitioner´s conscious and unconscious guiding images of the therapeutic role. We work with the many ways one listens to, reflects back, and intervenes in client stories and issues:

• Verbal stories
• Bodily, somatic stories
• Energy, field, tidal implications of stories
• Stories of crisis, transition, challenge, dilemmas, traumatic events.
  

The primary skill is the ability to hold and evaluate a number of factors at the same time:

• The big picture
  
• The guiding principles of one´s work
  
• The details and selection of technique
  
• The reading of the individual client´s specific needs and resources
  
• The nuances that support the therapist in helping the client to deepen into the work for reforming and resolving their concerns.
  

This seminar will explore these deep skills of therapy, using both face to face interactions and table work as ways to refine our facilitator capacity. The seminar will include lecture, demonstrations, small group exercises, coaching opportunities, and interactive exercises focused on the above topics. It is designed for Polarity Therapists and students, and other body-focused therapists, ranging from cranial, SE, and psychotherapists with interest in somatic and formative orientations