Workshops and Training
Based on the research of Eugene Gendlin, Ph.D., Focusing can be used alone or with a partner as a self-help technique, or it can be combined with other approaches to personal growth and healing such as psychotherapy, coaching, or bodywork.
Focusing can be a valuable adjunct to therapists and coaches for your own well-being, and also as a tool to complement your work with clients. I offer a variety of Focusing workshops and trainings for therapists, health and personal development professionals, body workers, and lay persons who want to enhance their own lives and the lives of their clients.
Training in Focusing begins with four levels of Basic Focusing training. With an additional apprenticeship and training, one may earn Certification as a Focusing Trainer. All training is available both in person and by phone, for groups and individuals. In addition to scheduled classes and workshops, I am available to teach all levels to your private group of 3-8 participants.
The latest class schedule is available here. Please contact me if you’d like more information.
The Basic Focusing Training Program
Level One: Focusing Basics
In this course you will learn the basics of Focusing. With these, you will:
- be able to Focus by yourself and with a partner;
- begin to learn how to be a supportive listener to another Focuser;
- be entitled to participate in any of the many free practice groups, as well as more advanced Focusing training locally, nationally, and internationally.
An individual Focusing session guided by the Trainer is required prior to beginning this course.
Level Two: Advanced Listening
The essence of this course is deepening your skills as a Focusing companion for yourself and others. In this course you will:
- become more competent in your own Focusing;
- learn advanced listening techniques;
- begin to learn guiding techniques to help to deepen the Focuser’s process;
- learn how to prevent overwhelm;
- learn how to create a deeper, more nurturing inner relationship for yourself and for your Focusing partner.
Level Three: Guiding Basics
In Level Three you will learn:
- the basics of how to facilitate a Focusing session for someone new to Focusing;
- powerful supportive guiding suggestions for each stage of the Focusing process; and
- why and how each suggestion is so useful.
Level Four: Advanced Guiding & Troubleshooting
In this course you learn a variety of compassionate approaches to handling obstacles that may arise in a Focusing session, and how to use Focusing to:
- work with the Inner Critic;
- deal with blocks to achieving goals;
- work with habits and addictions;
- assist a Focuser who “feels nothing;”
- work with a Focuser who has one part attacking or victimizing another.
Fees
The fee for each level of the Basic Training Program is $275 U.S., which includes tuition and a manual. There is a 10% ($110) discount for paying in advance for all four levels of the Training Program.
A Special Note for Therapists and Healing Professionals
Therapists and health professionals often wish to skip forward, bypassing the beginning levels of training, feeling that they’ve already mastered the material in the course of their professional training and experience. Or, they may want to go straight into learning how to use Focusing with their clients, feeling that they don’t need to spend time learning Focusing for themselves. We’ve found, however, that it’s essential to understand the essence of Focusing on a personal experiential level prior to developing the skills for work with clients. Thus, initial levels of the training are dedicated to gaining this understanding.
All levels of training meet the qualifications for continuing education units (CEUs) for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. PCE #4904.
Advanced Focusing Training
Supervision & Practicum Seminar
Open to those who have completed Level 3 and above, this training seminar has four components:
- Address questions that have come up in your own Focusing practice, as well as in your practice with others.
- Practice guiding a Focusing session for another participant, and afterwards receive helpful, constructive feedback from the trainer and other members of the group.
- Observe the Trainer guiding Focusing sessions, with time for feedback, questions and answers following each session.
- Learn how and practice working with people new to Focusing.
The Supervision & Practicum seminar meets weekly, in person or by phone, for 10 weeks, and is limited to a maximum of 6 participants. The seminar is required for participants in the Focusing Trainer Certification Program.
The Focusing Trainer Certification Program
An individualized program designed to deepen and broaden your skills and competency in Focusing, while also beginning to develop the proficiency to teach Focusing in various settings.
This training is recognized by The Focusing Institute, an international membership organization dedicated to making Focusing available in the world. Additional details of the training program are available for download here. To explore whether this program is right for you, please contact me to arrange a time to talk.
More Learning Possibilities
Focusing and the Jewish Calendar
A series of workshops appropriate for anyone interested in deepening their connection with themselves and with Jewish spirituality. Each workshop includes a brief discussion of themes related to the current month, and several guided Focusing exercises based on these themes. The only prerequisite is a desire to learn more about Jewish spirituality and yourself.
Focusing to Enhance Your Jewish Practice
For information about workshops available on this topic, please contact me.
Bodywork for Focusers and Focusing for Bodyworkers
Combining Focusing and Bodywork can enhance the healing potential of both. Conscious Touch Bodywork for Focusers covers the fundamentals of Conscious Touch. You’ll learn the basics of healing touch, acupressure, and energy balancing. In the Focusing for Bodyworkers workshops you’ll learn about issues related to combining the two modalities. For Bodyworkers who’ve not yet learned how to focus, please see information for the Basic Focusing Training Program.
In both workshops, ample time is devoted to the practice and experience of the work. Each workshop is tailored to the varying skill levels and interests of participants. Past participants have described these workshops as safe, nurturing, and inspirational.
Speaking
I am available to speak to your group on a range of topics relating to alternative approaches to health, healing, and well-being.
Interested in more information on workshops, training, or speaking possibilities? Please contact me to arrange a time to talk.
