Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP)
The individual person is as complex and diverse as life itself. That's why I don't think much of diagnoses: I look at the whole person in their respective contexts, because the symptom rarely represents the real problem. Since the actual problem usually only becomes apparent during the course of therapy, I only use “classifications” as a treatment-guiding hypothesis that I challenge over and over again.
In the course of my own therapeutic path of 20 years and more than 14 years of intensive training and self-experience, especially in Bioenergetic Analysis (bodywork) by Alexander Lowen, I no longer believe in "one" method. The actual active factor is the relationship between you as the person seeking help and me as the person helping. I consider the classic, hierarchical relationship between the client as the “sick person” and the therapist as the “healthy person” to be a hindrance to the maturation and recovery process. As the therapeutic neutrality can keep neurotic idealizations of the therapist alive and keeps people from healing, I do use the transference as a therapeutic tool while at the same time being fully transparent that I am also just a human being.
I integrate many different elements of various therapeutic approaches into my work with people seeking help:
- Bioenergetics by Alexander Lowen, especially working with the body, and physical defense processes
- the late works of Wilhelm Reich
- modern psychoanalytic approaches such as mentalization-based psychotherapy, object relations theory, attachment theory, developmental psychology
- cognitive-behavioral tools
- mindfulness/awareness
- undogmatic spirituality (all spiritual traditions point to one Truth)
- work with values and beliefs
- constellation work, Gestalt therapy, hypnosis, NLP
- gentle forms of body work such as laying on of hands
- working with the relationship as a mirror of interpersonal conflicts and deficits
In the course of my own therapeutic path of 20 years and more than 14 years of intensive training and self-experience, especially in Bioenergetic Analysis (bodywork) by Alexander Lowen, I no longer believe in "one" method. The actual active factor is the relationship between you as the person seeking help and me as the person helping. I consider the classic, hierarchical relationship between the client as the “sick person” and the therapist as the “healthy person” to be a hindrance to the maturation and recovery process. As the therapeutic neutrality can keep neurotic idealizations of the therapist alive and keeps people from healing, I do use the transference as a therapeutic tool while at the same time being fully transparent that I am also just a human being.
I integrate many different elements of various therapeutic approaches into my work with people seeking help:
- Bioenergetics by Alexander Lowen, especially working with the body, and physical defense processes
- the late works of Wilhelm Reich
- modern psychoanalytic approaches such as mentalization-based psychotherapy, object relations theory, attachment theory, developmental psychology
- cognitive-behavioral tools
- mindfulness/awareness
- undogmatic spirituality (all spiritual traditions point to one Truth)
- work with values and beliefs
- constellation work, Gestalt therapy, hypnosis, NLP
- gentle forms of body work such as laying on of hands
- working with the relationship as a mirror of interpersonal conflicts and deficits
"There is something very special about the analytical experience. It is a unique kind of meeting qhose purpose, whether articulated or not, is a holy one, having to do with the meaning of one's life. [...] When we come to analysis, we must eventually face the ultimate questions, because it turns out that they are necessary in solving the lesser question for which we thought we came." (Albert Kreinheder)
As diverse as clients' problems are, at the core it is almost always about unresolved childhood experiences and traumas, physical-energetic blockages, a lack of emotional self-regulation, impaired self-esteem and a limited ability to actively shape one's life and interpersonal relationships.
In a nutshell, all of this can almost always be traced back to a lacking capacity to love others or to love oneself. Or to put it differently, the ability to relate to one's inner or to one's outer environment is inhibited. However, these various complexes are interwoven in a myriad different forms and combinations. |
“The primary nature of every human being is to be open to life and love. Being guarded, armoured, distrustful and enclosed is second nature in our culture. It is the means we adopt to protect ourselves against being hurt.“
(Dr. Alexander Lowen)
Bodywork activates and invigorates
Feelings that weren't allowed or were too overwhelming at the are time, are detained by the body in the form of chronic muscular tensions. They shape our body image and our mental and emotional being. Through body, analytic and relational work, Bioanalytic therapy allows for change on a core level. In the safe context of the therapeutic relationship, the healing process can begin.
I am happy to guide you on this sometimes difficult, but rewarding path. If you’re interested, I am looking forward to hear from you and we can arrange a preliminary interview!
Bioenergetik Berlin | Steve Hofmann
bei Praxis für Bioenergetische Analyse, Coaching und Supervision Rubensstr. 116 12157 Berlin Mobil: +49 (0)176 25 39 46 75 Internet: www.bioenergeticsberlin.com/ |
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