Most Popular Articles

How Hakomi Therapy Can Help You Overcome Pain And Suffering PDF   E-mail
Written by Marti Elvebak   
Friday, 29 October 2010
Hakomi therapy is a body-centered, somatic approach to traditional talk therapy which is based on the theory that a lot of the pain and stress all of us experience is unnecessary and is the result of unconscious beliefs that are no longer accurate, applicable, or necessary.
by MartiElvebak


Hakomi therapy is a body-centered, somatic approach to traditional talk therapy which is based on the theory that a lot of the pain and stress all of us experience is unnecessary and is the result of unconscious beliefs that are no longer accurate, applicable, or necessary.

The Hakomi method - which has been shown to be an effective therapeutic treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups - represents a synthesis of western psychological theory, Taoist, Buddhist, and other spiritual philosophies and practices, as well as cutting-edge research in developmental neurobiology.

Counselors who employ the Hakomi method tend to look at individuals as whole systems who are psychologically arranged around central memories, thoughts, and beliefs. These root memories and beliefs express themselves physically as well as via the personality traits which make us unique beings.

Hakomi therapy is a body-centered approach to restorative healing and well-being because your body performs a crucial role in our emotional lives. Emotions such as happiness, depression, love, and anxiety all manifest as body sensations and are expressed physically through smiling, crying, posture, muscle tension, and so on.

Because people commonly seek psychotherapy in order to resolve issues in their lives that usually are based on undesirable beliefs and emotions, and because there is a physical aspect to all of our experiences, Hakomi therapy works with the body to provide a path to a deeper understanding of our underlying and unconscious memories, habits, and beliefs.

Because numerous physical expressions of our emotions are habitual, subtle, or subconscious, Hakomi therapists often use mindfulness techniques to help clients gradually and effectively draw unconscious beliefs, behaviors, and memories into consciousness. As soon as these underlying thoughts and habits are made conscious, they can easily be analyzed and transformed in order to replace the self-limiting thoughts and behaviors which occur as a result of them and help you lead a much more fulfilling and successful life.

In brief, Hakomi therapy uses mindfulness techniques to gain access to the bountiful assets and information stored in the body in an effort to furnish people the conscious understanding and awareness needed to facilitate healing and generate positive, enduring life changes.

What can you expect from Hakomi therapy?

To start with, you and your therapist will work towards establishing a relationship based on trust, rapport, and mutual respect. This will allow you to build a secure, contained environment in which you can explore your values, beliefs, and personality so you may comfortably work towards creating the change you desire.

As you and your therapist work together, your therapist will expose you to numerous mindfulness methods that will help you increase your sensitivity to your current conscious experiences as well as uncover and better comprehend your underlying beliefs and emotions.

For example, your therapist may make a statement while you are in mindfulness, such as "Everything will be okay," and have you sense the changes that you experience as you hear it. You may agree with the statement, but also hear a voice from inside say, "No, it won't!" or you may feel your stomach and shoulder muscles tighten upon hearing it. Your reactions reveal your actual experiences and beliefs and help you discover what's necessary to create new experiences and positive change.

Once you become aware of the different ways of experiencing reality, your therapist will use mindfulness techniques, and the greater self-understanding they provide, to help you experiment with and choose different beliefs and a broader range of behaviors and responses and integrate them in your day-to-day experiences.

Can Hakomi therapy help you?

While Hakomi techniques may be used to aid those experiencing a crisis, it's more suitable for helping people who wish to surmount restrictive behaviors and experience personal and spiritual advancement.

The Hakomi method helps people develop internal awareness, translate the language of the body to access limiting belief systems, and develop empowering resources that support new options and create positive change.

The feeling of empowerment that results from this kind of in-depth work is powerful and extremely personal. Clients frequently feel a sense of optimism, self-confidence, and renewal, as well as increased awareness and a feeling of being more alive.

Hakomi therapy can provide you a safe, gentle means to explore and shift how you stand in relation to the unconscious beliefs that influence your relationships, self-image, and habitual behaviors.

If you're looking for a deeper understanding of who you are and what matters most to you and would like to free yourself from unnecessary suffering, experience more creativity, inner joy, and peace, and effectively create change, Hakomi therapy can help!

The Article Author:

 
< Prev   Next >
Share it!
Add to: Del.ico.us Add to: Reddit Add to: Digg Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist