Groups and Workshops

Body-Centered Therapy Groups

 

I offer three levels of body-centered therapy groups. These groups provide a powerful and safe environment to learn and cultivate self-awareness, and to practice authentic communication. I co-facilitate each of these groups with one other therapist, either Amy VanGunst, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor, or Fenna Diephuis, who is a Certified Somatic Therapist.

"Getting Real" is a twelve-week "closed" group, limited to six people. "Closed" means no one new joins after the group begins, and all six people commit to completing the twelve weeks. The focus in this group is primarily on inner growth, with support and honest reflections from the rest of the group. There is tremendous power in the act of allowing your transformational process to be witnessed and supported by a group of compassionate people who are all undergoing their own healing process.

"Being Real" is an ongoing "open" group, limited to eight people, with a minimum commitment of six months. "Open" means that after the initial six month commitment, people are free to stay as long as they need, and leave when they feel complete. Then as space opens, new people are invited in. The focus in this group is also inner growth, but with a strong emphasis on authentic interpersonal communication. We allow the actual dynamics between participants to act as a catalyst for greater growth, healing, and understanding, and everyone gets plenty of real-time practice in the art of skillful communication.

"Real Life" is an ongoing group, limited to eight people, with the long-term intent of eventually weaning itself from its therapists and evolving into a self-sufficient co-empowerment group. Each group eventually determines for itself whether it's "closed" or "open." The group begins with guidance from me and my co-facilitator, and retains us until the group gains enough confidence in their interpersonal skill and safety that allows them to "retire" us! They then continue meeting in each other's homes, and operate with complete autonomy. If they run into difficulty and want additional help, they may have one of us return for one or more sessions to assist.

 

Workshops

 

I offer one-day workshops periodically throughout the year. These workshops are an excellent way to get a sense of the process and the potency of Transformational Bodywork. Some people find benefit in taking a workshop as a one-time experience for growth and healing. Others take it as an introduction to more intensive group work or individual work.

Past Workshops:

 

Body-Centered Transformation; Awakening Your Body's Intelligence.
July 28, 2007 in Grand Rapids, MI

Authentic Forgiveness Through Body Awareness; Healing The Past, Claiming The Present.
Nov 17, 2007 in Grand Rapids, MI

"Trance-Busting!" Using Your Body's Wisdom To Heal Self-Defeating Behaviors.
Feb 16, 2008 in Grand Rapids, MI
March 1 & 2, 2008 in Indianapolis, IN