Body-oriented psychotherapy
Biodynamic or Body-oriented psychotherapy is a form of psycho dynamic psychotherapy that is focused on the body. The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist plays an important role. It is a holistic approach that integrates therapeutic interventions with regard to the body, interpersonal relationships and cognitive processes.
In all forms of therapy and treatments, an SBLP therapist functions from a clear theory about the functioning of the body and mind. The point of departure is that the body reflects the person as a whole and that there is an essential relationship and interaction between the body and the mind.
The awareness of body sensations and their emotional meaning contribute to strengthening an awareness of the body, a sense of identity and autonomy. Body-oriented therapy ensures that the client can continue with new possibilities and insights. The therapist supports the client to bring to light all and any hidden qualities so that the client can be invited to release old patterns.
The therapist works from a body-oriented point of departure founded on a Reichian view of psychotherapy. In the light of new insights and research results in the field of (developmental) psychology, neuro physiology and biology, this method has been developed over the years and can be found in various forms of therapy. In addition to the typology of character structures, contemporary methods include innovations from attachment theory, infant research, neuro biology and systems theory.
Method
Central to the therapy process is emotional regulation and the awareness of body sensations and their emotional meaning. The goal is to strengthen body awareness, the sense of identity, self-regulation and autonomy. The therapist supports clients to create a healthy daily balance. In the therapeutic process, the client is invited to bring forward features and hidden qualities, so that the client can let go of old (behavioral) patterns. The client acquires new possibilities and insights to contribute to society in a healthy way. The therapist focuses on the psychological and emotional development of the client as well as the blocked emotions and energy management in the body. By making use of the life and family history of the client, feelings, images and memories from youth arise, often unconsciously influencing or determining life. Restrictive patterns or problems are related to the context of the past. The therapy can be used both preventively and healingly.
Therapeutic techniques
Therapeutic techniques aim to teach the client a better and healthier way to live. In order to achieve this, the client learns to deal adequately with his feelings and emotions, thoughts, beliefs and behavior in everyday life. In the different methods of body-oriented (psycho) therapy, in addition to conversation and the therapeutic relationship, various breathing techniques, massage and vegeto therapy, experiential physical and interactive exercises, mindfulness techniques, and trauma-oriented techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are used. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Body Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (BMDR) and Healing Touch (HT) are also used.
Target audience
Body-oriented therapies can provide effective help with symptoms and problems on a physical, mental and emotional level. These include:
- physical complaints, tension and chronic fatigue
- anxiety or depressive symptoms, psychosomatic or somatic problems
- dramatic experiences that have been insufficiently processed, including post traumatic problems and symptoms
- constantly feeling stuck and experiencing structural problems at home, at work or in one’s environment
- being stranded in a systemic treatment program and the feeling that talking about your problems and symptoms doesn’t help anymore
Within biodynamic or body-oriented therapy different methods are applied, among which are massage therapy and vegeto therapy. Biodynamic therapy generally starts with massage therapy. Biodynamic therapy is a body-oriented therapy. Body-oriented therapy is based on an understanding of the unity of body and mind. Complaints, issues and problems arise when you are asleep or when you are systematically ignored. During therapy, you are made aware of what you can gain from the body and mind. You are able to focus on the interaction and connection between body and mind. Noticing what is happening in the body is central to this form of therapy. You learn how to balance your own mental and physical health. Because once tensions are locked in your system can be palpably felt and articulated, the blockage can be released and processed. This creates physical, emotional and mental release and freedom, creating space for other experiences and behaviors. Within biodynamic therapy different methods are applied, amongst which are massage therapy and vegeto therapy. Biodynamic therapy generally begins with massage therapy.
Biodynamic therapy is a body-oriented therapy. Body-oriented therapy is based on an understanding of the unity of body and mind. Complaints, issues and problems arise when emotions are ignored or when you systematically ignore the signals given to you by your body such as fatigue and pain, etc. Your system gets out of balance as a result the body either relaxes or loosens or becomes more rigid.
During therapy, you are made more aware of signals from the body and you gain an insight into the relationship between body and mind. You are able to focus on the interaction and connection between body and mind. Not merely by talking about it, but feeling and experiencing what happens in the body is central to this form of therapy. You learn how to balance your own mental and physical health.
Because once tensions locked in your system can be palpably felt and articulated, the blockage can be released and the underlying causes processed. This creates physical, emotional and mental release and freedom, thereby creating space for other experiences and behaviors.
