Photo by Lukasz Szmigiel

Focusing

Focusing started in the 1960s when Eugene Gendlin described our natural ability to tune in to subtle body sensations.

He called this the “felt sense”. He discovered that by attending to its currents, with kindness and respect, life becomes fuller.

Gendlin was doing research with Carl Rogers when he discovered therapy works best when clients ‘feel’ for the right words, rather than stating what they know. Gendlin encouraged his clients to gently put thoughts and emotions to one side and sense for intuitive, less clear responses to their situation – and tentatively try out any movements/sounds/words to see if they fit. He developed Focusing to show others how to find their own ability to do this.

Focusing is regularly practiced as a way of living a fuller, happier life, by people who never go for therapy. My style of therapy takes account of the body/nervous system so Focusing can integrate well. Learning and practising Focusing is easier with a ‘companion’ whose simple presence is enough. Once learned, people meet at no cost and take turns to companion each other.

Focusing compliments therapy by reaching into a flow of deeper connection that is sensed (non-verbally) and then later put into words. I teach Focusing through guided experiences, at the pace of each learner. After each experience you describe what happened and I can then bring in teaching points. Some people take to Focusing straight away: others need more time.

More information

• The Brain
• British Focusing Association
• Wikipedia article