British Focusing Association Certificate in Focusing Skills - Online training
The training is online. It includes practicing Focusing and Companioning, Focusing theory and plenty of opportunity to discuss and to enjoy the group atmosphere.
- Listening to yourself deeply in a Focusing way
- Listening to yourself and others with empathy and acceptance
- Coping with overwhelming feelings
- Learning to Focus and Companion
- Enjoying the group and making new connections
Level One, Introduction to Focusing
Learning to sense inwards is at the basis of Focusing. During Level One the emphasis is upon noticing messages that your body gives you and accepting everything that you become aware of. Focusing is very natural and gentle and at the same time you might find that working at this level is powerful and revealing. Throughout the training there will be opportunities to share in the group, and to work with your own process. There will be a mixture of Focusing theory, discussion and practice.
Part 1 Sensing Inwards
Part 2 Self-in-Presence and grounding
Part 3 Partial selves and trauma
Part 4 Introducing Wholebody Focusing
Level Two, Living Forward Energy
Participants practice Focusing in pairs, taking turns to focus and to companion each other. Exercises are designed to support working at a deeper level. At the same time you are always in charge of your session and each person is encouraged to work at their own pace.
Topics include Gene Gendlin’s six Focusing steps, and Self-in-presence developed by Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara Mc Gavin. Being Self-in-presence can help you to experience your emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. During Level Two we will look at examples of Focusing with pain and ailments. There will also be an introduction to Wholebody Focusing and the work of Kevin McEvenue.
PART 1 – Gene Gendlin’s Six Focusing Movements
PART 2 – Our topic is Focusing with pain and ailments
PART 3 – Extending understandings and experiences of the felt sense
PART 4 – Exploring ‘Living Forward Energy’ in a creative way
Level Three, Focusing and Companioning
Exploring the stages of a Focusing session in more detail including suggestions that can help the Focuser to listen inwards with acceptance, empathy and compassion. We also look at Focusing language and its benefits at each stage. There will be group discussions, experiential work in pairs and Wholebody Focusing exercises.
PART 1 – Stages in a Focusing session, paying particular attention to the first stage
PART 2 – The role of the Companion and supportive suggestions which the Companion can offer to the Focuser.
PART 3 – Companioning with delicate parts.
PART 4 – Suggestions that can be helpful at the deepening and ending stages of a Focusing session
Level Four, The Inner Critic
Level Four is an opportunity to explore challenges which you might encounter as Focuser and Companion. There will also be a topic on understanding and working with the inner Critic. This is an inner ‘voice’ that you might have noticed, perhaps it criticizes your actions, maybe it tells you that you are not capable enough to try something new. During the third and fouth weeks we will look at symbols and images, including Focusing with dreams and Gene Gendlin’s methods. You will be invited to work with your own dream in a group exercise.
PART 1 – The Inner critic and what lies beneath its judgmental attitude.
PART 2 –Focusing Challenges
PART 3 – Focusing and Symbols
PART 4 – Focusing with dreams
Level Five, Focusing with Trauma
During Level Five we explore trauma from a Focusing perspective and we work also work with action blocks. An action block is something within you that prevents you from doing what you want to do. Examples are eating a healthy diet, writing an article or book and changing your job.
As you approach the end of the certificate training we look towards your next steps as a Focuser and Companion. I will provide information about further training and useful websites. There will be time for each person to review their own process and an opportunity for therapists and counsellors to consider incorporating Focusing within their own practice.
This is our final workshop as a group and we will take time for an ending.
PART 1 and PART 2 Over two weeks we will look at trauma from a Focusing perspective including theory and practice.
PART 3 Working with action blocks
PART 4 Looking at where you are with your own Focusing, and next steps
Testimonials
"What a fabulous course this is! It has been such a wonderful journey for me, which has led to a much deeper understanding of myself. As a trainee psychotherapist it has improved my work with my clients, enabling me to be more present with my clients and work at a greater relational depth. Paula is a fantastic teacher, her teaching style is very engaging, gentle, easy and flows. She is wonderfully warm, friendly and candid, and has such a calming presence. If you wish to enhance your therapeutic practice then you must do this course! Paula has trained under and with the best in this field, so what she doesnt know isn't worth knowing. I have so much gratitude for Paula and for the whole team who made this course very accessible, and such an amazing and rewarding experience. My therapeutic toolbox is far bigger and better as a result! With much gratitude and warmest wishes to the whole team"
(Helen, Course participant)
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You are most welcome to Contact Paula to discuss the training
