Focusing
Focusing is a gentle, body-based, self-reflection practice.
Focusing invites healing using the calming company of your breath from a place of grounded ‘Self in presence’. From here, we can invite awareness of whatever within us needs our healing attention, which often shows up as a vague bodily sensation, or felt-sense.
The focusing process supports us to come into a curious, accepting and compassionate relationship with parts of us that are in distress or ‘making themselves known’.
Patient companioning of what shows up in your body can lead to new insights and healing shifts - releasing what is stuck and and opening up new places of freedom, awareness and possibility.
How can focusing support your healing and growth?
Sensitive and respectful
Imagine coming across a small wild animal on a walk through the forest. How would you instinctively interact with it in order for it to not run away? What sort of gentle attention would allow you to keep it company and learn more about it?
In focusing, we welcome the fragile, distressed or shy parts of our inner being with the same patient and sensitive care. We take time to build trust and safety with parts of us that have hidden away for good reason. Focusing encourages respectful companionship, knowing that healing will happen as safety grows.
An empowering healing practice
Focusing has been my preferred processing model for my own life journey. The focusing posture allows a gentle exploration and understanding of my responses to life events. I say, “I’m noticing something in me is…” and so it begins…
Having even one or two focusing sessions with a practitioner can help you to experience a new way of being with difficult or distressing emotions. By engaging with the focusing process, you will learn skills and inner postures that empower you to do rich healing work as you go about your everyday life.
A versatile self-inquiry process
A focusing session can begin with a particular issue you want to work with. Or, we can simply ‘go within’ and notice what is making itself known in your body i.e. tension, emotions, sensations. This lets the body take the lead and we invite a focusing process with whatever shows up.
A focusing partner does not impose or make assumptions about your process. I come alongside as a companion by offering reflections and invitations in response to what arises in your focusing session.
Benefits of practising focusing
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Focusing deepens your understanding of emotions, fostering self-connection.
Facilitation of Healing: Addressing difficult emotions is vital for healing past trauma, guiding you toward a healthier emotional reality.
Empowerment: This process promotes active participation in healing, aiding progress between counseling sessions.
Greater Clarity in Decision-Making Focusing reveals insights for decisions aligned with your true values.
Release of Tension: Engaging with unresolved feelings relieves physical and emotional tension, enhancing well-being.
Improved Relationships: A compassionate approach to your inner world fosters better communication and connection with others.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Focusing enhances emotional resilience and coping skills by helping you process feelings.
Support for Personal Growth: This journey encourages exploring inner experiences, essential for personal growth and self-discovery.
Focusing - A Brief History
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Eugene Gendlin 1926-2017
FOUNDER of The International Focusing Institute
Eugene Gendlin, an American philosopher and psychologist, developed focusing, an evidence-based self-reflection practice. Collaborating with Carl Rogers, Gendlin found that therapy is more successful when individuals clarify their internal experiences and emotions. Focusin enhances self-awareness, helping individuals navigate thoughts and feelings more effectively.
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Ann Weiser Cornell
FOUNDER of Focusing Resources
Ann trained with Gene Gendlin before founding Focusing Resources in California. She is the author of ‘The Power of Focusing’ and offers numerous workshops and online resources, including the free e-course ‘Get Bigger Than What’s Bugging You’. From her original ‘Treasure Maps of the Soul’ retreats, with Barbara McGavin, has come their recently released book ‘Untangling’ and retreats by the same name.
Practical Questions & Answers
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I graduated with a Bachelor of Counselling from Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in 2010. I’m a Professional Member of NZCCA.
I have 14 years experience as a qualified counsellor in a range of contexts including:
- Private Counselling Practice
- Secondary School Counselling
- Loss and Bereavement Counselling
- Grief and Loss groupwork with children and adolescents
- As a Focusing practitioner. -
I offer in-person counselling sessions in two places:
1. At Bethlehem Psychological Services – 36 Sutherland Road, Brookfield, Tauranga
2. At my home-based counselling space in Bethlehem, Tauranga.I also offer sessions via Zoom.
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A counselling session is one hour. I typically meet with couples weekly or fortnightly for three to six sessions. However, this can be extended to meet your needs and we can discuss this together.
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$135 – Individual Counselling Session
$150 – Couples Counselling Session
I’d love to hear from you.
Email: higginsraewyn282@gmail.com
Phone: (+64) 0273 913 604
Please leave me a message and I will return your call.
