One of the reasons I have been so taken with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy as a modality in therapy is that it so obviously fits my own beliefs and practice around emotional healing. So I thought I would share Sensorimotor’s underlying principles for this post.

The first among these is the principle of “organicity.” Organicity suggests that every individual has within them the capacity and innate will to grow and change. Furthermore, it operates from the belief that the wisdom of our own healing process lies within each of us. Even when clients appear stuck or resistant to change, this response is more reflective of past behavior patterns that helped them get through earlier developmental challenges but that are no longer helpful. Sensorimotor encourages observation of this stuck pattern through mindfulness of body, beliefs and feelings in a way that illuminates options for future actions. This process is about collaboration in which the therapist and client work together in a way that facilitates the client’s own self-exploration, decision making and ultimately, empowerment.

Another principle of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is that of “non-violence.” Non-violence is encompassed in the spirit of non-judgment, compassion and acceptance. If a client “acts out” from a place of hurt, instead of judging or labeling, the therapist helps the client observe objectively and be curious about the underlying patterns of reactivity. Non-violence is about encouraging clients to be accepting and compassionate of themselves.

The next principle is that of “unity.” Unity postulates that we are all interconnected, that all are part of a unified process or whole. Through unity, one goal of therapy is the facilitation of communication between the client’s different expressions of personality from within as well as communication between individuals and with the whole. Dan Siegel eloquently describes this concept when he defines integration as the “honoring of differences and promoting of linkages”. I would further say that the emphasis should be in ‘honoring’ the parts by becoming aware of them and ultimately cultivating acceptance of them. Though Sensorimotor Psychotherapy recognizes primarily the body as the means for individuals to experience reality, it also recognizes the importance of working at all levels within the individual including thoughts, emotions and the spirit (mind/ body/ spirit). The curious, non-judgmental nature of mindfulness allows the underlying, counterproductive patterns to be seen. These patterns can then be recognized in a way that facilitates acceptance and ultimately healthier choices in the future.

Stress/ Mood Tip

In my first job as a therapist, I worked with children and adolescents. They would sometimes ask me if I had ever, as a child, seen a therapist myself. I would smile and say that I likely needed one but that instead, I relied on nature. Though I had lots of different support through my difficult and awkward years of adolescence, the time I spent in nature, hiking through forested mountains and along wild rivers, stood out in my memory as one of my greatest resources for comfort and emotional healing. It was affirming to then later read of the increasing evidence that supports the importance of nature for the physical and emotional health of children (some have even suggested a new diagnosis of Nature Deficit Disorder). I am convinced that being in nature can help individuals of all ages develop emotional coping and well being. Each individual seems to get some unique gift from being in it’s presence. For myself, being in nature has a way of calming my nerves and pulling out accumulated stress and negativity. And in a spiritual way, I am able to experience something of the unity and interconnectedness of all things. In this I take comfort because I feel the truth that I am a part of a whole, a piece within the larger puzzle.

Please visit my web site at http://www.harborcounseling.net to learn more about my work as a therapist.
Wishing you peace and happiness!