Hakomi Psychotherapy
Mindful Somatic (body-based) Psychotherapy
“The impulse to heal is real and powerful and lies within the client. Our job is to evoke that healing power, to meet its tests and needs and to support it in its expression and development.
We are not the healers. We are the context in which healing is inspired.”
— Ron Kurtz, Hakomi Founder
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the foundation of Hakomi, where we explore the awareness of your present moment experience, from the sensations of your body, thoughts, emotions, memories to the impulses you may feel. The second component of mindfulness is the awareness of your attitude to what is arising. Are you feeling curious, judgment, grief, anger, rage, guilt, joy or perhaps laughter towards what you are experiencing?
Mind-Body Holism
Our mind-body connection defines our whole being health and wellbeing. The Hakomi method gently, powerfully and directly encourages the integration of mind and body where there is disconnect or imbalance of the mind-body connection.
Organicity
Trusting the flow and honouring your process is an important aspect of Hakomi practice. I have an inherent trust in your organic self and your own innate healing ability and wisdom. My role is to support this unfolding.
Non-violence
Our Hakomi session is infused with loving presence and is based on non-violence – we go with the grain instead of against it. Non-judgment, asking permission and respect for your wants, needs and boundaries supports creating an ongoing safe container.
Unity
Hakomi embraces the wholeness of our human experience. We all affect each other as parts of the whole, and in a larger sense, are all interconnected. We are each composed of many parts – I facilitate communication and mediation among these parts.
“You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop.” ~ Rumi.
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For further information about Hakomi, please visit: www.hakomi.co.nz
“I learn who I am by paying attention to how I am.”
— James Schaler
Working together
I offer an initial series of 3 sessions to feel out if this is the right client-therapist fit. Within these initial sessions, I’ll ask if you’d like to share some biographical questions (optional) to begin that offers an opportunity for us to explore and clarify your needs and intentions.
My approach is warm, honest, direct, and gentle.
I enjoy working collaboratively together. I assist you with self-study in a ‘power with’, rather than a ‘power over’ dynamic. Curiosity is applied as an opening towards whatever you may be experiencing without judgement. Oh, so you’re feeling rage? Guilt? Joy? Or another strong feeling. With my support, lets gently turn towards this feeling and notice what happens when we hang out with this for a few moments.
In such a busy and driven world, this spaciousness and ‘being with’ approach, paradoxically creates the conditions for profound and organic change to unfold.
Working with trauma
We’ll take the time to build resource in a safe, life giving mind-body state before approaching any trauma stored in your body, emotions and mind with ‘bite sizing’ or ‘dipping your toe’ into any painful experiences. I’ll support you to return to a resourced and embodied state when and where needed.
Trauma happens when we have moved beyond our window of tolerance to safely process an experience or event. This safe and steady approach prevents overwhelm and re-traumatisation, where I’ll be tracking your body language and responses to support you to stay within your window of tolerance.
This enables you to process trauma in your own personal rhythm and pace that wasn’t previously available to you and to access your own innate healing ability.
Offerings in person and online
“Hakomi is where the body is the doorway to the psyche.” ~ Hakomi Institute.
I have found working online together with clients surprisingly effective, depending on how comfortable you are with this medium.
I am available for Hakomi sessions online or in person for Ecotherapy sessions in nature on the Tutukaka Coast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Please feel free to contact me for any questions.
I offer an initial free 20 minute connection call to explore your needs & intentions.