Psychodynamic Therapy

A Mind Body Connection

Psychodynamic bio psychotherapy is a mental health therapy that makes the connection between mind and body. Based on the principles developed by Wilhelm Reich, psychodynamic therapy includes character-analytic techniques, body work, breath work, musculature, expressive exercises and the re-establishment of energy flow in the body. Psychodynamic therapy is one of the earliest forms of body-mind therapy, combining dialogue, breath and movement to decrease body armoring.

Psychodynamic bio-psychotherapy views the mind and body as one functional unit. The Psychodynamic therapeutic process facilitates self awareness, deep insight, emotional and physical release and a changing of one's habitual unhealthy character patterns through a profound understanding of the mind-body connection. Therapeutic interventions must actively engage both the mind and body to create effective, lasting change.

The Psychodynamic Therapist helps us develop an understanding of our chronic defensive structure through a verbal dialogue. Like traditional analysis, Psychodynamic Therapy includes a relationship building verbal exchange between the client and therapist. But in addition, Psychodynamic Therapy includes body work to address the physical, somatic component - the physical expression of the mind's defenses.

Therapy begins with establishing a relationship with the therapist. The growing relationship with the therapist illuminates the protective stance we have in relation to ourselves and others. As we grow and survive adversity we develop repetitive coping strategies to fend off difficult feelings. These strategies can alienate others, keep us from our true feelings, needs and desires essentially inhibiting our ability to actualize who we really are. Our creativity and success in the world is therefore minimized. Problems of depression, anxiety, phobias, insomnia, emptiness, loneliness, eating disorders and addiction are defined and understood as reaction patterns to both present and past issues. These patterns have their roots in chronic character styles developed throughout a lifetime. As these behavior patterns are confronted, the character defenses are dislodged giving way to deeper issues and feelings.

The Psychodynamic Therapist usually starts the body work with the eyes and the respiration. The eyes (as an extension of the brain) are necessary for us to sustain decent contact with ourselves and the world. Almost everyone has some blocking in the eyes, and it is important that they be reasonably unarmored for therapy to proceed without running into some chaotic situation. Respiration is important to build up and sustain an energy level that will “push” emotions to the surface. Very few patients, indeed few people, breath to full energetic capacity. One of the best ways to suppress painful emotions is to hold your breath. Infants and children spontaneously hold their breath in frightening situations. This happens to them many times each day in a dangerous environment. By adulthood, the chest is frozen in chronic breathlessness.

Psychodynamic Therapy or bio-psychotherapy, works from the head down toward the pelvis, leaving the latter for last. At the same time character analytic work is proceeding, peeling back layers of character attitudes that hide emotion, the layers of body armor are dissolved as well. The combined work results in spontaneous emotional release and provides the therapist with a deeper understanding of the character of the patient, providing insight on “where to go” to deepen the therapy.

When we are open we experience pleasure, liveliness and vitality. All too often, however, we are contracted and feel tension, lack of sexual desire, frozen, heavy, trapped, and ill. These symptoms are communications from the depths of our past rooted in the present in our character structure and body armor. To find out who we are we must first become conscious of our armoring, of the ways we have distorted our natural selves into the unnatural adults that grab, push, cop out, or "play possum" in the struggle to survive in the trap. Psychodynamic therapy is an intensive, confrontational, personally demanding process for those who wish to restructure their armored character at deep levels of biophysical being.

Individual, couple or group Psychodynamic Therapy Counseling supports individuals allowing them to experiment with their structure in bold and profound ways that insist on change. Dreams, guided imagery, and movement deepen the exploration and provide material for a trusting exchange. As we shed unnecessary layers of armor and facade we begin to discover our true, naturally sexual and spiritual natures.

The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California
315 Eldridge Ave. Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-0622



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