Psychodynamic Therapy Training

Learning to Heal the Mind and Body

Training in Orgonomic Bio-Psychotherapy

The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California goal is to train physicians, clinical psychologists, and other qualified licensed mental health professionals in the principles and practice of medical orgonomy, orgonomic bio-psychotherapy, and character-analysis*.

Our training includes education in the principles of character development and the treatment of chronic personality disorders, identification of areas of muscular armoring in patient\clients and their treatment through deep massage, and facilitation of natural respiration, which is always inhibited in those with neurosis. Mastery of the technique of character analysis by qualified students is a prerequisite for education in working with muscular armoring. Character-analytic group process based on Wilheim Reich's techniques is included.

Training is on-going throughout the year and is available in workshop format at the Esalen Institute and in the Bay Area.

* Continuing Education Credit for psychologists, nurses, MFT's and LCSW's

Introductory Course

The Fundamentals of Wilhelm Reich's
Orgonomic Therapy

This workshop is an introductory course for all mental health care professionals and students, who wish to learn about orgonomic therapy as developed by Wilhelm Reich. Orgonomic therapy is the classical foundation for what is known today as "somatic psychology". Developing out of classical psychoanalysis, Reich found that the analysis of the formal qualities of the patient, how he walked, talked, etc. rather than what he said were of critical importance in bringing the patient into deep contact with his blocked emotions. Reich defined the sum total of these formal elements and their determinants as the "character structure" of the patient. The "armor" of the patient's character serves as a defense against contact with himself and the outside world. It is rooted somatically in patterns of chronic muscular tension throughout the body, the "muscular armoring". Along with the establishment of healthy respiration, orgonomic therapy utilizes a complimentary bi-modal approach of simultaneously confronting the patient with their character armoring and deep massage to soften the muscular armoring. This facilitates the release of chronically blocked emotions and the free flow of life energy, "orgone energy", through the body. The result is a loss of symptoms and the establishment of a new level of emotional health characterized by a capacity for natural sexuality and aggression, adventure in life, and satisfaction with one's state of enhanced inner strength.

Specific points to be addressed are:

	•	The orgonomic theory of organismic pulsation
	•	Diagnostic categories of character types
	•	Segmental structure of muscular armoring
	•	The diagnosis and treatment of problems of respiration
	•	Psychic contact, substitute contact, and contactlessness
	•	Working with negative transference
	•	Character-analytic group therapy

The workshop will consist of didactic lectures, demonstrations of biophysical work on armoring, the experience of group character analytic process, and the viewing of videos of Reich's work and therapists practicing orgonomic therapy. The group process and individual sessions within a small group format will provide experiential work for all those seeking self -exploration through these methods.
The workshop is a prerequisite for more advanced courses by clinicians who might wish to utilize these extremely potent techniques in their practice. Students must be health-care professionals or in a qualified graduate training program leading to licensure. This introductory course and advanced courses are taught by Richard A. Blasband, M.D. and Patricia R. Frisch, Ph.D., co-directors of the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California. Dr. Blasband was trained as an orgonomic physician by Elsworth Baker, M.D., who was appointed by Reich to train psychiatrists. Dr. Frisch, an orgonomic therapist, has decades of experience in private practice and group therapy.

* Continuing Education Credit for psychologists, nurses, MFT's and LCSW's

Currently Scheduled Professional Training: Wilhelm Reich’s Orgonomic Therapy: Modular Clinical Training Program for Professionals Introduction The “working therapist” has a challenging profession. Many find themselves entrenched in treatment protocols that are stagnant or fail to produce desired results. We believe clinicians can invigorate their approach and bring new vitality to their work. True excitement – and transformation - lies in traversing a path of continual inspiration, learning, and creativity. We would like to expose more clinicians and graduate students to the important contributions Wilhelm Reich made to clinical practice. He was a master at character interventions that could quickly and deeply facilitate patient break-through, allowing them to make contact with their authentic self and their core feelings. Reich’s characteranalysis is a skill that allows maximum efficiency in interventions and moves the patient beyond their facade and into profound honesty. Some therapists, when they are first introduced to the theory and practice of Orgonomic Therapy, see it as a bit “out of the box” in its spontaneous, liberating style. Orgonomic Therapy’s unique approach is an effective antidote for the compelling, deadening counter pull of patients’ habitual homeostasis. As therapists, we need to move from stale interventions to meaningful exchange. We teach this method of character intervention because of its great effectiveness. This group of modular training sessions is designed to prepare the clinician/student for the next stage of proficiency, the Advanced Training Course in Orgonomic Therapy, which teaches the corollary approach of somatic interventions. Wilhelm Reich is often credited with being the father of somatic therapies. Most mental health professionals practice verbal analytic therapy but few clinicians are trained to include somatic interventions to facilitate patients in releasing the deep-seated affect and habitual muscular holding that lead to chronic stress-related symptoms and disease. The mind/body connection is real and as professionals we can intervene to repair the ruptures in self-regulation that occur at the deepest levels. Recent advances in neuroscience demonstrate that our earliest attachment experiences in infancy radically affect the development of the brain with major ramifications on our entire ability to function. General Program Description These series of classes, several of which can be taken independently or in any order, are designed to provide professionals and students with training in the practice of Orgonomic Therapy. Introductory Modules are for the student and professional who are just beginning on this path; Intermediate Modules are designed to deepen the students’ understanding of and ability to practice Orgonomic Therapy. Teachings from Carl Jung and others will be seamlessly woven into the training. This Modular Clinical Training program in Orgonomic Therapy will teach certain non-bodywork aspects of Reich’s approach and will integrate contributions from other theoreticians including object relations and Jungian practice, which provide a thoroughness to the approach. Schedule/Hours: Training Modules are each 14 hours in length, occurring over 2 days. Saturdays & Sundays: Training 9:00am-12:30pm, Lunch 12:30-2:00pm, Training 2:00-5:30pm. Location: Various venues in the San Francisco Bay Area (TBA) Overview of Training Topics   • Basics of Wilhelm Reich’s theory and clinical application   • Integration and amplification of the theories of Wilhelm Reich, Carl Jung, and James Masterson   • Character diagnosis: pregenital and neurotic character disorders: including advanced material in diagnosis and treatment   • Establishing effective contact with patients utilizing character analysis   • Basics of segmental armoring and how to diagnose armoring   • How to manage a case: therapeutic frame, ethics, policies and procedures   • Working effectively with resistance   • The therapeutic relationship   • Transference, countertransference Dr. Frisch on integrating Reich’s Therapy with other paradigms: “Reich’s work integrates well with other psychological modalities, for example: Jung. As Reich takes us through the character and body’s defensive armor, Jung continues the path to deepen our connection to the unconscious, the individuated self, and the spirit. The essence of many psychological approaches is to bring the patient to their authentic self, to dismantle defenses that keep us from our vast inner knowledge. Reich's work opens the door of being by opening our system, allowing all ideas to be better absorbed.“   • The business of therapy: moving from underpaid counselors to empowered clinicians   • Tools for effective therapy   • Therapy as personal transformation with the healthy patient   • Working outside the box: creativity and the art of therapy   • Dialogue with the unconscious: Jung’s concepts of dream analysis and individuation   • Integration of relevant clinical information from other sources Supervision of cases    • Practicum training in clinical intervention skills in a safe setting Learning Methods:Lectures/Discussions, Creative arts expression, Experiential dyadic practice, Case supervision (tapes, process notes), and Demonstrations Prerequisites:Students must be mental health professionals, such as LMFT, LCSW, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, or graduate students in a graduate program leading to licensure in these fields.  We also invite health care professionals, such as nurses, to join us.  Students registering for Intermediate Modules must have completed both Intro Module Part 1 and Part 2, or their equivalent. Modular Program Calendar   • April 19 & 20, 2008 – Intro Module Part 1: Introduction to Reich   • August 2 & 3, 2008 – Intro Module Part 2: Incorporating Masterson with Reich   • September 27 & 28, 2008 – Intermediate Module: Wilhelm Reich’s [link to Reichian Therapy page]  Diagnostic Typology   • November 1 & 2, 2008  – Intermediate Module: Working Outside the Box   • January 10 & 11, 2009 – Intermediate Module: Working the Therapeutic Relationship   • February 21 & 22, 2009 – Intermediate Module: Middle Phase of Treatment Continuing Education Credit:   • For California Licensed Psychologists: Each individual module listed in this document has been submitted to the MCEPAA for approval.   • For MFT’s and LCSW’s:  Application submitted to the Board of Behavioral Sciences to become a C.E. Provider. Instructors: Patricia R. Frisch, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California and Richard Blasband, M.D. Adjunct Faculty. Dr. Frisch, an orgonomic therapist, has decades of experience in private practice and group therapy. Dr. Blasband was trained as an orgonomic physician by Elsworth Baker, M.D. who was appointed by Reich to train psychiatrists. Learn more about Drs. Frisch, Blasband, and the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California by clicking here. To receive detailed program descriptions with tuition, policy, and other information, or to request an Application: Contact The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California at 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomnictherapy.com. Back to Top

Psychodynamic Therapy Supervision

The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California is currently conducting supervisory group sessions with qualified mental health practitioners in the principles of character analysis and theory, and techniques of psychodynamic psychotherapy, which meets every three weeks. Through the use of didactic lectures/discussion, case analysis, and supervision, students will become familiar with character-analytic techniques and how they can be utilized in their practices.

Orgonomic psychotherapy supervisory sessions are conducted by Patricia Frisch, Ph.D. Meetings occur in Marin County, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Dr. Patricia R. Frisch, Ph.D. also conducts private, hourly supervision sessions available to graduate students, interns, and licensed professionals. Those interested should contact Dr. Frisch at 415-388-0622 or pfrisch@pacbell.net.

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

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