Have you ever noticed you have conflicting feelings about a situation, event, or person? Perhaps you've experienced a mix of emotions like anger and sadness, guilt and happiness, or love and hate simultaneously. This can be confusing and overwhelming, as we often navigate without taking the time to listen to the different parts of our bodies seeking attention. Expressions like "riddled with guilt," "sick to your stomach," or "boiling with anger" are all indications of the felt sense, longing to be heard.
In focusing, we dedicate time to sit with these conflicting parts, providing the attention our body deserves. This process allows us to comprehend the complexity of our emotions, acknowledging that the body encompasses various parts, and it's okay to feel different emotions simultaneously. By giving these parts space, we gain clarity about how we truly feel, paving the way for a new understanding of oneself and, perhaps, a spiritual awakening.
Focusing stands as a compassionate method to connect with overlooked aspects of oneself. It places a significant emphasis on an individual's direct, felt experience. The therapist, during sessions, listens attentively to the client's expressions and fosters guidance based on their "inner sense" of authenticity. When clients adeptly articulate their feelings, and the therapist is attuned to these experiences, a notable release often occurs within the body. Each bodily release serves as a marker of personal growth and profound transformation.
Engaging in the practice of focusing empowers you to:
Embark on the journey of focusing and witness positive transformations in your life. Focusing is suitable for individuals dedicated to personal development and growth, aiming to optimise their life experiences. It is also valuable for professionals in helping roles.
This revolutionary approach to life, through the practice of focusing, unveils a distinctive skill set. By mastering it, you tap into a potent internal resource. Beyond problem-solving, focusing becomes a pathway to confronting challenges and fostering a profound sense of personal potential. This, in turn, leads to a more expansive and enriching life experience.
Focusing was developed when Professor Eugene Gendlin of the University of Chicago worked with Carl Rogers in the 1950s and 60s. He researched the question: ‘Why is psychotherapy helpful for some people, and not others?’ He and his colleagues studied tapes of hundreds of therapy sessions and made an important discovery, that successful therapy clients had a vague, hard to describe inner awareness; a bodily felt sense about their problems.
Paying attention to the ‘felt sense’ in specific ways proved to be the key component of successful psychological change. Gendlin discovered how to teach this skill, which he called ‘Focusing’.
Focusing has applications in:
Reflecting on my own personal Focusing journey and witnessing the transformation in others , it's evident that this powerful practice can significantly shape lives. It serves as a pathway to release emotional burdens.
Focusing has allowed me to overcome grief, bereavement, and anxiety. Focusing emerged as my guiding force in a journey of self-discovery, providing clarity on the various dimensions of my being.
It offered a unique refuge for understanding and gradually shedding the weight of feelings that once consumed me. It felt like freeing myself from the grips of anxiety, leaving those burdens behind as I moved forward. The transformative influence of Focusing on my emotional well-being has deeply influenced my life, equipping me with the tools to navigate and overcome issues from my past. Through a combination of introspection and imagery, Focusing has marked a period characterised by gratitude and emotional liberation, leaving a lasting impact on the chapters of my life.