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Paul J Potesta, Ph. D.  |
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Bioenergetics: A Personal Experience My first bioenergetic session was a real eye opener for me. The therapist looked at my body and proceeded to describe my history, family of origin, what kind of hurts I probably experienced and at what age, how I tended to handle relationships, my view of myself, how I related to my body, how I handled conflict and a dozen other things. My jaw dropped. I was astonished and a little bit scared by the accuracy of his assessment. How did he know so much about me in 5 or 10 minutes of observing me? When I asked him this, he said it was all written in my body and relatively easy for him to see. He has since used the analogy of a forester who reads the record of a tree in a cross section of its trunk, and can tell its history from the configuration of its growth rings. This first bioenergetic experience stirred my interest to know more. So I began my own journey with bioenergetics. As a postscript, my anxiety disappeared as I became comfortable with the process. The following is a guide to bioenergetics that may also stir your interest in pursuing your own bioenergetic journey. What Is Bioenergetic Psychotherapy? Bioenergetic psychotherapy was developed by Alexander Lowen, MD over 50 years ago. It is a "body psychotherapy," sometimes also known as "somatic psychotherapy," that emphasizes the connection between mind and body. Bioenergetic therapists believe that the individual is a psychosomatic unity so that what affects the body affects the mind, and what affects the mind affects the body.
The bioenergetic therapist works with the whole person which includes: 1) cognitions or thought processes including memories, dreams, perceptions etc., 2) affects or emotions and their expression, and 3) physiological sensations or feeling and movement in the body. All three of these domains are interconnected and cannot be separated from one another. Combined, they form the personality, which is reflected in both the mind and the body.
How Is Bioenergetic Psychotherapy Different From Other Therapies? Bioenergetic therapy utilizes techniques common to most psychotherapeutic approaches: the development of a trusting and safe relationship with the therapist; exploration of one's childhood experiences and family relationships, clarification of how one's interpersonal conflicts with his or her family of origin tend to reemerge in current relationships; the use of dreams, fantasies and other techniques in exploring one's past, and exploration of stresses in the patient's current life.
Bioenergetic therapy, however, is different from other forms of psychotherapy in that a physical approach, "bodywork," is purposefully incorporated into the therapeutic process. This physical component is considered necessary in order to release holding in the body's tissue groups including the skin, muscles, tendons and organs. These holding patterns or contractions are the person's way of blocking feelings and the expression of emotion and energy. They are largely unconscious, and are believed to stem from one's childhood. Over time these holding patterns become chronic and can be seen and felt in the body. They are then carried into adulthood and become the physical expression of problems with which we struggle to meet our needs and to function successfully in the world.
Bioenergetic therapists are also interested in the relationship of these holding patterns to movement, breath, posture and emotional expression. Every physical expression of the body has meaning; the quality of a handshake, the posture, the look in the eyes, the tone of the voice, the way of moving, the words chosen and manner of speech, the amount of energy present etc. If these expressions are fixed and habitual, they tell a story of the patient's past experience.
How Is Bioenergetic Psychotherapy Applied? The bodywork of bioenergetics includes special exercises involving breathing, movement and verbal and vocal expression. These exercises are designed to help one get in touch with his or her tensions and holding patterns. They are then employed to release these constrictions through expression that reflects the emotions and material being experienced or presented at that moment in the therapy session. Sometimes touch in the form of massage (gentle or firm) or controlled pressure on contracted muscles is employed to help release tight muscles or emotional and physical holding. When muscular tensions are released using bioenergetic techniques feelings and their origins often rise to the surface where they can be addressed. When a person comes to me for a bioenergetic session the first 5 or 10 minutes are spent catching up on events in the person's life and assessing the state of his or her body, thinking and emotions. Expressive elements are then introduced, which are based on my knowledge of the person's history, observation of the person's body and what he or she presents at the session. Usually the first thing I do is start with grounding exercises so the patient has a sense of safety and a "home base" to return to. This is followed by 35 or 40 minutes (if it's a sixty minute session) of bodywork. The last five or ten minutes is a rest period where the patient lies on a mat and attends to his or her breathing. Insights and awareness frequently rise to the surface during this time and are integrated into the patient's understanding of him or herself. At the end of the session I have the patient do the grounding exercises again in preparation for leaving the office and reentering the outside world.
The bioenergetic therapist has highly developed skills in "reading the body," which are acquired through extensive training and experience. In order to facilitate the therapist's observations patients will often wear sport or dance/movement type clothing to their sessions or they'll change into this attire or other comfortable clothing after they've arrived. Female patients will frequently change into leotards or shirt and gym shorts, male patients will wear running or gym shorts. I do not push patients to wear this type of gear if they are uncomfortable or feel shame about their bodies; instead I ask them to wear sweat suits, casual wear or clothing in which they feel comfortable and can move freely.
The therapist uses the information he or she gathers to help patients explore what it would feel like to begin to release their holding patterns and recover some of the feelings they have repressed during childhood and continue to repress in their adult life. The bioenergetic therapist also helps the patient arrive at an understanding of how and why their patterns of constriction developed. Patients come to understand how these very defenses that are hindering their lives today allowed them to survive in an early environment that was not supportive of their being.
Bioenergetic therapists are trained in the use of nonsexual touch as part of the treatment process. They understand the dynamics and issues surrounding touch, that is, what it brings up for the patient and how it is perceived by both patient and therapist. The therapist employs touch for specific treatment purposes or to meet specific agreed upon goals with the patient. The therapist integrates the effects of touch in the therapy as a professional part of the treatment. Bioenergetic therapists adhere to strict rules and ethical standards regarding touch and never touch a patient in a sexual way nor touch a patient if he or she does not want to be touched. In this regard I always discuss the nature of bioenergetic therapy and the use of touch with the patient beforehand, and I always request the patient's permission before touch is employed.
What Are The Goals of Bioenergetic Psychotherapy? Bioenergetic therapy usually follows a three-stage course. 1) Self-Awareness. The first stage is self-awareness or understanding and insight about one's problems, their origin and the body's way of handling or defending against feelings associated with them. 2) Self-Expression. After sufficient awareness is gained the patient is helped to express, both physically and emotionally, feelings and reactions arising from his or her emerging knowledge of past experiences. 3) Self-Possession. As the patient becomes more aware of his history, produces enough expression to release holding and begins working through his or her wounds, self-possession begins to occur. Patients during this time will often begin to exhibit confidence, flexibility in problem solving, spontaneity, authenticity, interpersonal honesty, strength to handle conflict, energy and focus for meeting personal needs among other things. In other words the patient tends to stand in the world more fully present and grounded with a vitality and interest in life. The goals of Bioenergetic Psychotherapy can be summed up in the following way: Awareness: Bioenergetic psychotherapy offers a unique approach to emotional growth. This is provided through a controlled therapeutic setting. One is supported and encouraged to accept and express suppressed feelings both verbally and physically. As the process unfolds one begins to sense how bodily tensions hold him or her back from feeling, and how physical tensions and inhibitions restrict his or her aliveness and emotional health. Emotional Depth: Bioenergetic psychotherapy attempts to avoid superficial short-term solutions in favor of life long changes. Rather than merely gaining a surface or intellectual understanding of problems, one has an opportunity to work deeply through early traumas on both body and emotional levels. This can facilitate a fuller understanding and more permanent resolution of one's psychological and relationship problems. The result is often a greater sense of emotional and physical presence in the world. Vibrancy: The goal of therapy is an alive body, one capable of fully experiencing the pleasures and pains, the joys and sorrows of life. The more alive one is, the more he or she can tolerate a heightened excitement and passion for life. This aliveness is commonly expressed in greater energy and vitality. Vibrancy often occurs when tensions and blocks are removed and energy is released in the body, thus the term bioenergetics. Capacity For Love And Pleasure: Analysis of repressed conflicts, release of suppressed feelings, and the melting of chronic muscular tensions and blocks all tend to increase one's capacity for pleasure and love. Patients tend to become more honest, open and spontaneous in this vital aspect of their lives. Gracefulness And Self Worth: Bioenergetic therapy adds much to one's physical and emotional sense of balance, fluidity of movement and openness to others. Bioenergetic therapy is hard work, but it ultimately helps one to become a more graceful and gracious person. As a result one is likely to experience greater feelings of wholeness, accomplishment and self worth.
Books by Alexander Lowen may also be found at the Bioenergetic Press. Books by Dr. Lowen as well as other authors may be found through Powell's Books or amazon.com. Books by Alexander Lowen, MD:
Books by other authors:
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© 2006 Paul J. Potesta, Ph.D |
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