Introduction to WHOLEBODY FOCUSING in Melbourne

                                                                  For the first time in Australia Karen Whalen P.H.D presents
                                                                  Three Day training for Focusers and helping professionals 
                                                                                          At the Abbotsford Convent
                                                                                  24th, 25th, 26th February 2012

   Once your body is allowed to be itself, uncramped, it has the wisdom to deal with your problems” (Gendlin)

This three day workshop is designed for trained professionals psychotherapists, body work practitioners, counsellors, Alexander, Feldenkrais,yoga  teachers and others wishing to broaden their expertise by bringing into their clinical practice the special body-oriented work known as ‘Focusing’. The workshop is also open to anyone with an interest in conscious living and connecting directly to the experience of their own innate inner directed wisdom. 


Karen Whalen, Ph.D., is a clinical therapist specializing in Complex Trauma in private practice in Canada.
She is Certifying Coordinator of The Focusing Institute who integrates energetic models of
consciousness with the practice of Wholebody Focusing. She teaches extensively throughout
America and Europe. Karen has recently co-written with Kevin Mcevenue a new Wholebody Focusing Manual Wholebody Focusing, Active Consciousness, and the Living Body: Participatory Spirituality.

Wholebody Focusing is an experiential relational person-centered method for connecting skillfully with the situations of one’s life. It is a natural process that invites the power of conscious awareness to awaken dynamic inner wisdom of the living body, a knowing at the heart of every one of us. 
This introductory foundational training module will explore the role of Wholebody awareness from Grounded Presence in awakening active consciousness of the Living Body. This bodily awakening to consciousness is experienced as an inner directed movement that is purposeful and intentional, as though the body itself has a mind of its own. 
 In this three day workshop you will receive an in-depth experience of Wholebody Focusing and training in how to apply these elements as life skills in everyday living. 
You will connect with a physical experience of Wholeness of Self arising out of subtle inner directed body movements. These inner directed movements give rise to the kind of energy that can move the embodied Self forward into more aliveness. That part of us that is searching for something more does so in relationship to a larger Wholeness of Self. Participants will work with safe and supportive group listening exercises that they can carry forward into their lives.


BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL- LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

Workshop course Fees 
Professionals $550
Student $450
Concessional by application
Non refundable deposit required on application
Early bird discount( $30 for Professionals $30 for Students) If paid in full by: January 7th 2012

The course runs from 10AM to 4.30 PM

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                                                  MELBOURNE ART THERAPY STUDIO  & FOCUSING AUSTRALIA PRESENT


                                                                   Focusing & Art Therapy Weekend Workshop

                                                                              The Art of Self compassion

                                                                               

                                                                                        TAKING IT DEEPER

                                                                  Saturday 17th March & Sunday 18th March 2012

                                                                                     10AM – 5PM $420 / $380


Focusing incorporates a gentle way of inner listening, an empathic way of being towards oneself, and provides access to the body's innate wisdom. Through Focusing, access to imagery occurs through the bodily felt sense of an issue, situation, or experience.

Focusing adds an aspect of mindfulness to the art therapy process, along with a sense of groundedness to the image through the felt sense of the body. Experiences of self-compassion, self-care, inner trust, and authenticity are heightened.

No experience with art making is necessary for this workshop. The end product is not as important as the process.

The Facilitators

 Jo Kennedy Award winning actor and director is a certified Focusing practitioner/trainer, trained by internationally renowned Inner Relationship Focusing teacher Ann Weiser Cornell.
“Learning to listen to this deep, more bodily knowing is the most exciting journey I have ever been on”

Robyn deVries co-founded the Melbourne Art Therapy Studio in 2005, has an MA in Art Therapy and a diploma in Gestalt Therapy and is completely sold on the power of the “here and now”, phenomenology and compassion. She facilitates Art Therapy groups with a large variety of clients and works individually with clients and runs workshops at the Melbourne Art Therapy Studio and elsewhere.


How to Register
Complete the registration form on line at http://www.melbournearttherapy.com.au/. Your place in the workshop will be confirmed when payment is received. When paying on line, please include your name, date of workshop and phone number in the reference.

As spaces are limited, we request that you register and pay at least 7 days prior to the workshop to avoid disappointment. Please feel free to call or email to find out if there are any spaces available.

The fee is non-refundable from 7 days prior to workshop.

                          What people say about the Focusing & Art Therapy workshop

I enjoyed your commitment and unjudging manner. I liked that you were also open and exploring. [.....] numerous aspects of what we experienced the connectedness, truth, sensitivity and being amongst women was a delight and refreshing. Thanks for the “crystal insights” and new horizons / windows creaking open.

I liked the mix of focusing / art therapy...
Thank you very much for a great day. I enjoyed every part of it. I think focusing and art therapy complement each other very well and Jo and Robyn achieved a great balance.

Thank you for such a gentle and calm experience. I really enjoyed the haikus the best. I am one to write and write and it feels so good to get it all down in a few words & it really sinks in. Brilliant!

[I] found the experience useful in many ways on many levels. The interaction between Jo & Robyn was relaxed and respectful, both of each other and the group. Day well paced – would be a great 2 day as the level of work or depth lends itself to great growth and profession experience. Thank you both very much.

I like the different modes of self expression throughout.
I like the time and space for being within myself
The duration and material is just nice for me for a day’s workshop.



Inner Relationship Focusing Level 1

Would you like a way to feel at ease with yourself, sort out emotional reactions so they make sense and release?
Would you like to be able to access your own bodies wisdom.
Do you want to become a compassionate listener to yourself... and others?
Would you like to know how to make choices and respond to life as your whole self
Do you want to do all this by learning a skill that you can use over and over with all the issues of your life?

Focusing Level one on the PHONE : Tuesday evenings 7PM JANUARY 31, February 7,14, 21, 28

Focusing Level one IN PERSON IN MELBOURNE AT THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT : February 2, 9,16, 23 March 1


Here’s what happens in Focusing Level One 

you’ll learn the remarkable ability to be in Presence with your feelings – a way of being with your emotions that can change how you live your life every day
you’ll learn how to discover your felt senses – rich information about your life that you already know without knowing you know
you’ll practice a simple but powerful listening process that lets you be supportive of other people – and yourself – in ways that are literally the opposite of interfering and giving advice
you’ll become more trusting of yourself and your inner wisdom
your way of being and your process will be respected at every stage – you are learning a natural skill that goes counter to our fast-paced outer directed modern culture, but will feel deeply natural to your body
You will receive a copy of The Focusing Student’s and Companion’s Manual, Part One, as well as special cue cards to support the exercises we will do. The teaching is a mixture of explanation, demonstration, and practice, with ample opportunity for you to ask questions and get support.
Our whole purpose is to help you empower your life and bring your gifts and passion into the world!
Prerequisite: at least one individual session with an Inner Relationship Focusing teacher. This session prepares you to get the most out of the class. It's recommended to have your session with the teacher of the course.



      

Classes for parents and grandparents wanting to deepen their relationships with the children in their lives.

Register your interest via email - click here