What is Focusing?
Focusing is an evidenced based, mind-body awareness practice of self reflection.
Often, our answers lie within, and all we need from the outside is some help uncovering them.
What are the benefits of Focusing?
Focusing operates on the premise that each of us has within ourselves a deep knowing, and through Focusing, we can tap into this wisdom to access guidance and healing.
When we Focus, we turn our awareness inward and bring a friendly, welcoming attitude toward our inner experience, be it an emotion, memory or physical sensation.
With gentle curiosity, we listen in ways that allow us to access the full wisdom of our body.
When can Focusing help?
When you are hijacked by emotions.
When you feel blocked or stuck.
When you’re going through a transition.
Anytime you’d like to access the wisdom of your whole body. There’s so much more than what’s in your head.
How does focusing work?
Throughout most of our lives, our attention is directed outwards and we apply our brains — our critical thinking skills — to every problem. While this habit is often useful, it can block our ability to access our deeper wisdom. For example, have you ever wanted to change a habit or make a decision, but despite your best efforts, you couldn’t?
Focusing offers a revolutionary and well-researched alternative: you can pause, turn inward and then hold what comes (your thoughts and feelings) with compassion. This process allows new insights to emerge, encourages healing to happen and enables you to tap into the whole of your body (as opposed to being captured by your head).
Where did it originate?
We were born knowing how to Focus, but most of us lost this ability as we were educated and socialized. The good news is that it’s already there, inside of us. We just need to re-learn and practice this innate, natural process.
In the 1960s, psychologists Gene Gendlin and Carl Rogers investigated the efficacy of psychotherapy at the University of Chicago. They recorded and analyzed thousands of therapy sessions to determine why psychotherapy didn’t succeed more often and, when it did, what factors made it successful. Was it the therapeutic technique, the therapist, the patient, or some combination?
Their research showed that the key predictor of successful therapy was how the client spoke during the session. When the client took time to find the right words, often pausing to grope for a word or correct themselves, the client was more likely to have “successful therapy.” The trusting relationship between the client and therapist was also important and, interestingly, the type of therapy made no difference in outcomes.
Based on these results, they were able to successfully predict which patients would and would not have successful outcomes. Once they recognized the value of this process, they asked themselves: why can’t we teach it? Gene went on to develop this methodology and called it “Focusing.”
What does it take to focus?
While each of us was born with the ability to Focus, most of us have forgotten how to do it. The good news is that it comes back easily. You can rebuild this skill through classes, practice and/or one-on-one sessions.
How can focusing help me?
You know yourself better than any professional ever could. Focusing can help you access this knowing, build a trusting relationship with your inner self and lay the foundation for healing, peace and joy.
Focusing is a practical, everyday tool that can help you break free from emotional habits and tap into the wisdom of your own, deep knowing.