Body-oriented Therapy

Body-oriented therapy is based on the concept that the body and mind are one, and should not be treated independently of one another. Body-oriented therapy is a collective term for many different therapeutic techniques in which the body is the central focus. These techniques can be very helpful for: fear and/or anxiety complaints, hyperventilation, negative body image, sexuality, being uncomfortable with your body or the body of others and fear of intimacy. If you have interest in body-oriented therapy, make sure that you choose a therapist who is a professional in this field and is registered as such (for example with the LWP of the Dutch Institute for Psychology (NIP)

Who chooses body-oriented therapy? Those who:

  • notice that talking by itself does not solve their problems
  • have a strong tendency to approach everything mentally
  • wish to have more contact with their feelings
  • have difficulty expressing their problems in words
  • express their psychological problems physically, through unclear complaints and pains

What can you work on with body-oriented therapy?

  • learning physical ways to relax yourself
  • body awareness
  • learning how to ground and center yourself
  • relaxing your breathing
  • learning to use your body to come into contact with your feelings
  • being able to consciously feel the pent-up tensions and emotions within your body
  • learning to express your emotions
  • learning to understand your body, your posture, and the expressions and messages of your body.

What kind of people can the body-oriented approach help?

  • People who have gained insight with traditional talking based therapy, but have not been completely relieved of their complaints.
  • People who are unable to completely feel and/or express their own emotions or needs (for example with depression, burn out, fatigue, and eating disorders)
  • People that are suffering from early disturbances in forming attachments or bonds
  • People that have had traumatic experiences and have developed complaints due to these events (for example: on account of an accident, war situation, sexual abuse or mistreatment, PTSS, or bereavement)
  • People who have complaints that are primarily expressed physically, such as hyperventilation, pre-menstrual complaints, or RSI.
  • People who struggle with sensing, setting, or accepting boundaries or people with so-called autonomy problems.

Principles of Body-Oriented Therapy

  • Body and mind form an indivisible unit.
  • Just like the mind, the body has an archive function: it stores experiences via a “body memory” and can be approached through body awareness and perception.
  • Muscle tension, posture, and movement patterns are related to how someone feels and how one deals with situations. They frequently have a psychological meaning.
  • Awareness of bodily sensations and their emotional significance contribute to strengthening the ego, the sense of identity, and autonomy.

You can always obtain more information about active body-oriented therapists in your area. Ask for the section: “Lichaamsgericht Werkende Psychologen.” NIP : 020-4106222 / info@psynip.nl

Moving Balance


Practice for Psychotherapy, EMDR, Consultation and Coaching


Information: Mattea Spatharakis
E: info@movingbalance.com
T: 06-49115682


Office:
Joseph Haydnlaan 101
2324 AR Leiden

Route

Waiting time:
For all new clients regardless of diagnosis.
Intake: > 6 months
Start of treatment: > 7 months




Health insurance