About Focusing
"A felt sense is not a mental experience but a physical one. Physical. A bodily awareness of a situation or person or event. An internal aura that encompasses everything you feel and know about a given subject at a given time—encompasses it and communicates it to you all at once, rather than detail by detail."
~Eugene Gendlin
Often we experience a vague feeling of 'something'. However, it is so unclear and elusive that we let it go. Focusing is the process of staying with this bodily felt-sense.
As we pay attention to these hazy sensations, they become clearer and more substantial, revealing meanings that are often new and surprising. By listening to our body, we gain fresh insights and increase self-awareness.
Focusing is a respectful practice, we accept everything that emerges, allowing us to work safely, even with difficult emotions.
Benefits
People often tell me about their experiences of Focusing and what they have gained. As a Focuser myself I find that this practice helps in many ways. Here are some benefits that stand out for me:
- Body connection: A deeper sense of connection and appreciation for your body.
- Managing pain: A way of being with physical pain that can really make a difference.
- Resilience: Focusing skills help you to calm down and manage anxiety stress and overwhelm. Leading to a greater sense of your own solidness.
- Self-Discovery: When you sense in freshly and let go of assumptions, you discover what really matters to you and decision making becomes easier.
- Authentic Relationships: Being more self-aware allows you to be more open and genuinely yourself in relationships.
- Compassion: Through Focusing you become more self-accepting, naturally extending compassion and empathy to others.
- Healing: Focusing brings healing as you hear, acknowledge and accept all your feelings and emotions.
Guided Focusing Sessions
During sessions you can work with a particular issue, or you can use the time to get an overall sense of how you are. We pay attention to bodily feelings and emotions, accepting everything that you become aware of. Even an inner voice that is telling you off can be welcomed and heard. In this friendly atmosphere, difficult feelings often shift, making space for fresh perspectives.
What to expect:
- Comfort first: We begin by settling in. Many people prefer to close their eyes to reduce distractions. Others prefer to have their eyes to open and that is fine too.
- No pressure: I will guide you through the session, there is nothing that you need to know or remember.
- Your pace: We move at your pace. You are encouraged to let me know if there is anything that you want or need.
Supporting Mentor
Supporting trainee Focusing teachers
Learning to teach Focusing can be both exciting and challenging. As second mentor I am here to support you. This includes encouraging you to deepen your awareness of personal strengths, and to develop your own ways of teaching.
I have experience of including Focusing within counselling and supervision work. My interests include trauma, physical pain and neurodiversity. This could be relevant to your own interests and to your project.
You are welcome to use sessions in ways that are helpful for you. For example, guided Focusing, discussion and clarifying areas that you are unsure about.
My Qualifications and Practice
I am a Certified Focusing Practitioner and Mentor, registered with the British Focusing Association.
I teach Focusing to groups and provide individual guided Focusing sessions.
Focusing can be included within counselling and supervision, when this is requested and helpful.
The trainings that I offer are the BFA Focusing Skills Certificate and the BFA Focusing Practitioner Professional Training.
I am a BFA Mentor. As such I have substantial experience of teaching Focusing to individuals and groups.
Helpful Details
who is Focusing for?
Focusing is for people who would like to develop a deeper connection with their feelings, to gain clarity and fresh insights.
Do I need to have a problem?
You don’t need to Focus on a particular issue. You can Focus with a vague feeling or simply be curious about your inner state.
Where can I learn more about focusing?
There is information on the British Focusing Association website: focusing.org.uk
You are most welcome to contact me if you would like to discuss Focusing and what you can gain from it.
Contact Paula
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.