Body-Centered Psychotherapy is based on a philosophy of self- empowerment, responsibility and maturity. A basic insight in Gestalt Philosophy is, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The whole gives meaning to its parts: the parts give meaning to the whole.

In Body Centered Psychotherapy a person is seen as the whole of his body, his self and his mind. The Mind is more than the thinking self; rather, the body and the mind are functionally identical. Understanding this is the key to Body-Centered Psychotherapy. The body tells the story of the mind's conflict with itself, for the body records and remembers the sum of one's life experiences often in spite of what one wills the brain to forget. Learning to read the body means learning to read and understand the story told by the body's posture, the energy in the eyes, the quality and strength of the voice and by patterns of breathing. Understanding body-process and how the body tells it's story then is a way for the body-centered psychotherapist to help the client access and experience emotions and conflicts that are unconsciously stored in the body and are at the root of most psychological issues. By doing so the therapist helps the client to develop a more meaningful and satisfying experience of life.

The Appearance of the Face

Feelings and emotions are spontaneous physical processes, that should be able to flow freely. When we block - or repress - so-called "bad feelings", we disrupt the body-mind system and set the stage for disease, including pronounced physical and psychological symptoms like eating disorders, addictions, violent relationships and chronic depression.

The Two-Year Psychotherapy Training program integrates Gestalt, Bioenergetic Analysis and Object Relations. This approach aims at helping a person to become responsible for his or her growth and development and so come to experience and accept all that makes up the Self. Acceptance leads to emotional growth, the transformation of character and a new sense of autonomy and wholeness.

PROGRAM GOALS:

• We will study:
  
• The philosophy and theory of Gestalt and Bioenergetic principles
• Personality development and character structure from a character analytic and object relations point of view
• transference and counter transference
• The mind-body connection from a body- centered perspective
• Disease processes, including alcoholism and other addictions
• Personality dysfunction and defense styles
• 
  We will experience and practice:
  
• Bioenergetic Bodywork,
• Working under direct supervision
• Experimental work that will guide the participants into a deeper appreciation of the body's energetic process
• Living a group process
• Personal growth and self-awareness

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• The Training Program will be available to those with a degree in a helping profession, i.e. mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, social workers, psychotherapists, physicians, psychologists, chiropractors, nurses, massage therapists, etc. Applicants with comparable experience and maturity may also be considered.
• 
  This program might be particularly useful for:
  
• Any individual who wants to consider psychotherapy as a profession.
• Any therapist who wishes to expand his/her understanding of the therapeutic process.
• Any substance abuse counselor who wishes to help his/her client to move beyond abstinence.
• An health care provider who works with the body mind connection.

FORMAT:

The basic Program consists of two courses each spread out over 6 monthly weekend sessions from October to April.

(Please see our Current Events Calendar for exact dates.)

General Weekend Outline:
FRIDAY 6:30 - 8:30 PM:     THEORY
SATURDAY 9 AM - 4 PM:  INTEGRATION OF THEORY AND PRACTICE
SUNDAY 9 AM - 1 PM:      PRACTICING UNDER SUPERVISION

COURSE A: Defense Styles and Character Analyses

Body-centered Psychotherapy focusing on developmental theory from a Bioenergetic and object relations perspective. Click here for a more detailed course outline.

COURSE B: The Porocess of Body Centered Psychotherapy

Focusing on the process and practice of body centered psychotherapy from a Gestalt Object Relations and Bioenergetic perspective. Click here for a more detailed course outline.

The required reading list include such authors as Alexander Lowen, Alice Miller, Fritz Perls, Wilhelm Reich, Steven Johnson etc.

For Students, who wish to deepen their learning experience after having completed the courses A & B the ConnCenter offers the ADVANCED CLINICAL TRAINING, consisting of two parallel running courses.

click here for further information:

OPTIONAL ADVANCED CLINICAL TRAINING

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ENROLLMENT INFO:

• TUITION: $1400 per year
• PLACE: CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR HUMAN GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
• CERTIFICATE: Every Participant, who completes the 2 year program, receives one
• CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS:

                                                                                                               MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS:                                                  

           NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)

           Provider # 5664
           72 contact hours per training year
           The Connecticut Center for Human Growth & Development                     is recognized by the National Board for Certified  Counselors             to offer Continuing Education for National Certified

            Counselors.  We adhere to NBCC Continuing Education    

            Guidelines.

             SOCIAL WORKERS:

             NASW/RI Chapter

             Auth.# RI 2509

             72 Category I Credits per training year

Contact the Connecticut Center for an Interview (free of charge)

         Submit curriculum vitae to the Connecticut Center

          Upon acceptance, after Interview and review of CV, a                                 non  refundable deposit of $50 is required to reserve a place in           the  program.

          For the remaining tuition an individual payment schedule is   

          worked out.