Michele Blair, M.S., LMFT
Have you ever longed for a deeper release and connection to the center of your being?
In my evolution as a therapist I noticed talk therapy took me only so far in the arc of both my personal growth and my work with others.
After reading about Hakomi, mindful, somatic psychotherapy, I was intrigued and decided to take an introductory course. In my many years as a therapist I had never seen such profound change occur so quickly. The gentleness, trust, loving acceptance and connection between therapist and client touched me deeply. I realized this was the way I had been longing to do therapy. At first the process looked like magic but as I’ve trained to become a Hakomi therapist, I see it is not. Learning about and using Hakomi has and continues to shape my life and the lives of the people I work with. This is not to say Hakomi therapy is a quick or easy process. As with many things in life, what appears to be effortless arises from commitment and practice. I think of the Olympics.
Studying Hakomi has given me an elegant scaffold where I store then easily access old as well as new knowledge and experiences. In Hakomi, we use our bodies as portals to go deep inside and access our authentic selves. Within the Hakomi method I have not learned new therapeutic techniques per se. I have learned new ways to combine previously acquired skills with more ease and depth so I can work through and “metabolize” thoughts, feelings and experiences. I more often find myself actually “living” life rather than just “talking” about what I’m doing.
When faced with problems and challenges, mindful, embodied healing has allowed me to begin to be with and listen to different parts of myself: my body, emotions, mind and my spirit. Instead of getting angry, running away or becoming frozen with fear, I find myself moving through difficult tasks toward integration and wholeness.
Using Hakomi in my personal and professional lives has allowed me to be with people so they feel seen and heard. In a sacred space of trust and acceptance we can practice loving and honoring ourselves. From this “bubble” of safety, deep change and integration can occur because we are not resisting who we truly are.