80 INTERNATIONAL BODY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS © Author and USABP/EABP. Reprints [email protected] Volume 14,Number 2fall 2015pp80-100. International BodyPsychotherapy Journal ALINE LAPIERRE relational somaticpsychology: depth, andbreadth ofrelational bodypsychotherapy, or, asitiscalledintheUnited States, isinspired article by fourpublicationsIfoundmosthelpfulinunderstandingtheorigin, capacity tolove andinactivating theconditionsthatfacilitateemergenceofSelf. This ofthebodyinrestoringtherapist-client relational theimportance the matrixthatsupports cognitive organization, and relational interdependence; and (3) an attuned and collaborative thebodyasengagedinanongoingdialoguethatincludessomaticflow views andpulsation, ofbodymindorganizationthat oftherapeuticresonance;and theimportance (2)atheory Relational body psychotherapy is explored from the perspectives of (1) transference dynamics embodied clinicalapplicationsintothebroader fieldofpsychotherapy andpsychoanalysis. psychoanalytic principles. The relational approach hascreated tointroduce opportunities agent forchange, that the way finally opened for body psychotherapy to embrace relational as it replaced therapeutic neutrality with the centrality of the therapeutic relationship as an work ofJohn Bowlby Main, andMary itiswiththeemergenceofrelational movements, continuingwiththedevelopment oftheprinciples attachmentintheseminal Beginning withtheevolution oftherole ofempathyintheobjectrelations andhumanistic discussestheconcepts,andmethodsthatcharacterize relationalThis article bodypsychotherapy. therapeutic resonance, therapeuticrelationship empathy, somaticpsychology, relational matrix,relational bodypsychotherapy, Keywords: • • • • About Relational BodyPsychotherapy Touching theRelational Edge Monograph Series (2014),editedby Kate White. an Attachment andRelational Perspective? Talking Bodies:How Do We Integrate Working withtheBodyinPsychotherapy from Andrew Odgers. Change. From Broken Attachment to Earned Security: The Role of Empathy in Therapeutic bodypsychotherapy, connection,embodiedtransference, emergence, The John Bowlby Memorial Conference Monograph Series (2014),editedby (Or Relational Somatic Psychology) Received 13February 2015;accepted20May 2015 Relational Body Psychotherapy The Art andScienceofSomaticPraxis (2014) by AsafRolef Ben-Shahar. ISSN 2169-4745Printing, ISSN2168-1279Online Aline LaPierre (2012), edited by Courtenay (2012), editedby Courtenay Young. Abstract The John Bowlby Memorial Conference revolution setinmotionby thecooperative work ofpsychoanalyst andpsychiatrist John body psychotherapy, thepathbeginsinhumanisticmovement and inthenow-historic have hadtheirbeginningsinitsrichand controversial tradition.In thecaseofrelational psychoanalysis, most of the significant theoretical advances in the fieldofpsychology conforms towhatwe learnedasinfants. others. Throughout thelifespan,we attempttorecreate ourrelational patternsinawaythat have cometotheconclusionthatformationofidentityislargelyorganized inrelation to our expectationsabouthow ourneedsanddesires can be met.Asaresult, relational theorists be separatedfrom therelational contextsfrom whichtheyarise;ourearlyrelationships shape relationships withparents andcaregivers andthat,consequently, ourdesires andurgescannot human motivation. They argue that personality emerges from the matrix of early formative the centeroftherapeuticwork. towards aninteractive visionthatplacestherelationship between thetherapist andpatientat corresponding shift in clinical practice away from neutrality, abstinence, and anonymity and and objectrelations theories,andselfpsychology. This changehasbeenaccompaniedby a model grounded inawide-rangingmixofinfluences. amongthemare attachmentPrimary leading themovement awayfrom classicalFreudian towards drive theory adevelopmental of thought and clinical practice. It has become an influential force within psychoanalysis, Body in Psychotherapy from an Attachment and Relational Perspective?” is an illustration of John Bowlby Memorial Conference “Talking Bodies: How Do We Integrate Working withthe body psychotherapists interested inandable to usepsychodynamic terminology. The 2012 bodypsychotherapy, withcontemporary a cross-fertilization resulting generation of inanew traditionally beenestranged: between relational bodypsychotherapy andpsychoanalysis connecttwoworldsthathave Shahar notes: psychoanalysis. In book his important Touching the Relational Edge, Dr. AsafRolef Ben- attachment theory, relational bodypsychotherapy wasalsostrongly influenced by relational Bowlby andpsychologist Main. Mary In additiontothisdeepconnectiontheprinciplesof Rolef Ben-Shahar thattheriseofrelationality inpsychoanalysis observes hasbrought about psychoanalysis, especiallyandmostfruitfully, relational psychoanalysis. (2014,p. xvi) their own smallworld,hadbeguntoexplore andincorporateideastechniquesfrom information inaccessibleby words alone.In themeantime,bodypsychotherapists, tired of Psychoanalysts reading interpersonal neurobiology begantorealize thatthebodyheld In herpreface toRolef Ben-Shahar’s book, Jacqueline Carletonpointsouthow thelinks which typifiedthefirstdecadesofpsychological treatment.(2014, p.10). relational turn in psychoanalysis. Relational psychoanalysis shattered the sterile fantasy field ofpsychotherapy concernstheconceptualandclinicalopennessbrought by the One of the reasons for the current blossoming of body psychotherapy within the general tendency tominimize thecontributionsofAlthough there isacontemporary Relational psychoanalysts believe thatthedesire tobeinrelationship istheprimary Over thepasttwodecades,relational psychoanalysis tradition hasemergedasanew within ourselves, witheachother, andwithourplanet. Any break inconnectionwithinthisrelational matrix is experiencedasstress ortrauma. We live inarelational matrix RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 81 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 82 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS showing thatitisbothanatural response andacapacitythatwe needtocultivate. help tocounterthesemisconceptions. Gerhardt describesthree levels ofempathicrelating, their demandsby colludingwiththem.Amore sophisticated understandingofthetermmay Gerhardt writes: Cultivating Empathy achievement ofearnedsecurity. relational skillneededby atherapisttohelpclient move from aninsecure attachmenttothe as empathyisessentialtoachild’s capacityforsecure attachment,empathyisalsoanessential the themeofempathyinclinicalpractice. The conference examinedtheproposition thatjust response tothisfinding,the2011 John Bowlby Memorial Conference monographaddresses empathy inchildren isessentialtotheircapacityformsatisfyingrelationships asadults.In well-founded theory. Rolef Ben-Shahar cautions: longer wanttheirwork marginalized on are challengedtobasetheirclinicalinterventions dialogue challengestraditionalclinicalpractices.Relational bodypsychotherapists whono inthetherapeuticare facedwiththefactthatincludingbodyandbodily interventions translate relational conceptsintoembodiedclinicalapplication.Relational psychoanalysts to theinterested bodypsychotherapist, relational bodypsychotherapy offerspracticesthat another: whereas relational psychoanalytic thinking provides theoretical a fertile foundation psychodynamic traditionandthosewhocomefrom abodypsychotherapy tradition. the growing movement toward greater integration between therapiststrainedinarelational ALINE LAPIERRE • Empathy hasbeenmisunderstood:it seen ascoddlingpatientsandmeeting ‘milky’ worldview” (2011,p. 11). The analytictherapistAndrew Samuels isonesuch,whocallsit,ratherevocatively, “a “a a kind of “safe analysis” where there are no ethical dilemmas, no sexuality, no challenges. attunement, andbeingnice.Some peoplehave argued thattherapybasedonempathyis Many ofcosy.idealmothering, andperfect peoplethinkofempathyassomesort Before goinganyfurther, let’s lookalittlecloseratwhatempathyisandnot.Sue Research parent–infant relationship intotheprimary shows thatthedevelopment of (2014,p.clients, andtakeresponsibility fortheirclinicalinterventions 59). all schools,theyneedtopositionthemselves authenticallyandresponsively withtheir decades ofbodypsychotherapy;first few asdopsychoanalysts andpsychotherapists of can nolongerresort tothenaive andspontaneousstancewhichhascharacterized the To reintegrate theirpositioninthepsychotherapeutic community, bodypsychotherapists Relational psychoanalysis andrelational bodypsychotherapy mutuallyenrichone areas of our brains that respond to the body language of others, mirror neurons give us bywidely believed mirror tobe generated,atleastinpart, neurons. By activating the happens naturallywhenpeople share feelingswitheachother. This bodilyresonance is Emotional contagion The Role ofEmpathy inRelational Psychotherapy then itmustbegoodhumanrelations thatcanprovide thecure. If itisbadhumanrelations thatcreated theproblem, . At its basic level, empathy is described as a bodily resonance that —Harry Guntrip history affectshisorherability togeneratetheexperience ofasecure baseforaclient.history offer onlyoncetheyhave experienceditthemselves. Apsychotherapist’s own attachment its presence cannot be taken forgranted; it is a quality of being that psychotherapists can confidence, and compassion. Empathy doesnotdevelop without appropriate modeling, and a well-defined separateself. Being empathic requires clarity, goodboundaries,maturity, trust, behaviors forprofessionals. In Gerhardt’s words: (2014, kindlelocation402).Empathy andidentification withothers were seenasunsuitable ‘babies’ whoneededtogrow up or ‘victims’ whoneededtotakeresponsibility forthemselves” set thetonefordecadesofanalyticassumptions:“Analysts regularly referred totheirclientsas trauma. lack ofempathycontributestothegenerationaltransmission ofdevelopmental andrelational will teachtheirchildren tobehave andknow theirplaceinahierarchical society. In thisway, receiving endofnon-empathicparenting aschildren inturnbelieve thatpunitive parenting of theparent becomesthepsychology ofthedeveloping child.Adults whowere onthe feelings andwithoutthinkingabouttheimpactoftheirbehavioronothers. The psychology difficult forthemto respond empathically. Instead, they react withoutawareness oftheir own states, andtranslatetheirinnerexperiencesintoacoherent narrative. who canconsistentlyhelpthemidentifyandnametheiremotions,accuratelyread theirinner to drawonthosememories. To becapable of empathy, children require empathiccaregivers bankofencounterswithpeopleandhaveto have enoughself-awareness acquired amemory and hisorherpersonalhistory. todevelop Empathy becausewe takestimeandeffort need her immediateneeds,whereas empathy isaresponse totheuniquenessofawholeindividual moment asasensitive caregiver regulates achild’s current emotionsandresponds tohisor Because empathyis notasymbioticmergingwithanother, itrequires thatatherapisthave to authorityandoverly practices(2014, kindlelocation592). strictdisciplinary patient togrow up, isasoutdated and unhelpfulasparenting whichinsistsondeference psychotherapy, asapower relationship where thesuperiortherapisttriestoforce the This more relational styleof perspective makes itclearthatthetwentieth century Gerhardt pointsoutthatpsychoanalysts whowere themselves parented withoutempathy When babiesandyoung children donotexperience empathyfrom theircaregivers, itis Empathy isdeeperandbroader thanattunement.Attunement happensmomentto • • the sametimeremaining aware ofourown feelings. else maybefeeling. We give priority to feelingalongwiththeotherperson,whileat consciously drawonourown experiencesandself-awareness toimaginewhatsomeone proper ismore complexandincludesacognitive element. When we empathize, we Empathy. inner state. use ittogive clientsnonverbal feedbackthatletsthemknow theyunderstand their affect attunementhappensunconsciously, buttherapistscanalsochoosetoconsciously letting theclientknow thathisinnerstatehasbeenrecognized. For themostpart, conveying sadness,atherapistmightadjusthervoice toagentle,low tone,thereby response tomirror how anotherfeels.For example,ifaclientcomesintosession unconscious. When affectively attuned,anindividualinstinctively adjustshisorher Affect attunement development thatrequiresis anevolutionary onourpart. noeffort a senseofhow othersfeelandgeneratesimilarbehaviorsinus. This typeofempathy Using bothbodilyresonance andaffectattunementasabase,empathy . This level of empathic responding isalsomostlyautomaticand RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 83 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 84 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS tradition. White notesinherintroduction: psychotherapy traditionandthosewhohave beentrainedinarelational andpsychodynamic agreaterand (3)tosupport integrationbetween therapistswhocomefrom abody-oriented (2) toupdateour thinking abouttherelationship between thebody, attachment,andtrauma; growing role ofthebodyinrelational psychoanalysis andpsychotherapy over thelastdecade; monograph’s editor, theaimsof2012conference were three-fold: (1)toexplore the ofthebodyinrelationalimportance perspective. Asstatedby Kate White, the ofapsychotherapyat theheart thatisrelational: base fortheclient. The following qualitiesare ofsecure attheheart attachmentandequally ALINE LAPIERRE Questions addressed duringtheconference included: and theerotic have beenundertheorized (2004,p. xxiv). its needtoachieve scientific respectability, thebodyand by implicationtouch,the sexual theory. Yet perhapsinreaction totheexcesses classicaltheories,andbecauseof ofcertain The child’s longingforthebodyofmotherhasalwaysbeenimplicitinattachment experienceandtheshapingofourinternalworlds.central role ofthebodyinconstructing Perhaps relational approaches topsychoanalytic psychotherapy have underplayed the The presentations ofthe2012John Bowlby Memorial Conference centeron the • • • Relational psychotherapy involves the creation of a relationship that provides a secure express theirneeds.Again,quotingGerhardt: a negative lightandjudged,by beingheldatarm’s lengthorwhenfeelingunsafeto failures andrepair misunderstandings.Clientscanberetraumatized by beingseenin Responsiveness andmutualfeedback for self-regulation. regulation; ofthetherapist’s hencetheimportance personaldevelopment andcapacity obstacles tothedevelopment ofempathyisthecaregiver’s own difficultywithself- regulation oftheirclients’ intimesofdistress. emotions,particularly One ofthemain Self-regulation feeling, joiningthemintheirpainaswell astheirjoy. Sensitivity. Working from withtheBody anAttachment andRelational Perspective properties ofactualrelationships.properties (2014,kindlelocation587) developmental understandingrecognizes thatourselves are really theemergent the relational patternsthatheorshe hasinternalized. Therapy basedonmodern negative, buttherelationships thattheclient hasexperiencedinthepast,and In particular, anempathicnarrative recognizes thatitisnottheclientwho • • in theconsulting room? framework ofattachmenttheory? How might the integration of these ideas about thebody change what we do How dowe understandingswe anchorthe new are gainingwithinthe Sensitive therapiststuneinandare ableto understandwhatclientsare based uponacceptanceofintrinsicaffective statesandtheircommunication . Therapists generateconfidencewhentheyare the available tosupport by active contactbetween bodiesinalldegrees ofintimacy. . therapists needamodelofnon-verbal communication —Colwyn Trevarthen . Therapists mustbewillingtoown theirempathic Bowlby monograph: psychotherapy, thefollowing are someofthesignificantcontributorsmentionedinthis psychotherapy andpracticeofrelational andexploringhow body theseinformthetheory are continually evolving. For readers interested researching in further the roots of relational and mind. tocomeintobeing,andputoutacallretheorizestruggles therelationship between body other andbodies” (2004,p.23). Orbach emphasized thatthebody, justasthepsyche, body unfoldsanddevelops itsindividualityinthecontextofrelationship toandwithan “Touch: Attachment andtheBody,” inwhichSusie Orbach reminded us,“Our personal body from arelational perspective. The 2012conference buildsonthe2003conference, titled Talking Bodies Nick Totton, andpracticeofrelational bodypsychotherapy. whogave apaperonthetheory opening address; Pat Ogden, whogave theconference’s John Bowlby Memorial Lecture; and from thesomaticfield were invited,amongthem were Roz Caroll, whopresented the The Hardwired Desire forConnection • • • • • • • • andvarious developmental andrelationalThe linksbetween attachmenttheory approaches ofthebodytoforeground,In ofbringingtheimportance support keycontributors In his presentation, Nick Totton defineswhatagrounded understandingofembodied functions toregulate fear and distress withinthetherapeuticprocess. relational contextsofplay andearlysymbolization,how theattachmentsystem and children, whichinclude thedevelopment ofparental reflective functioning, the social perspectives. impact of trauma on the entire person, integratingneurobiological, interpersonal, and disorder aswell asasingle-incidentshockexperience.He was thefirsttoconsider attachment experiences. describing theemergingtheoriesofhow inearlylife,thedeveloping brainisshapedby relational psychoanalytic theories. bodily experienceandsexualityinthetherapeuticrelationship. clients andtheirtherapists. mutual influenceand regulation, whichis reproduced inthenarrative between adult developmental psychology. Strange Situation procedure. inherprocesses thatunderlietheattachmentstylesidentified Ainsworth by Mary Arietta Slade pioneered attachment-basedapproaches toclinicalwork withbothadults Bessel van derKolk showed thatposttraumaticstress isadevelopmental trauma Allan Schore presented developments fieldofneuropsychoanalysis, inthenew important Stephen Mitchell toother proposed arelational matrixthatlinksattachmenttheory Susie Orbach studiedthebodyinitssocialcontextandconsidered of theconstruction Beatrice Beebe demonstratedthateachparent–infant dyadcreates adistinctsystemof Daniel Stern and from brought theperspective support ofinfantobservation MainMary created theAdult tostudytheunconscious Attachment Interview • •

(White, 2014) contributes to the interdisciplinary dialogue on the role 2014) contributes to the interdisciplinary of the (White, therapeutic work? between therapistandclient,itshealingpotential,atthecenterofour What impactmightthisfocusonthebodyhave onthetherapyrelationship? Can we maintainandrespect theplaceofasecure, attunedattachment RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 85 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 86 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS Embodied Transference andCountertransference between twofeeling bodiesandtwoembodiedpsyches thatcreate andcondition oneanother. embodied: relationships are firstandforemost bodilyevents. Relationship requires adance patterns, andbeliefsystemsat work. We needbodies torelate, andwe need torelate tobecome each continuouslyaffectsandconditionstheexperienceof other” thatreveals thehistory, and are vital elements of the therapeutic process. It is this state of “mutual co-arising where embodied experienceasthecentralcompetencetosuccessful bodypsychotherapy: totheirclients. this comfort Totton seesatherapist’s capacitytotrackandusehisorher with embodimenttothe extent that theycan regularly initandcommunicate findcomfort Body psychotherapists, writes Totton, have hopefullyworked through theirown relationship body psychotherapists to have an awareness of and openness to their own bodily experiences. adult capacityforempathy, connection,andbodilypresence. It isessentialforrelational attachment anddevelopmental experiencesandtheeffectthosehave ontheir that relational bodypsychotherapists bringtoconsciousawareness theirown early member’s earlyattachmentexperiences; each dyadisunique.Consequently, itisimportant capacity forconnectionandattunementwithinatherapist–clientdyaddependsoneach attachment experiences. forpsychotherapistsThis isastrue asitisfortheirclients. The voice, andmovements. This eagernessisimplicitlypresent inourbodies: expectant to form relationships, expressing their eagerness through their gaze, facial expressions, they respond todisturbancesinrelationship. Babies, writes Totton, arrive inthisworldeagerand Anyone whohastakencare ofababy hasexperiencedthestormsofgriefanddespairwithwhich infantscanwitnesstheirhugecapacityanddesirethat anyone forconnection. whocloselyobserves focused earlyattachmenttoconsiderthenature ofsocialbondingthroughout thelifespan. thinking, Totton aimstomove ourunderstandingofembodiedrelationship beyond infant- characterize human beings from the cradle to the grave” (1979, p. 129). In line with Bowlby’s especiallyevidentduringearlychildhood,attachmentbehaviorisheldto postulated: “While physically and emotionally, we need relationships with others in all stages of life. Bowlby had perception thatwe are andthrive allembodiedandrelational beingsandthattosurvive relationships. Totton’s relationship involves. We are born,writes Totton, withahardwired imperative toform ALINE LAPIERRE on theimplicit—that is,outofawareness—activation thatallows ustocreate “an echoin Totton notesthattransference andcountertransference are bodilyphenomenabased For Totton, embodiment andtherelationship between clientandtherapist are inseparable shift tomeetthem(2014,p. 44). them inandmetabolize them; we reverberate totheirrhythms,andourown rhythms and soaksuptheembodiedpresence oftheclient;we catchfire from them; we breathe way relationship, ofchangeandgrowth. whichbecomesthecrucible Our bodybathesin . . as practitionerswe committo our embodiedresponse inorder to form a living, two- Our adultcapacityforconnectionandattunementcarriestheimprintofourearly and thedeepesthealinginrelationship (2014,p. 43). our future relationships; throughout ourlives we canexperiencethedeepestwounding the responses we receive. These earliestrelationships literallyformandshapeusall peaks ofblissandtroughs ofagonyanddespair, visiblyexpandingandcontractingwith Our bodiestremble andvibratewithurgency toconnect,soaringandswoopingbetween As doattachment-centered andrelational psychoanalysts, Totton anchorshiswork inthefact Embodied-Relational Therapy (ERT) isanapproach basedonthe capacity tothink andholdmultipleperspectives: toperceive theother’s bodyandto feelone’s would berelational andinclusive ofthebodyismultidimensional.Relationality involves the other inacomplexweaving ofinterrelated responses. environment riffoff eachotherasdojazzmusicians,influencingand responding toeach between improvising jazz musicians. Brain and body, self and other, system and nervous the feedbackloopsbetween thebrain,body, and theenvironment totherelationship The Multidimensionality ofRelational Psychotherapy Body involves complexterrain. their clients’ arousal levels? For therelational bodypsychotherapist, makingthisdistinction client’s material? thattheyareWhat allows withcertainty responding clinicianstoassert to which theymustacknowledge ownership andtheirinternalexperiencesasareflection ofthe psychotherapists makeacleardistinctionbetween anupsurgeoftheir own materialfor they recognize themornot,whethertheywelcome themornot.How canrelational body their own subjective experienceandaresponse thatisempathicallydriven by theother. experiences: Scale (2008),theyfoundhighlevels ofthefollowing body-centered countertransferential as empathictuningforks. Using theEgan andCarrBody-Centered Countertransference that tounderstandtheirclients’ internalexperience,therapistsusetheirbodiessomewhat countertransference infemaletraumatherapists. Their research wasbasedonthetheory University ofIreland (NUI)Galway andUniversity CollegeDublin measured body-centered guided by theirown interoceptive body-basedresponses. Irish psychologists attheNational and cognitive reflective processes, relational bodypsychotherapists allow themselves tobe clients andinthemselves. In theirclients’ conjunctionwithsupporting ongoing emotional consciously track shifts in gut feelings, breath, rate, and bracing patterns both in their heart and Priestman writethat: clinicians andclientsexperienceeachother’s physicalstateswithintheirown bodies. Totton not asfrequently discussed. with theconceptsoftransference andcountertransference. However, itssomaticaspectsare ourselves ofwhatwe perceive happeningintheother” (2014,p. 49). We are allfamiliar The jazzensemblemetaphor illustratestheunderstandingthatapsychotherapy that Roz aboutneuroscientists ChielandBeer whocompared Carroll (2014)tellsastory All human beings are impacted on a bodily level by the feeling states of others, whether Embodiment allows abodypsychotherapist todistinguishbetween aresponse thatis • • • Headache • Tearfulness • • Yawning • • Sleepiness For example,beyond naturalempathy, bodypsychotherapists develop theircapacityto repressedoutside consciousnessandinpart from consciousness(2012,p. 39). procedural memoriesofchildhoodrelationships, learntcomplexes ofphysicalresponse held Transference isthusnotonlyapsychological, butalsoabodilyprocess, afunctionofimplicit Throat constriction Stomach disturbance, nausea,churningstomach Unexpected shiftinbody, palpitations,sexualexcitement heart Muscle tension,shakiness Embodied transference andcountertransference refer totheway RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 87 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 88 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS review someoftheinfluencesthat connect relational psychoanalysis with relational body an embodiedbodypsychotherapy practice: questionsaboutthesometimesheightened, emotionalchargethattakesplaceinimportant Ben-Shahar hasdeveloped acomplex understanding ofbothfields;thisallows himtoraise the features thatlinkrelational bodypsychotherapy andrelational psychoanalysis, Rolef psychotherapists whowishtohave oftheirfield.Asa aclearoverview result ofintegrating who wanttoorientthemselves tothefieldof bodypsychotherapy, as well asforbody andpracticeofbodypsychotherapy: agemforpsychotherapiststheory andpsychoanalysts of bodypsychotherapy. For thisreason alonehisbookisavaluable contributiontothe an answer, hegives usanin-depthunderstandingofthehistory, concepts,andmethods bodywork orbodypsychotherapy modalities?”(2014,p. 61).In theprocess offormulating isitthatmakesrelational bodypsychotherapykey question:“What different from other range from recognizing split-secondperceptions toincubatingslower reflective responses. consciousness, requires spontaneityanddiscipline,involves sensitive timingskillsthat framework. In addition, this multifaceted process, muchofwhichhappens outside ofour thoughts withinthecontextofanempathicunderstandinganddevelopmental–relational monitoring ourown physiologicalandfeelingresponses, allthewhileformulatingour simultaneously totheclient’s words, gestures, prosody, pulsations,movements, etc.,while Relational bodypsychotherapy musttakeintoaccountthemanydimensionsofrelationship: that the brain isthe conductor of the orchestra or that it controls the actions of the body. own bodyas sources of emotional engagement without falling into theoversimplified view ALINE LAPIERRE psychotherapy from hisperspective: Before goingdeeperintoRolef Ben-Shahar’s complexrelational model,Iwant tobriefly • • • • • Asaf Rolef Ben-Shahar, inhisbook From ourperspective as clinicians,it is a complex and challenging task tolisten • • • • • their clients. including theirtherapist. with theirloved ones,theirenvironment, and thepeopletheycomeincontactwith, mattress, andmaytakeoff someoftheirclothes? What happenstothetherapeutic relationship whentouchisapossibility? What complexitiesentertherapy whenclientsliedown onamassagetableor What istherole of the therapistintherapeuticrelationship? How weighty are transferential dynamicsinthework? How isthetherapeuticrelationship important inbodypsychotherapy? The dynamicinteractionsamongalloftheabove. Therapists’ own capacitiesforattachmentandrelationship intheirown lives andwith The capacityforsecure attachmentandthequalityofrelationships clientshave The internalrelationship therapistshave withintheirown bodiesandminds. The internalrelationship clientshave withintheirown bodiesandminds. The road between vitalexperiencinganddyinginwardly Touching theRelational Edge is paved withdisappointments inlove. — Touching theRelational Edge , asksasimplebut meaningful relationshipmeaningful withinthetherapeuticsetting: first three: dimension createdempathic humanisticdimension,andafourth by theinteractionsof dimensions: abasicfunctionaldimension,more complextransferential dimension,an The Relational Matrix 2. 1. Rolef Ben-Shahar (2014)proposesrelationships thatmeaningful operateonfour • • • A two-person psychology. relationship thatgoverns theuseofbodywork techniques. growing therapeuticrelationship. It istheclient’s process withinthetherapeutic needs, are mindfuloftheinternalstateboththerapistandclient,tendto as centraltothetherapeuticprocess. stemfrom theclient’sTherapeutic interventions The centrality ofthetherapeutic relationship world ofbodypsychotherapy andbodywork. beyondof theirprofessional what,inthepast,hasbeen themarginalized expertise their distinctiveofclinicalinterventions. embodiedview They extendtheexpression by thebroader psychotherapeutic communityandwork tobridgethedividecreated by clinical practice.Relational bodypsychotherapists useaterminologythat is understood agreatersupport integrationofdevelopmental psychology andneuroscience into analytic discourseandcontributevaluable somaticskillsandconceptualizationsthat times. Today, following the emergence of relational psychoanalysis, it can rejoin the psychoanalytic analyticprinciplesofearlier practicebecauseitdidnotfittheorthodox The use of psychotherapeutic terminology. their pastrelationship history, inparticular, the waytheyhave internalized their connection inwhichclients talk abouttheirdeepestissues. They bringtosessions A transferential dimension. policy. In turn,clientsexpectapositive outcomefortheir investment. service. expert fixedTherapists specifytheirfunctional rules: time, set fee,cancellation exchange forattendingtotheirneeds,andinreturn therapistsreceive fortheir worth relationship, thefunctionaldimensionrequires mutuality:clientspaytheirtherapist in benefitfrom the interaction. so thatbothparties In the sameway, inthetherapeutic interdependence, mutualneeds,andutilitariangainarein whichservice, exchanged you? providerfunctional dimensionisthatofaservice toaconsumer:“ the functionaldimensionisusuallyfirstfilter. Thetherapeuticquestioninthe a socialstructure. When two peopleenterarelationship, however simpleorcomplex, we needtofeelworthy, we needconnectionwitheachother, andwe needtobelong A functionaldimension. quote Rolef Ben-Shahar: countertransference from apsychological aswell asfrom asomaticperspective. To ” In allrelationships, thefunctionaldimensionrequires somedegree ofmutuality (2014, p. 61). power between them rather than ignoring or mattersavoiding such important psychotherapist converses withherclientsanddiscussesissuesofinfluence therapist aswell. By recognizing thatherpresence impactsandcreates change,the inaprocesschange, butanactive ofchangethattakesplaceinthe participant The therapistisnotperceived asanexternalspectatorassistingtheclient’s a relational matrix . The following takesacloserlookatthesefourdimensionsof Every relationship fulfillsaneed: we needtodiscover ourselves, Relational body psychotherapists work with transference and The psychotherapeutic relationship isanintimate Body psychotherapy was exiled from . The therapist–clientrelationship isheld RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY What canIdofor 89 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 90 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS the somatosensory cortex and is thought to allow movement. cortex an individual to feel an observed the somatosensory brain areas withmirroring thanwaspreviously properties thought. This widernetwork includes humans have amirror neuron systembutalsosuggeststhattheyhave amuchwidernetwork of speculation. Functional magneticresonance imaging (fMRI)research has notonlyshown that another andhasemotionalmeaning. that firesby performed both duringa subjective action, and when that sameaction isobserved was required forthemirror neurons tobecomeactive. Amirror neuron therefore, isaneuron researcher reaching stimulus forfood.It thatanemotionallymeaningful observed wasfurther neurons thatwere active duringgraspingwere a alsoactive whenamonkeysimplyobserved that control thehandandmouthactionsinmacaque monkey. They noticedthatthesame research teamattheUniversity ofParma, Italy. Rizzolatti and histeamstudiedtheneurons discovered inthe1980sand1990sby neurophysiologist Giacomo Rizzolatti (1996)andhis findingthatcapturedsystem wasastartling the relational imagination. Mirror neurons were Mirror Neurons ALINE LAPIERRE Before venturing too farinconjecture, toremember itisimportant thatmirror neuron research 3. The existenceofthemirror systemhas generated agreat dealofexcitement, research, and theactivity within oneindividual influences another’sRecognizing thatobserving nervous 4. engage theirgrowing awareness andthere-creation oftheirworld. capacity forattachment,self-organization,mutualregulation, andagencyasthey sum ofitsparts. This matrixismultifacetedandinclusive ofthetherapist’s andclient’s psychotherapy andofrelationships ingeneral,formamatrixthatismore thanthe dimensions. These three ofrelational dimensions,embeddedintheheart body therapist-client connectiontranscendsthefunctional,transferential, andhumanistic transcendence ofego-centered utility” (2014,p. 327).At itsmostprofound, the meetingofsouls,fullimplicitunspokenagendasyet embeddingpotential fortrue reciprocal andasymmetrical,saturatedwith transferential projections yet holding connection: oneinwhichrelationships are, againquotingRolef Ben-Shahar, “. A relational matrix. wider mind” withinwhichitismeaninglesstospeakofmeandyou asseparate. connection. It touchesintowhatRolef Ben-Shahar (2014)describesas“surrender toa invitation torelationship thatdemonstratesalongingwithinallhumanbeingsfor is aplaceofequalityembracingandgoingbeyond asymmetricalcontinuums.It isan dimensions are asymmetrical and involve power differences, the humanisticdimension perspective, thetherapistaffirms: that takeplacebeyond function,role, history, ortransference. From ahumanistic A humanisticdimension which theirpersonalitydeveloped. the transferential dimension,clientscanrevisit andreframe formative experiencesby mutual encounterthatdemandsthefullpresence ofboth therapistandclient. Within not symmetricalinthatithassomepower inequality; it is nonethelessatwo-person these influencesandwork withthemconsciously. Thetransference relationship is characterizes thetransferential dimensionisthewillingnessandcommitmenttoname they are toeachother:parent–child, siblings,lovers, friends,abuser–victim,etc. What we tooneanother, andhow didwe come tobeso?” attachment figures. In the transferential dimensionthe therapeuticissue is: The surrender toawidermindcreates yet anotherorder of . In thisdimension,there existgenuinemomentsofconnection “I amhere withyou.” Therapist andclientexplore who Whereas theprevious two “Who are“Who Resonance relational bodypsychotherapy. independently of their connectiontothe mirror neuron system, are essential skillscentralto behaviors isbecauseof mirror neurons remains open. Nonetheless, empathy and resonance, and thefollowing listsummarizes thehypothesesunderinvestigation: even now, indevelopment inthescientificcommunity. Nonetheless, this research isfascinating is still the subject of speculation and that widely accepted neural orcomputational models are, transmission ofsensations,visceralreactions, emotions,images,andthoughtsfrom one enough similarities that they are frequently used interchangeably. They all refer to a natural vicarious introspection. Even thougheachofthesestateshasdistinctive attributes,theyhave defines ourunderstandingof resonance by proposing that we have twotypesofbodies: between individual anddyadicstatesofconsciousness,Rolef Ben-Shahar (2014)further resonance describestheprocess indailylife.Loewald oftherapeuticresonance: are sensedinanother’s body. Resonance innotonlythedomainoftherapy:we allexperience primarily nonverbal andemotionalexperienceduring whichtheinternalstatesofoneperson whereas empathyispreferred inpsychotherapy. person toanother. Seemingly, thetermresonance iswidelyusedinbody-centered therapy • • In thespiritofpsychologist Edward Tronick andhis colleagues(1998),whodifferentiated patient (1986,p. 283). would give himthedeepest but alsomostunsettlingunderstandingofhimselfandthe transference-countertransference resonances andresponses, inducedby thepatient,that that internaljourney, tostaysaneandrationalisoftenaptrepress inhiseffort thevery verbal interpretations perceived. of the material heard or otherwise The analyst, during psychoanalytic understandingandformsthepointofdeparture foreventually arrivingat The resonance between thepatient’s andtheanalyst’s unconsciousunderliesanygenuine The definitionof resonance closelycorresponds toCarl Rogers’ definitionofempathy: a Empathy goesby manynames:resonance, somaticresonance, attunement, entrainment, The questionastowhetherwe feelempathy, resonate, imitate,orsimulateoneanother’s • • • • •

to identifywithoneanotherandfeelwhattheotherisfeelinginourown bodies. even transference. Mirror neurons appearto bethephysiologicalmechanismthatallows us drink from itorclearfrom atable. their ofmindandtothedevelopment oflanguageabilities. theory by imitation. mechanism thatcouplesactionandperception. of anaction,researchers believe thatthemirror systemcouldbethephysiological in relationship withanother. It comes tolife—isswitchedon—by experiencesof require contactwithanother forustoexperienceit. The secondbodyisanopen systemthatonlycomesintoawareness whenwe are The firstbodyisourskin-bound physicalbody:itisaclosedsystemthatdoesnot The mirror neuron systemhelpsusunderstandnotonlyotherpeople’s actionsbutalso By ofotherpeople’s stimulatingourobservation actions,mirror neurons contribute to Mirror neurons allow ustounderstandotherpeople’s skills actionsandtolearnnew Having identifiedbrain regions that respond bothtoanactionandtheobservation Mirror neurons maybetheneuralbasisofhumancapacityforempathy, resonance, and intentions : forexample,discerningifsomeonepicksupacupofteaplanningto RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 91 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 92 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS a client’s body, tobeaware ofthesomatictransference andcountertransference, andtobe must develop a carefully honed relationship to their bodies. In order to accurately observe analysis to explore body-centered their patterns of thought and feeling, likewise psychotherapists psychotherapists are required to undergo their own psychotherapy and analysts their own clients’ inner experience andreceive theirunspokencommunications. Therefore, justas psychotherapists rely ontheirpersonalrelationship totheirbodiessenseandfeel therapeutic tool.Courtenay Young explains: cultivate theirrelationship totheirbodyinorder toinsure their safeuseofresonance asa writes: alone donotgive accesstothecapacitybeaware ofthesubtlecurrents ofresonance. He resonance cannotbeperceived cognitively butrequires somaticattention:intellectualmeans Resonance Cultivating Therapeutic in shared andemotionallyalive momentsofmeaning. and allows previously unformulatedinnerstatestocome intoawareness. Healing takesplace emotional engagementbetween clientandtherapistorganizes theirattachmentexperience component of the resonanceimportant that facilitates social interaction. An authentic Thus, as a biological regulating function within and between individuals, emotion is an relationship withinthemselves, italsohelpsto connectmindsandbodiesbetween individuals. a linkbetween resonance andemotion.Not onlydoes emotioncoordinate anindividual’s isolation. engaged inarelational field,thoughts,feelings,images,andsensationsnolongerarisein we enteramutualfieldwithanother, nothingpurely belongstousanymore; when we are A usefulworking premise forthetherapeuticuseofresonance istoconsiderthatassoon relational tobringawareness field,particularly nonverbal andunspokencommunications. ALINE LAPIERRE present inthe here andnow theymustbeattentive toand withfittingsomaticinterventions, Given thatthegreater ofbodilycommunicationisnonverbal, relational portion body to befed,watered andmaintainedoccasionally.(2012,p. xi–xii). ourhead around, sothatitissomethingjustneedsshell, anorganicvehicle, tocarry takecaretuned instrument—and ofit;orinstead,whetherwe “use” itpurely asaphysical whether we are aware ofitssubtlenuances andthuswhetherwe useourbodyasafinely inhabitourbody,whether we truly live initfullyandoperatefrom thecenterofitsbeing; The qualityofthisrelationship toourbodyalsodetermines how “embodied” we are; Even thoughresonance isanaturalphenomenon,bodypsychotherapists mustconsciously ofourowninterface body(2014,p. 153). implicit knowing .is,soIbelieve, resonance—our connection totheotherthrough the are attentive toourown bodies,we canfeeltheotheralive andmoving through us. This senses andproprioception), through ourown body. To simplifytheargument:whenwe body sensations. We feelourwiderbodymindthrough oursixsenses(thefamiliarfive . themainwaytofeelintointersubjective space(andintersubjective body)isthrough Using resonance therapeuticallyisacomplexskill.Rolef Ben-Shahar suggeststhat According toRegina Pally (1998),mirror neuron andneuroscience research suggests Resonance isanexcellent diagnostictoolthattherapistandclientcanusetoexperiencethe dialogue withtheskin-boundfirstbody(2014, p. 96). an aspectofthehumanisticdimensionwidermind.It andin iscomplementary attachment andconnection. This secondbodyresonates whenindyadic statesandis for theHelper traumatization, thatis,becominginfectedby anotherperson’s trauma.In herbook exhaustion ofburnoutthatcanaffecttheirqualitylife,andtothemore seriousvicarious physical exhaustion: They mustpayattentiontotheirlevel ofcompassionfatigue,tothe neurologically basedempathyandresonance, mustbeaware ofthepossibilitymentaland problems toatherapist’s well-being. Relational bodypsychotherapists, drawingheavilyon Compassion Fatigue must know theirown. To meettheresponsibility ofworking directly withaclient’s body, bodypsychotherapists aware andenergeticchannelsbothinterpersonallyintrapsychically. oftheirown sensory though theanalystwere free ofcountertransference. of interpretations delivered inamannerseeminglywithoutpersonalemotionalresponse—as of patientswhoare theirsubjectshascomeintoquestion,astheself-assured presentation result, the approach of traditional psychoanalysts who see themselves as scientific observers brought intoquestionthebeliefinrigorous neutrality, abstinence,andanonymity. Asa system asystemwithoutchangingthatvery toobserve that itisnotpossibleforanobserver modern physics hasundergonea paradigm shift. unaffected by theobservation, The fact Transference, Countertransference, Psychotherapy andBody vicarious exhaustionandtraumatization. and maintaintheircapacitytoremain opentotheirclientswithoutsufferingtheeffectsof care strategiesthathelppsychotherapists real avoid dangersofcompassionfatigue thevery edited book authenticity” (2005, p. ix). emphasisisnowMitchell, oninteraction,enactment, spontaneity, “The mutuality, and ofthework. Inthe therapistisanintegralpart thewords ofrelational psychoanalyst Stephen need fora“good object” withwhomearlylosscanberepaired. From arelational perspective, amnesia orfacilitatingtheexpression ofblockedemotiondoesnotreplace aclient’s relational that the body heals itself ignores issues of attachment. Working to awaken sensory-motor allow forthemutualityofshared experiencebetween therapistandclient. The assumption with thepersonfacilitatingrelease. The earlyBioenergetic modelforexample,didnot is assumedthathealingoccursby release ofbodytensionanddoesnotinvolve arelationship that inmanybodywork modalities, thepresence ofthetherapistisnotacknowledged sinceit co-founder oftheSouthern CaliforniaInstitute forBioenergetic Analysis(SCIBA),notes psychoanalytic terms,thetherapistisexperiencedasa“badobject.”Robert Hilton (2012), personagainstwhomtheir armorwasfirstdeveloped; intherapist asbeinglikethevery psychotherapeutic agendaofbreaking through bodyarmorleadsclientstoexperiencetheir been sufficiently recognized inbodypsychotherapy. Soth believes thatthetraditionalbody armor orsomaticresistence. According toMichael Soth (2012),transference issueshave not client’s thatare intendedtobreak bodyneeds, imposesomaticinterventions through body something tobe“done to” and,working under the assumptionthattheyknow whattheir Courtenay Courtenay Young stateswhatisperhapsobvious whenhewritesinthepreface tohis The needforaparadigmshiftalsoappliestobodypsychotherapists whoseethebodyas Following the realization that there anda subject is no such thing as an objective observer Therapeutic resonance doeshave itsrisksandwhenusedunconsciously, canposeserious About Relational Body Psychotherapy (2006),Babette Rothschild haslaidoutasoundprogram forconcrete self- (2012)thatin bodypsychotherapy, the RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY Help 93 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 94 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS intended tobringinsight. The emphasis is on creating relational new patterns rather than on presenting interpretations countertransference dynamicshelpsboththerapistandclientexpandtheir relational options. and analyzed by their clients. Revising internal working models within the transference and psychotherapists whopracticefrom arelational stanceare willingtobe seen—tobeexamined hidden. In waysofbeingmaybemodeled, psychotherapists thehopethatnew andbody uncaring, andpunitive, aswell astheir idealizations. on attachmentandrelational traumas—theirexpectationsthatthetherapistwillbecritical, theyencouragethemtoexploreability totrust; thetransferential responses thatare based their misperceptions inthehere andnow. Relational therapistsgentlystretch theirclients’ sense clients’ unmetneeds,bringtheirinternal working modeltoawareness, andchallenge does whatisexpected.Arelational psychotherapist whoissensitive tothetransference will they adapted to the dysfunction of their family system. They become the “good” client who clients canuseforself-recovery, they will findwaystoadaptthetherapist’s modeljustas relationship withtheirtherapist;ifthenature ofthe relationship isnotaddressed inwaysthat hold theirinnerprocess. To kindof healtheirchildhoodwounds,clientsseekaparticular inextricably boundtoeachother. and countertransference asseparateissues. They are likethetwofacesofsamecoin, underlies transferential patterns.It isill-advised,indeedimpossible,to treat transference biographical matrix—becomes a process of collaboration to uncover the meaning that model used.Sharing, identifying,anddisentanglingpastfrom present—clarifying the transference andcountertransference are inevitablypresent regardless ofthetherapeutic psychotherapists andclientsalikebringtheirpasthistoriesintosessions,thedynamicsof ourmothers,fathers,siblings,friends,teachers,heartbreaks, andexpectations.Because carry in ourpastrelationships ispresent relationship: withusfrom theonsetofanynew we all perspective, transferential relationships are Everything co-constructed. we have experienced therapist’s authenticity isakeyhealingagent: own experiences,andtotread commonground withtheir clients. Hilton emphasizes that the move awayfrom classical neutralityandopenthemselves tobeingvulnerable,disclosetheir psychoanalysts orbodypsychotherapists. The relational approach invitesalltherapiststo framework; there isanundeniablerelational flow withinthetherapeuticinteraction. psychotherapist andclientcannolongerbediscussedsolelywithinanimpersonalconceptual client relate toeach other’s bodies, is a relatively focus. new Transference dynamics between also hasabody. Young reminds usthatincludingthetherapist’s bodyandhow therapistand relationship tothehumanbodyisnotjustarelationship totheclient’s body;thetherapist ALINE LAPIERRE From thetherapist’s perspective, countertransference responses are nolongerkept In the initial phase of therapy, that their therapist will reliably clients learn to trust We alllive withinanenergymatrixthatisimpossibletoavoid. From arelational that thepatientisresisting experiencingwithyou (2012,p. 2). acknowledging? Is itfear, anger, sadness,longing?”Andalmostalwaysthatisthefeeling feelingsdoesthisclientcreatetherapist canaskhimself, inmethatIamresisting “What togetthepatientexperience,getsbetter.is trying This happenswhenthe patient—is criticalinthisprocess ofbecoming. When thetherapistexperienceswhathe The countertransference ofthetherapist—how heorshe influencestheclientor The complexityofthesensitive relational matrixhasnotbeenwell understoodby either lives: (1)somatic,(2) linguistic–cognitive, and(3) relational: channels oforganizationthrough whichhumanbeings,forbetterorworse, organize their psychology ofStanley Keleman (1985,1987,2012),Rolef Ben-Shahar proposes three major limits andboundariesprotect us,theyalsolimit our lives. are met,we setlimitsandwe create personalboundaries;however, atthesametimeasthese our personal preferences on reality. In our attempts to create a safelifein which ourneeds to reconcile ourinternalneedsagainsttheall-too-often-indifferent outerworld,we impose A Relational Bodymind Theory confusion never leave theroom andare never subjecttoapossiblehacker’s violation. office offersaquietplaceforintimateconversation, aplacewhere secrets, reflections, fears, or ofrelationalfor theprivacy ofthedialoguethatisheart psychotherapy. The therapist’s todiscoverback thecurtain thatthetherapist/wizard isamere mortal. information aboutatherapistisliberating—ratherlikeDorothy in therapies andhumanizes thetherapeuticrelationship. For manyclients,havingaccessto and relational basisfortreatment. client withfreshforestablishingamore support eyesmutual iscomingtoanend—further Clients’ electronic historiesare alsoavailable totherapists,sotheexperienceofevaluating a therapist andclientonamore even playing field. Googling, ofcourse,goesbothways. personal andprofessional andchangesthenature ofthetransferential relationship by putting have accessto Internet information abouttheirtherapistsblursthe boundaries between the swept awaythetherapist’s andpower. anonymityandattendantmystery That clientsnow that Google, YouTube, Facebook, andallotherformsofelectronic connectivityhave allbut Google andtheEnd ofAnonymi asapointofreflectionlesson learnedthrough orinspiration. personalpainthatcanserve relational therapistsmaychoosetoreveal someaspectoftheirlives, perhapsanarduous with commentsabout what these questions might mean to them. No longer a blank slate, question? There wasatimewhenpersonalquestionswere reflexively turnedbackontoclients being. For example,how doesarelational therapistrespond whenaclientaskspersonal therapeutic framemustremain alongwiththefreedom toconnectfrom thecenterofone’s from thefantasyofnon-influencedoesnotgrantthoughtlesssharing.Astrong yet flexible (1986)wrotequestions thatneedseriousconsideration.Hans Loewald thatfreeing ourselves When to share, what should be disclosed, how much to share, and when to hold back are that therapeuticgoalsare neglected,orthatitbecomesa central focusinthetherapeuticwork. Self-Disclosure 1. Informed by thephilosophiesofseveral majorthinkers,inparticular, by theformative To functioninourever-changing world,we work tocreate order outofseemingchaos; On adifferent note,theever-present electronic appreciation connectivity brings new The transparency ofinformationnow asanantidotetoauthoritarian available serves In thisdiscussionontransference andcountertransference, we cannotignore thefact Relationality doesnotmeanthatself-disclosure isdonewithoutprofessional discernment, we are inourbody—we are regulated flexible enoughto andfeelasenseofmastery existence.Ideally,and act—shapeourvery whenwe are somatically organized—when Somatic organizations . Somatic organizations—suchashow we breathe, digest, think, ty RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY The Wizard ofOz , pulling 95 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 96 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS collaboration. Anemergentstructure arisesasaresult of in thetherapeuticrelationship. of emergenceisusedinvarious sciences,butthefocushere isonitssignificance asitmanifests Emergence into consciousness. inthehopetheywilltransform into connection,nordoesitimposesomaticinterventions therapeutic work tocognitive awareness insightinthehopethatnew willsomehow materialize cognitive organization,andrelational interdependence. It neitherattemptstoreduce sees thebodyasengagedinanongoingdialoguethatincludes somaticflow and pulsation, relational mind. sharply separatethemfrom the worldaround themanddonotgive themaccesstothewider forms ofrelationship are challengingtothosewho existwithinrigidskinboundariesthat to us,we remain encasedwithinthelimitations ofourchildhoodattachments.Expanded ALINE LAPIERRE together The principle of emergence refers to something new and unexpected that arises out of a The principleofemergencerefers and unexpectedthatarisesoutofa tosomethingnew Emergence phenomena are of relational at the heart therapeutic approaches. The concept Thus, relational bodypsychotherapy ofbodymind organizationthat presents atheory Unless we learn to consciously open to the wealth of relational possibilities available 3. 2. leaving relationships, means ofdeveloping ouridentities: isanimportant notes Rolef Ben-Shahar, engaging in relational in and shifts, that is, participating the relational matrixthatcontinuestoinfluenceouradult reality. Throughout life, Relational organizations tolerate itsflow. and other;(d)mediatebetween thefluxof reality andourcapacitytocontain tous;(c)orientourselvesmeaningful tothepast,present, andfuture aswell astoself make distinctionsbetween whatisreal orillusive; (b)continuallyreorganize whatis cognitions are interactively informedby ourlinguisticdevelopment andallow usto(a) self andinabilitytodifferentiate feelingsfrom thoughts.Our senseofreality andour difficult-to-follow withanassociatedfragilesenseof narrative alsousuallystruggle development. For example,individualswhoentertherapywithadisorganized, isamarker ofsuccessfulThe abilitytoorganize thenarrative ofourpersonalstory Linguistic andcognitive organizations contributions bodypsychotherapy hasbrought tothebroader fieldofpsychotherapy. reorganize maladaptive somaticpatternsare probably twoofthemostimportant points outthatworking withsomaticorganizationsandtheknowledge ofhow to diminishingourresponsivitycollapse, further andouraliveness. Rolef Ben-Shahar environment; theycanbecomerigidcharacterarmororcauseretreat and create barriersthatseparateusfrom ourexperience,from relationships, andfrom our worlds. We are inharmonywithourenvironment. Maladaptive somaticorganizations respond andsuccessfullyadapttothechangingconditions ofourinnerandouter . Emergence requires interactive cooperation;itdoes not appearwhenindividuals act with ourreal andinternalized attachmentfigures (2014, p. 83). self. Our character, personality, and identity are therefore in ongoing dialogue self tothecreation ofadyadicself, afamilialororganizationalself, andasocial capacity toopendifferent orders ofrelationships, tosurrender ourindividual The qualitiesofouridentity-formationandego-strength are dependentonour . The successorfailure ofourearlyattachmentprocess becomes . Languageisanother way we organize ourworld. the combined focus of individuals working the combinedfocusofindividuals working therefore, working withthetherapeuticrelationship wasnotconsidered essentialtothe experience becauseitwasbelieved thatthebodyhealeditselfthrough releasing tension; connection. Therapy, saidHilton, isnotabout technique,itisaboutrelationship: and be loved by modeling for them, in real time, the experience of empathic and attuned needs thataccompanythedevelopment oftheSelf: Healing theCapacity toLove setting offersacontextwherein clientsnolongerdoitallby themselves. an attunedtherapistisakeyfactor. No onechangesinisolation;arelational therapeutic surrender toflow ispotentiallyrisky, frightening, and disorienting,theguidingpresence of organization,therebyand invitenew openingtoemergentdimensionsofself. Because the rigidities,learntotolerateunknownclient andtherapisttogethersafelydeconstruct factors, Rolef Ben-Shahar (2014)describesthisprocess asasurrender toflow, aprocess inwhich to allow experiencesthatcanpotentiallybringgratifyingexpansion. theemergenceofnew experience willbringapositive outcome.It necessitateslettinggooffear, control, orvigilance ways, alongwiththefaiththatinvitingattunedrelationship andopeningoneselftobodily suspension of belief in one’s ways of being. Emergencenew arises out of a necessary old in loosening theirrigidstates and awaken to their own capacity toopen unpredictable creative emergence. the withdrawalfrom embodiment. oppositeofThis departure from connectionisthevery emergence; instead,theyfosteranabsenceofconnection,thedisappearanceself, and connection. secure education,creative attachment,supportive dynamicinteractionwithinattuned neurological terms—itrequires more complexcircumstances thatinclude,amongothers, example, amindthatemergesfrom abodycannotbeexplainedonlyinphysiological or began, appearasemergentqualitiesofSelf. Emergence isneithercausal norlinear;for new, original, andunpredictable characteristics,thatwere notpresent before theinteraction The Emergent Self different from thephenomenaoutofwhichitemerged” (2002,p. 36). Capra explains:“Emergence results inthecreation ofnovelty, andthisnovelty isoftenqualitatively orderleading totheappearance of a new that is more Physician Fritjof thanthesumofits parts. independently ofoneanother. Relational interactionssetinmotionacomplexchainofprocesses Hilton (2012) explained that early bodywork modalities did not provide a bonding herself. to“fix” Iwasnow willingtobewithherinpainandnottry her(2012, p. 29). pain. She wasaskingmetobear thispainoflove andhelplessnessthatshecouldnot bear I knew, insomeprofound way, thatIwastobeamodelforhow shecouldbewithher own Relational psychotherapists engagetheirclients’ desire torecover theircapacitytolove of grounding andintegration(p. 31,emphasisadded). present, organization, theyneedmetoholdtheexperienceforthem. They needtofeelthatIam I findthat,whenmyclientsare facingthebreakdown oftheirusual patternsofself- withNancyIn aninterview Eichhorn (2012),Robert Hilton spokeabout therelational Facilitating healingchangeinvolves beingpresent with clientsastheyexplore andengage Broken, betrayed, abused,orneglectedattachmentstriggerconditionsthatpreclude When anorganicprocess suchasarelationship reaches ahighlevel ofattunedinteraction, in justthewaytheyneedmetobe . They thenhave thefreedom form tofindanew RELATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY 97 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS 98 INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS passage thatspeakstothehealingpotentialofrelational bodypsychotherapy: relationships withoneanother. In thisvein, Rolef Ben-Shahar offers thefollowing moving things. Love, compassion,andkindnessalldependupontheexperienceofourinterdependent existsthrough itsconnectiontoanddependenceuponotherdeep interconnections; everything around thethemeofdependentarising,belief thatallthingsariseandexistonlythrough the unknown. (p. 31),theycantoleratethefeelingofbeingonshakylegsandground astheyexplore present tosomaticallyandemotionally“authenticate andholdtheground oftheirexperience” individuation: They wanttoexplore andtestthemselves intheworld. When thetherapistis abandonment orfearinterpersonalengagementinevitablymove intothenextphaseoftheir first-person perspective ofthiswork: recover whatwe oncehad,orlongedforandlost” (2012,p. 34).He writespoignantlyofhis our meager, attemptsto reunite humanbutheart-felt mind,bodyandsouland,insodoing, that gives risetofeelingsofdistress. Relational models,writesHilton, “at theirbest,represent people are attunedthattheyexperiencepositive emotions,whereas itistheirmisattunement movements. With theyshare openheart, intheclient’s loss,realizing thatitiswhentwo to love andtobeloved thatimplicitlyremain inthetissues,organs,postures, sounds,and found wanting.In thisprocess, Hilton learnedthefollowing: using histrainingtoconcealfeelingsofinadequacyasaperson,infearthathewouldbe reinterpreted theirneedsthrough theircharacterstructure. Over time,herealized thathewas repeated whathehadlearnedfrom histrainers;heturnedclients’ needsbackonthemand in the processing of that early loss. Hilton admitted that in his early years of practice, he original painwasduetoalossoflove, itdidnotaddress theclient’s needforloving contact healing process. For example,althoughtheBioenergetic modelacknowledged thatour ALINE LAPIERRE The Dalai Lama,inhisbook Hilton hasfoundthatfarfrom fosteringdependency, clientswhonolongerpanicabout sojourner, whichIdescribeaslove (2012,p. 5). or wanttobe.From thisperspective, Ihave adeepfeltbodycompassionformyfellow of another being, like myself, to be who they arewonder at the mystery in their struggles inanotherperson’sI amaprivilegedpartner journey oflife.My taskistowait,watchand When relational bodypsychotherapists lookatabody, theyseethevestiges ofthestruggles deeply enoughaboutustojoininthatjourney(2012,p. 5). expression ofouranger, griefandlonging. We canonlydothatifinfactsomeonecares the experienceoflove withinthem. To getthere we mustconstantlyopenourselves tothe interactions are therapeutic. They becometherapeuticwhenwe are abletoincorporate All ofourinteractionswitheachotherare relational andsomaticbutnotallofour allow itin,toembodyfully, toconnect..Iam hopefulinwitnessinghow love can people touching;two are reminded oflife,andhopefully, choosingtosayyes, to through thegradual separationoflove from hate,from harm,goesthrough thebody. Two and death.. The waybackhome,through theslow recreation ofsecure attachment, isolation andfragmentation, whenlifeandlove themselves are associatedwithfear organization, of identity, . . . It of self-sense, is torn apart. leads to a chaotic life of harms us,andthreatens to destroy us,isirreparable forthechild. core ofThe very The rupture oflifeoccurringwhenthehandthatfeedsusissamedeeply From Here toEnlightenment Conclusion (2012),weaves his teachings Beebe, B.,&Lachmann, F. M.(2014). REFERENCES Email: [email protected] Website: www.DrAlineLaPierre.com relational psychodynamic andsomaticapproaches. bodyworkers. In private practicein West LosAngeles,shespecializes intheintegration of the developmentworkshops of supporting embodied awareness for psychotherapists and in LosAngeles.She isthecreator of Graduate Institute, shealsotrainedasapsychoanalyst attheNew CenterforPsychoanalysis somatic doctoralprogram atSanta Barbara Graduate Institute for10years. A graduateofPacifica in published peer-reviewednumerous articles somatic journals. She was on the faculty of the Trauma AffectsSelf-Regulation, Self-Image, andtheCapacity forRelationship, Aline LaPierre, PSYD, MFT, is the coauthor of BIOGRAPHY moment presence andmutualemergenceactive onsomatic,cognitive, andrelational levels. techniques “done to” clients,butanalive, pulsing,andbreathing interplayofmoment-to- knows thatthemindcannotsay. Thus relational bodypsychotherapy isnotasetof somatic experience are embeddedandtowhichthetherapistclientlistenhearwhatbody of words andtheimplicitwordless language of the body, in which preverbal andnonverbal whatever arises. The therapeuticwork takesplaceintwolanguages:theexplicitlanguage thatthistherapeuticrelationshipto thetrust willbestrong enoughtorecognize andrepair protests, andragethatariseasclientscontactearlyabandonment,abuse,and/orneglect; attachmentsinthepresent new thatcanstabilizeability toconstruct thedisappointments, and client, together, the traumatized to attachment deconstruct patterns of the past; to the of life. The therapeutic commitment is to the relationship; to the capacity of the therapist reparative experiencesonverbal andnonverbal levels forallstagesofdevelopment, atallstages relational bodypsychotherapy bringsknowledge ofbody-centered maturationthatoffers Anchored thegenerationofasecure inattachmentandobjectrelations base— theory—in two relational opposites. other.hurtful We mustbringtoconsciousnesshow we live withinthecontinuumofthese other, andthecontractionorretraction intoisolation,by whichwe move awayfrom a is therefore poisedbetween thepulsationofexpansion,by whichwe turntoward aloving lose control ofourselves andourenvironment asanextensionofourselves. Our identity we value ourdistinctindividualityandwe braceagainstsurrender forfearthatwe might for the heart-centered surrender that gives us relief from isolation. Yet, at the same time, Dalai Lama,(2012). Carroll, R.(2014). Four relational modesofattending tothebodyinpsychotherapy. In K. Capra, F. (2002). 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THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SOMATIC PRAXIS INCORPORATING US ASSOCIATION FOR BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL volume fourteen ● number two ● fall 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Honoring Jacqueline A. Carleton, PhD

6 EDITORIAL Jacqueline A. Carleton, PhD

POEMS

10 A World Apart Marcel A. Duclos

11 Manuel de l’enfant trouvé—mémoire The Foundling’s Handbook—Memory Salita S. Bryant

ARTICLES

12 Embodied Clinical Truths Terry Marks-Tarlow

28 The Return to the Self: A Self Oriented Theory of Development and Psychotherapy Will Davis

47 Research 101 for Somatic Psychotherapists: Cultivating a Research Mind Christine Caldwell & Rae Johnson

55 Let’s Face the Music and Dance: Working with Eroticism in Relational Body Psychotherapy: The Male Client and Female Therapist Dyad Danielle Tanner

80 Relational Body Psychotherapy (Or Relational Somatic Psychology) Aline LaPierre

101 Held Experience: Using Mindfulness in Psychotherapy to Facilitate Deeper Psychological Repair Shai Lavie

109 Transcultural Case Study, First Interview with a Chinese Client Ulrich Sollmann & Wentian Li Translated by Elizabeth Marshall

128 Felt-Work: Interview with Hilde Hendriks Jill van der Aa

The cover image is Earth by Hilde Hendriks

Journal (ISSN 2169-4745)