Die vergessene Dimension by Herbert Grassmann
Psychotherapy, Jun 1, 2023
Research shows the disruptive effects of early maltreatment on the autonomic nervous system (ANS)... more Research shows the disruptive effects of early maltreatment on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in adulthood. Psychotherapists not only tend to report higher rates of personal experience with early maltreatment, but also fewer mental problems and disturbances in adulthood, as compared to other professions. However, the role of the ANS in these processes has been understudied despite the relevance of the therapist's psychological state and related nonverbal communication for the therapeutic alliance. By comparing body psychotherapists to the general population, the present study aimed to explore the effects of practicing body psychotherapy (BPT) on the link between early maltreatment and autonomic reactivity in adulthood. An online study included 570 body psychotherapists from 35 countries (54% from the United States, M age = 52.92, 81% of females) and 592 participants from the U.S. general population (M age = 51.89, 78% females). We first inspected the factorial structure of the Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (Cabrera et al., 2018) in the specific population of BPT practitioners, confirming the three-factor model with one body awareness and two autonomic reactivity factors. Compared to the general population, BPT practitioners reported higher levels of childhood maltreatment, but fewer autonomic symptoms in adulthood, better differentiation of body awareness and autonomic reactivity, and a weaker association between childhood maltreatment experiences and present-day autonomic symptoms. Results are discussed in the framework of polyvagal theory (Porges, 1995, 2011).
works in Freising, Germany, with Bodyoriented Psychotherapy, Tattva Therapy and TraumaSomatics®. ... more works in Freising, Germany, with Bodyoriented Psychotherapy, Tattva Therapy and TraumaSomatics®. She has been a toxicology consultant for national and international organizations since 1988, incorporating knowledge from medicine, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. Her website is: www.seele-und-koerper-imdialog.de. "A trauma has less to do with conscious memory but with the inability to calm down the somatic reactions."-Bessel van der Kolk The essence of TraumaSomatics® Knowledge originating from neuropsychology, psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic methods, as well as from medicine and biosciences, combined with modern models of trauma therapy make it evident that the somatic level plays an essential role for development, fixation, and resolution of trauma. 3, 7-9 TraumaSomatics® is a therapeutic method that is based on the reorganization of somatic memory located in what we call the SomaNet. An essential characteristic of this therapeutic method is that we work with somatic sensations and movements to resolve somatic traces of the traumatic experience. Both the calming down of the nervous system and changes in the structural and molecular net contribute to these processes. TraumaSomatics® works with the human memory system which can be differentiated into semantic, episodic and procedural memory (see also readings from Allan Schore 1 , John Grigsby and David Steve ns 2 , Bessel van der Kolk 3 , and Eric Wolterstorff 4). The therapeutic objective is the separation of these memory systems in order to work with them individually. The work with episodic memory via the somatic memory
Körper, Tanz, Bewegung, Jun 20, 2018
Als KorperpsychotherapeutInnen sind wir gewohnt, psychologische Informationen immer auch im Konte... more Als KorperpsychotherapeutInnen sind wir gewohnt, psychologische Informationen immer auch im Kontext der Verkorperung zu betrachten. Viele TherapeutInnen gehen davon aus, dass ihre Aufgabe bei mangelndem Bezug zum Korper darin besteht, KlientInnen wieder in ihren Korper zu fuhren. Dabei besteht die Neigung, fast schon reflexartig „Und wie fuhlt sich das in Ihrem Korper an?“ zu fragen. Was ist aber, wenn wir KlientInnen begegnen, die darauf keine Antwort haben? Insbesondere in der traumatherapeutischen Praxis tritt haufig die Frage auf, wie man mit KlientInnen arbeiten kann, die keinen (oder einen gestorten) Zugang zu ihrer Korperwahrnehmung haben. Wenn KlientInnen ihren Korper nicht spuren konnen, liegt es moglicherweise daran, dass dieser zu viel Stress und Desorganisation halten muss, um Empfindungen zuzulassen. Der Artikel zeigt mogliche Vorgehensweisen im Umgang mit fehlender korperlicher Resonanz, wie sie auch von Fogel (2013) in den „Grundprinzipien von Storungen verkorperter Selbstwahrnehmung“ beschrieben werden. Anhand einer Fallstudie soll ein Leitfaden einer korperorientierten Traumatherapie diskutiert werden.
Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Research shows the disruptive effects of early maltreatment on the autonomic nervous system (ANS)... more Research shows the disruptive effects of early maltreatment on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in adulthood. Psychotherapists not only tend to report higher rates of personal experience with early maltreatment, but also fewer mental problems and disturbances in adulthood, as compared to other professions. However, the role of the ANS in these processes has been understudied despite the relevance of the therapist's psychological state and related nonverbal communication for the therapeutic alliance. By comparing body psychotherapists to the general population, the present study aimed to explore the effects of practicing body psychotherapy (BPT) on the link between early maltreatment and autonomic reactivity in adulthood. An online study included 570 body psychotherapists from 35 countries (54% from the United States, M age = 52.92, 81% of females) and 592 participants from the U.S. general population (M age = 51.89, 78% females). We first inspected the factorial structure of the Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (Cabrera et al., 2018) in the specific population of BPT practitioners, confirming the three-factor model with one body awareness and two autonomic reactivity factors. Compared to the general population, BPT practitioners reported higher levels of childhood maltreatment, but fewer autonomic symptoms in adulthood, better differentiation of body awareness and autonomic reactivity, and a weaker association between childhood maltreatment experiences and present-day autonomic symptoms. Results are discussed in the framework of polyvagal theory (Porges, 1995, 2011).
Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 2012
ABSTRACT Urticaria, like most skin rashes that are a result of the inflammatory system gone awry,... more ABSTRACT Urticaria, like most skin rashes that are a result of the inflammatory system gone awry, is considered primarily a pitta disorder in Ayurveda. Some vata imbalance also occurs, due to spread to the edges of the body, and kapha disturbance from buildup of immune components in local areas around the hives. In Sanskrit, urticaria is known as sheeta pitta.
The Scene of the Crime, 2013
This essay presents an integrated approach to treating traumatic transference dynamics. Our theor... more This essay presents an integrated approach to treating traumatic transference dynamics. Our theory integrates findings from the family therapy literature, principally the contributions of Murray Bowen; new understandings about memory from the field of neuropsychology, most clearly expressed in the writings of James Grigsby; and insights into the behavior of the autonomic nervous systems of people after they have been stressed or traumatized, as modeled by Peter Levine. Our work integrates these three literatures into an approach to addressing the complex interpersonal dynamics that arise when psychotherapists work with clients who have experienced a particular class of traumas which we call “in-group traumas”, which is to say, those clients who have a history of involvement in traumatic incidents in their families, schools, churches or other tightly knit groups. Because of the close and ongoing nature of relationships in these groups, memories of traumatic experiences in such enviro...
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Developing a Better Research Culture in Body Psychotherapy by Courtenay Young & Herbert Grassmann, 2019
This three-part article looks at: Part 1: The 'history' of the EABP Science and Research Committe... more This three-part article looks at: Part 1: The 'history' of the EABP Science and Research Committee initiatives; Part 2: Different types of appropriate research for Body Psychotherapy; Part 3: Possibilities for future developments towards a better research culture in Body Psychotherapy. Research into the efficacy and effectiveness of the many and various different 'modalities' of psychotherapy is absolutely essential that if that branch (or 'mainstream') of psychotherapy is to have any 'standing' at all within the general psychotherapy community, or with universities, or with governments and ministries of health, and with the general public. Up until fairly recently, the field of Body Psychotherapy has been quite 'strong' on theory; it has also been 'good enough' (until recently) in the clinical practice of its many different modalities and methods; but has been decidedly 'poor' with respect to any proper research. In this article, different aspects of Body Psychotherapy research are explored. Research in the field of Body Psychotherapy is seen as an essential part of developing a professional culture, which has to be fostered both in training and in practice. We also need (much better => good) connections with research departments in universities. Therefore, apart from being sufficiently trained in and now (hopefully) being able to demonstrate the 'professional competencies' [2] of a Body Psychotherapist, as a 'clinician', there is an additional role (or set of competencies)-as a potential 'researcher-practitioner'-that now have to be developed and fostered, especially as there are often negative perceptions of research-or lip-service paid towards the need for research-to be found within the psychotherapy community in general, and especially within the humanistic and body-oriented (somatic) psychotherapies. Some of this wider background and some of the more recent developments with respect to research into Body Psychotherapy are mentioned, but this article is focussed more on the development of a solid 'research-practitioner' culture in Body Psychotherapy, now and especially for the future. Body Psychotherapy (or Somatic Psychology as it is also known in the USA, Australia, etc.) is a well-established and unique set of psychotherapeutic approaches and body-related procedures, which have developed separately over the last 100 years or so, have come together into one integrative branch (or mainstream) of psychotherapy. The foundations of Body Psychotherapy are: a holistic concept of human nature; a bio-psycho-social model of disease ; somatically-oriented considerations of aspects of developmental psychology, attachment theory, cognition theory (an 'embodied mind') and various neuro-psychological scientific theories; and a general theory and various types of praxis in psychotherapy, which, in addition to conscious and unconscious cognitive and emotional processes, consistently encompasses processes of body experience, body expression and body communication; and methodically includes the client's body in aspects of their 'treatment' in a variety of ways.
oriented Psychotherapy, Tattva Therapy and TraumaSomatics®. She has been a toxicology consultant ... more oriented Psychotherapy, Tattva Therapy and TraumaSomatics®. She has been a toxicology consultant for national and international organizations since 1988, incorporating knowledge from medicine, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. Her website is: www.seele-und-koerper-im-dialog.de. “A trauma has less to do with conscious memory but with the inability to calm down the somatic reactions.”- Bessel van der Kolk The essence of TraumaSomatics® Knowledge originating from neuropsycho-logy, psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic methods, as well as from medicine and bio-sciences, combined with modern models of trauma therapy make it evident that the somatic level plays an essential role for development,
körper – tanz – bewegung, 2018
Case Study and Guidelines of a Body-Oriented Trauma Therapy
As body psychotherapists, we are acc... more Case Study and Guidelines of a Body-Oriented Trauma Therapy
As body psychotherapists, we are accustomed to looking at psychological
information in the context of embodiment. Many therapists assume that if
there is a lack of body awareness, their job is to bring clients back into their
bodies. To this end, we tend to almost reflexively ask “And how does this feel
in your body”? But what do we do about clients who have no answer?
Especially in trauma therapeutic practice, the question often arises of how
to work with clients who have no (or a disturbed) access to their bodily
perception. If clients can not feel their body, it may be because the body
must contain too much stress and disorganization to allow perception. The
article shows possible approaches for dealing with a lack of physical
resonance, also described by Fogel (2013). On the basis of a case study,
guidelines for a body-oriented trauma therapy will be discussed.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE & ITS CONSEQUENCES: A BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY CASE STUDY, 2018
Violence, especially when it appears in such a sensitive area as connected with sexuality, provok... more Violence, especially when it appears in such a sensitive area as connected with sexuality, provokes traumatic reactions amongst the victims in many cases. This Body Psychotherapy case study presents a therapeutic procedure of how to work with traumatic memories around sexual violence by helping the client to regulate their strong or overwhelming somatic sensations. In this specific case, it becomes obvious that childhood memories not just stored as intensive somatic sensations, but also as emotions, such as anxiety and pain and extreme transference reactions. Pathological states of dissociation can influence the sense of being in the here-and-now. Dealing with traumatic memories requires a strong sense of self and the ability to be aware of (and stay in) the present moment. It was quite difficult to create a trustworthy and safe relationship and there were several 'testing' relational situations. In order to deal with the negative transferential phenomena, the therapist created conditions that allowed the client to identify, not just with their own 'victim' role, but also with the other roles in the standard "conflict triangle": 'victim', 'perpetrator' and 'bystander' (Wolterstorff, 2003). This differentiation supported the healing process of this deep childhood wound and increased the ability to live more in the present moment. As Daniel Stern (1999) writes, "the presence of mind and body is comparable to an 'existential' affect" and there is no better place to experience this than through our body, our tissues, and cells.
Developing a Better Research Culture in Body Psychotherapy, 2019
This three-part article looks at: Part
All body-oriented psychotherapists/practitioners are invited to take part in the survey. The stud... more All body-oriented psychotherapists/practitioners are invited to take part in the survey. The study will help better understand how body psychotherapy is applied. It will include research among psychotherapists from other modalities in order to develop a clearer understanding of body psychotherapy practices and their application. By examining body-oriented approaches and comparing them to other approaches, the study will promote body psychotherapy and increase its visisibility to broader audiences. The aim is to broaden the knowledge of embodied approaches to trauma therapy by connecting clinical practice and research communities. Together we will explore how a collaborative practice research network can transform perceptions of trauma research, strengthen connections among members, and encourage ongoing development and co-creation among participants. This important initiative is an opportunity to make a significant difference within our profession and to develop-together-the foundations of scientific and clinical research.
This three-part article looks at: Part 1: The history of the EABP Science and Research Committee ... more This three-part article looks at: Part 1: The history of the EABP Science and Research Committee initiatives Part 2: The types of research appropriate for body psychotherapy Part 3: Future developments for a better research culture in body psychotherapy Research into the effectiveness of the many modalities of psychotherapy is absolutely essential if that branch (or mainstream) of psychotherapy is to have any standing within the general psychotherapy community, with universities, with governments and ministries of health, or with the general public. Until fairly recently, the field of body psychotherapy was quite strong on theory. It was also good enough in the clinical practice of its many modalities and methods, but it has been decidedly poor with respect to any proper research. In this article, different aspects of body psychotherapy research are explored. Research in the field of body psychotherapy is seen as an essential part of developing a professional culture which must be fostered in both training and practice. We also need better connections with research departments in universities. Therefore, apart from being sufficiently trained in, and hopefully able to demonstrate the professional clinical competencies [1] of a body psychotherapist, there is an additional role and set of competencies a researcher-practitioner must develop and foster. This is important in view of the fact that there are often negative perceptions, or lip service, given to the need for research within the psychotherapy community in general, especially within the humanistic and body-oriented (somatic) psychotherapies. Some of this broader background, and more recent developments with respect to research into body psychotherapy are mentioned, but this article is focused on the development of a solid research-practitioner culture in body psychotherapy, for now, and especially for the future.
Therapeuten, die mit schwer traumatisierten Menschen arbeiten, sind in Gefahr, sekundär traumatis... more Therapeuten, die mit schwer traumatisierten Menschen arbeiten, sind in Gefahr, sekundär traumatisiert zu werden. Sie begleiten emotional und kognitiv Menschen, die auf ein belastendes Ereignis oder eine Situation außergewöhnlicher Bedrohung reagieren, also auf Bedingungen, die bei fast jedem Gefühle von Hilflosigkeit und tiefer Verzweiflung hervorrufen würden. Schon in der ersten Therapiephase können sich heftige Gegenübertra-gungsreaktionen des Therapeuten einstellen. Gerade Traumatherapeuten sollten sich aktiv um den Aufbau eines therapeutischen Arbeitsbündnisses bemühen. Sonst wird das therapeutische Setting an das Traumaschema assimiliert, und die Therapie gerät insgesamt zur Retraumatisierung des Patienten. Wichtige Grundlagen für ein traumatherapeutisches Verstehen liefern die aktuellen neurobiologischen Forschungen von Allan N. Schore, Jim Grigsby und Bruce D. Perry. Methodenübergreifend werden ihre Konzepte anhand ihrer Bedeutung bei der Entstehung des (körperlichen) Selbst und der Stressregulierung vorgestellt. Schlussfolgernd wird auf die Schulung von Traumatherapeuten für den besonderen Umgang mit Übertragung und Gegenübertragung verwiesen. Dies gilt unabhängig von der therapeutischen Richtung oder Schule.
This essay presents an integrated approach to treating traumatic transference dynamics. Our theor... more This essay presents an integrated approach to treating traumatic transference dynamics. Our theory integrates findings from the family therapy literature, principally the contributions of Murray Bowen; new understandings about memory from the field of neuropsychology, most clearly expressed in the writings of James Grigsby; and insights into the behavior of the autonomic nervous systems of people after they have been stressed or traumatized, as modeled by Peter Levine. The essay ends with a list of selected references. Our work integrates these three literatures into an approach to addressing the complex interpersonal dynamics that arise when we, as psychotherapists, work with clients who have experienced a particular class of traumas, which we name “in-group traumas,” which is to say, those clients who have a history of involvement in traumatic incidents in their families, schools, churches, or other tightly knit groups. Because of the close and ongoing nature of relationships in these groups, memories of traumatic experiences in such environments can be more complex than memories of car accidents, surgeries, or even an attack by a stranger. In this article, we propose a way to conceptualize these memories of “in-group” traumas. To do so, we rely on five ideas: 1) It is useful to simplify people’s behavior during a traumatic event into four roles: Savior, Victim, Bystander, Perpetrator. A single individual might play more than one role, even during the same event. 2) Individuals playing any of these four roles can develop posttraumatic symptoms. 3) Traumatic reenactment can be accounted for through the mechanism of projective identification. 4) During a traumatic event, we remember not so much what happened to us alone, but rather our subjective interpretation of the entire traumatic event itself; we remember the scene of the crime. 5) Healing from a complex relational trauma requires integrating all four posttraumatic roles, and, through them, the whole of the traumatic event. Typically, clients identify with one of the roles, usually the role they actually played, and disidentify from the others. This leaves clients with a superficial misinterpretation of what they actually remembered, because, during the original traumatic event, they also remembered what they imagined at that moment to have been the experience of others present. To conclude, we describe the implications of this interpretation for clinical interventions. Throughout, we use a (fictional) case study accessible to any reader, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1961 psychological thriller, “Marnie“.
Keywords: trauma, group dynamics, traumatic transference and countertransference, traumatic reenactment and projective identification, posttraumatic memory space, Alfred Hitchcock
Knowledge originating from neuropsychology,
psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic
methods, as... more Knowledge originating from neuropsychology,
psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic
methods, as well as from medicine and biosciences,
combined with modern models of
trauma therapy make it evident that the somatic
level plays an essential role for development,
fixation, and resolution of trauma. 3, 7 -9
TraumaSomatics® is a therapeutic method
that is based on the reorganization of somatic
memory located in what we call the SomaNet.
An essential characteristic of this therapeutic
method is that we work with somatic sensations
and movements to resolve somatic traces of the
traumatic experience. Both the calming down of
the nervous system and changes in the structural
and molecular net contribute to these processes.
TraumaSomatics® works with the human
memory system which can be differentiated into
semantic, episodic and procedural memory (see
also readings from Allan Schore1, John Grigsby
and David Steve ns2, Bessel van der Kolk3, and
Eric Wolterstorff4). The therapeutic objective is
the separation of these memory systems in order
to work with them individually. The work with
episodic memory via the somatic memory
system integrates the traumatic experience.
Procedural memory gives access to trauma -
dependent patterns of behaviour, and the
learning of abilities represents an important
resource. Semantic memory supports the client
in his autonomy and in managing the sequels of
stress and trauma.
All these therapeutic tools support the
development of the ability to recognize that the
traumatic experience is in the past giving the
clients access to the present moment.
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Die vergessene Dimension by Herbert Grassmann
As body psychotherapists, we are accustomed to looking at psychological
information in the context of embodiment. Many therapists assume that if
there is a lack of body awareness, their job is to bring clients back into their
bodies. To this end, we tend to almost reflexively ask “And how does this feel
in your body”? But what do we do about clients who have no answer?
Especially in trauma therapeutic practice, the question often arises of how
to work with clients who have no (or a disturbed) access to their bodily
perception. If clients can not feel their body, it may be because the body
must contain too much stress and disorganization to allow perception. The
article shows possible approaches for dealing with a lack of physical
resonance, also described by Fogel (2013). On the basis of a case study,
guidelines for a body-oriented trauma therapy will be discussed.
Keywords: trauma, group dynamics, traumatic transference and countertransference, traumatic reenactment and projective identification, posttraumatic memory space, Alfred Hitchcock
psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic
methods, as well as from medicine and biosciences,
combined with modern models of
trauma therapy make it evident that the somatic
level plays an essential role for development,
fixation, and resolution of trauma. 3, 7 -9
TraumaSomatics® is a therapeutic method
that is based on the reorganization of somatic
memory located in what we call the SomaNet.
An essential characteristic of this therapeutic
method is that we work with somatic sensations
and movements to resolve somatic traces of the
traumatic experience. Both the calming down of
the nervous system and changes in the structural
and molecular net contribute to these processes.
TraumaSomatics® works with the human
memory system which can be differentiated into
semantic, episodic and procedural memory (see
also readings from Allan Schore1, John Grigsby
and David Steve ns2, Bessel van der Kolk3, and
Eric Wolterstorff4). The therapeutic objective is
the separation of these memory systems in order
to work with them individually. The work with
episodic memory via the somatic memory
system integrates the traumatic experience.
Procedural memory gives access to trauma -
dependent patterns of behaviour, and the
learning of abilities represents an important
resource. Semantic memory supports the client
in his autonomy and in managing the sequels of
stress and trauma.
All these therapeutic tools support the
development of the ability to recognize that the
traumatic experience is in the past giving the
clients access to the present moment.
As body psychotherapists, we are accustomed to looking at psychological
information in the context of embodiment. Many therapists assume that if
there is a lack of body awareness, their job is to bring clients back into their
bodies. To this end, we tend to almost reflexively ask “And how does this feel
in your body”? But what do we do about clients who have no answer?
Especially in trauma therapeutic practice, the question often arises of how
to work with clients who have no (or a disturbed) access to their bodily
perception. If clients can not feel their body, it may be because the body
must contain too much stress and disorganization to allow perception. The
article shows possible approaches for dealing with a lack of physical
resonance, also described by Fogel (2013). On the basis of a case study,
guidelines for a body-oriented trauma therapy will be discussed.
Keywords: trauma, group dynamics, traumatic transference and countertransference, traumatic reenactment and projective identification, posttraumatic memory space, Alfred Hitchcock
psychotherapeutic and somatic therapeutic
methods, as well as from medicine and biosciences,
combined with modern models of
trauma therapy make it evident that the somatic
level plays an essential role for development,
fixation, and resolution of trauma. 3, 7 -9
TraumaSomatics® is a therapeutic method
that is based on the reorganization of somatic
memory located in what we call the SomaNet.
An essential characteristic of this therapeutic
method is that we work with somatic sensations
and movements to resolve somatic traces of the
traumatic experience. Both the calming down of
the nervous system and changes in the structural
and molecular net contribute to these processes.
TraumaSomatics® works with the human
memory system which can be differentiated into
semantic, episodic and procedural memory (see
also readings from Allan Schore1, John Grigsby
and David Steve ns2, Bessel van der Kolk3, and
Eric Wolterstorff4). The therapeutic objective is
the separation of these memory systems in order
to work with them individually. The work with
episodic memory via the somatic memory
system integrates the traumatic experience.
Procedural memory gives access to trauma -
dependent patterns of behaviour, and the
learning of abilities represents an important
resource. Semantic memory supports the client
in his autonomy and in managing the sequels of
stress and trauma.
All these therapeutic tools support the
development of the ability to recognize that the
traumatic experience is in the past giving the
clients access to the present moment.