The therapeutic process was likened by Jung to alchemy, a metaphysical pursuit once dedicated to transforming base matter into precious substances. Psychotherapy does transform distress into resilience – lead into gold – but not through esoteric forces; rather, as a result of sound principles, theories and applied practice. This workshop presents Core Energetics Psychotherapy, a somatic therapy grounded in psychodynamic psychology. Seligman’s (1995) five properties of practice-based psychotherapy will be addressed through vignettes of therapy with clients, supporting the contention that there are vast differences between results in controlled trials and what succeeds in the field
It will be asserted that psychotherapy allows for constant evolution of the process through direct clinical feedback, including clients’ self-reporting regarding effectiveness. Attendees will be introduced to some Energy Psychotherapy techniques that form the basis of a therapy modality that combines object-relations theory, Core Energetic understandings, body psychotherapy and energy psychology. The application to therapeutic work will be discussed, with examples from actual client work.