WHY A MIND-BODY ORIENTED APPROACH?

Recent research on emotion, memory and brain-function, as well as the current understanding of the consequences of traumatization, demonstrates that psychological disturbances manifest themselves not just as mental images, but as physical experiences, specific body sensations and often, too, specific motor behaviour. These findings have led to a growing interest in those treatment modalities which take account of body information in a professionally organised and methodical way (Damasio 1999; van der Kolk 1996).

Many psychological problems can be understood as the consequence of deficits in the satisfaction of basic developmental needs in early childhood. The early childhood needs – for nurture, support, protection, limits and a sense of a place in the world – have to be fulfilled concretely and symbolically at the right time and in the right kinship relationships; all experienced in well-fitting 'countershaping' interactions. When these interactive events do not happen, the child cannot sufficiently mature into its adult true self. It has suffered damaging consequences on three levels: biological, psychological and existential. An effective developmental approach toward such consequences helps people to rediscover and become who they really are by trusting the body as a reliable source of information, expressing emotions in a safe environment, and by broadening consciousness. This leads to a more positive orientation towards life as new, alternative, mind-body memories are integrated. All this requires an articulated body-based psychotherapy

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