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Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

Trauma Therapy Somatic Experiencing®

Somatic Coaching

Body-Oriented Group Therapy

Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

Healing Through Body and Soul

Biodynamic body psychotherapy, inspired by Gerda Boyesen (https://biodynamic.org/) and Wilhelm Reich, is a holistic therapy that sees the body as a key to emotional healing. It is based on the understanding that body and mind are inseparably connected, with unresolved emotional experiences stored in the body. This therapy focuses on the connection between bodily sensations, emotional experiences, and mental processes, working with what is called “Biorelease,” a natural discharge of stored energy.
Biodynamic body psychotherapy views the body as an expression of your inner life energy. When you experience stress, fear, or traumatic events, this energy can become blocked, resulting in physical tension, chronic pain, or emotional stagnation. The therapy aims to release these blockages gently, restoring the natural flow of your life energy.
A key part of this therapy is vegetotherapy, a method developed by Wilhelm Reich. Using specific breathing and movement exercises, vegetotherapy helps to release emotional blockages and muscular tensions. By working with the autonomic nervous system, unconscious tensions stored in the body can be released, activating the body’s self-healing abilities.
The term “Biorelease” describes the process of discharging stored life energy, which often manifests as muscle tension, emotional numbness, or chronic pain. Through techniques such as massage, breathwork, and targeted touch, this energy is freed, allowing the body to let go of old emotional burdens. Biodynamic massage techniques, developed by Gerda Boyesen, play a central role in this process.
An especially distinctive feature of this massage is the use of a stethoscope to listen to the sounds of the digestive system. This “psycho-peristalsis” provides insight into the body’s stress levels and how the massage is working. When the digestive system begins to move, it’s a sign that the body is starting to release emotional tension.

Biodynamic body psychotherapy can help with a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Stress and burnout
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Chronic pain and tension
  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Relationship problems and emotional blockages

 

This therapy is ideal for individuals who often feel uncomfortable in their bodies, wish to break free from old patterns, or seek a deeper connection with themselves.

A typical session begins with a conversation in which you share your issues and goals. Following this, you’ll engage in body-psychotherapeutic exercises tailored specifically to your needs, which may include breathing exercises, gentle massages, vegetotherapy movements, or periods of silence and relaxation. Touches are gentle, respectful, and always within your boundaries.
Throughout the treatment, the focus remains on bodily sensations and any emotions that arise. During the session, you are invited to attune to your body more deeply and observe which emotions or memories come up. The therapist accompanies you with empathy, helping you guide the released energy in a positive direction.
Biodynamic body psychotherapy is a journey to yourself. It enables you to heal old wounds, release emotional blockages, and feel more alive and connected. If you’re curious and open to a deeper self-exploration, this therapy might be the right choice for you. Embrace it and discover how healing and liberating the work with your body can be.

Trauma Therapy Somatic Experiencing®

Healing through Body Awareness

Welcome! I’m glad you’re interested in Somatic Experiencing. This approach provides a gentle, body-centered method for healing from trauma and stress. You might be wondering what Somatic Experiencing is and how it can support you on your path to recovery. Let me give you a brief introduction.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) was developed by Dr. Peter Levine and is based on the understanding that our body plays a central role in processing distressing experiences. Traumatic events often leave deep traces, not only in our minds but also within our bodies. SE helps us bring frozen energy back into flow, allowing healing to happen on every level – physical, emotional, and mental.
Unlike purely talk-based therapies, Somatic Experiencing focuses on bodily sensations. During a session, we gently shift attention to the body’s sensations and reactions, which are often subtle and unconscious. This approach explores these bodily sensations with a sense of safety and mindfulness, helping to release the energy stored in our nervous system.
A key aspect of SE is “pendulation” – the gentle movement back and forth between a sense of safety and slowly approaching the distressing experience. This method allows the body to gradually release stress and trauma without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a respectful process that honors your pace and activates the body’s natural healing abilities.
Trauma isn’t just about the event itself; it’s about how the body responds to it. Our nervous system often reacts to a threat by entering a “fight, flight, or freeze” state. When a trauma remains unprocessed, this state can remain in the body, potentially leading to physical symptoms like tension, pain, sleep disturbances, or even chronic conditions.
Somatic Experiencing helps identify and release this “frozen” state within the body. Through gentle work with physical sensations, the nervous system can gradually return to a more relaxed state. The effects are often profound, leading to increased vitality, inner peace, and resilience.
Every session is tailored to your needs and healing journey. We take time to create a safe space where you feel comfortable. I will guide you through a gentle process of self-awareness, helping you learn to understand and make use of your body’s language. It’s a gradual process, taking place at your pace, that aims to calm and regulate the nervous system.
Many people report feeling a greater connection to their body, more inner peace, and emotional stability after just a few sessions. This approach can also reduce physical symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.

Somatic Coaching

Unlock Your Potential Through the Wisdom of Your Body

Do you feel stuck in your life, unsure of your next steps, or perhaps not fully connected to your body? Are you looking for more structure, self-confidence, or clarity in your daily life? It might be about your career, your relationships, or simply the desire to feel more alive. In somatic coaching, I guide you on a journey to explore and resolve these areas—by tapping into the wisdom of your own body.
Unlike many traditional coaching approaches, somatic coaching goes beyond just the mind and thoughts. Here, the body is actively involved, as it holds so much knowledge and experience, often more than we consciously realize. Through mindful body awareness and targeted exercises, you’ll learn to understand your body’s signals, feel more connected to yourself, and recognize your needs with greater clarity.

Our body and mind are deeply interconnected. When we learn to listen to the wisdom of our body, we can release blocks that hold us back and cultivate a deeper trust in ourselves. This can positively impact all areas of life—whether in your career, in partnerships, within your family, or in how you relate to yourself.

How can Somatic Coaching help you?

  • Self-confidence and self-assertion: Strengthen your inner foundation, find your voice, and learn to express yourself authentically.
  • Career steps: Gain clarity about your professional goals and the steps to take to reach them.
  • Relationships: Understand your emotional patterns better and learn how to be more present and connected in relationships.
  • Coping with daily life: Discover new ways to manage stress and challenges that bring you both energy and calm.
  • Aliveness and body connection: Experience more joy and presence in your daily life by listening to your body’s signals and feeling more alive.

 

Are you ready to strengthen your connection to your body and unlock your full potential?

Let’s explore what’s possible together. I look forward to accompanying you on this journey!

Body-Oriented Group Therapy

Healing and Growth in Community

Group therapy offers a unique space for personal growth and healing, differing significantly from individual therapy. As social beings, we develop within groups—primarily our families—where our strengths and weaknesses are shaped. These social environments influence our behaviors and contribute to our emotional suffering.
In body-oriented group therapy, members sit in a circle with the therapist. The initial sessions may focus on specific topics, but afterwards, discussions generally flow freely from each participant’s contributions. Each group consists of 5 to 9 people, and sessions last 100 minutes, typically held weekly or biweekly. These groups are “semi-open,” meaning new members can be integrated into the existing group after the initial participants have started together.
To ensure a safe environment, several rules must be followed, with the most important being strict confidentiality about anything shared within the group. Successful participation relies on each member’s commitment to attend reliably and punctually. Before group therapy begins, preparatory individual sessions are conducted. This probationary phase allows both the therapist and participants to build trust, ensuring that everyone is supported effectively. Group members are selected based on compatibility, considering factors such as age, gender, life situation, and diagnosis. This careful selection fosters a comfortable and cohesive group atmosphere. In body-oriented group therapy, the group dynamic is harnessed to facilitate transformative processes. Participants are encouraged to recognize and reflect upon their familiar behaviors and relationship patterns. As members interact, they become aware of how their dynamics influence one another, providing opportunities for growth.

The focus extends beyond individual concerns to the dynamics that emerge among participants. In a respectful setting, unconscious motivations, fears, and blocks are explored. Group members support one another, and shared experiences allow behavioral patterns and hidden emotions to surface, making them accessible for change. The therapist guides the conversation, ensuring a supportive environment for individual insights while intervening when necessary.

Attention is also given to subtle emotional expressions, known as “micro-expressions,” which can reveal deeper motivations. Recognizing these cues helps the group collectively address limiting behaviors and emotional burdens. This exchange fosters resilience, nurtures authentic connections, and supports the emotional well-being and personal growth of each member.

Working together toward similar goals enhances the therapeutic process, creating a nurturing environment that promotes healing. Participants gain strength from shared experiences, learning from one another while cultivating a sense of belonging. This supportive community encourages individuals to explore their feelings and challenges openly, paving the way for self-discovery and transformation.

Overall, body-oriented group therapy combines social interaction with therapeutic techniques to create a profound healing experience. Members leave with greater awareness of themselves and their relationships, equipped with tools to navigate their lives more effectively.

© Copyright 2024Michael Liegl