Editor's note.Welcome to this issue of the Journal of Heart-Centered Therapies as we begin our sixth year of publication. We are pleased to present these articles, each written by Diane Zimberoff and David Hartman, which identify and explicate the component clinical modalities within Heart-Centered therapies. Heart-Centered therapies are located within the traditions of deep experiential psychotherapy, and existential-humanistic psychology. The lead article is The Existential Approach in Heart-Centered Therapies, and it presents a detailed account of the historical experiential and existential foundations for our work. The existential approach in psychotherapy is organized around life on earth itself and the social, cultural and spiritual ramifications ramifications npl → Auswirkungen pl of it, that is, the "human condition." We identify five themes that pervade per·vade tr.v. per·vad·ed, per·vad·ing, per·vades To be present throughout; permeate. See Synonyms at charge. [Latin perv existentialism existentialism (ĕgzĭstĕn`shəlĭzəm, ĕksĭ–), any of several philosophic systems, all centered on the individual and his relationship to the universe or to God. and Heart-Centered therapies: (1) meaning in life is found in the living of each moment; (2) passionate commitment to a way of life, to one's purpose and one's relationships, is the highest form of expression of one's humanity; (3) all human beings have freedom of choice and responsibility for our choices; (4) openness to experience Openness to experience is one of five major domains of personality discovered by psychologists (Goldberg, 1993; McCrae & John, 1992). Openness involves active imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, and intellectual curiosity allows for the greatest possible expansion of personal expression; and (5) in the ever-present face of death itself, we find the deepest commitment to life itself. The second article is Ego States in Heart-Centered Therapies, tracing the traditions and techniques of Ego State therapy and developmental psychotherapy. Ego State therapy is a therapeutic approach which recognizes that every individual incorporates numerous discreet ego states. Each of these ego states is a part of one's personality with a particular set of thoughts and feelings and beliefs, and with a unique historical development, which can be traced back to its inception early in life. Gestalt Therapy Gestalt Therapy Definition Gestalt therapy is a humanistic therapy technique that focuses on gaining an awareness of emotions and behaviors in the present rather than in the past. The therapist does not interpret experiences for the patient. and Heart-Centered Therapies reviews the basic Gestalt Gestalt (gəshtält`) [Ger.,=form], school of psychology that interprets phenomena as organized wholes rather than as aggregates of distinct parts, maintaining that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. techniques utilized in our work, such as presentness, concrete attention to detail, somatic and body awareness, exaggeration, loosening techniques and integrating techniques. The Gestalt influence is existentially oriented, framing life as offering exciting choices or opportunities to explore and to discover one's potentials. Another article, Hypnotic Trance in Heart-Centered Therapies, traces the roots of the use of trance states in Heart-Centered therapies. A discussion of traditional hypnosis includes symptomatic hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy Definition Hypnotherapy is the treatment of a variety of health conditions by hypnotism or by inducing prolonged sleep. Pioneers in this field, such as James Braid and James Esdaile discovered that hypnosis could be used to , supportive ego-strengthening, dynamic hypnotherapy, and hypnotherapy of developmental deficits. Ericksonian and NLP (Natural Language Processing) The capability of understanding human language. If the language is spoken, voice recognition plays an important role in converting the sounds to individual words. Then, natural language processing figures out what the words mean. techniques that fit well with the Heart-Centered approach are calling to awareness senses within the body, which encourage the client to focus on internal realities; stating permission to the unconscious mind either for searching memory archives or for expression of unaccustomed feelings and experiences; and nonverbal cues such as changing voice patterns and modeling appropriate trance behaviors. We also review some of the hypnobehavioral approaches and behavior modification techniques utilized in Heart-Centered therapies, including systematic desensitization, modeling, anchoring, sensitization sensitization /sen·si·ti·za·tion/ (sen?si-ti-za´shun) 1. administration of an antigen to induce a primary immune response. 2. exposure to allergen that results in the development of hypersensitivity. or aversion, flooding and implosion implosion /im·plo·sion/ (im-plo´zhun) see flooding. im·plo·sion n. 1. , role-playing (behavioral rehearsal), assertive training, and observational learning. Transpersonal Psychology in Heart-Centered Therapies looks at areas of potential conflict with spiritual involvement in psychotherapy, and reviews areas of intersection between spiritual realms and Heart-Centered therapies. We consider ways of directly accessing the client's soul or, conversely, healing loss of soul through soul retrieval. The traditions that provide the needed "technology of consciousness" are the shamanistic healing approach, Jungian psychology and Kundalini kundalini: see yoga. kundalini In some tantric forms of Yoga, the cosmic energy believed to be within everyone. It is pictured as a coiled serpent lying at the base of the spine. meditation. Consider submitting a manuscript for the September, 2003 issue of the Journal, and share your clinical experiences with other readers! David Hartman, LCSW Editor-in-Chief Heart-Centered Therapies Association, Issaquah, WA USA |
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