Somatic Counselling &
Focusing-oriented Therapy
in person in Central, Hong Kong, and online
In this page, I explain more about the work I do as a body-based or somatic counsellor. Some of the questions answered in this page include the following: Why is a somatic approach effective in therapy? What is Focusing-oriented therapy? What do we mean by the “felt sense”?
Cognitive vs. Somatic
Some people perceive counselling sessions to look like this: I “talk” my issues out with a therapist and then get advice about how to proceed. This is a cognitive, solutions-focused, way of working. On the other spectrum, there is a somatic approach, which unlocks more doors and implicit dimensions towards healing. This modality also allows the client to make their own connections, and potentially explore the root(s) of their symptom(s).
The Integrated and Energetic Body
Our human body is an integrated system incorporating mind, body, and spirit. Our physical body is akin to a vast inner landscape of wisdom and knowledge, as well as trapped and unresolved energies. From what I have witnessed in clients, these energies can create implosions, bottling up, or a lack of flow on the inside of the body, manifesting in ill health; they can also present on the outside as looping or cyclical behaviours and ways of thinking, which impact our wellbeing and relatioships.
For example, if a client is burnt out from overworking, or from being in a toxic relationship, the client may “know” about this at some cognitive level; however, their automated tendency is to continue doing what they have been doing. These co-dependency and addiction issues may stem from complex trauma or intergenerational trauma (i.e. from childhood abandonment experiences, or war and poverty, etc). Underneath, we may be so drained and exhausted, but due to our dysregulated nervous systems, underlying fears, and/or disconnection from our bodies, we are not able to receive messages essential to our mind-body-spirit health.
What does my Focusing session look like?
In Focusing, I support clients to slow down, so that they can listen to their inner self or body, make new connections inside, and access new implicit information. At the start of session, I would invite my clients to clear their mental space and to gently feel their seat in the chair and feet on the ground. Throughout the session, I encourage clients to be patient and compassionate towards themselves as they find words, phrases, images or gestures that match the quality of their bodily felt sense.
From what I have witnessed in clients, the body has an intrinsic healing capacity. As a somatic and Focusing-oriented Therapist, I am facilitating an unconditional presence of whatever is here and now, as the client tracks their bodily felt sense, from moment to moment. In the process, I am holding space for the client’s process, to share and verbalize what is noticed, ranging from gestures, sounds, new words or phrases, and tears, to shaking, trembling, and maybe dissipation. Unless there is a lot of energy blockage, there is usually a marked difference in what is felt in their body in the beginning vs the end of the session.
What is the bodily felt sense? And why Focusing?
The felt sense can be described as “the broader, at first unclear, unrecognizable discomfort, which the whole problem (all that) makes in your body” (per International Focusing Institute). If you are curious about “Why focusing? And how does it work?” - Ann Weiser Cornell describes Focusing very well HERE.
When Focusing was first discovered in the 1960s by Eugene Gendlin (alongside research work with Carl Rogers), their research indicated that success in therapy was not due to the different modalities. Rather clients who were successful in therapy had something in common – While in session, they were naturally referring back to their bodily felt sense, i.e. gesturing to a part of their body with their hands, groping for words which fit their experiences, etc. The implicit dimension in the body, even though it is harder to articulate, is a “fertile” zone of possibilities, and can be accessed by being curious, and engaging the felt sense in the work.
In essence, Focusing can be beneficial to all clients, especially those who are curious and open to exploring their inner wisdom and knowing, as well as potential beyond the dimensions of the intellect. It is a safe and gentle modality, which makes it particularly effective in getting to the root of issues, such as trauma and nervous system regulation.
How do the other modalities including Tai Chi alignment and movement fit in?
When I work with clients, I naturally blend my go-to Focusing modality with training tools I have been exposed to, including Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practice of unconditional presence and equanimity, and anchoring in the “here and now,” and somatic experiencing. I also often introduce breathwork (sometimes applying sounds) to stimulate the vagus nerve, the longest and most complex nerve of the autonomic nervous system. This helps to cultivate the rest and digest system, to help restore from trauma.
In addition, for clients who can benefit from Tai Chi posture and alignment, I can facilitate body awareness practices, i.e. standing posture where you are relaxed, yet balanced, and can fully land on your feet; Tai Chi walking where you can apply the practice of non-reaction, and moving from your power centre; and Qigong tapping, and shaking for trauma release.
Trauma Counselling
What are the different types of trauma? And how do I work with trauma?
Trauma (i.e. intergenerational trauma, complex trauma, inherited trauma from previous generations, and physical, emotional, verbal, sexual trauma) is stored in the body. When the energy from a previous trauma and/or an attachment wounding is unresolved, we may notice symptoms which are wide ranging, manifesting in depression, anxiety, numbness, and relationship issues in some, and addictions and overworking in others (to give just a few examples). In terms of PTSD, clients may also experience flashbacks, nightmares, and can be easily triggered into a fight-flight-freeze-fawn mode. Underneath the symptoms is a dysregulated nervous system.
A somatic therapeutic approach (vs just talking in sessions) can support clients to effectively resolve trauma and chronic stress by addressing dysregulation in the nervous system. We start with building trust and alliance in the therapeutic relationship, and helping the client to resource externally and internally. I accompany the client in their practice of anchoring with the breath and body, in the “here and now.” This anchoring facilitates titration in trauma work, going back and forth between present moment and memory material, so that the client can process their experiences safely. (Note that if the client just talks from a head space, there is a risk of retraumatizing.)
I always remind clients that their “here and now” adult resourced self is in the driver’s seat during the session. In the moment now, your present day self in session is not experiencing the threat that had occurred before. Just knowing and verbalizing to yourself that that traumatizing event was “then” and that this safe place is “now” helps to reprogram. We are in essence updating the programming. This can give you a sense of safety and assurance to proceed in therapy. I trust in your body’s innate capacity and wisdom to heal. You pace your own sessions, whether you want to go faster, slower, or simply pause, to address any resistance.
Many clients may present that they don’t have any “big” trauma issues, compared to others. However, complex trauma and attachment wounding should not be minimized as their impact can build up over time, going against the client’s wellbeing. For example, symptoms can show up in the form of coping behaviours such as these – a habitual pleasing, saying “Yes” to everyone all the time (even when you are actually really drained inside); controlling tendencies and striving for perfection (while lacking energy and vitality in your life); overcommitting at home or at work (while in denial about the true costs to your health). Often these behaviours are connected to some old programming from childhood or the generations prior. They can govern your life like ingrained mechanisms, until you become aware in your body about it all.
I am a Hong Kong-based English speaking counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, and Certified Focusing-oriented Therapist, offering body-based, somatic counselling and psychotherapy sessions in person in Central, Hong Kong, as well as online for Hong Kong and global clients.
- Fee: HKD1,500 per session. Sliding scale fees may be negotiated for students and others who have financial challenges and who want to do regular work/sessions.
- Each session lasts 50 minutes.
- Free 20 minute audio intake prior to first session.