28.03.

2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Content:

Basics of Body Psychotherapy

How Children express their feelings
and their needs
Therapy: Body expression and
symbolic play
The role of the therapist

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Bodytherapy

Bodypsychotherapy

Goal: Being healthy and feeling well

working on the physical body

Shiatsu
Akkupressure
Craniosacral-Therapy
Tragering
Rolfing
Postural Integration
Feldenkrais
u.a.
28.03.2015

working on embodied life issues

Neoreichian body
psychotherapies,
Hakomi, Pesso-BoydenSystem, Biodynamic approach,
Bioenergetic analysis,
Biosynthesis, Skan ect.

Psychoanalytic bodytherapies
and Psychoanalytic orientiented
movement therapies,
Dance therapy, Drama Therapy,
ect. of
Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University
Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Body(psycho)therapy
Schrauth (2001)

Focusing on emotions and body energy: Reichian and

neoreichian schools, dance- und breathing therapy
Focusing on sensory awareness: Concentrative body
therapy, functional relaxation
Focusing on contact and relations: Psychoanalytic body
therapies
Focusing on awareness and training: Feldenkrais,
Autogenes training, breathing therapy
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Three layers of personality (W. Reich)

1. Primary Core-self
with natural social abilities, joy in work and creativity,
sexuality and ability to love
2. Unconcious layer of avoided impulses like anger, hate,
destructivity, greed u.a.
3. Social mask of defensive behavior in order to avoid
impulses coming up from the 2nd layer. No possibility of
authentic contact between core-self and the world.
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Mindfulness
can be understood as a special state of
consciousness that can passively observe the present
moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, neither
clinging to it, nor rejecting it. Typically, it is focused
inward, on internal experience in general, or on specific
features of its landscape (Johanson, 2006).

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Methods of mindful based

bodypsychotherapy
Practice mindfulness
Being in somatic resonance and absolute
presence
speaking with the connection to the own inner
feelings
Holding and containing
working with transference and
countertransference
Focus on vitality, the heart and inner wisdom
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Methods of mindful based

bodypsychotherapy
Working with the breathing
Focusing on body sensations and feelings
Creative actions (fighting, role-taking, voicedialogue, body-dialogue, imaginations, acting
out, set-ups, working with materials)
taking over and giving sondes
Moving the body
Touching body and aura
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Goals:
Autonomy and self-regulation
Beeing in contact with
the innermost core

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Indications and Settings

Prevention of violent and challenging behavior,
somatic diseases, developmental
disturbences. Kindergarden, different
types of schools, ambulance,

Therapy

psychosomatic and emotional disturbances,

trauma, challenging behavior, regression, various
developmental disorders. Childrens Homes,
ambulance, private institutes

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Whow children express their feelings and their needs

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

dialogue

play

movement

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Therapy
Body expression and symbolic play
Body energy
Armoring
Body language
Symbolic movements
Playing with toys and materials in a symbolic way
Role play
Finding creative solutions in role play

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Challenge for balance and body

mind-awareness, disarmoring

- jumping, falling and crying

- driving Rollbrett
- swinging, rocking
- water experiences
- sandwich , crevasse and others
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

 Falling
Crashing together

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

 Child`s plays on power and faint

- catching
- tying games
- mountaineering
- fighting, wrestling

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

wrapping up, dressing up, roll play

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Finding shelter, building a house, building caves

hiding, getting beared, beeing held,
touching and getting a massage

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Dialogue:

Presence
awareness
core-contact
resonance
holding, containing, moving and
playing in a transition space
beeing aware of
countertransferance
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Steps in childs therapy development,

dealing with life-issues
1. Playing the usual game, checking the personality of
the therapist and her ability to play.
2. Using the therapist for the own life-issue-games. She
has to play the rejected parts.
3. Slowly change of roles becomes possible.
4. Child plays the former rejected parts in role-play and
life. Distance and abstract ways of expressing
(painting and talking) are possible.
5. In between, time of consolidation, grounding, rest
and heart-contact is needed.
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

Principles of body psychotherapy work with

childs life-issues
Contact and relationship ahead of special therapy
goals
Accept emotions
Focus on vitality, not on problems
Stay with the moment go with the flow
Encourage the autonomy of the child
Be a mirror of lust, joy and totality
Stay in contact with your inner child
Therapy is a circular sense- understanding process
28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

authentic action
and responsibility

finding own ways

of creativity
feeling and
expressing authentic
emotions

Finding ones
own ways
of expression

finding ones
own aims

other Aims

freedom,
grounding
centering
28.03.2015

building up
trust

Living in
the body

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt

realising
self esteem in daily
life

Finding ones
own time

 Living and holding ourselfs, our emotions and

aliveness inside before holding the child
outside
Beeing in contact with deep pleasure and pain
inside
Beeing a good enough mother, living the
female as well as the male power responding to
the situation

28.03.2015

Prof. Dr. A. Eckert/ University of

Applied Sciences, Darmstadt