Emergent Dialogue & Focusing

WHAT IS FOCUSING?

Focusing is the core of Emergent Dialogue, a way to dialogue with your Felt Sense and let the whole of you 'carry forward' in your living. Usually the Focuser selects an issue, but sometimes just starts with a background feeling. Partnered sessions last 30-60 minutes with a dedicated listener who does not question or diagnose your reporting. Focusing is based on the groundbreaking work of Eugene Gendlin, and is a teachable and mediated kind of mindfulness.

What is true is already so. Owning up to it doesn't make it worse. Not being open about it doesn't make it go away. And because it's true, it is what is there to be interacted with. Anything untrue isn't there to be lived. People can stand what is true, for they are already enduring it."

Eugene Gendlin



Eugene Gendlin

You may choose to develop competency as a Focuser and Companion, which would entail at least several one-on-one coaching sessions with myself or another certified Trainer. Once we are both comfortable with your readiness, I will certify your Proficiency to the Focusing Institute so that you can join the Partnership Pool and locate a partner for free weekly, mutual support.


  • ... if you we agree to extend the exploration beyond 30 minutes and into a work session, please consider sending me an affordable remuneration that feels right for any benefit you received.


  • I will coach you Emergently through a difficult decision, a work or relationship issue, or mindfulness practice. You can also use this time to get a taste of Focusing to see if you want to establish regular, free partnerships.

  • I will offer you an experiential taste of emotional intelligence, available through Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Focusing, by exploring a relationship issue or conflict.

  • We can explore what's happening in your group and identify which agreements and Emergent skills might generate more Aliveness, discover, and co-creation within your group.


    PERSONAL & RELATIONAL

  • Learn to follow the Felt Sense, develop emotional intelligence, or NVC coaching for finding meaningful work or next steps in your life. If you become competent as a Focuser, I can certify your Proficiency to the Focusing Institute so that you can join the Partnership Pool and locate a partner for free weekly, mutual support.

  • Learn Emergence skills that generate more safety, ownership, and a willingness to give. Skills might include using Focusing-style reflection and the Needs consciousness of NVC. Or, you may want a Focusing guide/companion to restore yourself and 'clear a space' after the challenging work you do.

  • Restore yourself after giving so much of yourself to others. I will support you in a Focusing exploration to 'clear a space'.

  • If you're on one side or the other of the vaccine question, you may feel allienated, scared, and/or frustrated. We'll use Emergent practices to relax into your core needs and values, without judgement. From there, you can explore how to nourish yourself, and what kind of relationship might be possible with certain family, friends, or employer.


    GROUPS

  • Tired of 'workshop-mode' where years of learning and trying hard yield modest change, but not the perceptual shift that the world needs? Is your community committed to non-violence, but meetings take hours and leave residual tension? Don't settle for 'conflict resolution' when you can have ongoing empathy, efficiency, and discovery. We'll identify clear process agreements and teachable skills-of-presence that generate Aliveness, intimacy, and discovery for your group or community!

  • If you're a facilitator, I'm available to co-develop a group process based on principles of Emergence. Together, we will assess the objectives and challenges of your group and design the agreements and practices which improve safety/respect, intimacy, co-creativity, and efficiency. We may also engage in skill buiding for the participants and/or facililtator, based on the principles and practices of Focusing, NVC, and Council Practice.

Standard fee $80, one-on-one
(sliding scale available)

Emergent Dialogue

"Focusing" (1981) is a body-oriented process for self-awareness and problem solving based on Eugene Gendlin's work with Carl Rogers, the father of client-centered therapy. By pausing and feeling into an issue, a felt sense forms. With neutral reflection from a companion, the Focuser experiences insights, relief in the body, and forward steps around the issue.