Healing Through the Body: An Introduction to the Embodied Practice of Focusing

As a counsellor, I’m always looking for gentle, effective ways to help my clients connect with themselves more deeply. One approach I use is Gendlin’s Focusing—a body-centered technique that invites you to listen to your own bodily felt sense as a path to understanding and healing.

A Different Approach: The Power of the Body

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which often focuses on words, thoughts, and cognitive processes, focusing invites you to turn inward and pay attention to your body’s subtle sensations. This “felt sense” is a bodily awareness that holds emotional and psychological information—the unspoken, often vague feelings that can be difficult to put into words.

Why Focus on the Body?

Our bodies often know more than our minds realize. When we tune into these bodily sensations, we access a deep, intuitive wisdom that can bring clarity to confusing feelings, unresolved issues, or distressing emotions. This somatic approach helps bypass the mental clutter and defenses, allowing you to connect with your authentic self in a gentle and non-judgmental way.

What Happens in a Focusing Session?

In focusing, you are guided to create a calm space where you can:

- Notice and acknowledge the bodily sensations related to your concerns

- Allow these sensations to unfold naturally without trying to change or analyze them

- Find words or images that capture the essence of what you’re feeling

- Discover new perspectives or resolutions that often emerge from this bodily awareness

This process fosters a sense of trust and self-connection, making it easier to navigate difficult emotions and find inner solutions.

The Benefits for You

Focusing offers a safe, nurturing way to explore your inner world. It’s especially helpful if you find traditional talking therapies challenging or if you want to deepen your self-awareness. Through this approach, you may experience reduced anxiety, clearer insight into your feelings, and a greater sense of inner peace—all by listening more closely to your own body.

Challenges

It’s important to recognize that working with the body and feelings can sometimes bring up challenges or resistance. These difficulties are quite common and part of the healing journey. Focusing doesn’t rush or force progress; instead, it moves slowly and gently, respecting your pace. Through patience and kindness, I support clients as they work through these challenges, trusting that with time, the body’s sensations can lead to greater clarity and relief. This approach encourages you to be gentle with yourself as you navigate whatever arises, creating a safe space for growth and self-understanding.

An Invitation

If you’re curious about discovering what your body might be telling you, I invite you to try focusing as part of our work together. It’s a gentle, empowering way to access your inner wisdom and foster genuine healing from within.

John Woychuk is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association; a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Please contact me for appointment inquiries.