The Power of Gentle

What is Hakomi?

Hakomi is a holistic therapeutic approach that integrates elements of mindfulness, somatics, and the principles of Buddhism to facilitate self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Developed by Ron Kurtz, Hakomi emphasises loving presence, compassion, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

Rooted in mindfulness practice, Hakomi encourages individuals to cultivate a state of present-moment awareness, enabling exploration of inner experiences with curiosity and acceptance. Through gentle inquiry and experiential techniques, Hakomi helps individuals uncover unconscious beliefs, patterns, and emotions that may contribute to their suffering or limit their potential.

Drawing inspiration from Buddhism, yoga, somatic therapies, and contemporary neuroscience, Hakomi recognises the role of the mind, particularly the unconscious mind, in creating and perpetuating suffering, while also acknowledging the potential for transformation and liberation. By fostering a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, Hakomi empowers individuals to explore their inner experiences, cultivate self-awareness, and develop more conscious ways of relating to themselves and others. This fosters a more wise and compassionate way of being.

Hakomi is a gentle yet profound approach to therapy that integrates mindfulness, somatics, and spiritual wisdom to promote healing, self-discovery, and holistic well-being. It offers a path to greater freedom, authenticity, and connection with oneself and the world around us.

What are the benefits?

Embodiment: Integrates mind, body, and spirit, providing deeper self-awareness and access to innate wisdom.

Nourishment: Cultivates self-compassion and self-care, fostering a safe and supportive environment for healing, allowing emotional nourishment to be received and integrated.

Increased self-awareness: Develops mindfulness and somatic exploration, leading to insights into thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Healing past wounds: Offers a space for processing and resolving unresolved traumas, promoting emotional healing and growth.

Improved emotional regulation: Enhances emotional intelligence and resilience, reducing stress and enhancing well-being.

Hakomi is a gentle yet powerful experiential psychotherapy that uses mindfulness and somatic interventions to heal attachment wounds and developmental trauma.

Created by the internationally renowned therapist and author Ron Kurtz (1934-2011), with assistance from a core group of colleagues, Hakomi draws from General Systems Theory and body-centred Therapies.

What is IFS Therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that explores the internal workings of the human bodymind. Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS perceives the mind as a composite of distinct sub-personalities or "parts," each with its own functions, emotions, and motivations. Among these parts are protector parts, which shield individuals from pain or vulnerability, and exiled parts, which carry emotional wounds from past traumas.

In addition to these parts, IFS acknowledges the presence of the "Self" as the fundamental essence of each individual. This Self embodies compassion, wisdom, and connectedness, acting as a guiding force within the internal system. It provides a stable foundation for individuals to engage with their internal parts with empathy and understanding.

In IFS therapy, the primary objective is to identify and comprehend these different aspects of oneself and their respective roles through understanding, insight and self-compassion. Through various techniques, such as mindfulness, conscious breathing, visualisation, inner dialogue and somatic awareness, individuals learn to communicate with and reconcile conflicting parts, fostering greater inner harmony and integration.

A significant aspect of IFS therapy is the process of "unburdening," which involves releasing emotional weights carried by protective parts and exiles within the internal system. This liberating process helps individuals alleviate inner turmoil, diminish emotional distress, and promote greater cohesion and integration within their internal system. By unburdening protective parts and exiles, individuals can rediscover their inherent capacity for self-awareness and self-compassion, leading to profound healing and personal growth.

What are the benefits?

Self-Exploration: Gain insight into your inner world by exploring the different parts of your psyche.

Understanding Patterns: Identify recurring behaviours and understand the motivations behind them.

Connect with Your Core Self: Access your true essence, characterised by qualities like wisdom, love and compassion.

Achieve Inner Harmony: Integrate your internal parts to create a sense of balance and wholeness.

Unburdening Emotional Baggage: Release old wounds and traumas stored within your internal system, allowing for healing and emotional freedom.

Cultivate Self-Compassion: Approach yourself and others with more kindness and curiosity, fostering greater self-acceptance and understanding.

IFS is a transformative tool that conceives every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core self. We believe the mind is naturally multiple, which is good. Just like members of a family, inner parts are forced from their valuable states into extreme roles within us. Self is in everyone. It can’t be damaged. It knows how to heal.