Relationships And The Brain 

The original formation of who we are developed in relationship with the people in our early environment. The brain with its neural networks develops in response to these conditions. The working-through and resolution of these patterns also needs to happen within a relationship. The therapeutic relationship in Embodied Psychology approaches aims to be such a healing setting.

The Issues Are In The Tissues

The original impulse, once suppressed and unconscious, frequently expresses itself as tension or constriction in our body. These tensions evolve into inexplicable somatic tensions, pains, rigidities and armoring. 

Mind, Body and Soul Connection

By splitting off from our body, conflict arises. The split can be healed through connecting the body, mind, soul and the essence of who we are. 

Encouraging Healing With Mindfulness

In our relational embodiment approach boundaries are respected. Survival mechanisms may have outlived their purpose, but they also have their value. Allowing your thoughts and feelings to arise, being curious and exploring them without judgment and with mindfulness and compassion, encourages healing to happen. 

Resolve The Psychological And Biological Effects Of Trauma 

Trauma is an internal straitjacket created when a devastating moment is frozen in time. By enabling this frozen response to thaw, then complete itself through the body, trauma can be healed. 

Reconnecting With Aliveness

By inhibiting our spontaneity we also block our connection to our essential aliveness that is trying to express itself. Enlivening this core inner essence becomes a central ingredient of life, and of the therapy process. Connecting with this deep state of being, underneath all the obscurities of our ego, is usually experienced as coming home again.

Who We Are:

The Embodied Psychology Association (EPA) is an informal affiliation of experts, practitioners and innovators in the areas of Attachment Theory, Neuroscience, Trauma Resolution, Mindfulness Applications and the Body in Depth. We have created a Relational Somatic Psychology Certificate Program to enhance the skills of practitioners and students in embodied psychology. The program is being presented as a professional CEU program at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.

History:

The Embodied Psychology Association (EPA) was founded in 1995 by Joanna Chartrand and Dyrian Benz, PsyD. for the advancement of  Practice, Training, and Education in  Relational Somatic Psychology. Eventually we collaborated with Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA in presenting a Relational Somatic Certificate Program. Some years later, while Dr. Benz was Somatic Psychology Chairperson and subsequently Associate Professor (2001 to 2011) the program became affiliated with the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute for a few years up to the summer of 2011. EPA continues to develop the ongoing curriculum as well as the staff of presenters for the program.