Post-Reichian Therapy is a form of body-psychotherapy, based upon the continuity between body and mind, rooted in the work of Wilhelm Reich. It was evolved by William West and others and was influenced by some of the radical politics of the1970s that were aimed at humanising and demystifying Psychological and Psychiatric work. Post-Reichian therapy is based on a theory of Life Energy that underpins all our psychological and health processes. It combines somatic, analytic and relational therapeutic work. It helps to release chronic muscular tensions, manage emotional affect, extend the capacity for intimacy and learn new, more fulfilling ways of relating to oneself and others. The goal of therapy is more than an absence of symptoms but to also have aliveness, to reclaim capacity for love, joy and vibrant health. For me the key Reichian concept and one that underpins all my work is Self-Regulation. Here we aim to heal, rebuild and reclaim the skills that have been lost, wounded or were stunted in their development. These skills and capacities are not only cognitive and conscious but also instinctual and unconscious and when integrated empower us in a unity of Spirit, Mind and Body.

 

Postural Integration (PI) is a process-oriented therapy, originally developed by Jack Painter. The therapy integrates Gestalt Therapy with deep structural bodywork, breath work and subtle energy techniques that harmonise and integrate the release from the deep bodywork. It focuses on releasing defensive armouring habits through specific bodywork techniques releasing fascia as well as muscular armour, and facilitating spontaneous emotional expression. One of the unique points of the method is to study our postural alignment to identify patterns of armour and map out positive changes by seeing how our posture changes with the deep tissue work.

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Energetic Integration (EI) is a psychotherapeutic method that is based on self-exploration around the ‘Energetic Cycle or Wave’, which is based on the Reichian formula of plasmatic pulsation: tension, charge, discharge, and relaxation. Most people in our culture have interruptions to this cycle with a consequent limitation on our life potential. This already powerful formula has been refined by mapping the energy cycle into a more complex yet self-regenerating wave not just in terms of the cycle of the here and now breathing patterns, but also in terms of early childhood developmental stages and character structures. By observing how someone breathes, the corresponding blocks of each stage can be identified and help the EI therapist to identify where that person was trapped in the past. Further facilitative and support work can help the person come through a complete energy cycle and achieve further life satisfaction and fulfilment.

 

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a form of therapy aimed at relieving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems by focusing on the client’s perceived body sensations. It was created by trauma therapist Peter A. Levine who based his work on extensive studies of wartime and other trauma survivors, and on animal studies analysing mammalian physiology and how they cope with threat and shock processes. SE attempts to promote the awareness and release of mental and physical tensions that have remained in the aftermath of trauma. One of his unique achievements is to effectively highlight the distinct parts of our brain and how stress affects them and then integrate animal and human techniques to process and rebalance stress and shock. Using methods such as ‘establishing orientation’, 'pendulation’,‘titration’ and the 'gathering of resources’, SE helps the client to move from a state of autonomic nervous system dysregulation (i.e. over-active or frozen) to a state of more effective regulation. The goal is to allow the client to resolve the physical and mental difficulties caused by the trauma, and thereby to be able to respond appropriately to here and now situations. The intention of the process is to reinforce the client’s inherited capacity to self-regulate.