Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Approach and Training

DSP Explained

Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, developed by Ruella Frank, Ph.D., is a relational and movement-oriented psychotherapy within a contemporary gestalt therapy framework.

Each learner is invited to work in practicum sessions with supervision

Inspired by the work of developmental psychologists, motor theorists, and somatic educators, Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy is a template for understanding and working with early psycho-physical blocks as they emerge in present moments of the adult therapy session. Attending to movement patterns within therapy is particularly powerful when guided by current developmental thinking. Psychotherapists from all training modalities are welcome so as to learn how this approach may be integrated within their clinical practice.

New York City Two Year Training consists of two training modules yearly: Six days in Fall and six days in Spring.

Supervision is offered between modules and is conducted by telephone or skype for those who do not live in the NYC vicinity, or in person (individual or group) for those able to travel to NYC. Supervision is not a requirement, but will help the learner to better integrate theory and practice. The cost of supervision is not included in tuition.

Each program grants a certificate in Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy and provides graduate academic credits at the masters and doctoral levels.*

The Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Training Program in Mexico City consists of two training modules yearly: One in November and One in May.

In each training module:

Learners study the roots of psychological development as it emerges through affective/movement patterns within the infant and caregiver dyad, and apply this understanding to present of the client and therapist dyad.

Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy’s comprehensive system of phenomenological analysis allows practitioners to diagnose and treat their clients using movement experiments.

Learners are taught a variety of developmental movements and their relation to psychological functioning. Since the core of this training is experiential, an in-depth personal exploration of these early patterns is emphasized. Developing a distinct and cohesive experience of their own body teaches therapists to pay acute attention to the subtle rhythmic nonverbal patterns that continually emerge within the client and therapist relationship.

Each learner is also invited to work as supervised therapist in practicum sessions. The practicum teaches the process of observing and integrating developmental movement patterns as experiments within the session and heightens awareness of the emerging client and therapist relationship. Every demonstration and practicum is followed by group discussion regarding the work.

Pre-Requisites:

Those training candidates who wish to receive a Certification of Completion in Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy must have a minimum of two years supervised psychotherapy practice and/or two years of training in a psychotherapy modality, as well as having experienced their own psychotherapy treatment. Candidates with no formal training in psychology may attend all training modules, but are not eligible for the supervision component of the program or certification.

*Participants of the Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy program in the U.S. may receive graduate credits from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute toward a Masters or Doctoral Degree through the Professional Specialty Program: www.sbgi.edu or call (805) 963-6896.

DSP training program approved by Meridian University for the Professional Specialty Program requirements towards a Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychology. www.meridianuniversity.edu.

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