Registration
Directions
Training Schedule:
New York City
2008-2010
Trainings meet
Fri-Mon, 9:30am - 5:30pm
- Level One
- Fall 2008
- October 24 - 27
- Spring 2009
- March 13 - 16
- Summer 2009
- July 17 - 20
- Level Two
- Fall 2009
- October 23 - 26
- Spring 2010
- March 12 - 15
- Summer 2010
- July 16 - 19
Two-Year Tuition:
$4,800, payable in annual installments
Mexico City 2009-2012
Trainings meet Fri-Mon,
10am - 2 pm, and 4pm - 8pm
- November 2009
- May 2010
- November 2010
- May 2011
- November 2011
- May 2012
Exact Dates to be announced
Tuition: Llame al Instituto
- Instituto Humanista de Psicoterapia Gestalt
- Mexico City
- +52 (442) 216 02 85
New York City
2010-2012
- Level One
- Fall 2010
- Spring 2011
- Summer 2011
- Level Two
- Fall 2011
- Spring 2012
- Summer 2012
Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, created by Ruella Frank, Ph.D., is a relational and movement-oriented approach to psychotherapy within a 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 the here-and-now of the adult therapy session. Attending to movement patterns within therapy is particularly powerful when guided by contemporary developmental theory.
The Two-Year Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Training Program in New York City consists of three training modules yearly: Four days in Fall, Four days in Spring, and Four days in Summer.
Supervision groups are offered the Thursday before each training module begins. 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 Three-Year Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Training Program in Mexico City consists of two training modules yearly: Four days in Fall, Four days in Spring.
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.
A certain amount of body science is necessary for this approach. The program teaches the basics of anatomy and the fundaments of postural analysis.
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.
I see you see me.
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Faculty:
Ruella Frank
Adjunct Faculty:
Frances LaBarre, Ph.D., has more than 35 years experience in private practice with infants and mothers, families and individuals. Dr. LaBarre authored the book, “On Moving and Being Moved: Nonverbal Behavior in Clinical Practice.”
Kim McKeever, B.A.,
has been studying and teaching anatomy, movement and embodiment for over 35 years. She has been on the faculty of leading somatic programs including the School for Body-Mind Centering. Her original work on early developmental patterns is part of the curriculum at somatic schools world wide.
Lauree Wise, M.S., OTR/L; is a certified movement analyst, practitioner of Body-Mind Centering and certified Infant Developmental Movement Educator. She embodies many years experience working with adults and children.
Susan Friedberg, CSW, ACSW, BCD; has over 25 years of experience in the field of gestalt therapy and family and couples therapy. She is Director of the Family and Couples Program at the Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy, New York City.

