Approach and Training
Definitions
Training Application
See Entire Program
Schedule:
New York City
2011-2013
Trainings meet
Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 9:30am - 1:00pm
Sat: 9:30am - 1:30pm
- Module One
- Fall 2011
- October 16 - 11
- Module Two
- Spring 2012
- March 4 - 10
- Module Three
- Fall 2012
- October 14 - 20
- Module Four
- Spring 2013
- March 3 - 9
- Advanced Training
- September 23 - 26
- Module One
- Fall 2009
- September 20 - 26
- Module Two
- Spring 2010
- April 11 - 17
- Module Three
- Fall 2010
- September 19 - 25
- Module Four
- Spring 2011
- April 10 - 16
- Module One
- Fall 2009
- November 18 - 22
- Module Two
- Spring 2010
- May 12 - 16
- Module Three
- Fall 2010
- November 3 - 7
- Module Four
- Spring 2011
- May 11 - 15
- Module Five
- Fall 2011
- November 16 - 20
- Module Six
- Spring 2012
- May 16 - 20
- Instituto Humanista de Psicoterapia Gestalt
- Mexico City
- +52 (442) 216 02 85
- Module One
- Fall 2008
- October 24 - 27
- Module Two
- Spring 2009
- March 13 - 16
- Module Three
- Summer 2009
- July 17 - 20
- Module Four
- Fall 2009
- October 23 - 26
- Module Five
- Spring 2010
- March 12 - 15
- Module Six
- Summer 2010
- July 16 - 19
Two-Year Tuition:
$5,800, payable in installments
New York City
2011
Call 212 662 3322 or email for more information
New York City
2009-2011
Trainings meet
Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 9:30am - 1:00pm
Sat: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Mexico City 2009-2012
Trainings meet Fri-Mon,
10am - 2 pm, and 4pm - 7pm
Tuition: Llame al Instituto
New York City
2008-2010
Trainings meet
Fri-Mon, 9:30am - 5:30pm
DSP Explained
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 Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Training Program in New York City consists of two training modules yearly: seven days in Fall and seven 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.
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.
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Faculty:
Ruella Frank
Adjunct Faculty:
Frances La Barre, Ph.D., has more than 35 years experience in private practice with infants and mothers, families and individuals. Dr. La Barre 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.
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.

