Unlocking Inner Clarity: How Focusing-Oriented Therapy Can Help High Achievers
In the fast-paced world of high achievers, it's easy to get caught up in the external pressures and expectations that come with success. But what if the answers you seek aren't outside of you but within? Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT), developed by philosopher and psychologist Eugene Gendlin, offers a way to tap into your inner wisdom and create meaningful change in your life. As someone who understands the demands of a high-pressure environment; as your counsellor I guide you in exploring this deeply personal approach to self-discovery and healing.
What is Focusing-Oriented Therapy?
Focusing-Oriented Therapy is an experiential, internally oriented approach that uses the body’s “felt sense” to access deeper insights and understandings. This isn’t just about talking through problems - it’s about tuning in to the subtle sensations and feelings in your body that often hold the key to healing and growth. As a humanistic therapy, FOT is grounded in the belief that you already have the capacity for self-discovery and healing within you.
How is Focusing-Oriented Therapy Used?
In our sessions, I guide you through a process of gentle inquiry, helping you attune to your felt sense. This is where the real work happens—by listening to what arises in your inner experience, you uncover the insights that can lead to lasting change. Whether through guided imagery, mindfulness practices, or somatic awareness techniques, FOT allows you to access and trust your inner wisdom.
What are the Benefits of Focusing-Oriented Therapy?
High achievers often face unique challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and burnout. Focusing-Oriented Therapy offers a powerful way to manage these challenges by helping you connect with your inner self and develop strategies that are aligned with your true needs.
Key benefits of Focusing-Oriented Therapy
1. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations, allowing you to identify and change unhelpful patterns.
2. Emotional Healing: Creates a safe space to explore and process emotions, facilitating healing and release.
3. Improved Stress Management: Learn to access your inner resources and wisdom, developing personalised coping strategies.
4. Increased Self-Compassion: Cultivate an attitude of curiosity and compassion toward yourself, reducing self-criticism and fostering growth.
Who is Focusing-Oriented Therapy Best Suited For?
Focusing-Oriented Therapy is ideal for high achievers seeking a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. If you’re someone who hasn’t found cognitive or behavioral approaches sufficient, or if you’re already familiar with exploring your inner world through practices like meditation, FOT could be the key to unlocking deeper self-awareness and healing.
This approach is particularly helpful for managing anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges, all of which can be heightened in high-stress environments.
What can you expect in a Focusing Oriented Therapy session?
In a FOT session, you’ll find a supportive, collaborative space where you can safely explore your inner world. Here’s what you can expect:
Gentle Inquiry: I'll guide you in attuning to your felt sense—those subtle bodily sensations that hold valuable information about your experiences.
Deep Listening: I’ll listen deeply to your words and the nuances of your experience, reflecting them back to you to help you gain clarity and understanding.
Somatic Awareness: Techniques like mindful breathing and body scanning deepen your connection with your body and help you access its wisdom.
Inner Exploration: Through gentle questioning, we will explore what arises, uncovering insights and understanding what you need to address the challenges you're facing.
Emotional Processing: As emotions surface, I provide a safe space for you to express and process them, leading to healing.
Trust and Self-Discovery: Focusing helps you trust your inner wisdom, supporting your innate capacity for self-discovery and healing. In a session where Focusing is utilised as a therapeutic modality you can expect this to be supportive and collaborative. You will be invited to explore your inner world through connecting with your felt sense—the subtle bodily sensations and feelings that hold valuable information about your experiences.
The 6 Focusing steps:
Clearing a Space: Find a quiet, safe place to turn your attention inward.
The ‘Felt Sense’: Notice what arises in your body in relation to the issue you want to work on. I will guide you in noticing bodily sensations that are present.
Find a Handle: Identify a word, phrase, or image that captures your felt sense (e.g., "heavy," "like a boulder").
Resonating: Check in that the handle description fits.
Asking: Explore what is needed, wanted, or not wanted.
Receiving: Acknowledge and tend to what emerges from your felt sense.
If this approach resonates with you, and you're ready to explore your inner wisdom to create meaningful change, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can navigate the challenges you're facing and help you reconnect with what truly matters to you.
You may also wish to read more in this Medium article and this article for further information including a case example, in the Psychotherapy & Counselling Journal of Australia (PACJA).