"Graduate Schools don't have time to train students in Jung, Freud, Reich, Klein, Winnicott and Bion, all that analytic theory, or in essential somatic technique. Besides, therapists tend to isolate themselves. We need a community to train and for friendship, while we help others. Therapy can be lonely work."
John P. Conger
"I am immensely grateful for the the Analytic Somatic Therapy Training I received. John Conger's wisdom and compassion made these 4 years of trainings a delightful learning experience where the rich analytic theory and practice of Bioenergetics were skillfully integrated. This training was and continues to be an inspiration. I highly recommend it. Dear John, thank you so much."
Sonia Telle, MA, LMFT, Somatic Psychotherapist
You may pursue a one-year or a two-year course of study. The one-year program supports an in-depth study of the analytic principles of S. Freud, C.G. Jung, M. Klein, D.W. Winnicott, W.R. Bion, and other theorists who explored the functioning of the psyche. Hands-on application of somatic therapy as related to these principles will be applied and practiced within the support of experienced trainers.
The first year of training extends and deepens the work with analytical theory. Readings, lecture, and interactive case presentation add to the breadth of understanding regarding these analytic principles. In the second year of training, the practice of Analytic Somatic Therapy deepens with extended supervision and an emphasis on individual work.
Certification Programs in Bioenergetic Analysis and Analytic Somatic Therapy start in November 2010.
We are condensing 4 years of training to meet bioenergetic requirements into two years.
During the first year of training, theory regarding analytic and somatic principles will be covered as well as hands-on practical training. Upon completion of the 1st year, participants will receive a Certificate in Analytic Somatic Therapy.
During the second year, the training deepens the analytic and somatic work with increased experiential hands-on somatic work. At the end of coursework, participants will received an Advanced Degree in Analytic Somatic Therapy. With additional therapy and supervision hours, participants who complete the two-year training are eligible to become a Certified Bioenergetic Analyst or CBA.
CE credits are available for all trainings.
- Learn the fundamentals of somatic psychotherapy, including issues of grounding, contact, boundaries, embodiment.
- Learn or review analytic theory as a foundation for somatic work.
- Learn the fundamental theories of the psyche/soma split from the perspective of Freud, Jung, Reich, Klein, Winnicott and others.
- Learn to identify and work with trauma and psychosomatic issues.
- Learn about the impact of new brain research on analytic psychotherapy.
- Learn how to work with your own body, to ground, to breathe, and to attend to breaks of attention.
- Learn about dissociation and projective identifications in relation to your client.
- Learn to work with clients with appropriate touch, including six different forms of touch, or to work somatically without touch.
- Learn ways to be at home in your body.
Through lecture, demonstration and experiential dyadic work, this training will enhance your analytic and somatic awareness.
Description of Ground Seminar (1st year of training):
Typically, trainings teach either analytic or somatic technique. But both are essential to understand the range of human disturbance. From a certain point of view there is no body, or psyche, or spirit, only us, as a physical being self. The sense of a self is acquired by being held securely in our mother’s arms while seeing ourselves mirrored in her eyes. The self is a necessary construct like a small boat we row across the bay of time. Through lecture, demonstration and hands-on dyad work, Analytic Somatic Psychology trains you in the necessary repairs to the self. As we practice analytic and somatic skills, we develop a “somatic presence,” how to be here now. Through being fully present, we awaken the true self in our clients.
In working with clients, we need to have a plan. As we begin to treat clients on a regular basis, we encounter difficulties that the key analytic theorists write about. This training explains the dense complex prose of theory in pragmatic terms that we can apply in our work, valuable tools in our clinical toolbox.
8 weekend (Fri-Sun) modules.
Module 1: November 12-14, 2010: The Emotional Body and the Evolutionary Body
Lectures on Anna O. and Freud's two theories.
Body-oriented techniques–Being home in your body: the five foundations.
To be fully present you need to be grounded, have boundaries, unrestricted breath, a range of emotions, and the intention to be here.
Module 2: January 28-30, 2011: The Libido Body and the Breathing Body
Lectures on Freud, Reich, Green and Winnicott.
Body-oriented techniques–Desire and breath.
We awaken the need and desire of our core being. How is it that born to be eagles, we were trained to be chickens?
Module 3: March 4-6, 2011: The Transference Body and the Regressed Body
Lectures on Klein, Winnicott and Bion.
Body-oriented techniques–Transference: stepping forward and back.
In the therapy couple, imagining the best for our client, sometimes we stumble back into dark primitive states. Is back really forward?
Module 4: May 6-8, 2011: The Symbolic Body and the Relational Body
Lectures on Kohut, Winnicott, Klein, Green and Bion.
Body-oriented techniques–Our client, a mere ghost in the room?
There is no baby, only the mother-infant, says Winnicott. What does that mean for the analytic couple? Can treatment only address the psyche’s symbolic process?
Module 5: July 15-17, 2011: The Alchemical Body and the Symbolic Body
Lectures on Jung & Klein.
Body-oriented techniques–The Symbol hard as stone.
While the mind quibbles, the belly gives birth to an enduring symbolic idea—hard as stone. We learn to attune to the deep levels of the work.
Module 6: September 23-25, 2011: The Dream Body and the Psychotic Body
Lectures on Jung, Klein, Winnicott, Rosenfeld, Steiner and Bion
Body-oriented techniques–Dreams and Madness.
Acting through the dreams, we embody the symbolic mind. How should we work with the psychotic part of an otherwise sane client?
Module 7: November 4-6, 2011 : The Shame Body and the Spiritual Body
Lectures on shame literature and the body/mind split.
Body-oriented techniques–Shame and spirit. Shame attacks the sense of self.
There is no personal growth without shame or humiliation.
Module 8: January 2012: Conclusions: The Ground Seminar.
Bringing together your work. Review and integration of the material. Presentations and certificates.
In the second year, the Advanced Seminar will follow for those interested in becoming certified as a Bioenergetic Analysts.
About the trainer
Dr. Conger is a Psychoanalyst, licensed Psychologist and International Trainer in Bioenergetic Analysis. He has been integrating Bioenergetics with Analytic Psychology since 1982. He is the author of Jung and Reich: The Body as Shadow (1988) and The Body in Recovery: Somatic Psychotherapy and the Self (1994). He was editor of the International Journal of Bioenergetic Analysis (1997-2004). He has taught classes in Freud, Jung, Reich, Somatic Psychotherapy, Jungian Dream Interpretation, and the History of Psychology in local graduate schools for many years including California Institute of Integral Studies and Meridian University.
We will also have two highly qualified co-trainers assisting with dyadic and individual work in this training program.
Requirements for Entry:
Participants may be licensed or on their way to licensure in the field of psychology or a related discipline. Participants deeply involved in somatic practice and/or body oriented disciplines may find this training applicable. An interview will be conducted by the Admissions Committee. Participants are encouraged to bring questions at that time.
