In this course, students learn the theoretical and practical roots of somatic counseling, beginning with the Freudian era and sequencing through current times, though also acknowledging and appreciating the historic and contemporary presence of indigenous somatic healing practices. The field is viewed from the perspective of the significant contributions of its primary founders, the therapeutic paradigms they represent, and current applications of how these theories and paradigms have been transposed into contemporary modalities. Students learn and explore the theoretical and therapeutic applications of Gestalt and Hakomi therapies with Body-Mind Psychotherapy (BMP) serving as a supportive and integrative theoretical framework. (2 Credit Hours)

An advanced theory and skills course that explores the ways cultural embodiment and identity inform and impact the therapeutic relationship using body psychotherapy/somatic counseling, social justice, and trauma-informed frameworks. Students gain a somatic understanding of the three aspects of cultural embodiment (social awareness, emotional awareness and environmental awareness), as well as how to integrate these areas of awareness with certain forces that shape our internal and external experience, such as power and trauma, into the therapeutic process. Practical techniques for contacting, accessing, deepening, processing, transforming, and integrating skills of somatic awareness, cultural embodiment, and Embodied Code-Switching® are taught. The importance of the counselor's own self-awareness, sense of indications and contraindications for working, as well as the importance of resourcing a client prior to any other focused work are held as foundational counseling skills. (2 Credit Hours)

This course supports field experience in which students provide direct counseling services under licensed supervision at an external site. Students attend university supervision as well to explore case conceptualization, client services, and their professional development. (3 Credit Hours)

Past courses include:

• Social and Multicultural Foundations
• Body Movement Observation and Assessment (BMOA)
• Contemplative Practice
• Practicum
• Therapeutic Relationships

“I was first exposed to Marcia’s work during a weekend intensive for the Somatic Counseling Graduate program at Naropa University. While I witnessed her cultural embodiment cross the room through personal movement and expression, I noticed my first spark of feeling less alone. While I didn’t have the words for it at the time what I know now is that I was parched, thirsty to understand the role of culture in the body and how a multicultural identity could be a gift that is thoughtfully brought into the process of somatic counseling. Meeting someone who had already deeply researched this themselves landed as a subtle invitation to belong to this same inquiry in my own way. Fast forward to my third and final year of school I knew exactly who I wanted to reach out to regarding mentorship for my final thesis project about belonging. In this, Marcia met me with an immense welcoming energy, I felt like we had already known each other. We gathered once a week as we dove into a thesis idea that was more of an amorphous feeling rather than a concrete path. Marcia’s ability to be on that pathless path to the unknown while offering her wisdom and somehow encouraging my own to surface through thoughtful questions and gentle challenges was immensely skillful. The concept of mentorship was more of a fantasy to me before this. I’d never truly had a mentor before Marcia but being able to work with her, I experienced and continue to experience what feels like the true essence of mentorship: a humble wisdom that both challenges and encourages a mentees own wisdom and confidence to surface. I am forever grateful to her.”

Gabriela