Holding wholly: Hosting images accessed in the course of bodywork.

摘要

The current dualistic paradigm either treats a client's mind or body, rarely both at the same time. This thesis utilizes heuristic methodology to describe a body-mind therapeutic approach which provided depth psychotherapeutic support for material which arose during deep tissue structural integration bodywork. Emotional releases often occur as the client is receiving bodywork treatment, and images may arise in response to work done in specific locations on the body. The therapeutic potential exists for this material to inform the client's relationship with the body and its unique imaginal language. The ethical issues around touch have become a barrier for psychotherapists who wish to explore or develop somatic techniques involving touch. A review of the literature indicates a need to re-evaluate the traditional mind-body split. Preliminary findings of the research also indicate that integrating psychotherapeutic support provides a benefit to the client in addition to the bodywork results.