Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy, or simply known as Hakomi therapy, was first created in the late 1970s by a world-renowned therapist named Ron Kurtz. He developed a full method that works to directly acknowledge the unconscious by bringing mindfulness and compassion to the practice of therapy. At its core, Hakomi therapy is a spiritual practice that empowers the relationship between the therapist and the client so the client feels more supported to discover different parts of themselves.

Although Hakomi has a strong spiritual foundation, it also mixes scientific and psychological sources to help create a balance in a person's life that is targeted to heal previous traumas. Hakomi operates on principles of non-violence and mindfulness, which require respect, sensitivity, presence, and compassion from the therapist. I use Hakomi therapy when working with people of all ages, as it is successful for both adults and children. If you believe your child may need Hakomi therapy, please take a look at our Parents Page.

Hakomi therapy operates using a technique called the healing relationship. For a healing relationship to happen, there needs to be a person-to-person connection, a two-way street. The therapist needs to demonstrate that they are trustworthy, non-judgment, and compassionate. Second, the therapist needs to demonstrate that they are present, attentive, and understand what the client is experiencing, moment to moment. The demonstration of these two levels earns the cooperation of the unconscious and the conscious of the client.

If the client has painful secrets, shame, confusion, or emotional pain, I, the therapist, practice extraordinary sensitivity, real understanding, and a great amount of care to become an ally of your unconscious. Healing is about gaining trust, and if we can do that together, then the therapy really begins to happen.