Breath Psychotherapy
- what the Institute offers:

In my work and practice and through intensive exchange amongst colleagues, I have made the observation, that therapy and development are always a holistic process and that the personal and transpersonal body and breath play a crucial role. The focal point is the question of how an increase of the power of "Self", in Dürckheims sense of "I am", (or, in the language of Breath Therapy, the "Breath, that I am" [Stefan Bischof]) can be achieved.

In most cases it becomes clear that the cultivation of the body-consciousness is the basic condition for the healing process. The work with ill people shows clearly that an expansion of the traditional concept of Breath Therapy promises a revelation of the creative possibilities of the client.

This means an approach that is more integrative and works with depth psychology, i.e. with resistance, dreams, transference and counter transference, and the actual and biographical network of relationships.

Therefore, the training that we offer works with Body Psychotherapy that deepens and expands the traditional concept of Breath- and Bodywork according to Prof. I. Middendorf. The concept of our work is, however, still rooted in and focused on the transformative power of breath as the power of Self.

I want to reflect upon the Breath- and Bodywork in its theoretical and actual therapeutic context and define it clearly over and against other forms of therapy. This reflection creates a self-conception that is the precondition for the dialogue with other psychotherapeutic disciplines or an interdisciplinary team.

Core elements of the Advanced Training Course in Breath Psychotherapy are a body-oriented, analytical training therapy and an equally oriented continuous supervision that is done complementary to the regular teaching. Following the Advanced Training, the practice of Breath-and Bodypsychotherapy should get strengthened in the context of a clinical internship in an interdisciplinary team. A research-based diploma thesis that is oriented towards academic standards should document the state and demand of Breath Psychotherapy as a branch of Body Psychotherapy.

The curriculum and diploma are designed to meet the requirements for entry into the German and European Association for Body Psychotherapy (DGK/EABP).

The concern of the trainer

On the one hand I aim to train the participants in therapeutical competence and on the other hand I strive to offer them an "Enabling Space" in which personal and spiritual growth can occur. Participants will learn to put trust into the breath and their own inner depth.