The Hakomi Method, Body-centered Psychotherapy

The Hakomi method of assisted self-study was created by the American psychotherapist Ron Kurtz, author of What the Body Reveals. Hakomi integrates the principles of Eastern philosophy, primarily Buddhism and Taoism, emphasizing concepts such as mindfulness, loving presence, and empathy.

Kurtz also incorporated additional influences, such as general systems theory and a range of body-centered therapeutic guidelines.

Hakomi’s theory holds that the body is a window into unconscious psychological material. It is an ascending therapy that goes from the somatic to the cognitive integrating the emotions through mindfulness.

Hakomi: The therapist is not a healer, but creates an ideal context

Hakomi is a word from the Hopi ethnic group that means ‘who are you? Who are you’. Beyond our beliefs, our habits and the systems we use to bond with others, is our essence, who we really are, not what we are expected to be. That’s where the Hakomi method goes, to our most authentic self.

Hakomi works with the idea of ​​limbic resonance, finding in this term and in the neurobiological explanation of emotional attunement. Healing requires the presence of someone who is sensitive, compassionate, and deeply empathetic.

Hakomi method

The presence and personality of the therapist would be essential ingredients for a successful therapy, in addition to the will and disposition of the person who is going to consult. The therapist wins when he is warm, understanding, and accepting of the patient.

From this perspective, the patient does not go with a problem waiting to be solved by some therapeutic intervention or an interpretation. It is someone who simply needs some kind of recognition, clarification or encouragement to solve that problem.

What Hakomi is interested in studying is the organization of experience. To achieve this milestone, use mindfulness. It requires an attention focused on the present moment, a quiet attention that avoids interference. This principle of mindfulness and awareness is the cornerstone of the method.

Mindfulness throughout the process

According to the Hakomi method, gestures, posture, facial expressions, and other bodily experiences provide information about a person’s core material. This core material can be described as a combination of images, memories, emotions, and beliefs, even those hidden from consciousness.

All of this determines the individual nature of a person and can also serve to set limits on individuality and goals. Through the Hakomi method, people can develop a clearer understanding of this basic material and with the compassionate help of the therapist they can challenge and transform any self-defeating beliefs.

Five basic principles

The Hakomi method is based on five principles: mindfulness, organicity, non-violence, mind-body integration, and unity. In it, mindfulness or full attention is used to access through the body the core material of the person such as memories, explicit or implicit memories.

All these memories and automatic responses stored in the body configure archaic, rigid and stereotyped responses that generate symptoms and unnecessary suffering in the present.

This unique aspect helps people in therapy quickly and safely discover and address unconscious thoughts and beliefs. A fundamental principle of Hakomi is the importance of the body as a resource and its ability to allow the mind to access the core material.

A Hakomi shoot

Hakomi sessions usually follow a sequence: contact, access, processing, and integration.

• Contact begins early in therapy and involves the development and maintenance of a safe and accepting environment in which the individual feels comfortable undertaking the process of self-exploration.
• Access refers to the process by which mindfulness is used to study current experiences and uncover core unconscious material for processing and assimilation.
• Processing involves studying the individual’s experiences and responses to experiments, as well as exploring any beliefs and ideas that may affect well-being. The therapist generally works with the individual to create new experiences to counteract old ones, encouraging the person to discover what feels personally correct and true.

• Integration occurs towards the end of the session when the therapist helps the individual understand what they experienced. The therapist also helps the individual make connections between experiences during the session and life outside of therapy.

Because the Hakomi method is based on exploration and cooperation with the unconscious self, it may be contraindicated in some cases. This method can be overwhelming in some of those who are experiencing trauma or are prone to highly attempted psychological reactions.

Hakomi therapy may not be recommended for some people with borderline personality traits or narcissism, for example. Research on the method is still limited and future studies may provide further empirical support for the efficacy of this method.