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From birth, we're driven to find pleasure, satisfaction, meaning and connectedness in the world.
The creative and liberating therapy of PBSP can help us:
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let go of old, unhelpful and limiting patterns of behaviour
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create new ideal memories to countershape (fit) what we actually needed to have happened in the past
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become more empowered
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be mindful of our own therapeutic process
What can I expect?
PBSP is client led, moves at a pace suitable for each individual and occurs one-to-one, or one-to-one within a group. Each session is called a structure because it follows a particular process, typically lasting 50 minutes.
During the structure, a safe possibility sphere is created where clients share what is happening for them in the here and now. The therapist evokes an imaginary witness figure. The witness figure acknowledges and names feelings and emotions as appropriate.
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'Mind and body, and especially emotions and bodily movements, tensions, or sensations, were then and still are
a primary focus of PBSP.'
sociologist and Chair of the Education Committee of the Psychomotor Institute
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Some specific techniques
The therapist might utilise other 'in the air' figures and voices, depending on what clients need. Objects called 'placeholders' are used to represent people or things to help build an external visual map of the client's internal perspective.
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Ultimately, clients are guided towards the concept of ideal (archetypal) parents. This might feel challenging at times, to experience 'other' types of parents. But through these ideals, clients can kindle comforting feelings and emotions that were denied in their childhood.
Bessel van der Kolk is a world-leading expert on trauma, a psychiatrist and author of The Body Keeps the Score, wherein he dedicates chapter 18 of his book to PBSP. To the left is a short film where he testifies to PBSP's excellent and essential ability to give clients visceral experiences, helping them heal their trauma. In his words, 'It's absolutely transformative.'
History
This unique and powerful psychotherapy began life in 1961 when two dance choreographers, Albert Pesso and his wife Diane Boyden, wanted to help students move more fluidly by tapping into and releasing their physical blocks.
They discovered that some blocks were connected directly to trapped emotions relating to past traumatic events, or basic needs not having been met. Some examples include not having had a safe environment to grow up in or not having had appropriate protection when they needed it. Perhaps a client's parents were too busy to support them in the way that a baby or child ideally needs.
Albert Pesso with the three UK PBSP trainers:
Sandy Cotter, Sally Potter & Juliet Grayson
If you’d like to talk through any questions or try a PBSP structure, contact Emma and/or visit the Pesso Boyden UK website.
Emma offers online and face-to-face PBSP to individuals on a sliding scale fee, depending on your circumstance.
£20-£50 per hour.
Jacqui had a series of PBSP one-to-one online sessions
with Emma.
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Here’s what she had to say:
"After many years of looking deeply at my psychological patterns through periods of intense meditation practice and psychotherapy, in roles of practitioner and client, I was surprised that working with Emma and the Pesso method helped to transform an area of my thinking that had hitherto been sidelined.
"Emma enabled me to experience very deeply and to fully embody the emotions of early childhood in a very safe and reassuring way.
"For me, this experiential, embodied approach, along with the use of tangible objects as signifiers, has led to a deeper understanding [of myself].
"I can truly say that working with Emma and Pesso has had a transformative impact on my life, opening up, and enriching spaces that had previously remained closed."
Emma,
in nature