The body, for a host of reasons, has been left out of the "talking cure."Psychotherapists who have been trained in models of psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, or cognitive therapeutic approaches are skilled at listening to the language and affect of the client. They track the clients' associations, fantasies, and signs of psychic conflict, distress, and defenses. Yet while the majority of therapists are trained to notice the appearance and even the movements of the client's body, thou...

For the first time ever in print, a groundbreaking guide to utilizing Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with young people and their families.Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents, and Families presents clinicians with a transformative approach that taps into the body’s intelligence to support healing in children, adolescents, and their families. Coauthored by Pat Ogden, the creator of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), and Bonnie Goldstein, a child, ...

A book for clinicians and clients to use together that explains key concepts of body psychotherapy.The body’s intelligence is largely an untapped resource in psychotherapy, yet the story told by the “somatic narrative”-- gesture, posture, prosody, facial expressions, eye gaze, and movement -- is arguably more significant than the story told by the words. The language of the body communicates implicit meanings and reveals the legacy of trauma and of early or forgott...

A guide to this groundbreaking somatic-cognitive approach to PTSD and attachment disturbances treatment.Pat Ogden presents Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with an updated vision for her work that advocates for an anti-racist, anti-oppression lens throughout the book.Working closely with four consultants, a mix of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute graduates, trainers, consultants, and talented Sensorimotor Psychotherapists who have made social justice and soci...

Sprinkle the pig has moved to a new house, with a new family, but he misses his old family. On his first day at school his classmate yells at him, and everything gets too much. He cries and cries, and soon the tears become a river and carry him away! Wise monkey spots Sprinkle, but he is too far away. Can he help Sprinkle to find hidden strengths to survive the river of tears?This therapeutic picture book is written to help children aged 4-10 and adults to talk about being separate...

Contributions from early childhood educators, teachers, psychologists, music therapists, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists highlight the crucial role that early relationships and interactions in group settings play in the development of children's personal, emotional and social skills.The book features the latest research and methods for successfully encouraging the development of these skills in groups of children aged 4-12. It explores how play within children's group...

In a deep dark forest, Little Coyote grows up with a tough gang of big strong coyotes. They are cruel, call him names and order him about all day long.Little Coyote is too small to run away or to stand up for himself, so he learns to do what he's told and makes his body small so nobody notices him. Then, one day he goes on an adventure and ends up discovering new hidden strengths that he never knew he had.This therapeutic picture book is written to help children aged 4-10 a...

One sunny day, Bomji the rabbit and his friend Spotty the cat meet something very scary while picking flowers in the woods.The friends manage to escape, but afterwards Bomji just doesn't feel safe anymore. His body feels a bit different and he starts to have bad dreams. His friend Spotty is worried about Bomji - how can her friend be helped? Luckily, wise Teacher Owl is there for them.This therapeutic picture book allows children and adults to talk about a frightening exper...

Conversations among thought leaders about the transformational applications of Polyvagal Theory.Stephen Porges first introduced Polyvagal Theory in 1994. In the decades since, its neurobiological explanation for how our nervous system shapes behavior, communication, and health has profoundly influenced trauma treatment. Increasingly, the polyvagal perspective has also informed wellness, healthcare practice, and broader societal understanding. This exchange has been...

A guide to this groundbreaking somatic-cognitive approach to PTSD and attachment disturbances treatment."In this eye-opening new book, Pat Ogden, with her consultants, brilliantly charts the continuing evolution of her work. Based on a solid scientific understanding of human development, neuroscience, attachment, and body-mind connections, this book is filled with riveting case examples that illustrate the efficacy of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy." —BESSEL A....

Our bodies hold a wealth of knowledge that, with the right tools, we can tap into at any time.Our physical habits—of sensation, posture, and movement—reflect implicit knowledge of our histories of trauma, relationships, and resources, as well as our future possibilities. However, this wealth of information often eludes our awareness. The intention of the somatic practices in this card deck is to experientially illuminate the innate and unique knowledge that resides...

Psychotherapists who have been trained in models of psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, or cognitive therapeutic approaches are skilled at listening to the language and affect of the client. They track the clients' associations, fantasies, and signs of psychic conflict, distress, and defenses. Yet while the majority of therapists are trained to notice the appearance and even the movements of the client's body, thoughtful engagement with the client's embodied experience has remained peripheral t...