‘Really caring, really curious, and really there’: a qualitative exploration of therapeutic presence from a Hakomi therapy perspective

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic presence (TP) is the ability to be fully human and fully engaged with another person emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually, and underpins all efficacious interventions. Ron Kurtz’s Hakomi method is a mindfulness based, psychodynamic psychotherapy that integrates the body into the therapeutic process, emphasising the personhood of the therapist as a therapeutic tool. The present research used a qualitative framework to explore Hakomi therapists’ understanding of TP. Four graduates of the full professional Hakomi training were interviewed about their lived experiences of TP. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) applied to resultant verbatim transcripts showed that two elements comprised TP: felt state of being and dual awareness. Central to creating TP is a particular personhood of the therapist, in which Hakomi practitioners are explicitly and specifically trained. This unique Hakomi-based understanding of TP can support therapeutic change and could be incorporated into training of mental health practitioners, regardless of therapeutic modality.

KEYWORDS:

• Hakomi therapy
• therapist personhood
• therapeutic presence

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support of the Australian College of Applied Psychology in the preparation and writing of this manuscript. The authors note that this organisation had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Exploring understandings of TP

• How do you, as a Hakomi practitioner understand the concept of TP?

• How does your understanding of TP impact your clinical work?

Exploring understandings of Geller and Greenberg’s three areas of TP

• How do you prepare yourself to be in TP? (Geller & Greenberg, 2002)

• Describe the process of TP? (Geller & Greenberg, 2002)

• What is your lived experience of TP? (Geller & Greenberg, 2002)

Exploring how Hakomi therapy and TP interact

• How did your Hakomi training influence your understanding of TP?

• What unique contributions does Hakomi have to offer the community in terms of understanding TP?

Concluding question

• Is there anything that I did not ask you that you would like to talk about?

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott William Kelly

Mr. Scott William Kelly is currently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology at the Australian College of Applied Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Fiona Ann Papps. Scott has completed the advanced training in Hakomi Therapy. His interest in embodied therapies stems from his long career as a professional musician and his personal mindfulness practice, which have shown him the importance of being present in the moment in order to achieve full potential.

Fiona Ann Papps

Dr. Fiona Ann Papps is a senior lecturer in Psychological Sciences at the Australian College of Applied Psychology. She joined ACAP in 2011 after nine years at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she served in a variety of roles, including Assistant Professor of Psychology, Head of the Department of Psychology Research Ethics Committee, and Head of the Department of Psychology. Fiona’s research interests include body image and embodiment, sexuality, media representations of sex, gender and sexuality, literature, madness, death and dying.