The process of focusing was discovered in the 1960’s by Professor Eugene Gendlin of the University of Chicago. He discovered that success in therapy had nothing to do with the type of therapy used or the skill of the therapist. Successful clients were not
those who ‘stayed up in their heads’ when speaking about their difficulties, but those who were aware of the feelings and sensations in their bodies as they spoke.
Focusing starts with the body. When we have a problem there is always a ‘felt sense’ in the body about it. Focusing on this felt sense and really paying attention to it allows the many truths about it to emerge. Very often the solutions to difficulties come out of this listening to the ‘felt sense’.
Focusing is gentle but very powerful and gives lasting results.
Focusing does not have to be used only in a therapy situation. It can, and is, used in everyday life. People use focusing themselves, in pairs or they can join a group of people who meet on a regular basis to help each other.
