TAP Talk 16/8/17 - A new approach to healing the past. An introduction to Pesso Boyden psychotherapy by Matthew Harwood

TAP members and guests gathered at the Friends Meeting House in Taunton on Friday 16th June 2017 to hear a thoroughly engaging presentation: ‘A new approach to healing the past.  An introduction to Pesso Boyden psychotherapy.’
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The presenter was Matthew Harwood, a Jungian psychotherapist in private practice in Bath and Bristol. He enviably trained at the CG Jung Institute in Zurich. More recently he has undertaken training on Pesso Boyden Psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Matthew described having a healing experience during a CPD Pesso Boyden workshop and was inspired to develop his knowledge and application.

Pesso Boyden therapy began life thanks to Albert Pesso and Diane Boyden, a married couple from the USA, now sadly deceased.  Interestingly they were originally both dancers and then dance teachers. It became apparent to them that some dancers appeared blocked from performing a full range of movements, hampered by past trauma.

The approach is not well known in the UK, but the couple developed and evolved the approach over 50 years, together and then just Albert after his wife died.

So, what is the aim of Pesso Boyden Psychotherapy?  In keeping with other approaches;  ‘to help us become who we really are.’

Mainly a group work approach differing significantly from other therapy group processes, it concentrates on an individual in the group, with other members role playing and bearing witness to the evolution of healing the individual’s past.

The approach can be used in a one to one setting too, although slightly less common, with the facilitator assuming the witness roles.

The audience was fascinated by a series of chronological video clips charting the process in action.

It is generally accepted that the roots of trauma lie in early life and we are born with a genetic expectation that our basic needs will be met by  loving care givers. The Peso Boyden approach works towards supplementing memory experiences, not cancellations. It is the protagonist that does the work.

The speaker emphasised to the audience that the best way to understand Pesso Boyden, is to have the experience.

An engaged and enthusiastic audience was represented by a vote of thanks on behalf of the TAP Committee.

The next TAP Talk takes place after our summer break, on 15th September 2017, when psychotherapist Cathy Towers will speak on the subject 'Filthy Lucre - Therapists' Relationship with Money'.

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Sarah Kay-Harker

TAP Council member