What if the person who is Focusing keeps moving awareness around from sensation to sensation? Read on…
A Reader writes:
I’m adding Focusing to my work with clients, often with great results. But one thing that happens I find disconcerting. The person starts to describe a sensation in one place in the body, and then suddenly that’s gone and there’s another one somewhere else. I don’t know whether to try to bring back the first one, or just move on.
Dear Reader:
I’m familiar with what you’re talking about. It happens fairly often, especially with people new to Focusing… or new to working with me.
My theory about this “hopping around” phenomenon is that it has to do with safety. I picture a flock of birds coming down to the ground and then immediately flying up again. Coming down in another place, immediately flying up again. And then finally being able to settle and peck for food.
If that’s what it is, then I find it’s best to just follow where the body sense goes, with radical acceptance, and not try to hold the movement still in any way.
Radical acceptance of what’s coming up for the Focuser is a good idea anyway, because it conveys the attitude that anything that emerges is welcome to be just as it is.
As Gene Gendlin said:
“Whatever comes in Focusing, welcome it. … If you are willing to receive this message in a friendly way, there will be another.”
The movement from one sensation to another won’t go on forever! But there is an invitation I offer, after a while, that can facilitate slowing that movement down a bit.
After the third or fourth “hop” to a different part of the body, after I reflect back where the person just landed, I’ll invite them to stay with that one for a while.
Like this: “And now you are sensing a tightness in your stomach area. I wonder if that’s something you’d like to stay with a bit longer.”
This reminds the person that “staying with” can be a good next step… and if they’ve moved around a few times already, this invitation is usually welcome.
Looking for support with your professional practice? These courses are a good next step:
On-Demand Course: The Doorway in A Moment: Inviting Your Clients to the Edge of Change
On-Demand Course: Beyond Trauma: Helping Your Clients Cultivate Inner Presence
