Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing

Listen in as Ann Weiser Cornell guides three people through their very first Focusing sessions.

How This Helps Register for Our Next course

“Everyone CAN do Focusing… if the guide is patient, encouraging, and willing to be creative.”

― Ann Weiser Cornell

Whether You’re:

New to Focusing and want to experience what the process is like

Familiar with Focusing and want to learn different ways to facilitate the process

Or a helping professional who’d like to introduce clients to Focusing

The Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing course gives you the chance to observe and discuss the power of the Focusing process with one of the leading teachers and theoreticians in the field of Focusing.

A Note from Ann

With this course, you can be present in the virtual room as I facilitate a first-time Focusing session. Afterward, we’ll discuss what happened (why I made certain choices, how I encouraged the process to deepen without asking questions, and much more).

What’s fascinating about showing Focusing to someone new is you never know what kind of process they’ll have.

Some people get very emotional. Other people have a hard time feeling anything. Some people get carried away by their stories. Other people are mostly silent.

I’ve given thousands of first Focusing sessions. Every time I do one, I learn more about the process and how to facilitate it. When you sit in, you’ll learn too!

For example, I’ve learned that just because a person names an emotion, that doesn’t mean they’re feeling it yet in the body.

Here’s how I might help someone feel an emotion in the body.

Focuser: “It’s fear.”

Guide: “You’re sensing it’s fear. OK. And maybe you can sense where in your body you feel that fear the most.”

Focuser: (pause) “It’s in my chest.”

Guide: “Uh-huh. And then maybe describe how it feels there, in your chest.”

Focuser: (pause) “Like a clenching, gripping…”

Guide: “Ah. It feels like clenching, like gripping, there in your chest. Maybe take those words to the feeling, sense if they fit well. Clenching. Gripping.”

Focuser: “It’s like a scared animal, digging in its claws.”

Guide: “And maybe you can be with that scared animal…”

Look how much richness of detail we now have, compared to the word “fear”! And notice how it’s possible to do all this without asking any questions.

There’s so much more I’d love to show you about how to take someone through Focusing.

In the course, you’ll get to see exactly what I do with three real people who’ve never done Focusing before. You’ll see me have my first conversation with the person and then take them through the process all the way to the end. And then the person leaves, and the group will discuss what you observed. It’s fascinating every time.

Hope to see you there!

Each Demonstrations class is 90 minutes. At the start I’ll give a short talk on some aspect of offering first-time Focusing sessions. Then our guest Focuser will join us, and have a guided Focusing session of about 45 minutes, and then leave the line.

We’ll have about 30 minutes at the end of class for a discussion of the issues raised by the process, including: the specific language used, this person’s type of Focusing process, and responses to special circumstances (e.g. working with a meditator).

Participants can also raise questions about people you’re working with using Inner Relationship Focusing. Every class meeting can be downloaded (by registered participants only) for 30 days after class ends.

All registered participants need to be on the conference line within 5 minutes of the start of the class, in order to create a safe atmosphere for the guest.

Our guest Focusers are volunteers who understand that their session will be witnessed by a safe and respectful group of people.

If you or someone you know might like to volunteer to be the guest Focuser for one of our Demo classes, we’d love to have you join us. (We typically need someone who hasn’t had a guided Focusing session before.) Just click here to submit your information.

About Your Teacher

Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD, is the co-developer (with Barbara McGavin) of Inner Relationship Focusing. Ann learned Focusing in 1972 from its developer, Eugene Gendlin, and was his close friend and colleague to the end of his life.

Ann has written several definitive books on Focusing, including The Power of Focusing: A Practical Guide to Emotional Self-Healing, and Focusing in Clinical Practice: The Essence of Change.

She has taught Inner Relationship Focusing around the world since 1980, and is a past president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology.

Upcoming Courses and Registration

To allow more people to participate, dates and times will change with each new Demonstrations group. If the current group is at an inconvenient time for you, check this page again for new dates.

Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing January 2025 (winter)

$150.00

January 29 to February 12, 2025
3 Wednesdays; 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Pacific
Taught by Ann Weiser Cornell. Live Online Course

Last Day to Register: January 22

Can’t make this time? You can register and participate by listening to recordings of the course each week at a time that works with your schedule. But you won’t be eligible for CE Credits.

To allow more people to participate, dates and times will change with each new Demonstrations group. If the current groups are at an inconvenient time for you, check this page again in a month for new dates.

What People Are Saying

Incredibly valuable, and something to repeat many times over

“For those who have an interest in becoming Focusing teachers or guides, the Demonstrations course is an extraordinary opportunity to watch Ann Weiser Cornell work live (via Zoom) with new clients.

With the lightest touch, Ann guides the client into their interior world without inserting any agenda or expectation, letting the Focuser unfold their own experience. Ann reflects the Focuser’s descriptions and periodically suggests invitations to consider. In the process, she gives the Demonstrations’ course participants a master class in natural, empowering, transformational teaching.

As someone who aspires to become a Focusing teacher or guide myself, learning to make the transition from Focuser and Companion to teacher and guide brings its own fears and self-doubts. Learning not only the process but the natural language and tone that frees the client-Focuser to explore their own inner world with confidence and compassion can be daunting.

Ann’s gifts as a Focusing guide and teacher make the Demonstrations course incredibly valuable, and something to repeat many times over: Every observed lesson offers new learning. But the value of watching Ann work in the Demonstrations class goes beyond just being a great resource for future teachers. What she is really demonstrating is what’s possible for each one of us if we go into our inner world with an open heart and mind, willing to listen without judgment, and especially if we bring a guide or companion with us for support.“

Colin Berg

I saw Focusing come together in a whole new way

“When I signed up for Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing, I wanted to learn to be a more effective Focusing Companion. In the second class, Ann had the opportunity to demonstrate almost all the things we’ve learned in the Levels courses and I saw Focusing come together in a whole new way. It made sense on an even deeper level somehow.

Now, after witnessing Ann guide three new-to-Focusing people through sessions, I feel more patient with the process of Focusing. I’ve slowed down significantly both as a Focuser and as a Companion. I am better able to start a session with someone who’s never Focused before. And while I continue to strive for excellence, I am more compassionate with myself in those times when I go in a particular direction and then wonder whether something else might have been more useful to the Focuser.

From the pre and post-session discussions, I feel like I better understand why Ann makes certain decisions and not others in a session. Now, I am able to listen on an even deeper level without imposing my hypotheses about what might be going on onto the Focuser.”

Becky W.

Inspiring and cleared up many little misunderstandings I had

“Before the Demonstrations course, I felt some uncertainty about explaining Focusing to people. It made me tense and a bit awkward. Watching Ann do Focusing with the inexperienced wonderers who came into the course was inspiring and cleared up many little misunderstandings I had. Now, I feel more freedom in the process. Watching Ann get a new person into a session is not only a lesson in communication but an adventure of pure joy.”

Ori Eskinazi

Brilliant examples of seeing the process in action

“Before the Demonstrations course, I worried about being able to live up to my desire to help someone find Focusing as a resource. Now, I feel like *I* can be someone who helps extend all that Focusing has to offer to someone who is looking for it. This is a great course that gives a clear, simple outline of how Ann brings the experience of Focusing to someone who hasn’t done it before, offers three brilliant examples of seeing the process in action, and includes ample time to ask questions after.”

H.M.

Eye-opening

“Witnessing Ann’s facilitation was eye-opening. Like any masterful ‘performance’, she makes it look easy! But I realize it’s not that it’s easy, it’s that it’s presented with simplicity. It turns out, there’s not a lot one has to explain in order to introduce the gift of Focusing to another, though it does take a lot more practice to develop confidence in intuiting and hearing deeply what the Focuser needs. There’s so much to learn from observing these sessions – especially the immediate benefit the Focusers experience – and the Q&A with Ann afterwards. I’ll be back for another round!”

Ber R.

A very effective teaching tool

“Before the Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing course, I was often uncertain about how to begin being a companion with someone interested in Focusing who had no previous experience. It left me feeling anxious and a bit floundering as to how to move a new Focuser into the experience. Now, I have a demonstrated model to begin effectively. Watching the different paths each Focuser took and Ann’s creative application of the Focusing model was a very effective teaching tool to translate the Focusing “structure” into the flow of a session.”

Paul Fitzgerald

Showed how to meet the challenges of introducing Focusing to someone new

“As a life coach, I wanted to learn more about facilitating Focusing for someone unfamiliar with the practice or its underlying philosophy. Clients come to coaching because they’re interested in effecting changes. While personal fit with a coach is crucial for them, they aren’t particularly interested in how the coach does what she does. They just want results. As we know, in Focusing, the “results” usually take care of themselves!

On the other hand, guiding a Focusing session with someone who’s new to it raises a number of challenges for the practitioner. How to introduce the process; what is the most effective facilitative diction; what is helpful and unhelpful for someone new to focusing; and the like.

This course not only showed how to meet these challenges but a very rich discussion between the teacher and observers followed all the demonstrations. So we got the opportunity to watch a real-life session in real-time while also being aware of what we were experiencing as observers. Such valuable learning!”

Arnold Zeman

Spellbinding

“Spellbinding. Learning how Ann introduces people to the process before she begins and seeing how she helps them stay with their body sense was powerful. It helped me not only with guiding first time Focusing sessions, but also to stay with felt senses in psychotherapy sessions. I am eager to watch more and learn more!”

Charles Herr

Really made a difference for me

“I came to Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing to see in practice what I’d read in Ann’s book, The Radical Acceptance of Everything. I wasn’t disappointed. All is truly allowed to be here and that is such a relief! I realized the Demonstrations course really made a difference for me as I was Focusing with a friend recently. I felt so confident. I was so relaxed. It was a wonderful session. I didn’t feel stressed, even when our Skype connection broke down twice. It was easy and as I’m writing this, I notice there is something in me that feels astonished about this.

Now, when I’m Focusing, I am calmer. I have more possibilities to respond in different situations. I’m more courageous. The image of Ann being so accepting while facilitating sessions lives on in me as I move forward with this work.”

Corinne C.

A wonderful way to gain and reinforce Focusing skills

“Before the Demonstrations of Facilitating Focusing course, I had a hard time slowing down and allowing the process to unfold. As a result, I’d sometimes feel lost in a session, wondering where it was going, wanting to control it…but knowing that wasn’t the point at all.

Now, I feel much more comfortable going S-L-O-W-L-Y and staying present to what is unfolding in the moment without feeling like I have to “connect the dots” somehow. Every single demonstration is a wonderful way to gain and reinforce Focusing skills. You can download them, listen again later, and really study what happened in depth. They’re a very affordable and enjoyable way to get CE Credits, if you need them.”

Rebecca W,

A valuable skill worth investing in

“Before the course, I was guessing about how Focusing might be helpful to me or others. Now, I’ve seen the way it helps process emotions without any sort of pressure, forcing, or re-traumatizing. It’s a valuable skill worth investing in.”

Jennifer B.

A life-transforming and touching experience

“Watching Ann walk through the Focusing process with clients is a life-transforming and invaluably touching experience that reminds us how much we’re all interconnected and more similar than separate. It helped me learn to listen to my parts and hold them together and gave me a way to help my clients do the same.”

Oly Doroshev

Priceless

“Before the course, my biggest challenge was recognizing that I don’t have to be ‘swamped’ by someone else’s big feelings. My concerns about this made me feel anxious and inadequate as a practitioner — despite all my capacities, learning, and generally positive experiences and outcomes. A very direct kind of learning happened in me as I observed Ann and listened to her talk about not being afraid of someone’s feelings, just recognizing, and being aware of the direction you might offer. The opportunity to observe Ann’s guiding in real-time is extremely valuable and priceless!“

Laura Dickinson

I feel more confident working with clients

“After the Demonstrations course, I feel more confident in working with clients who have never focused before. I enjoyed watching Ann work and learned more about how to phrase or invite depth into Focusing sessions. It was very useful to watch Ann work with 3 different people who had different issues and styles.”

Colleen Drobot

So inspiring

“Before the course, my own thinking created a limitation (however subtle that was). After the Demonstrations course, there’s a deepening trust in what will come when we are ever more present to the Focuser and allow what is needed to emerge.

To see a master teacher who meets every person freshly and is open to what may come including her own growth and understanding is so inspiring. This openness is the skill ITSELF. What comes, and the way it comes is always fresh and new.

The conversation and teaching at either end of the Demo are an opportunity to hear and share from observation the moments we understood, as well as those moments others got that we might have missed. Just being present at these sessions is transformational.“

Jill Benet

It was like watching an artist

“There are many fantastic ways to learn Inner Relationship Focusing through Focusing Resources, but having the opportunity to watch Ann Weiser Cornell guide someone through their first process enhanced my learning deeply. It was like watching an artist. There’s so much about Focusing that can’t be taught in words, we can only absorb it through our experiences. This experience is a true gift, and so beneficial for my own Focusing process, not just to learn the process of guiding someone else.”

Lizzi McLaughlin

Course is very practical

“Before the Demonstrations course, I felt nervous when I tried to introduce the concept of a felt sense to a client. Now, I feel more comfortable and self-confident. The course is very practical and Ann shares her knowledge openly while providing concrete examples in the post-session discussions.”

Daniela Belarbi

I have a better handle on the nuances of language

“Before the Demonstrations course, I lacked confidence when introducing new people to Focusing. I recently became a Focusing Practitioner and wanted to improve. Now, I feel like I have a better handle on the nuances of language, what to say and not say, and the reasons for those choices. I highly recommend it.”

L.B.

Additional Information

How Online Courses Work

We use Zoom, an online video conference platform, to connect you to other students and the teacher. Before the class starts you will receive a Zoom link to use each time the class meets. You can join us via your camera-equipped computer, tablet, or smart phone. Prefer not to be on video? You can turn off your camera. Don’t want to call via computer? You can call in by phone. Zoom is free and easy to use. You will be able to sign on in advance to make sure you can access it, but we’ve had very few problems with it. Students also receive access to a private webpage where course materials can be found.

Prerequisite

There is no prerequisite for participation in this group. All students are welcome.

Continuing Education Credit& Record of Completion

Course meets the qualifications for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Focusing Resources, CAMFT Approved CE Provider #62524.

Focusing Resources is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Focusing Resources maintains responsibility for this course and its content.

There is a $25 administrative fee for CE Credits. Records of Completion are awarded at the end of the course upon completion of all requirements and the course evaluation. (If you don’t want CE Credits but would like a Record of Completion, the $25 fee does still apply.)

Eligibility for CE Credits requires at least 80% live attendance. Missed classes must be made up.

Program Cancellation Policy

Up to 14 days before the first day of class: Just let us know and we’ll refund your course fee. Or you can choose to apply the entire course fee towards a future class with us.

Cancellations received 13 days or fewer before class begins: No refund, sorry.

When Something Doesn’t Go As You’d Hoped…

We are always open to discussing experiences with our courses that didn’t work for you or didn’t go the way you expected. Depending on the circumstances, you may want to email your course instructor, the staff member in charge of your course, or Ann Weiser Cornell. Email addresses for all these people will be supplied on registration. We will work with you to find a way to meet your needs.