The New Hakomi There may be some confusion about the differences between the Refined Hakomi Method

and the method as taught by the Hakomi Institute. Heres my point of view as to what those differences are: First, a bit of history. I created the basic principles and techniques of the original method while still in private practice in the 1970s. In 1981 Pat Ogden, Dyrian Benz and I taught the first training under the name Hakomi. After that the Institute was formally established. At first, I served as director of the Institute and was its lead trainer. During that time, with some help from Pat, Dyrian and others, I kept developing the method, adding many new exercises and theoretical concepts. Essentially, the method as the Institute teaches it was developed during that time. After ten years or so, I resigned as director and moved to Oregon. I began working more or less independently and formed a self-employed corporation called Ron Kurtz Trainings, Inc. Other people took over running the Institute and my relationship with them grew more and more distant. Finally, a couple of years ago, I withdrew completely. At this point, I have no part in who teaches for the Institute or what they teach, with only one exception. By mutual agreement, the Institute has the right to teach those aspects of the method that were in place when I resigned as director. The things Ive developed since then can only be used with my explicit permission by the Institute staff. During the twenty years since that agreement was reached, several important differences have arisen. I have continuously refined the method. I have added much and dropped. Just one example: I no longer teach character theory. (One of my close associates, Donna Martin, has written a paper called Beyond Character Theory: The New Hakomi.1 Instead of character theory, I have been teaching indicators and doing workshops on the subject.) There are many more differences in content I could list here. A careful look at my website and the Institutes website would show that clearly. Beyond content however, there are large differences in both style and spirit. For example, I teach the method as: Mindfulness-based Assisted Self-discovery not as psychotherapy in the usual sense. (This is also discussed in Donnas paper.1) I also use comforting touch. People in my workshops and trainings provide active emotional support for clients during demonstrations and practice sessions. They comfort clients using holding and touch. I also touch clients, but always in a group context and always with permission. My purpose is to provide a supportive present environment in which clients re-consolidate formative painful experiences. Professional psychotherapists dont do this. It is my understanding that the Institute has designed their trainings for people who wish to be or already are professional psychotherapists, people who typically do therapy one-on-one. The New Hakomi uses the natural caring impulses that all humans (and many other species, by the way) that express themselves through touch. Rather than a disease process needing diagnosis and treatment, I see clients situations as painful memories that consciously or unconsciously control automatic behaviors that serve to minimize and/or avoid re-experiencing earlier pain. What I believe is needed then is to re-experience those painful memories with the active support of caring people. This provides the opportunity to re-consolidate such memories in a way that significantly reduces their influence. Thats the essence of the method I teach. It is not the method I taught twenty years ago. As to its efficacy, here are a few excerpts from testimonials about trainings I lead last month: Thank you for choosing to spend much of your life studying how to help people free themselves so they can

move on, and for creating (and always honing and simplifying) a method to facilitate that. I can think of

Donnas paper can be found on my website: http://www.hakomi.com

no more important or worthy endeavor. Thank you also for discovering that for the method to be successful there must be Love and Presence, and for being okay with that profound if simple discovery. T.S. I want you to know, that Im profoundly grateful for having had the chance to share two trainings, different sessions with the trainer and at least a session with you. I learned a lot and it inspired me so much. It has really been the best time in my life! And I do not tend to exaggeration. So I hope to see you again in another training. Hopefully at the same time and same place next year! Youve got me with this wonderful Refined Method. And be sure, Ill share my experience with my Hakomi-Therapist, as (C.) already did with her Hakomi-Therapist. To quote from a mail from Todd: " I am sure our (Refined Method) Hakomi experience will integrate with our lives (and our therapy--we are different clients now)." I am a different client right now. And I know what I want. Less, less, less storytelling, more, more, more present experience, more going with the indicators, more probes and so on. I love you for the intense and profound experiences I gained! I gained more then Ive ever expected/imagine to get. S.M. I'm trying to put into words what I experienced in Ashland. For right now, let's suffice it to say that I experienced a "true" state of mind. Hakomi is not therapy, it is a recipe for full living. I felt listened to in ways that I don't commonly experience. That allowed me to listen to myself more deeply and gave me a much greater sense of safety and confidence. I move with more spaciousness and freedom in the world and a larger sense of being part of a whole. N.P. I appreciated how willing you were to allow the group energy and what was appropriate for each moment, to lead--not from a set agenda you had to put forth, but from your own tracking each day, each moment what might help us heal ourselves and tap into being more present and helpful with clients. J.F.