Somatic Psychotherapy Basics
Integrating Reichian and Neo-Reichian Interventions
A course for therapists, social workers, and psychologists
Overview
The grandfather of somatic psychotherapy was Wilhelm Reich. Reich was Freud's top student and a bold visionary who asked the question: how can humans act with such evil? He created what we now call somatic psychotherapy in his pursuit of this question. He concluded that humans are innately good (countering Freud's view) and that evil and dysfunctional behavior are simply a function of the shutdown of the innate wisdom of the body — in response to unprocessed trauma.
Healing therefore requires the undoing of this shutdown and returning home to a body that feels safe to feel and move its feelings.
In this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of somatic psychotherapy by exploring traditional Reichian (Orgone Therapy) and contemporary Neo-Reichian approaches (including Gestalt, Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, and Hakomi). Through theoretical discussions and practical applications, students will develop skills to integrate theory with clinical practice.
Course outline
Tentatively, the classes will be taking place every other Tuesday from 11:30am to 2:00pm
- 1/13/26 Overview of somatic psychotherapy, neuroscience, Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt, Hakomi, Orgone Therapy, and Jungian Psychology
- 1/27/26 History of Somatic Psychotherapy and an Introduction to Mindfulness
- 2/10/26 Neuroscience Continued and an Introduction to Psychodynamic Theory
- 2/24/26 An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing and Gestalt Psychology
- 3/10/26 The Five Foundations of Hakomi and the Therapeutic Map
- 3/24/26 An Introduction to Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy and the Five Character Structures
- 4/7/26 The Schizoid Character and the Oral (regular and compensated) Character
- 4/21/26 The Masochistic Character and the Psychopathic (overt and covert) Character
- 5/5/26 The Rigid Character (the workaholic and the dramatic); The Gestalt Cycle of Experience and How it Correlates with Specific Characters
- 5/19/26 Intrapsychic Work versus Interpersonal Work from a Transactional Analysis Lens; Deepening before Intervening
- 6/2/26 Physical Applications of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy — eyes & dissociation, movement of emotional energy, constant interoception
- 6/16/26 Continuation of exploring the physical and characterological aspects of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy
- 6/30/26 Jungian therapeutic elements; integration
Total Instructional Hours: 32.5 contact hours.
Class logistics
The cost will be $50/hour. Each class is 2.5 hours. Social Workers seeking CEUs will be charged an extra $10/hour.
Aaron will be teaching this course. Before registering, please reach out to Aaron to set up a free 15-minute conversation to see if it’s a good fit for you (contact us page). Once you talk to Aaron, please register here. Class policies can be reviewed here.
Continuing education information
Somatic Psychotherapy Basics: Integrating Reichian and Neo-Reichian Interventions has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Schneider Counseling is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-5135. Maryland LCPCs can receive Category I credits for this course.
This course is also being co-sponsored by The Baltimore Psychotherapy Institute, Inc. (BPI). BPI is an approved and authorized sponsor of Category I and II continuing education credits for social workers and associates licensed in Maryland by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (MBSWE). This program meets the requirements for Category I continuing education credits by MBSWE. BPI maintains responsibility for this program. Maryland Social Workers can receive Category I credits for this course.