Somatic Psychotherapy Basics: Integrating Reichian and Neo-Reichian Interventions
A course for therapists, social workers, and psychologists
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.
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
1/6/26 Overview of somatic psychotherapy, neuroscience, Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt, Hakomi, Orgone Therapy, and Jungian Psychology
1/20/26 History of Somatic Psychotherapy and an Introduction to Mindfulness
2/3/26 Neuroscience Continued and an Introduction to Psychodynamic Theory
2/17/26 An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing and Gestalt Psychology
3/3/26 The Five Foundations of Hakomi and the Therapeutic Map
3/17/26 An Introduction to Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy and the Five Character Structures
3/31/26 The Schizoid Character and the Oral (regular and compensated) Character
4/14/26 The Masochistic Character and the Psychopathic (overt and covert) Character
4/28/26 The Rigid Character (the workaholic and the dramatic); The Gestalt Cycle of Experience and How it Correlates with Specific Characters
5/12/26 Intrapsychic Work versus Interpersonal Work from a Transactional Analysis Lens; Deepening before Intervening
5/26/26 An introduction to Physical Applications of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy - with a Focus on the Eyes and Level of Disassociation, Movement of Emotional Energy, and an Emphasis on Constant Interoception
6/9/26: A Continuation of Exploring the Physical and Characterological Aspects of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy
6/23/26 An introduction to Jungian Therapeutic Elements; Integration
Total Instructional Hours: 32.5 contact hours.
The cost will be $50/hour. Each class is 2.5 hours.
Aaron will be teaching this course. Please go to the contact us page to reach out to Aaron for registration and/or more information.
1/6/26 Overview of somatic psychotherapy, neuroscience, Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt, Hakomi, Orgone Therapy, and Jungian Psychology
1/20/26 History of Somatic Psychotherapy and an Introduction to Mindfulness
2/3/26 Neuroscience Continued and an Introduction to Psychodynamic Theory
2/17/26 An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing and Gestalt Psychology
3/3/26 The Five Foundations of Hakomi and the Therapeutic Map
3/17/26 An Introduction to Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy and the Five Character Structures
3/31/26 The Schizoid Character and the Oral (regular and compensated) Character
4/14/26 The Masochistic Character and the Psychopathic (overt and covert) Character
4/28/26 The Rigid Character (the workaholic and the dramatic); The Gestalt Cycle of Experience and How it Correlates with Specific Characters
5/12/26 Intrapsychic Work versus Interpersonal Work from a Transactional Analysis Lens; Deepening before Intervening
5/26/26 An introduction to Physical Applications of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy - with a Focus on the Eyes and Level of Disassociation, Movement of Emotional Energy, and an Emphasis on Constant Interoception
6/9/26: A Continuation of Exploring the Physical and Characterological Aspects of Orgone Somatic Psychotherapy
6/23/26 An introduction to Jungian Therapeutic Elements; Integration
Total Instructional Hours: 32.5 contact hours.
The cost will be $50/hour. Each class is 2.5 hours.
Aaron will be teaching this course. Please go to the contact us page to reach out to Aaron for registration and/or more 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