What is Essential Psychotherapy?

Essential psychotherapy has evolved from a rich collaboration between modern psychotherapy and Buddhist contemplative wisdom traditions. The heart of Buddhist practice and the « essence » in Essential psychotherapy is a deep awareness permeated by loving-kindness. Cultural and religious aspects of Buddhist practice are deliberately not included to make the approach available to all.

Essential Psychotherapy touches upon all aspects of human existence, including the levels of personality, psychodynamics, relationships, and behavior, as well as a deeper level of timeless open awareness. It is a path of becoming aware of and freeing oneself from deep-seated emotional patterns and leads into an authentic being, an experience that is inherently the same in all individuals and therefore transpersonal. 

Therapeutic methods of Essential Psychotherapy include psychosynthesis, focusing, mental imagery, and methods from cognitive-behavioral and compassion-focused therapy. The person's inner qualities, rather than problems, are emphasized. Awareness of what is already healthy is cultivated. The primary focus is on strengthening qualities, helpful perspectives, and new behavioral possibilities. It is a resource-oriented approach which means that dysfunctional patterns are usually analyzed after a newfound self-confidence and alternative behaviors have been cultivated. This way, the healing process is characterized by an ever-increasing sense of inner freedom, awareness, and discernment.

In addition to classical psychotherapy, great value is placed on a personal path of cultivating mindful awareness, heart-opening, and deep understanding. Exercises which familiarize with helpful perspectives and states of mind are suggested whenever possible. Thanks to these exercises, which connect us with our inherent wisdom and freedom, it is possible to stabilize therapeutic progress and utilize it for further advancement.