When Touch is Required: From the practice of the psychologist using the body-oriented method

In addition to interventions directed towards the cognition and behaviour of the client, the body-oriented psychologist uses body-focused interventions to help the client experience who he is and how he relates to others and the world. The client is guided in his/her development from there on, on an experiential basis. These interventions span a wide spectrum, including focusing verbal attention to the ‘felt body’, meditation exercises, movement-oriented exercises, working through past experiences in guided structures and different ways of therapeutic touching. In ‘When Touch is Required’ the author gives a literature review of touching as a psychological intervention. Indications and contra-indications as well as guidelines are given. The case study illustrates how and when touch is required in addition to verbal therapy.

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