Finding Stability in the Eye of the Storm Budotherapy and Compassion in turbulent therapeutic sessions

Gabo Weis

Abstract

One of the most important features, yet threatening the therapeutic space in psychotherapy, is the encounter with fear, fears and attacks on the therapeutic relationship, on the therapist or among the clients in couples’ therapy. This article deals with the term ‘Stability in the Eye of the Storm’ exploring the unique contribution of traditional martial arts in developing a stable therapeutic presence, serenity and wisdom within these destabilizing encounters. The article presents the ‘Budotherapy’ Approach, which emphasizes the development of compassion qualities in the therapist and clients as an effective way to maintain the scary therapeutic space, so as to enable mental growth, peaceful intensity and stable presence to continue walking along the road, for clients in crisis.

Keywords:

Budotherapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Martial Arts, Psychotherapy, Supervision, Couple Therapy, Embodiment, stability

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