This approach seeks to support individuals to move toward wholeness
Contemplative Somatics, or Contemplative Somatic Psychotherapy, is the term Evan uses to refer to the blending of contemplative-style practice and somatics, within the context of psychotherapy. “Contemplative” because there is an emphasis on the skillful use of attention and curiosity, with a backdrop assumption that what we are essentially is not the fretful ego-identity, but an ungraspable holy mystery. “Somatic” because there is a strong emphasis on attending to the experience of one’s body in the here and now as a way to respond to the patterns that keep one locked in suffering.
The mind has both conscious and unconscious aspects...
much like how the visible part of an iceberg makes up a small portion of its total mass and that a much larger portion of the mass is hidden beneath the surface. The more we make the unconscious conscious, the more whole we become, and, the more skilfully we can respond to the “stuff” that arises inside (such as our reactivity). We become more conscious by becoming curious about our experience, of both past experiences as well as present-moment ones. This is facilitated by some good ol’ fashioned honest self-reflection – with great, great compassion. Telling one’s self the truth is paramount.
Awareness of the body supports us our wholeness
Making conscious the inner experience of the body is incredibly beneficial. Our body has inherent wisdom that can support us to move toward wholeness. The stories that we tell ourselves and each other about ourselves and our experience help us make meaning of our self, relationships, and the universe around us. The body is also telling a story, though it does not use words, and we are often ignoring the body’s messages. The body tells its story through sensation, through impulse to move, through feelings and emotions, and through the inner images that appear in the mind. This is called the somatic narrative. Through Somatic Experiencing, Evan facilitates the listening to this somatic narrative in session to support his clients toward integrating and re·membering forgotten or cast out parts of self in support of wholeness.
