Embodied cognition and body psychotherapy: The construction of new therapeutic environments

Abstract

New approaches in the philosophy of mind defend the idea that basic forms of cognition and human intersubjectivity are deeply and inextricably embodied and embedded. In its more extreme forms this approach to mind and cognition opposes the idea that cognition is always or primarily a matter of forming mental representations of that environment (Gallagher & Hutto, 2008; Hutto & Myin, 2013). Taking these ideas seriously in the context of therapy directs us to the way therapy can be enhanced by modifying environmental and social affordances and the way clients interact with them as opposed to how they represent them. These conceptual and methodological paradigms encourage a rethinking of existing applications, inspired by reformulating the theoretical foundation that underpins practice in body psychotherapy (BPT; e.g. Geuter, in press). Given the emerging evidence base for BPT in the treatment of severe mental health problems (e.g. Röhricht, 2009) it is timely to question whether its intervention strategies can be better understood as a kind of applied embodied cognition. In this paper we only explore BPT practice from a framework of its more radical variants. We explore new ways that effective therapeutic embodied engagements might be realised, while casting fresh light on how therapists can successfully venture into the everyday life of their patients and their interactions with significant others. This includes discussing a revised version of encounter groups and "marathon" workshops as well as experimental solutions such as "Virtual Reality" clinics.

A case series report of cancer patients undergoing group body psychotherapy

“…More specifically, BPT takes advantage of the embodied, enactive and environmentally embedded nature of basic cognition, emotion, intersubjectivity, and experiencing 41 . In line with recently developed group body psychotherapy manuals for mental disorders (e.g., somatoform disorder, depression) that have been derived from disorder-specific intervention strategies 37, 42– 44 , our group BPT followed a general BPT framework.…”

Bodies and resistances: The Movement Against Torture Sebastián Acevedo in Chile

“…lizaciones que incorporen elementos de la fenomenología para la comprensión de procesos psicológicos y el desarrollo de estrategias psicoterapéuticas (Rhöricht et al, 2014;Sanz Porras y Burkitt, 2001). …”

Body psychotherapy for the treatment of severe mental disorders – an overview

“…The recent literature (e.g. Gallagher, 2005;Hutto & Myin, 2013;Koch, Caldwell, & Fuchs, 2013;Röhricht, Gallagher, et al, 2014;Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1991) points towards a necessary shift away from a notion of representational and computational processes as building blocks of the 'mind' and emphasises instead increasingly the notion of embodied and environmentally-embedded cognition; neuroscience established the basic facts of neuroplasticity and how change processes in psychotherapy require simultaneous addressing of cognitive, perceptual affective and motor processes in order to impact upon the reorganisation of neural networks. This goes in parallel with developments in the field of applied clinical BPT: the intervention strategies are now more specifically tailored to address disorder specific pathologies across perception/emotion/cognition and movement, whilst retaining their resource-oriented focus and a personal-growth strategy as a modality within the field of humanistic and relational psychotherapy.…”

“…Finally, I would like to point towards suggestions to consider more radical changes to the way psychotherapy is practiced and evaluated: based upon a conceptualisation of BPT as applied embodied cognition, both researchers and practitioners started to explore new ways of therapeutic embodied engagements, 'while casting fresh light on how therapists can successfully venture into the everyday life of their patients and their interactions with significant others' (Röhricht, Gallagher, et al, 2014). In that respect, BPT with its emphasis on embodied and embedded intersubjectivity may pave the path for a new paradigm in psychotherapy research and practice.…”

“…Röhricht, Gallagher, Geuter, & Hutto, 2014), hereby moving the focus of attention in therapy towards both the experiencing of the self and the relevant interactions with others (and corresponding regulation dynamics). Bower and Gallagher (2013) refer to processes of 'sensorymotor coupling' between organism and environment.…”