Course Description
Six weekly two-hour classes online, introducing the Relational Body Psychotherapy approach.
The concept of the body is theoretically and practically defined as a psychosomatic and spiritual entity. The course draws on neo-Reichian traditions (followers of Wilhelm Reich) — Body Psychotherapy, Biosynthesis and Bioenergetic Analysis, and their contemporary international schools — together with a gender-based approach to somatic experience.
Prof. Liliana Acero developed the whole framework as creator of the Relational Body Psychotherapy approach. Each of the topics addressed is briefly introduced and followed by practical or experiential exercises.
Topics
Dr. Liliana Acero
Liliana Acero spent decades building Relational Body Psychotherapy into a recognized field, with research, clinical work and training across USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Her approach bridges academic theory and direct clinical work.
Ph.D., University of Sussex, 1983; Post-Doctorate, University of Massachusetts and Brown University, 1992-1994. CNPQ Post-Doctorate (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil). Researcher in the Graduate Program on Public Policy, Strategy and Development at INCT (National Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Researcher in international protection, ENDURE UNICAMP, São Paulo, on COVID-19 health impacts in Brazil's periphery, and researcher on the international Phoenix project on migration and mental health in Chile, Fundación Cuerpo y Energía. Visiting Professor, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PPED) since 2009. Collaborative Professor and Researcher in the Graduate Program. Former International Trainer in Biosynthesis and Bioenergetic Analysis for 35 years, creator of the theoretical and clinical field of Relational Body Psychotherapy.
General Aims
- Define and become familiar with the relational body psychotherapy approach
- Learn basic conceptual tools of the neoreichian perspectives
- Discuss some of the gender categories and apply them to an understanding of the body
- Practice with some of the concepts explained
The course is useful to develop a new way of thinking on the relationship between body and mind in oneself and others. The concepts learnt can be applied to increase personal awareness and also applied during work in different health-care professions. In Human Sciences’ professions, as well as in everyday life, the course’s contents can contribute to widen our vision on human functioning by gender.
Topics
Class 1: The body/mind relationship and psychosomatic health
- Mutual influence between dimensions
Class 2: Principles of the neo-Reichian approach
- Bodily contacts with the world
- Individual energy movement and centre/periphery differences in the body
- Polarities: up/down; front/back; right/left
Class 3: Gender in ways of relating to the world
- Gender identities in the formation of subjectivities
- Stereotyped patterns of relating to the world by gender
Class 4: Character and armour, the role of bonds
- Explanation of the concepts
- Causes of healthy and altered psychosomatic development in children and adolescents
- Influences in adults and the conditioning of gender social relations
Class 5: Psychosomatic resonance and somatic reading
- Feeling another’s body in one’s own body
- Exercises in reading bodily patterns
Class 6: Essence and everyday existence
- The embodied dimension of spirituality
- Essential human qualities and their existential expression
Pedagogical Approach
Prof. Liliana Acero’s presentation supported by audiovisuals. Due to the intimate and personal character of the experiences shared in the group(s), their content merits secrecy.
- 45 min: Prof. Liliana Acero presents with audiovisual material
- 15 min: Questions and comments from participants
- 30 min: Subgroup discussion and guided exercises
- 30 min: Full-group exchange
Pricing
The conversion from dollars to other currencies, if necessary, will be made according to the dollar exchange rate of the day in the country of residence.
Discount 10% — University students, elderly, and Foundation alumni
Discount 15% — Full payment at least 1 month before the course start date
International Certificate
International Certificate of participation from Fundación Cuerpo y Energía Chile (Neo-Reichian Theory and Methods of Chile). The only requirement is 75% attendance. The certificate states the number of hours completed.