Apporach to Focusing Liz Orrell

Each One of Us Has a Fire In Our Heart for Something.
It is Our Goal in Life to Find it and Keep it Lit
Mary Lou Retton

The something I have a fire in my heart for is supporting people on their journey of personal growth.
I feel privileged to be able to accompany someone and witness the opening up that happens as a person comes to know the uniqueness within themselves and recognise the possibilities of moving towards all they are capable of becoming

For me the essence of Focusing is learning to form a compasionate relationship with all of ourselves. To be able to be present to our inner places without being overwhelmed by, or distancing ourselves from our feelings and the parts of ourselves which we perhaps don't like or feel a little ashamed of.

Focusing takes the view that the Inner Knowing of the Focuser already knows what is needed by the whole being and the work of Focusing is to allow that to actually be heard. Too often we have learned to ignore or dismiss those parts of ourselves that have that knowing. Focusing allows
us to reconnect with them

The focuser is the expert on themselves. The role of the Focusing Pratictioner is to support the focuser in their exploration, to learn to be present to themselves, listen to their Felt Sense and form the inner relationship with their parts from a place of calm interested curiosity

Liz is a highly empathic Focusing practitioner, encouraging, interested, accepting and skilful. With her, the nebulous has become clear and healing seems a real possibility. Catherine S

How I Offer Sessions

Face to Face

In Kenilworth Warwickshire at The Cottage Therapy Centre.
If you are in the Midlands and would like to meet face to face but cannot travel to Kenilworth, please contact me so we can talk about finding a location where we can meet.

Skype/Zoom

I find this works very well, Sometimes people who haven't used Skype or Zoom before are concerned that it won't feel natural. In my experience people are really surprised and say how much it feels like being in the same room as each other. They really appreciate the convenience of being able to book a session without the need to make travelling arrangements

Phone

People can find it is not so easy to get into Focusing if they are holding the phone. If you have hands free equipment available then the phone is also a convenient option

Charges for Sessions

An initial no obligation discussion is free

Charges for sessions vary depending on whether they are face to face or by Skype/Phone. The cost for a session can be agreed during an initial discussion.

What to Expect in a First Focusing Session

A first Focusing session will usually last around 1 to 1.5 hours.
We will first talk about Focusing and what you are hoping for from a session. We will then decide whether to move into a guided Focusing session or if you want more information before we start.
A first session will usually be part Focusing and part learning about Focusing
I will guide you through the session, however the person Focusing is always in control of their session
As you become more experienced with Focusing you will start to learn to guide yourself during the session.

Further Sessions

Subsequent sessions will last up to an hour
When you are first learning about Focusing the sessions are likely to be a combination of time developing your understanding of Focusing and time in a Focusing session
As you become more experienced most of the time is spent Focusing

How Often do you have a Focusing Session?

The time between Focusing sessions is very flexibile. When you first start to learn Focusing it may be helpful to have a couple of sessions to help consolidate your understanding of Focusing.
There after it is up to you how often you have a guided Focusing session.

How Many Focusing Sessions do you have?

Again, this is very flexible. There is no set number of sessions to have. You may choose to have some sessions, take time to consolidate your experience and then return for one or more further sessions as feels right for you.

You may choose to learn more about Focusing by attending a Focusing Skills course and establising a Focusing Partnership - see below for more information on this.

We can discuss both of these points in more detail to find what is the right for you.

 With Focusing I never know what is going to make itself known. Every session is different - I am often surprised but I always feel lighter at the end of the session SH

Other Ways to Take Focusing Forward

It is fine to continue to have Focusing sessions with a Focusing Practitioner if that is what you want to do. There are however other ways of taking Focusing forward, you don't need to work with a Practioner to do this.

You can join a British Focusing Association Skills Course. There are a number of Focusing trainers in the UK offering this course. I am currently undertaking the BFA trainer training. The BFA skills course is 10 days learning taught in 5 levels. I offer each level as a 2 day face to face workshop. Details of events I have planned are on the Workshops page.

Some trainers do offer the programme via a mixture of Skype and Face to Face events. You don't have to sign up to attend all 5 events (trainers will often offer reductions if you do), you can try it out and see how many levels you want to attend. Details of events can be found on the BFA website.

The benefit of attending a BFA skills course is you learn not only to develop your own Focusing, but you also learn the skills of listening and accompanying someone who is Focusing. Learning to listen will help you guide and deepen your own Focusing practice.

Attending a Focusing skills course opens up the option of forming a Focusing Partnership. This is a peer partnership where you agree to set time aside to come together to Focus. Most Focusing partnerships are conducted by Skype or phone. How often you Focus and for how long are agreed with your Focusing Partner. The Focusing time is shared equally. People often form Focusing Partnerships with people they have met on a Focusing Skills event. You can also register to find a partner on the BFA website.

You can be in a Focusing partnership and also have sessions with a Focusing Practitioner if you want to do so.

The BFA website is a good place to find more information and details about Focusing workshops and we can talk about the options available if you want to take Focusing further

See other ways of working I can offer on the next page