Somatic Depth Psychology

This module will discuss the origins of body-oriented depth psychology and the many benefits of incorporating a somatic approach in the clinical setting. Key theorists will be introduced to provide a foundational understanding of the importance of embodied practices and the necessity for incorporating these methods into  the clinical setting. Since the unconscious is not simply a hidden realm of the mind but also inscribed in the body, it is imperative that strategies to uncover restrictive psychosomatic patterns and release bodily tension associated with defensive strategies are explored.

Educational Objectives

• Develop a foundational understanding of key depth psychological principles 
• Discuss the value of incorporating somatic practices in the clinical setting
• Describe important distinctions between the physical body and the lived-body
• Identify 7 major areas of bodily armor and main defensive regions within the body

Module Components

• 1 hour (approx) recorded video

• 10 question quiz

• 1 experiential assignment

• 1 required reading assignment (5,351 words)

• 1 optional suggested reading

Co-Created Experiences

This module will explore the history and culture of Argentine Tango and highlight the complexity and dynamics of the inner dance. The psychological underpinnings of co-created experiences will be discussed and particular focus will be placed on the phenomena of transference and countertransference. The quality of the therapeutic relationship will also be highlighted and the intersubjective field will be investigated as a vital component for facilitating meaningful change and enduring transformation.

Educational Objectives

• Discuss the history and culture of Argentine Tango 
• Summarize the phenomenon of embodied transference and countertransference 
• List the bi-directional influences that occur in the dyadic interplay
• Describe the essential ingredients necessary to co-create present moment experiences

Module Components

• 1 hour (approx) recorded video

• 10 question quiz

• 1 experiential assignment

• 1 optional suggested reading

Embodied Individuation Process 

The process of psychological development will be explored with a depth psychological lens placing an emphasis on the embodied perspective. Specific focus will be assigned to the process of establishing and maintaining the ego-Self axis in furtherance of the individuation process. Argentine Tango will be used as an allegory to illustrate this step-wise developmental process and the implications of not establishing this vital connection will be considered. 

 Educational Objectives

• Differentiate the progressive stages of ego-self axis development
• Define the process of Individuation
• Identify at least two phases associated with the development of the ego-Self axis
• Discuss the significance of establishing the ego-Self axis and the psychological implications

Module Components

• 1 hour (approx) recorded video

• 10 question quiz

• 1 experiential assignment

• 1 required reading (1,029 words)

•  3 optional suggested readings

Embodied Expressions & Libido

A lack of meaningful connection to any of the five prominent libidinal channels imposes great demands on the individual. In fact, disturbances in libidinal energy are experienced as inner suffering and outer conflict that are intimately connected to all sorts of psychological issues and mental health diagnoses. Any obstruction of libidinal energy can impact a full range of emotional expressions, delimit actions, and can even restrict the ability to manifest passions and desires or live a life with deeper meaning and more purpose.

 Educational Objectives

• Identify five prominent channels to liberate libido 
• Define the Mercurial Fountain
• Differentiate progression from regression
• Discuss the psychology of transference and the bi-directional field

Module Components

• 1 hour (approx) recorded video

• 10 question quiz

• 1 experiential assignment

• 2 optional suggested readings

Applied Somatic Depth Psychology

Case examples will be introduced to highlight and illustrate the many benefits of incorporating embodied methods into the clinical setting. Case vignettes are specifically designed to develop a greater appreciation of the innate intelligence, wisdom, and power of somatic depth psychology. Direct applications will support the integration of theoretical concepts and will also provide you with creative tools that are readily accessible and easy to incorporate directly into your own practice. The unique ability of spontaneous expressions to reveal unconscious material will be highlighted and the significant value of embodied methods to deepen understanding during the therapeutic encounter will be underscored.

 Educational Objectives

• Discuss the benefits of incorporating embodied methods
• Illustrate and apply at least one somatic depth psychological tool 
• Evaluate the power of spontaneous expressions
• Identify and describe at least two key benefits of nurturing the mind body connection 

Module Components

• 1 hour (approx) recorded video

• 10 question quiz

• 1 experiential assignment

• 2 optional suggested readings

Final Integration

An opportunity to further explore somatic depth psychological principles and deepen your learning in connection to an embodied expression of your own choice will be provided. A combination of assignments and assessments will be utilized to support the integration of course content and to support your overall understanding of somatic depth psychology. Successful completion of all modules and assignments will result in a certificate of completion and the option for continuing education credits.

 Educational Objectives

• Evaluate your foundational understanding of somatic depth psychology
• Assess your comprehensive understanding of major concepts and ideas

Module Components

• 70 question final examination
• Program evaluation

Today’s leading somatic researchers consider the body an integral part of healing and they also recognize the need to incorporate somatic approaches to compensate for the prevailing overemphasis on disembodied cognitive therapies. In a world that often prioritizes intellect over intuition, many find themselves disconnected from their bodies, leading to a sense of fragmentation and disconnection. Somatic depth psychology offers a pathway to reintegrate the body and mind, facilitating profound healing and self-discovery.

Somatic  Depth Psychology is not merely a body-oriented psychological approach, it also encourages an engagement with the unconscious and focuses on engaging the unknown through intense affect, bodily sensations, dream material and other forms of spontaneous embodied expressions. 

In the quiet language of the body, truths emerge that words have long forgotten. The lived-body holds our untold stories — unprocessed grief, unexpressed joy, and instinctual desires that have been silenced by conditioning. Any approach that engages the lived-body intentionally within the therapeutic setting invites and welcomes soulful depth. Furthermore, when you begin listening more deeply to embodied wisdom the psyche begins to remember its wholeness.

Whether you currently work from a behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, cross-cultural, biological, or even evolutionary perspective, somatic depth psychology can be interwoven and applied in conjunction with these perspectives to deepen clinical practice methods and improve treatment outcomes.

This course is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive training program for licensed mental health clinicians and support the smooth integration of embodied expressions into any clinical setting. All modules include both theory and practice along with experiential assignments to provide a hands-on practical approach as well as opportunities to gain a lived-experience of the concepts and ideas presented in this program.

Whether you are interested in deepening your practice, learning a new modality, or desire to continue developing your own insights and self-understanding, this course is for you.

Embodied expressions are an integral part of supporting the process of psychological development. More specifically, these expressions carry meaning, illicit emotionally relevant topics, and support the ability for the therapist to investigate the unconscious. Moreover, embodiment practices facilitate a renewed relationship supporting the mind-body connection which is ultimately necessary to support any meaningful change or enduring transformation.

Therapists should recognize the significance of their client's sharing their spontaneous expressions as an act of intimacy and a valuable opportunity to build trust and rapport and deepen the therapeutic alliance. By opening up space to attend to unconscious content, the therapist confirms, validates, and tends to widening the window of tolerance which greatly impacts the client’s life. Furthermore, it strengthens the ability for the client to deal with both the irrational and the unconscious aspects of the personality in order to promote self-acceptance and offer unconditional positive regard for the often unwanted, defended, and unknown aspects of human nature. Conversely, rejection of spontaneous expressions and a failure to adequately open space for the lived-body has potential to perpetuate the mind-body split and delimit meaningful change.

By undergoing the process of training in somatic depth psychology, you will be able to respond to your client’s embodied expressions in meaningful ways and open a doorway to exchanges that care for the soul of the client and deepen the therapeutic alliance. Furthermore, depth psychological principles support the establishment of a connection to the collective unconscious which nurtures a culturally sensitive, more holistic, and inclusive therapeutic environment.

Ultimately, by incorporating somatic depth psychology into your practice you will nurture, strengthen and support meaningful collaborations. Moreover, spontaneous expressions provides more opportunities for the client to develop consequential insights, foster self-reflection, and promote a psychological process that leads to greater consciousness, significant change, and enduring transformation.  

• Facilitate the process of psychological development
• Develop greater insight and enliven the clinical process
• Deepen and strengthen the therapeutic alliance

• Honor an ethical obligation towards cultural competency

Somatic depth psychology is an integrative approach that combines the insights of depth psychology with somatic practices. Depth psychology delves into the unconscious aspects of the psyche, seeking to uncover symbolic material that lies outside conscious awareness. By incorporating the body's wisdom, this approach acknowledges that our physical experiences are deeply intertwined with our psychological states.

The study and application of somatic depth psychology in the clinical setting supports not only a connection to embodied knowledge it also brings deeper meaning and more vitality to the clinical setting.

Given that clinical practice can be demanding, emotionally taxing, and that failures to attend to one’s own psychological balance can adversely affect the client or patient, it is imperative that mental health professionals continue to engage in proven intervention methods that support their own psychological health and emotional well-being. Furthermore, since interpersonal and existential issues are dynamic and remain in constant flux, it is imperative that, as a tool of the work, the clinician remains fully committed to ongoing personal development and professional growth.  

Somatic depth psychological principles are proven methods that support the furtherance of the individuation process and afford the clinician meaningful avenues towards nurturing the path towards increased consciousness and greater wholeness. Furthermore, these guiding principles can be utilized as a process to continue developing self-understanding and provide multiple avenues to deepen insight and enliven the life of the clinician in general. Moreover, the dynamic interplay of transference and counter-transference must be understood from an embodied perspective so any somatic markers can be readily identified and attended to. Embodied insights allow the clinician to better honor the ethical obligation to attend to any cross contamination of unconscious material.  

Creative Depth places an emphasis on a continuous process of analysis and self-examination and advocates that all those in the helping professions continue to endeavor to find ways to cultivate and maintain a meaningful relationship with the inner realm and implement strategies designed to promote professional well-being on all levels: physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.

Remember you can only take a patient as far as you have gone yourself!

• Maintain a commitment to life-long learning 
• Honor an ethical obligation to attend to the dynamic interplay between transference and counter-transference on an embodied level
• Support your own well-being to mitigate burnout risk 
• Promote self-awareness and develop greater insight 
• Bring more depth and meaning to your own life and enliven the therapeutic process

The course starts immediately and is completely self-paced. You will have 6 months to complete the program. In the event you are unable to complete the program for any reason within the 6-month period you can opt-in for monthly access. After the initial 6-month period monthly access will be billed at $5.99.

This program provides 6 CE hours which consists of 4 general and 2 cultural competency CE hours. CE records will be maintained by Creative Depth for seven years. State regulatory boards have the ultimate authority on courses accepted for CE credit.

This program consists of 6 modules as highlighted in the course curriculum. Each module consists of theory and practice presented through recorded video components that include 5 hours of audio with a closed caption option available. An additional 1 hour is allocated for required reading assignments. 6 CE hours will be awarded after final completion if you opted for a CE granted course.

The program also includes quizzes, experiential assignments, suggested reading assignments, a comprehensive final exam to support the integration of course material, and a program evaluation. Time allotted to these activities does not count towards CE hours.

The program is structured to unlock modules sequentially with the final activity being the program evaluation. Once the program evaluation is complete, a certificate of completion will be automatically emailed to you within 24 hours. If you purchased a program that offers CE credits, 4 general and 2 cultural units make up the total 6 CE hours and this distinction will be stated on your certification of completion.  

Course Components

• Video Recordings (5 CE hours)
• Required Reading Assignment (1 CE hours)
  • Depth psychological research paper (6,380 words)
•  Quizzes (50 questions total)
  • 100% score required with unlimited repeat option until passing grade is achieved
• Experiential Assignments
  • 5 assignments in total at the end of each of modules
• Suggested Reading Assignments (optional)
• Final Exam (70 questions)
  • 95% score required with unlimited repeat option until passing grade is achieved
• Program Evaluation

You will be awarded a certificate for the Somatic Depth Psychology & Argentine Tango Certification Program upon completion of all course requirements. Once the program course evaluation is complete, a certificate of completion will be emailed to you within 24 hours. If you purchased a program that offers CE credits, the 6 CE hours will be stated on your certification of completion. Plus, if you ever misplace a certificate, you can simply request a duplicate by email to have a new certificate generated for you. Your certificates will always be available through Creative Depth.

Certification

• Automatically generated and sent directly to your email within 24 hours

• Duplicates available upon request

Complete this course anywhere, anytime, on any device. Since the course is an online program, you get to choose when, where, and how you complete the course. This is a self-paced, online program designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Components

• Fully online and easily accessible on any device

• Self-paced for your convenience

• Non-interactive E-Learning

You can cancel for any reason and will receive a full refund minus any administration fees prior to the start of this course. No refunds will be available once the course has begun.

Please submit cancellation and refund requests in writing via email with subject line "Cancellation request". Please email your request to [email protected] and include your name and contact information in the body of the text with your request. 

Creative Depth does not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program, or activity on the basis of gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, organizational membership, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

When a grievance arises, the complainant is expected to notify Creative Depth by email at [email protected] as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion. 

All possible care will be taken to uphold confidentiality of the complainant. Creative Depth will formulate a response to the complaint and recommend action, if necessary, which will be conveyed directly to the complainant.  

It is the policy of Creative Depth to make every reasonable effort to make accommodations for your specific needs.  

If you have a disability, please contact us ahead of time by email at [email protected] so we can make sure that our program can accommodate your specific needs.

If you have any additional questions please contact Creative Depth directly. You can send an email with the nature and details of your inquiry to [email protected].  In general, Creative Depth will do their best to respond to your inquiry within 48 hours.