What is Focusing?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are sessions and how many should I do? 
For First-time Focusers (meaning someone who has never done a Focusing session before) the first session is 90 minutes, which gives us time at the beginning and the end to talk more about Focusing and for me to answer questions. For people who have focused at least once before, a Guided Session is an hour long and could happen over zoom or in person depending on what makes sense —I am based in Durham, NC, so for anyone outside the area we'd do the session on Zoom. Ideally, I'd work with each new client for at least 3-5 sessions to start, with sessions happening every two to four weeks. This schedule helps a new client get a robust sense of how Focusing works and helps someone assess how they’d like to use it as a practice moving forward. I'm also open to people trying one session and then deciding whether or not they want to do more.

How much does a session cost?
Since I am currently in a certification program, I am offering discounted, sliding scale rates ($50-$75) until summer 2024. Right now I have completed my certification coursework to begin seeing clients. Once I’m fully certified in summer 2024 I will increase my rates for guided sessions, though they will still be sliding scale.

Do new clients need to know anything about Focusing? 
Not at all!

What can clients expect during a session? 
Guided sessions are 1 hr long and involve sensing inwardly about situations in your life and then speaking out loud about your body sensations, mental images, emotions, thoughts and body gestures as they arise. I will guide you through the process, so it’ll be clear each step of the way what you’re invited to do next. You are always welcome to share as little or as much detail about your internal process as you'd like. 

Is Focusing therapy? 
Focusing has therapeutic benefits, but it's not therapy. For starters, a relationship with a Focusing guide isn't as committed or long-term as one would be with a therapist, though guides can work with clients for a long time. The primary difference though is that, as a guide, I won't be asking questions or making connections to previous things you've said--not in the way that a therapist would do with a client, where the therapist helps the client set and fulfill goals and is taking the client through a process that the therapist steers. Instead, as a Focusing guide, my role is to support you in discovering your own process, by being a witness, and offering suggestions. 

How long have you been doing this?
I have been a regular, committed practitioner of Focusing since 2014. During that time I've taken classes from my first Focusing teacher, Mary Love May, as well as from Dr. Ann Weiser-Cornell, who is one half of the duo that crafted Inner-Relationship Focusing, which I practice. Additionally, I've helped teach several Focusing classes. I started my program to become a certified Focusing Guide and Teacher in September 2022, under the guidance of Focusing teacher Cathy Pascal, and will be in the program until summer 2024. 

What if I have more questions? 
You can email me! We can talk about it more over email or, if it makes sense, can hop on a quick phone call. You can also read about Inner-Relationship Focusing, as described by Ann Weiser-Cornell, which is the model I'll most closely be following. 

I'm ready to schedule a session--how do I do it? 
That's great! You can schedule a session online.