ABSTRACT
In this chapter we see how therapists talk about the variety of experiences that they feel are communicated to them through their bodies during the therapeutic encounter. The types of phenomena described include how therapists have observed their own bodies changing. This has occurred during their own therapy (some therapists reported feeling freer in their bodies and that some long-term symptoms had disappeared-e.g. eczema). Another example is how therapists describe changes in their body temperature, often becoming colder, while working with clients. These reactions appear to be completely involuntary. In some way the therapist’s body becomes attuned to the client and ‘picks up’ client information. It may well be that these sorts of phenomena are ubiquitous and that, due to their training and perhaps their personal history, therapists are more readily able to sense this type of information, hence using their bodies in a more sensitised manner. The ability to use their bodies as receivers is mentioned by many of the therapists in this study. This suggests that the body as a receiver could be developed into a more widespread technique.
