Focusing was developed by Eugene Gendlin at the University of Chicago during the 1950s and 60s, under the guidance of Carl Rogers who is considered by many to be the founder of humanistic psychology.  There are many different schools of Focusing. The foundation of our current teaching at Thinking in Movement Studio is four-fold. (please see our listings at the edge of this page)

TESTIMONIALS

FOCUSING AND DREAMS

Dreams can be an amazing resource in our lives, and are well worth learning about. In addition, Gendlin’s writing on dreams is an excellent bridge into the Philosophy of the Implicit; and Katarina is a excellent teacher, who approaches her subject with wonderful energy, sensitivity, and intelligence.

FOCUSING TEACHER TRAINING

As a teacher, of the practical and philosophical tradition of Focusing, Katarina shares her knowledge in a gentle, nurturing way, being attuned to her students and ensuring that they are supported in every aspect of their learning process. Every student is important to Katarina; she devotes many additional hours in ensuring that everyone has the help they need in all her courses.

INDIVIDUAL FOCUSING SESSIONS WITH KATARINA

Katarina’s warmth, receptivity, and intelligence immediately won my trust. Her skills and experience allowed me to Focus deeply and led to some profound insights. It is rare for me to feel so safe so quickly in some-body’s hands. She is very very good at what she does and I recommend her.

FOCUSING LEVELS ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR AND PRACTICUMS

As with any art, the basics are always the most important part. With focusing, this is doubly true. We are learning a way of perceiving that is not customary in our culture, and sometimes we need repeated exposure to get it. Each time I repeat a class, something that I had heard before suddenly becomes meaningful to me.

FOCUSING LEVEL ONE TRAINING WITH KATARINA

With Katarina’s patient guidance, we learned about the importance of “Presence” and did much worthwhile practice being the Focuser as well as the Companion/Listener. Katarina is an enthusiastic, experienced instructor. She’s very knowledgeable about “Encountering the Inner Relationship” and makes the class lively and enjoyable.

FOCUSING LEVEL ONE TRAINING WITH KATARINA

I’m glad I chose Katarina for my first Level 1. With a good mixture of new and experienced Focusers in the class, I felt she was sensitive to my needs, and clearly answered any questions that arose. She encouraged us to participate in the online forum, which I found useful and rewarding. She also encouraged us to make the most of practice partnerships with other class members, both in class and between classes. I felt supported by her generosity, knowledge and dedication. 

KATARINA HALM AND JAEL EMBERLEY CO-TEACHING FOCUSING

I just realized how much I loved to listen to Katarina accompanying Jael in today’s class – the tone, the weight, the empathy, everything felt just RIGHT. Like a very graceful dance together. I am now completing my wonderful journey of Levels 1-4 Inner Relationship Focusing with both of you and at this moment I can really receive that quality of “mastery” – having read the manual, practiced with and without cuecards – and now just listen to somebody bringing this to life so wonderfully. It is like having read the notes – and then hearing the real music!

KATARINA HALM AND JAEL EMBERLEY CO-TEACHING FOCUSING

I’m very impressed with Katarina and Jael as teachers. They are kind, thoughtful, respectful, affirming, fun-loving, and problem-solving risk-takers. Katarina and Jael , thank you for thoughtfully answering my questions and explaining how Focusing works from the Focuser and Companion positions. I’m grateful to have meet you and hope one day that we can give one another a real hug. I feel as if I have new friends and it’s wonderful to know that people such as the two of you, are willing to give of your time and expertise to train others in this deepening form of knowing oneself.

FOCUSING AND DREAMS

Katarina is a compassionate guide, giving space-full listening and interesting feedback connected to relevant articles. Her welcoming attitude embraces all members of the group and enhances working with dreams. Looking at dreams in this attitude enables them to become more and more meaningful, developing an insightful connection to real life.

FOCUSING AND DREAMS

I really have appreciated the class. It’s opened up a new way to do focusing for me and my focusing partner, Anne. I have appreciated getting to do dream focusing with so many interesting and capable persons and it has given me a deeper understanding of some of my dreams. I especially appreciated your guidance in the conference calls. I loved having pictures of the participants and I felt there was a presence in reflecting back what others had said which really enhanced the communication.

FOCUSING AND DREAMS

Thanks again for putting together this wonderful group, as well as for taking care of us in such an empathic way! I have also enjoyed very much having a companion during the week. All of them have been great.

FOCUSING AND DREAMS

We’ve all been given advice to “sleep on it” hoping for clarity and direction the next morning. Now you can learn to “focus on it”. Using Gendlin’s experiential process, Katarina Halm demonstrates how “Focusing and Dreams” can shift our awareness to a more receptive state of intuitive guidance. Dream focusing is a free-flowing, open, gentle and accepting approach to exploring all the possibilities associated with our creative work, problem-solving, decision-making and interpersonal skills. As a student in Katarina’s class I have enjoyed learning how to cultivate the nuances of my dreams.