Embodied Psychotherapy: Relational Somatic Psychotherapy
Certificate Program at Esalen

The SBGI Embodied Psychotherapy Certificate Program in Relational Somatic Psychology at Esalen are a series of courses inspired by the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute somatic psychology post graduate academic curriculum. The program consists of a rotating series of practice oriented and academically sound Relational Somatic Psychology courses. These courses are generally taught by SBGI Professors, teaching staff, or affiliates.

The program is designed for interested professionals, psychological, health, and body-mind practitioners, for students and interns. Students fully enrolled in the SBGI Professional Specialty Program are required to complete a minimum of 10 units (four courses of 2.5 units each) of the SBGI Embodied Psychotherapy Certificate Program in Relational Somatic Psychology at Esalen. The student may choose any of the courses in any sequence of the courses currently offered in the program.

Each course at Esalen consists of 25 hours of teaching (constituting 2.5 academic credits) spread out over five days teaching. Each course starts Sunday: 8:30 PM and completers Friday 11:30 AM.

To Register: All prospective students fill out the online application and receive SBGI approval response via email. Applicant then cantacts Esalen to complete the registration process and pay all houseing and Esalen related costs for the week.
SBGI Students must contact the Registrar at least two weeks prior to the course in order to complete your SBGI student registration and receive graduate credit.
Three Ways To Take The Certificate Program:
1. General participants. Individuals who sign up and participate for personal or professional reasons.
2. Certificate students. Individuals who are taking a series of courses as a form of personal study or continuation of professional development. Completion of six courses qualifies one for the Foundational Certificate and nine courses qualify for the Advanced Certificate.
3. SBGI matriculated students. For PSP format SBGI students four Esalen courses are a minimum requirement. These students receive 2.5 units of course credit after fulfilling the course requirements. Students must register for the couse at least two weeks prior to the start date with the SBGI registrar in order to receive graduate credit.

Courses Available For The Certificate Program
Offered at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California
All courses are taught by faculty or affiliates of Santa Barbara Graduate Institute

Somatic Psychology: Essentials for an Embodied Psychotherapy Practice An integrative study and overview of the practice of body-oriented psychotherapy addressing the whole person.
Reading: Totton, N. (2003). Body Psychotherapy. UK: Open University Press. ISBN-10: 0335210384, ISBN-13: 978-0335210381
SBGI Course: SOM648a, 2.5 Units

Body and Mind Integration: Integrating Somatic and Breath Awareness Effectively into Clinical Practice. Fundamental skills for the somatic-infused clinical practice, including the use of breath awareness, the potential of touch, and somatic experience.
Reading: Staunton, T. (2002). Body psychotherapy. East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge. (ISBN: 1583911162)
SBGI Course: SOM648b, 2.5 Units

Body and Self in Relationship: Relational Somatic Psychotherapy The therapeutic relationship is explored in terms of its psychological and somatic dimensions, including the therapeutic impact of sensations, breath, and somatic experience.
Reading: Hartley, L. (2005). Somatic psychology: Body, mind and meaning. London and Philadelphia: Whurr. (ISBN: 1861564309)
SBGI Course: SOM648c, 2.5 Units

Neuroscience and Relationship: Practical Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory and Psychotherapy Our brains are highly social organisms. Explore how attachment relationships and the early development of the brain are formed and transformed and have massive long-lasting effects throughout the lifespan.
Reading: Cozzilini, L. 2006. The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain, New York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN-10: 0393704548, ISBN-13: 978-0393704549
SBGI Course: SOM648d, 2.5 Credits/Units

Working with Character, Trauma, and Developmental Issues: The Somatic Experience in Psychotherapy Participants will experience how character strategies, trauma, and core beliefs are revealed and transformed through the body.
Reading: Smith, W.L., (2000). The body in psychotherapy. North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company. (ISBN: 0786409665)
SBGI Course: SOM648e, 2.5 Units

The Embodiment of Being: Body, Soul, and Presence in Somatic Psychology. Recognize the connection between mind-body-being, in order to experience the spiritual dimension of the body in clinical practice.
Reading: Almaas, A.H. (2000) Diamond heart, book one: Elements of the real in man. Shambhala, Boston, (ISBN: 0936713011) Kurtz, R. (1990). Body-centered psychotherapy: The hakomi method: the integrated use of mindfulness, nonviolence and the body. Mendocino: Liferythm. (ISBN: 0940795035)
SBGI Course: SOM648f, Units

Embodiment and Development: Foundations of Presence, Compassion, and Healing. We will learn basic embodiment practices and tap into the natural human functions of presence, compassion, and healing and explore the brain/mind-body partnership.
Reading: Aposhyan, S. 2004. Body-Mind Psychotherapy, W.W. Norton
SBGI Course: SOM648g, 2.5 Units

Innovative Approaches In Relational Somatic Psychology. The study, exploration, and practice of recent developments and applications of somatic psychology and psychotherapy are the focus of this course.
Reading: To be determined
SBGI Course: SOM648h, 2.5 Units

Attachment, Attunement and Adult Sexuality This seminar provides a therapeutic model for emotional intimacy and sexual fulfillment that synthesizes the relevant research from both developmental psychobiology and sexology and offers a body-based Gestalt approach to relationship & sexual concerns.
Reading: The Pleasure Zone: Why We Resist Good Feelings & How to Let Go and Be Happy by Stella Resnick and Riane Eisler (Hardcover - Jan 2003) ISBN-10: 1567315518
SBGI Course: SOM648i, 2.5 Units

Mindful Body-Mind Psychology and Practice. Reading: Kurtz, R. (1990). Body-centered psychotherapy: The hakomi method: the integrated use of mindfulness, nonviolence and the body. Mendocino: Liferythm. (ISBN: 0940795035) Siegel, Daniel ; The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being, W. W. Norton, ISBN-10: 039370470X
SBGI Course: SOM648j, 2.5 Units

Practicum in Relational Somatic Psychology. A practicum and learning experience in Relational Somatic Psychology focused on skill practice, case consultation and professional practice topics.
Reading: To be assigned
SBGI Course: SOM648j, 2.5 Units

Practice of Relational Somatic Psychology. A practicum and learning experience in Relational Somatic Psychology focused on skill practice, case consultation and professional practice topics.
Reading: To be assigned
SBGI Course: SOM648k, 2.5 Units

• Graduate PhD Course Credit in Somatic Psychology
• Online application