Think Tank

📅Friday, 4 September📍Cork City Hall 🕒15:00–16:30 + 17:00–18:30

First Session – 15:00–16:30

The EABP Think Tank was established in 2015 at the initiative of Lidy Evertsen and was tasked by the EABP Board with exploring whether it might be possible to create a description and/or definition of body psychotherapy that could help inform both the general public and ourselves about what it is we do.

Over the years, a number of members have contributed to the Think Tank. Past and present members include, in alphabetical order: Carmen Joanne Ablack, Joeri Calsius (guest contributor), Lidy Evertsen, Morit Heitzler, Michel Heller, Gustl Marlock, Agne Matulaite, Ilse Schmidt-Zimmermann, Michael Soth, and Nick Totton.

During this first session, the Think Tank will present an overview of its work and the tentative conclusions reached so far. Most importantly, participants will be invited into a dialogue and discussion about the ideas and approaches explored by the group.

Following a short break, the second session will focus on experiential and embodied exploration of polarising themes within psychotherapy practice and theory.

Participants will be invited to engage in interactive exercises developed by the Think Tank to explore themes such as:

• “Therapist as expert” vs “therapist as other in the room”
• “A treatment model of therapy” vs “an exploratory model”

Rather than reducing these issues to simple opposites or fixed positions, the session aims to explore the subtle gradations of identification, resonance, and disagreement that emerge in embodied relational space.

Participants will be invited to physically position themselves within a shared 2D space to represent their perspectives on different issues, while observing where others place themselves in relation to the same themes. This promises to be an exploratory and engaging experience for all involved,  both for the Think Tank members and for those taking part.