Introduction to Focusing (for info on full Skills Certificate and booking form scroll down)
Introduction to Focusing - 8th & 9th March 2025 or 7th & 8th June 2025 - on Zoom
NEW! Option to take the Intro course and Focusing Skills Certificate on Thursday mornings
Intro to Focusing: Thursdays 10am-1pm - 18th Sep, 25th Sep, 2nd Oct, 9th Oct 2025 - on Zoom
These workshops are experiential and so are usually open to no more than six-eight attendees - book early to ensure your place!
March & June Intro
10.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: £160
12 hour CPD certificate available
Places for Saturday only may be possible (£80)
The BFA Certificate in Focusing Skills is comprised of eight more day workshops after the two Intro days – see below for info
"A stunningly good workshop - thank you so much. I'm recommending it to people already"
"I’ve been in many well facilitated groups over the years and this one was particularly warm and inviting"
"Suzi, I really loved the tranquil and spacious atmosphere you created within the online space. The way you gently and carefully attended to what everyone was saying and allowed generous time for check in, discussion and paired work really set the tone for the slowing down and noticing in our Focusing"
Introduction to Focusing
Focusing is a process that can enrich all areas of our lives, as it is about the very way that we pay attention to what we experience. Often we have habitual ways of relating to ourselves, others and situations: Focusing can help us to slow down, listen inside and appreciate the subtleties in our experience. Developing the ability to listen to ourselves with compassion can help us to know what our needs are, make changes and respond differently in life. Being able to notice the richness of our internal and external lives can also make us feel more alive.
Focusing is a natural skill that anyone can develop and Focusing-listening partnerships are a brilliant way of improving wellbeing and supporting self exploration. Focusing can help us steer a calmer path through the fast driven ways of the modern world!
Learning Focusing can help
- developing more of a connection with your body
- improving your relationship with yourself
- improving your self esteem
- supporting you with overwhelming emotions such as anxiety
- connecting with your intuition
The workshop will introduce what exactly Focusing is and cover different ways we can experience things, particularly how we can have a ‘felt sense’ of things and what that means. The workshop will be experiential and will include plenty of opportunity to practice the Focusing process in a supportive environment. There will also be time to explore the particular way of Focusing listening, as well as how Focusing can be used in day to day life. There is the option to complete a second workshop, then potentially four more weekend workshops which lead to a BFA Certificate in Focusing Skills. Once you have learnt this valuable process you can practice Focusing on your own or in a Focusing-listening partnership. Practicing Focusing can be a lifelong skill for self awareness and support.
I am a Focusing Teacher who has been Focusing for fifteen years. I offer guided Focusing sessions, group and one to one Focusing training in Sussex and London. Focusing has become an invaluable part of my life and I have a passion for training, having trained volunteers and provided training in Higher Education.
Here's what attendees at previous workshops and courses have said:
“The workshop gave an excellent introduction to Focusing and I am now inspired to pursue this further”
“Inspirational workshop. It is good to be stopped in my track and to re-think, not only my practice with clients, but also my personal way of being”
“I can go away and be more in tune with what my body is saying”
“Well organised course, supportive group members and a comfortable group size”
“Felt very organised, gently yet solidly held, clear expertise + really pleasant delivery and pace. Loved it!”
“Very satisfying workshop. Knowledgeable, competent and calm facilitator. Will take much away to use both in work and for self”
“Suzi is a great teacher, clear, explanative, helpful”
“Pace was really good, not too much info, clearly explained and lots of practical demos and experiences”
TO BOOK: Please enter your details in the form below, stating which date you wish to enrol on. I will then send further details of how to pay.
Introduction to Focusing – Improving our Relationship with Ourselves - days one and two
What is Focusing? What is the felt sense? You will be introduced to the Focusing process and the particular way of Focusing Listening. We will explore the Focusing attitude and ‘clearing a space’. After the two days you should have the skills to enter a Focusing-Listening partnership.
Day One: 8th Mar, 7th June 2025 Day Two: 9th Mar, 8th June 2025
New weekday option: Thursdays 10am-1pm: 18th Sep, 25th Sep, 2nd Oct, 9th Oct 2025
Presence, Blocks and the Inner Relationship - day three 19th October 2024, day four 23rd November 2024
What are the reasons why you might get stuck when you’re Focusing? We will look at blocks to the Focusing process - particularly the Inner Critic - and how to work with them. We will also look at the Inner Relationship, working with the different parts of us and issues to do with the self.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 16th Oct, 23rd Oct, 6th Nov, 13th Nov 2025
Listening, Language and the Body - day five 25th January 2025, day six 22nd February 2025
We will look at deepening your listening practice, making the Focusing process collaborative and how use of language can influence the Focusing process. We will also explore our connection with the body and utilising the wider space to support us.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 20th Nov, 27th Nov, 8th Jan, 15th Jan
Dreaming and Intuition - day seven 22nd March 2025, day eight 19th April 2025
This weekend will give us the opportunity to be with our dreams and explore them in a Focusing way. You will be invited to let go of rational thought and allow in the childlike or instinctual so we can look at intuition and what nourishes it.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 12th Feb
Creativity and Values into Action - day nine 17th May 2025, day ten 28th June 2025
The final weekend will include more opportunity to nurture creativity and intuition. We will look at how Focusing may relate to your values or spirituality and how we can work with action steps. On completion of the five weekends you receive the Focusing Skills Certificate.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 26th Feb, 5th Mar, 12th Mar, 19th Mar
All workshops are experiential and involve plenty of opportunity to practice Focusing!
Content subject to alteration.
A note on dates: I run the Intro three times a year and then the following workshops in the Skills Certificate from November to May. Workshops after the Intro do not necessarily need to be done in order and if you have completed an Intro workshop with another teacher you may book on to workshops in my Skills Certificate course. Dates above will indicate the Skills Certificate which is currently running as well as potentially dates for the Skills Certificate in the following year.
For the 2025-26 I am offering this on weekdays, so that each 'day' is split into two half days. This weekday version of the course means you can attend if you're not free on weekends, you can do the Skills certificate in a shorter period of time and benefit from more regular contact with those in the group. Get in touch if you have any questions or would like to book.
Days 1 & 2: £160 (or £80 each if booked separately)
Days 3&4, 5&6, 7&8, 9&10: £160 per pair of workshops.
Discount! Book workshops 3-10 all together for £600.
FOR INFORMATION AND TO BOOK: please contact me via the webform above. If you have attended an Introductory course with another teacher and wish to attend the second day of my Introduction or further weekends do get in touch to discuss this.
What is Focusing? What is the felt sense? You will be introduced to the Focusing process and the particular way of Focusing Listening. We will explore the Focusing attitude and ‘clearing a space’. After the two days you should have the skills to enter a Focusing-Listening partnership.
Day One: 8th Mar, 7th June 2025 Day Two: 9th Mar, 8th June 2025
New weekday option: Thursdays 10am-1pm: 18th Sep, 25th Sep, 2nd Oct, 9th Oct 2025
Presence, Blocks and the Inner Relationship - day three 19th October 2024, day four 23rd November 2024
What are the reasons why you might get stuck when you’re Focusing? We will look at blocks to the Focusing process - particularly the Inner Critic - and how to work with them. We will also look at the Inner Relationship, working with the different parts of us and issues to do with the self.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 16th Oct, 23rd Oct, 6th Nov, 13th Nov 2025
Listening, Language and the Body - day five 25th January 2025, day six 22nd February 2025
We will look at deepening your listening practice, making the Focusing process collaborative and how use of language can influence the Focusing process. We will also explore our connection with the body and utilising the wider space to support us.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 20th Nov, 27th Nov, 8th Jan, 15th Jan
Dreaming and Intuition - day seven 22nd March 2025, day eight 19th April 2025
This weekend will give us the opportunity to be with our dreams and explore them in a Focusing way. You will be invited to let go of rational thought and allow in the childlike or instinctual so we can look at intuition and what nourishes it.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 12th Feb
Creativity and Values into Action - day nine 17th May 2025, day ten 28th June 2025
The final weekend will include more opportunity to nurture creativity and intuition. We will look at how Focusing may relate to your values or spirituality and how we can work with action steps. On completion of the five weekends you receive the Focusing Skills Certificate.
Skills Certificate 2025-26: Thursdays 10am 1pm: 26th Feb, 5th Mar, 12th Mar, 19th Mar
All workshops are experiential and involve plenty of opportunity to practice Focusing!
Content subject to alteration.
A note on dates: I run the Intro three times a year and then the following workshops in the Skills Certificate from November to May. Workshops after the Intro do not necessarily need to be done in order and if you have completed an Intro workshop with another teacher you may book on to workshops in my Skills Certificate course. Dates above will indicate the Skills Certificate which is currently running as well as potentially dates for the Skills Certificate in the following year.
For the 2025-26 I am offering this on weekdays, so that each 'day' is split into two half days. This weekday version of the course means you can attend if you're not free on weekends, you can do the Skills certificate in a shorter period of time and benefit from more regular contact with those in the group. Get in touch if you have any questions or would like to book.
Days 1 & 2: £160 (or £80 each if booked separately)
Days 3&4, 5&6, 7&8, 9&10: £160 per pair of workshops.
Discount! Book workshops 3-10 all together for £600.
FOR INFORMATION AND TO BOOK: please contact me via the webform above. If you have attended an Introductory course with another teacher and wish to attend the second day of my Introduction or further weekends do get in touch to discuss this.
What is Focusing?
Focusing is a process which can help you manage difficult feelings, learn how you really feel about things and what are the right next steps for you. This is a process we can encourage in counselling sessions, or that you can learn and make use of in one to one guided Focusing sessions.
If we slow down we can connect with our body, developing more of a trusting relationship with it, so it can let us know what we need. Some people find focusing a great way to deepen their connection with the body. For others, you may not identify so strongly with the body, but you may have a sense of an all-around-knowing when something feels more right or more wrong for you. Even if this is a brief and fleeting feeling, Focusing can help to develop your ability to have such moments and cultivate them so that they last longer and you get more from them.
You might be struggling to deal with too much and Focusing is also a very useful tool for dealing with overwhelm, anxiety and other difficult emotions. Focusing can help you to be with your feelings in a way that means you can deal with them, rather than ending up so immersed that it feels unbearable and you can’t act on your situation. Things may feel so difficult that you try to ignore them or push them away. You may find that you cycle between pushing it away, then getting overwhelmed, then trying to push it away again. Focusing can help you develop a way of being with feelings in a way that feels safe and manageable. This means that you have the ability to work on whatever the issue is that is making you feel overwhelmed. You can develop your inner resources by learning some Focusing skills either as part of your counselling, or in a number of guided Focusing sessions.
The process of Focusing was discovered as part of some research by Eugene Gendlin into what made therapy ‘successful’. Gendlin found that clients who got most out of therapy had moments when they slowed down and grasped for words to describe what they were experiencing. In Focusing we help you to develop this ability to slow down, sense freshly in the moment, the whole feeling of what is going on underneath what you are speaking about. This can be a powerful and different way to connect with your feelings, which can mean moving through things that have felt stuck or where no answers have seemed apparent.
Focusing is ultimately a process which values and trusts all of you, in which even the most difficult and unpleasant bits of us have something to offer, and can in fact be the biggest clues to what we need in our lives. With Focusing you can connect with the felt meanings that different issues have for you, gaining a sense of clarity in an environment where you and your experience are valued and supported. Focusing not only helps your ability to more intuitively know what is right for you but can also help you improve your relationship with yourself.
One to one Focusing sessions
In order to learn the process of Focusing you may book a number of one to one sessions, which are a combination of discussion and guided Focusing. The first session is usually an hour and half, with subsequent sessions lasting 50 minutes.
You may also be interested in booking guided sessions as a refresher if you haven’t done Focusing for a while or for support with exploring a particular issue. In a guided session we can look at throwing more light on a specific life issues, decisions you want to make, explore the significance of particular dreams or look at how focusing can help you with self care.
Find out more about Focusing
Find out more about Focusing at the British Focusing Association web page http://www.focusing.org.uk/
The Focusing Institute in the US has a huge amount of information about Focusing and its different applications across the world http://www.focusing.org/
The Gendlin online library contains a large number of freely available articles by Gendlin, the founder of Focusing http://www.focusing.org/gendlin/gol_intro.asp
Anne Weiser Cornell is another leading teacher of Focusing in the States who writes very accessibly and offer free resources on her website http://focusingresources.com/
Focusing is a process which can help you manage difficult feelings, learn how you really feel about things and what are the right next steps for you. This is a process we can encourage in counselling sessions, or that you can learn and make use of in one to one guided Focusing sessions.
If we slow down we can connect with our body, developing more of a trusting relationship with it, so it can let us know what we need. Some people find focusing a great way to deepen their connection with the body. For others, you may not identify so strongly with the body, but you may have a sense of an all-around-knowing when something feels more right or more wrong for you. Even if this is a brief and fleeting feeling, Focusing can help to develop your ability to have such moments and cultivate them so that they last longer and you get more from them.
You might be struggling to deal with too much and Focusing is also a very useful tool for dealing with overwhelm, anxiety and other difficult emotions. Focusing can help you to be with your feelings in a way that means you can deal with them, rather than ending up so immersed that it feels unbearable and you can’t act on your situation. Things may feel so difficult that you try to ignore them or push them away. You may find that you cycle between pushing it away, then getting overwhelmed, then trying to push it away again. Focusing can help you develop a way of being with feelings in a way that feels safe and manageable. This means that you have the ability to work on whatever the issue is that is making you feel overwhelmed. You can develop your inner resources by learning some Focusing skills either as part of your counselling, or in a number of guided Focusing sessions.
The process of Focusing was discovered as part of some research by Eugene Gendlin into what made therapy ‘successful’. Gendlin found that clients who got most out of therapy had moments when they slowed down and grasped for words to describe what they were experiencing. In Focusing we help you to develop this ability to slow down, sense freshly in the moment, the whole feeling of what is going on underneath what you are speaking about. This can be a powerful and different way to connect with your feelings, which can mean moving through things that have felt stuck or where no answers have seemed apparent.
Focusing is ultimately a process which values and trusts all of you, in which even the most difficult and unpleasant bits of us have something to offer, and can in fact be the biggest clues to what we need in our lives. With Focusing you can connect with the felt meanings that different issues have for you, gaining a sense of clarity in an environment where you and your experience are valued and supported. Focusing not only helps your ability to more intuitively know what is right for you but can also help you improve your relationship with yourself.
One to one Focusing sessions
In order to learn the process of Focusing you may book a number of one to one sessions, which are a combination of discussion and guided Focusing. The first session is usually an hour and half, with subsequent sessions lasting 50 minutes.
You may also be interested in booking guided sessions as a refresher if you haven’t done Focusing for a while or for support with exploring a particular issue. In a guided session we can look at throwing more light on a specific life issues, decisions you want to make, explore the significance of particular dreams or look at how focusing can help you with self care.
Find out more about Focusing
Find out more about Focusing at the British Focusing Association web page http://www.focusing.org.uk/
The Focusing Institute in the US has a huge amount of information about Focusing and its different applications across the world http://www.focusing.org/
The Gendlin online library contains a large number of freely available articles by Gendlin, the founder of Focusing http://www.focusing.org/gendlin/gol_intro.asp
Anne Weiser Cornell is another leading teacher of Focusing in the States who writes very accessibly and offer free resources on her website http://focusingresources.com/
