The Theory and Practice of Process Work

Process oriented psychology is a cross-disciplinary approach to individual and collective change. Process Work, as it is also called, offers new ways of working with areas of life that are experienced as problematic or painful. With its roots in Jungian psychology, Taoism and physics, Process Work discovers potential patterns for change within the experiences that disturb us. Dreams, physical symptoms, addictions, family and relationship problems, group conflicts and social tensions : all these experiences, even the most chaotic-seeming processes, when approached with curiosity and respect, reveal an inner order and coherence that can bring new information vital for our personal or collective growth.

Process Work was developed by Dr Arnold Mindell, a physicist and Jungian analyst then based in Zurich. In 1969 he realized that body experiences and symptoms mirror dreams and are meaningful expressions of the unconscious. He used the term `dreambody' to identify the numinous underlying process that expresses itself through both dreams and the body. Together with his colleagues and students, Arny Mindell has continued his pioneering research, discovering that the 'dream', the `living unconscious in its momentary expression', can always be found in every aspect of our lives.

Process workers facilitate with the understanding that they are participants and co-creators as well as observers of any process. They know that the whole process, the familiar parts and the unknown, the manifest and the non-manifest, can be found in the inner as well as in the outer situation. They use Process Work's philosophical and theoretical framework and rich assortment of methods for unfolding meaning, not as techniques, but as a practical means through which to connect with life, wholeness, themselves and others with greater awareness and creativity.

Precise observation of people's signals, together with a deep sensing of the atmosphere or `field', are used to create the most appropriate and useful method of working in a given situation. The unique structure of each process is accurately discovered and supported while carefully following the goals and needs of those involved. Accordingly, the work has many appearances. Allowing processes to unfold in their own way may at one moment call for movement and so look like dance. At other times, the work may look like verbal psychotherapy, family therapy, psychodrama, group work, a business meeting, a political discussion, art, chaos or even a chat over a cup of tea. Process Work avoids interpretation and specific programmes. Its method is to bring awareness to what is happening and this method is its only goal.

Process Work is now applied in many areas and welcomes your interest whether personal or professional.

working at the Student Intensive 2010

Process Work is used as a method of psychotherapy, both in private practice and within systems, for personal growth and for working with life crises; as a means of meditation on one's own process; for working with symptoms and illness; with people in altered and extreme states of consciousness related to psychiatric diagnoses, as well as extreme states such as comatose or near death states; with relationship and family interactions.

As the field of Process Work grows, it moves beyond the parameters of traditional psychotherapy, extending its work into such areas as conflict resolution with groups, institutions and communities, addressing social issues and ethnic and national conflict; organisational development in business; educational work with children in schools; creativity and the arts, (theatre, music, visual/tactile arts, writing); the environment and spirituality.

Its orientation towards research, to practical and direct application and to becoming widely accessible to people world-wide places Process Work beyond the usual definitions of psychology.