Focalizing - Going Within to Move Beyond

Dr. Michael Picucci created Focalizing, guidance for a natural path of healing and transformation, from his studies of the many traditions of Energy Psychology, along with his re-discovery of the source of inner wisdom that lives in all of us.

The Focalizing method builds upon Dr. Picucci’s wealth of experience with

- Traditional Psychotherapy
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Authentic Process Healing (APH)
- Lesser Known Healing Techniques

Through Focalizing, we tap into our consciousness – a fundamental quality of nature – and experience its innate capacities to connect us with that which is ordinarily hidden. When we reconnect with this latent natural resource within us we experience insights, inner instruction, and states of knowing that surpass previous understanding. Enlightening new perspectives unmask previously unseen possibilities, giving us the capability to become unstuck from our limited thinking, and gracefully move forward.

What exactly is a Focalizing session and how is it done?

A Focalizing session often begins in a manner similar to a traditional talk therapy session. The client discusses the nature and circumstances of the imbalance that brought him or her to seek assistance, or provides an update on his or her current state of mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Picucci may ask questions to clarify the situation, or focus attention on a particular area. Depending on the circumstances, Dr. Picucci may continue the session in conversation, or engage in one of several more visceral Focalizing techniques. Most of these techniques involve what Dr. Picucci has colloquially coined a “Body Drop”.

What is a Body Drop?

A Body Drop is a presencing technique similar in appearance to traditional relaxation exercises. It may be thought of as a portal through which the deeper healing elements of Focalizing are then brought to the fore. The client may close the eyes, and following the verbal instructions of Dr. Picucci, focus attention on various points of the physical body and surrounding environment. There are no judgements or criticisms in the process, and as such, there are no wrong ways to experience it. The client remains fully conscious and alert while guided to a place of connectivity with the innate intelligence of their physical and energetic body. Dr. Picucci may ask the client to take notice of anything they are feeling or experiencing - subtly shifting awareness into the state of 'curious observer'. It is from this state that one or more mental visualization and energetic exercises may be discussed. Some of the techniques and imagery used come from recent discoveries in psychological therapeutic techniques. Others are based upon far older healing modalities spanning both Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

What will it feel like? Will it hurt?

The immediate effects of Focalizing are gentle, yet can be powerful. Everyone’s experience is different, and there is no right or wrong way to come through it. Some clients experience small involuntary muscular spasms. Others, often much to their own surprise, begin to cry. Others have suppressed thoughts and memories gently move into their awareness. Still others experience a feeling of numbness or nothingness. All of these responses are appreciated as valuable ways that the body releases otherwise trapped and imbalanced energy. The key thing to remember is that as Focalizing relies upon the body’s own innate intelligence to guide the healing, the process cannot help but to be kind, natural, and gentle.

How can visualizing and imagery help?

Amazingly, modern scientific research into consciousness is now coming to the same conclusions that Shamans, Medicine Men (and women), and Healers of countless human cultures have taught for centuries. Images, symbols, colors and patterns are the language of the subconscious mind. Many peoples' root energetic and emotional imbalances lie not in the conscious mind, but buried somewhere in the subconscious – outside of our immediate everyday awareness. This is why it can be so difficult to ‘get to the bottom’ of problems. In order to tap into frozen traumas and beliefs residing in the subconscious, we have to use the language of the subconscious.

What else should I know about Focalizing?

Further study of Focalizing concepts and fundamentals is not necessary for sessions to be effective. For someone who is suffering, the fact that it does work is of significantly greater importance than knowing how or why it works. Nevertheless, we do encourage those interested to explore material on the theories which underpin Focalizing in our Resources section.