Merging scientific theory with a practical, clinical approach, Body of Awareness explores the formation of infant movement experience and its manifest influence upon the later adult. Most significantly, it shows how the organizing principles in early development are functionally equivalent to those of the adult. It demonstrates how movement plays a critical role in a developing self-awareness for the infant and in maintaining a healthy self throughout life. In addition, a variety of case studies illustrates how infant developmental movement patterns are part of the moment-to-moment processes of the adult client and how to bring these patterns to awareness within therapy. Body of Awareness is intended to help therapists, new or advanced, to enhance their skills of attunement. They can do this by heightening their observations of subtle movement patterns as they emerge within the client/therapist relationship, and by respective their own developing feelings within session as essential information to the therapy process. And as developmental patterns are central to psychological functioning, a background study of movement provides the therapist with critical insight into the unfolding psychodynamic field. Reviews: "It is a rare person in my experience who can say; 'This is what, how and why we did what we did.' Ruella Frank's manuscript gave me joy as it wove in and out of case example, theory, and personal reflexive involvement. For the therapist her work is essential; for the lay person excellent for self help."
- Richard Kitzler, M.A., Founding Fellow, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
"In Body of Awareness, Ruella Frank has given us an exceptional integration of movement patterns with adult psychotherapy. I recommend this book highly."
- James Kepner, Ph.D., author, Body Process and Healing Tasks
"The case studies are thorough, multidimensional, and poignant. For those who do body work, this book should be an indispensable library addition. For those who do not, it offers an eye-opening opportunity to hone observational skills and perhaps to learn some techniques of body intervention."
- Stephen Johnson, Ph.D., author, Character Styles
"She provides sensitive and exquisite case studies and shows a deep understanding of movement, development, and therapeutic change. This book will find a wide and receptive audience."
- Esther Thelen, Ph.D., author, A Dynamic Systems Approach to Development
"Ruella Frank's brilliant account of the processes by which we learn/discover movement from infancy provides us with a template from which we can delve into a deeper sense of self and fullness of being."
- Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, author, Sensing, Feeling, and Action
Table of Contents Tribute to My Teachers
Notes to the Reader
Introduction
OPENING DIALOGUE
The Emerging Dyad: Rachel and Alex
The First Session
DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS AND THE PROCESSES OF DIFFERENTIATION
Contacting and the Emergence of Pattern
Primary Supports for Contacting and Their Disruptions
A Closer Look at Differentiation
The Emergence of Toddling
The Adult Psychotherapy Client: Karla
Primary Orienting: Gravity, Earth, and Space
Orienting Through Weight
The Developing Experience of Weight
Yielding
The Moro Response
Orienting Possibilities and the Adult Therapy Client
Sharon: The Process of Yielding and the Experience of Support
Rhonda: Losing and Making Support
REACHING AND BEING REACHED
The Developing Dynamics of Reaching
The Rooting Response: Reaching with the Mouth
The Adult Therapy Client
Bob
Cynthia
Brenda
THE UPRIGHT STANCE
The Anatomy of Upright Being
Difficulties of Being Upright
Upright Behaviors in Infant Development
How Disruptions Develop
Dilemmas in Righting: The Adult Client
Lisa
Karen
COMING INTO WHOLENESS: ANNIE'S STORY
Annie: 1985
Our Early Sessions
The Therapy: 1985-1996
Annie: 1996
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