Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (SPI) Presents...
settings
Divider Text
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy:
Theory and Practice

taught by...
SP creator and SPI founder Pat Ogden, PhD

Approved for 3.5 CEs

DIGITAL SEMINAR
Pat Ogden, PhD

Through lecture and analysis of session video, we will explore:

How SP integrates cognitive and somatic interventions
SP's approach to both the legacy of trauma and of attachment
Expanding movement vocabulary to create hope for the future
Six philosophical principles of SP that guide practice
Interventions that help to change the meaning of traumatic events

Registration includes SUPPLEMENTAL BOOK CHAPTERS and
SP WORKSHEETS to be used with clients.

Since re-living of trauma often occurs in the form of physical sensations, which, in turn, precipitate intense trauma-related emotions of terror and helplessness, learning how to manage and uncouple physical sensations from trauma-based emotions has emerged as one of the essential aspects of the effective treatment of PTSD.  Pat Ogden (originator of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) is the undisputed master for teaching clinicians how to work with physical sensations to help people beyond their trauma. For me, her work has opened a whole new dimension of effective therapy. 
Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates cognitive and somatic interventions in the treatment of trauma and relational strife, emphasizing body awareness, practicing new actions and building somatic resources.

In this digital seminar, the intelligence of the body is explored and key components of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy’s approach to both the legacy of trauma and of attachment and relationships are addressed.

Topics related to trauma include:

  • the nature of trauma
  • somatic resources to regulate arousal
  • the role of mindfulness
  • processing traumatic memories
  • the five instinctive defensive responses
  • dissociative parts of the self
  • the role of the body in integration

The somatic legacy of attachment, relationships, and sociocultural elements, including oppression, are addressed.

Proximity seeking actions, such as reaching out, are explained and illustrated, and the role of expanding movement vocabulary to create hope for the future is also clarified.

The six philosophical/ spiritual principles of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy that guide practice and create a therapeutic context within which the possibility for healing and growth is optimized are described as well.

A special feature of this digital seminar is the illustration of the SP method through the use of videotapes of actors portraying clients who suffer from the effects of trauma and attachment wounds, in which the presenter is the therapist. The videotapes show how to help clients discover and describe the effects of past traumatic and relational experiences on their current bodily experience, actions, emotions and beliefs.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy interventions are demonstrated that help to change the meaning of traumatic event(s), regulate arousal, process memory, and work to resolve current relational issues and past attachment failures.

In this digital seminar, the intelligence of the body is explored and key components of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy’s approach to both the legacy of trauma and of attachment and relationships are addressed.


Pat Ogden is a brilliant and compassionate clinician who brings deep knowledge and wisdom to her unique contributions to caring for others and helping them in the journey to heal. What a gift to the world she is, and to anyone fortunate to be able to study with her.
Dan Siegel, MD
An Overview of What You Will Receive
12 Recorded Lectures from SP Creator, Dr. Pat Ogden
Dr. Ogden has created an introductory curriculum (over 3.5 hours of content) to teach you the basic theories and skills of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. You will have immediate access to all 12 modules for study and contemplation at your pace.
  1. Introduction to the Body’s Intelligence
  2. Trauma and Somatic Resources
  3. Regulating Arousal/ Case Illustration
  4. Paradigm Shift: From conversation to mindfulness
  5. Resourcing to Processing
  6. Instinctive Defensive Responses
  7. Immobilizing Defenses (and case illustration)
  8. Dissociative Parts and the Body
  9. Attachment, Relationship and Sociocultural Considerations
  10. Attachment and Proximity Seeking Actions
  11. Hope and Movement Vocabulary
  12. Principles that Guide Practice

Q&A Session Conducted by Dr. Ogden
A live Q&A session via Zoom will take place in spring of 2022 to supplement this digital seminar. It will be recorded and added to the course materials for all students to enjoy! (in case you miss the live event or just want to watch it again)
Unlimited Video Replay
Download & Keep Supplemental Materials
Registration includes unlimited access to all instructional videos, plus a PDF of slides, and full transcripts of each lesson that you can download to keep forever in your personal reference library.
3.5 Continuing Education Credits
This program is approved for 3.5 CEs through our partner, PESI. Tuition includes one free CE Certificate for eligible students that achieve a passing score on the post-test. Check to see a list of professions included, state approval and other details on CEs >
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
PLUS 16 Bonus Materials Curated by Dr. Ogden:
Article, "Wisdom of the Body: Lost and Found," by Dr. Pat Ogden from the book: Talking Bodies: How do we Integrate Working with the Body in Psychotherapy from an Attachment and Relational Perspective? (The Bowlby Centre Monograph Series), 2014.

  • 2 Corresponding Worksheets: Attitudes and Actions & The Body's Signals

Book chapters and worksheets for use with clients from Norton Mental Health bestseller, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment, by Pat Ogden, PhD and Janina Fisher, PhD.

  • The Language of the Body - Book Chapter
    • Corresponding Worksheet: Good Times, Bad Times, & Your Body
  • Mindfulness of Present Moment - Book Chapter
    • 2 Corresponding Worksheets: Building Blocks of a Good Experience & Naming Thoughts and Emotions
  • Taking Inventory: Categories of Resources - Book Chapter
    • 2 Corresponding Worksheets: Internal and External Creative Resources, Part 2 & Part 3
  • Somatic Resources - Book Chapter
    • 2 Corresponding Worksheets: Centering: Hand on Heart, Hand on Belly & Adjusting Sensory Stimulation
  • Recognizing Instinctive Defenses - Worksheet
  • Vocabulary for Sensations - Reference Sheet
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

Explain the “somatic narrative”
Describe four (4) somatic resources to promote regulating dysregulated arousal
Discuss why reaching out can be helpful to explore when clients have relationship problems
Describe three (3) skills the therapist uses to help clients become mindful

Registration includes SUPPLEMENTAL BOOK CHAPTERS and
SP WORKSHEETS to be used with clients.

question_answer
Divider Text
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why haven’t I heard about Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) training before?

A: SP creator, Dr. Pat Odgen, established Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (SPI) in 1981. Until 2019, SPI almost exclusively relied on word of mouth to spread awareness of training in SP. With growing demand for effective trauma therapy, we realized the principles and methods of SP needed to reach further. We began offering a variety of programs online, so more people than ever before can affordably and conveniently begin learning SP.

Q: I've tried working with the body before, but it didn't work... How is this any different?

A: SP uniquely includes the body in therapy as both a source of information and target for intervention. By addressing the physical as well as the psychological, SP can support a deep, effective and unified approach to healing.

The immediately-useful knowledge you will gain in this course comes from Dr. Ogden’s years of study and clinical experience--she developed SP based on what works.

Q: How long is this digital program?

A: This program offers over 3-hours 30-minutes of recorded instructional learning broken into short videos that you can enjoy at your own pace. View a detailed outline of the program >

Q: Are Continuing Education credits offered?
A: This program is approved for 3.5 CEs. Tuition includes one free CE Certificate. Check to see a list of professions included, state approval and other details on CEs >
Q: Will completing this course certify me in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

A: This course is intended to be an introduction to SP. Only licensed mental health practitioners who complete all three levels of SP Training through SPI are eligible for certification in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. See sensorimotor.org for details.

[bot_catcher]