DSP Training

Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Training

“Developmental movement patterns are like threads that weave throughout the fabric of our lives. Like breathing, they are perceptible, subtle, yet fundamental, and part of us since our origins.

These patterns are quiet but powerful reminders that our bodies carry a deep memory, guiding us through growth, change, and connection.”

- Ruella Frank

One-Year Experiential Training

Intro to DSP with GTIP

Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, created by Ruella Frank, Ph.D., is a clinical phenomenological and movement-oriented approach to psychotherapy within a contemporary gestalt therapy framework.

Inspired by the work of developmental psychologists, movement theorists, somatic educators, and clinical phenomenologists, Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy is a template for understanding and working with early psycho-physical blocks as they emerge in present moments of the child, adolescent and adult therapy session.

Participants will learn to attend to their own moving and feeling experience and how this serves as the foundation for therapeutic presence and diagnosis. We will explore the six developmental movement patterns which emerge in the first year of life, and experience both the physical and psychological function of each pattern. When guided by this knowledge, participants will gain a powerful framework for understanding emergent relational themes and how to support clients in growth and change. The training includes theoretical and experiential learning, as well as time to practice integrating these ideas and experiences into therapy sessions.

The program will be led by Karen Ginsburg, LCSW, Lead Teacher, with Chrys Kim, PhD and Zachary Model, LMHC, Co-Teachers.

What to Expect

The training consists of 5 modules of 4 days each, Thursday to Sunday and is spread over the course of one year.

There will be an hour and a half lunch break each day.

This is a highly experiential training. Participants will be engaging with movement experiments and participating in practice therapy sessions. We welcome mental health practitioners from all traditions as well as allied professionals, including yoga teachers, movement therapists and bodyworkers. As DSP is grounded in Gestalt theory, it is helpful, but not required, to have a basic understanding of Gestalt theory before beginning the training. Recommended readings will be provided to those not familiar with Gestalt therapy.