Level Two of Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology continues to develop the skills and practices learned in Level One, introduces new theoretical maps to help refine participants’ application of the Hakomi method, and includes extensive advanced supervision. Satisfactory completion of Level One is the prerequisite for acceptance into Level Two. Training weekend modules include didactic material, experiential exercises, discussion, movement/embodiment exercises, affinity groups, and supervised practice times.

This level focuses on in-depth coverage of the Hakomi method’s conceptualization of character theory, an understanding of the organization of the body, personality and character into patterns that reveal developmental and cultural wounding. Participants are guided in creating customized strategies to help attune to and access clients’ core material, offering reparative experiences to help heal developmental trauma/attachment wounds and cultural wounds. For example, the themes of safety and belonging are considered from differing etiologies. One would be the family constellation which leads to the Sensitive/Withdrawn character strategy; another would acknowledge oppressive cultural systems which generate fear, isolation and abandonment of certain marginalized groups within that system.

Level Two also introduces a map of Attachment Theory as it relates to the Hakomi character strategies and Hakomi methodology.

Extensive practice and supervision help therapists attune and attend more precisely to each client’s developmental wounding and adaptive strategies. Countertransference is used to gather information about the character strategies of both client and therapist, and therapists develop a deeper understanding of their own inner organization and the process of using the self as an instrument for therapy.

Objectives: 

In this program, you’ll be able to:

• Identify the developmental stages and life tasks connected to character formation
• List the five basic categories of character strategies used in Hakomi Experiential Psychotherapy
• Develop a felt sense of the somatic organization and governing beliefs related to each of the character strategies
• Demonstrate effective clinical strategies for working with character in a psychotherapeutic context
• Understand client-therapist interactions from the perspective of character development
• Discuss neurobiological perspectives on human change processes, including character formation and change
• Use Hakomi’s dynamic diagnostic map, the Hakomi Sensitivity Cycle, to tailor your interventions with greater precision
• Explore the formation of character in response to not only the family environment, but also the social and cultural environments

Faculty: Gregory Gaiser PC, CHP, Certified Hakomi Lead Trainer, Rupesh Chhagan, M.S.O.M., C.H.P., L.Ac., Certified Hakomi Teacher, and guest presenters

Dates:

Sept. 12-14, 2025

Oct. 10-12

Nov. 14-16

Dec. 12-14

Jan. 9-11, 2026

Feb. 6-8

Mar. 13-15

April 17 -19

May 15-17

June 12-14

Live-Online Hours:
Friday: 12:30 pm-6:00 pm (5 hours class time with two 15 minute breaks)
Saturday: 10:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:30-6:00 pm (6 hours class time with a 1.5 hour lunch break, and two 15 minute breaks)
Sunday: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm (4 hours class time with a 30 minute lunch break and two 15 minute breaks)
***All hours are in Mountain Time

Total Hours
10 live online modules (weekends) x 15 hours per module = 150 Live-Online Hours
1 meeting with Faculty per month x 10 months = 10 Office Hours

160 total hours (+ Homework & Study Group Sessions)