The Felt-Sense

Felt-Sense – We use focusing to develop a ‘felt-sense’ to tune into what is true for you in this moment. This is not something you are told or understand – not a concept – it is something you ‘know’ or feel.

Try this:

      1. Think about your mother, or the person who was the ‘mother figure’ in your life as you were growing up.  Think about the good things she did, the times you spent together, birthdays, holidays, any special events.  Think of her face, her warm glow, the kindness and caring.  Now, tune into how you feel.  Ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?  Just notice.

      2.Now, think about your father, or the person who was the ‘father figure’ in your life as you were growing up.  In the same way, think about the good things he did for you and the special times you spent together.  See his face, his strength, his warm loving gestures or whatever.  If it wasn’t good, think about that.  Again, ask yourself, “What is my body feeling right now?  Just notice.

      3.Was how you felt about your mother different from how you felt about your father?  Was there a different quality in what you felt?  It may be subtle.  It’s not that one is good and one is bad, they both can be very good – just different.

      4.The ‘felt-sense’ is that feeling you had for each parent.  As it turns out, you are having a different felt-sense all the time.  As you meet people, friends, relatives, strangers – there will always be a felt-sense, and for each experience it will be a little different.  Use ‘focusing’ to tune into your ‘felt-sense’ as you live your life, it will help slow down thought, help you make better more intuitive decisions and lead a better more productive life.

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Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

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