Interview with a Somatic Energy Practitioner

SELF-EMPOWERED
HEALING

For information, contact:

Joanne Pizzino, MD, MPH
Medical Editor, Health&Healing
https://doctorjp.com

Joanne Pizzino, MD, MPH, is board-certified in Preventive Medicine and diplomate-certified in Integrative Medicine. After her own self-empowered healing epiphany in 1997, she has guided people to live healthier through both Eastern and Western medicine, ancient and ultra-high-tech healing. Learn more about how to claim your power to heal yourself at our website doctorjp.com. Sign up for a Free Discovery Session to learn if the Self Empowered Healing process is right for you.

Tom Ronen Goddard, PhD is a psychotherapist practicing Core Energetics and various other somatic energy therapies. You can learn more about his practice at https://www.integralbecoming.com/

By Joanne Pizzino, MD, MPH

Dr. Pizzino

The following is an interview I conducted with Tom Ronen Goddard, PhD, a somatic energy practitioner with training in psychology and Core Energetics. I have found the combination of addressing both physical and energetic issues to lead people to resolving many serious illnesses. In this interview, we discuss self-sabotaging pitfalls.

How to Choose Beliefs to Manifest Health
Despite Self-Sabotaging Pitfalls

DR. PIZZINO: Can you briefly explain what Core Energetics is and how it differs from other therapeutic modalities?

DR. GODDARD: Core Energetics is a dynamic body-centered psychotherapy that blends Western therapeutic techniques with Eastern spiritual wisdom to bring about transformation through the integration of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. What sets it apart is its emphasis on engaging the body’s energy and consciousness to uncover and dissolve blocks that impede natural expressions of our life force. We work with breath, movement, and conscious self-inquiry to facilitate deep personal growth and healing.

Dr. Goddard

DR. PIZZINO: What inspired you to specialize in Core Energetics, particularly in the context of self-sabotaging pitfalls?

DR. GODDARD: My journey into Core Energetics began with a profound personal experience of healing and transformation. When I discovered how self-sabotage often stems from unconscious emotional pain and energetic blockages, I was drawn to the modality’s potential to release and transform these deep-seated wounds. This practice not only addresses the physical manifestation of self-adversity but also navigates the underlying emotional and spiritual turmoil, leading to a comprehensive healing process.

DR. PIZZINO: How does Core Energetics view the psychological and emotional factors that lead to self-sabotaging pitfalls?

DR. GODDARD: From a Core Energetics perspective, self-sabotaging pitfalls are seen as a manifestation of a disrupted energy flow caused by unprocessed trauma, suppressed emotions, or internalized negative beliefs. It is understood as an attempt by the individual to feel in control or to release intense emotional pain. By working with the body’s energy systems, we aim to uncover and understand these psychological and emotional factors, creating pathways for healing and self-compassion.

DR. PIZZINO: Could you elaborate on the relationship between energy flow and self-adversity behaviors?

DR. GODDARD: Certainly. In Core Energetics, we see the body as a map of our psychic history, where blocked energy can lead to destructive patterns like self-adversity or self-sabotage. These behaviors are often a physical expression of blocked life force that is unable to flow freely due to emotional scarring or trauma. By facilitating the movement of this stagnant energy through therapeutic techniques, we can transform the impulse for self-adversity into a more constructive self-awareness and resilience.

DR. PIZZINO: What are some of the most common obstacles or challenges clients face when undergoing Core Energetics therapy for self-adversity?

DR. GODDARD: One of the primary challenges is the vulnerability that comes with facing deep-seated emotional wounds and the fear of relinquishing long-held defense mechanisms. Clients often experience resistance, which is a natural part of the healing process, as they approach the release of painful emotions. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is crucial to help them move through resistance and commit to the transformative journey of Core Energetics.

DR. PIZZINO: Are there any cultural or societal considerations that come into play when discussing self-sabotaging pitfalls in Core Energetics?

DR. GODDARD: Indeed, Core Energetics recognizes the profound impact of cultural and societal factors on an individual’s well-being. Self-inflicted adversity does not exist in a vacuum; it is often a response to the pressures, traumas, and messages absorbed from one’s social environment. Our work must be sensitive to the varied experiences of oppression, identity, and belonging that shape how individuals relate to themselves and their bodies. By acknowledging and working within these cultural contexts, we can better address the roots of self-adversity and support our clients in finding pathways to healing that honor their entire being.

DR. PIZZINO: Are there any specific exercises or techniques within Core Energetics that you find most effective for treating self-sabotaging pitfalls?

DR. GODDARD: One of the core techniques we use in Core Energetics is called ‘grounding,’ which helps clients establish a deeper connection with their bodies and the Earth, providing a stable foundation for exploring intense emotions. We also employ breathwork to help regulate the nervous system, and physical movements to release trapped energy. By expressing emotions through sound and movement, clients can often bypass the cognitive mind, which may be adept at repression, and tap into deeper truths held within the body.

DR. PIZZINO: Can Core Energetics be combined with other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, for treating self-sabotaging pitfalls?

DR. GODDARD: Absolutely, Core Energetics can be a complementary modality alongside other therapies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be particularly synergistic, as it helps to reframe the thoughts that often underpin self-adversity behaviors, while Core Energetics works to release the associated energetic and emotional blockages. Medication may also be appropriate in some cases to manage symptoms and provide the necessary stability for individuals to engage in the often intense work of Core Energetics.

DR. PIZZINO: What advice would you give to someone who is considering Core Energetics therapy for self-sabotaging pitfalls?

DR. GODDARD: I would say to them: honor your courage in seeking change. Core Energetics is a journey that requires bravery and a willingness to engage with all parts of yourself, including the pain. It’s important to find a practitioner with whom you feel a strong sense of trust and safety. Be patient with yourself; healing is not linear, and each step, even the challenging ones, is a valuable part of your journey towards wholeness. Remember, you are not alone, and the strength of your life force is a powerful ally in your healing.

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