FOCUSING-ORIENTED RELATING in GROUP ENVIRONMENTS (FORGE)

2-Year International Training Program

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

Although Focusing has greatly influenced individual therapy and inner work, the Focusing community has not yet fully articulated potential contributions to group life. This program is designed to do just that.

Since the pandemic, much of our connecting has taken place online. While there are undeniable losses in this virtual mode of relating, it has also provided vast opportunities for worldwide collaboration. This program responds to those opportunities.


Much of our Focusing teaching and facilitating around the world is done in groups, yet, we as a community have very little if any training and support for group leadership. An international study program will not only fill this gap but will enable an expansion of what Gendlin called “crossings.” It will help group leaders to articulate and elaborate how Focusing ideas and skills can deepen and broaden many forms of group process.

WHY NOW?

In these particularly tumultuous and challenging times, there is a growing need for both international and local connection. The widespread sense of isolation, polarization and fragmentation is unprecedented, making it more important than ever to gather in groups and empower community life.

It is a time that calls for the kind of embodied introspection and authentic relating that Gendlin points to in his unpublished paper “Fitting In, Pouring Out, and Relating.”

“Here is a new message: Those [fitting in and pouring out] are not the only alternatives! We do not need to pour ourselves out raw and blind, or go back to fitting in. There is a third alternative, a different way forward, a further stage.”

In this training we will carry forward this message of hope by spelling out the principles and skills of this “further step,” living into its promise.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

We propose a 2-year training in Focusing-oriented group work. The first year will be an overview of studying and experiencing group process—how the development of the group strengthens and grows the individual and how attention to the individual develops the group. In the second year participants will specialize in the kinds of groups they will be leading.


Participants will:

  • Explore Gendlin and Carl Rogers' writings and videos as they apply to group endeavors.
  • Study and experiment with how the principles and skills of Focusing can be applied to group conversation and embodied group relating.
  • Delve into how a Focusing approach can be integrated with other group models.
  • Develop our own unique style of facilitation.
  • Gain practical experience in facilitating groups with the guidance and inspiration of 2 different supervisors.
  • Develop leadership skills including:
    • Creating an atmosphere of openness, curiosity, thoughtfulness and connection.
    • Encouraging the quieter members to say more and the talkative members to be more succinct.
    • Nurturing the flow of conversation by welcoming, supporting, recognizing and appreciating the contributions of all the members.
    • Listening to the “more” of what is being said (verbally and non-verbally).
    • Tuning in to group process.
    • Recognizing and holding conflict.
    • Zooming in to micro-moments of interaction and zooming out to larger socio-political systems.
    • Helping the group speak about the “elephant in the room” by tuning in to the felt sense and speaking from experience.
    • Developing a felt sense of the “sweet spot” between chaos and rigidity where participants feel safe but not too

WHEN WILL THE TRAINING START?

Training begins September 2025.

Classes will meet bi-weekly, every other Thursday, for six 2-hour sessions, with small peer practice groups meeting on alternate weeks. There will be 3 courses in the first year and 3 in the second.

WHO CAN APPLY?

This program is open to all those familiar with Focusing who want to translate its principles and skills into group interactions. We welcome applicants from around the world.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION:

  • Completion of 6 six-week courses and 2 workshops each year
  • A practicum: initiating and facilitating your own group
  • 6 supervision sessions addressing your group work
  • 100 hours of group experience
  • Two weekend workshops per year
  • A 20-minute project presentation as part of the graduation ceremony.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

YEAR ONE: Foundations of FORGE Work


Three courses exploring core Focusing principles on group work. Courses will include:

  • Embodied Relating
  • Responsive Listening and Speaking in Groups
  • Leadership and Facilitation Skills


YEAR TWO: Applying FORGE to Diverse Group Formats

Three courses applying FORGE concepts to specialized kinds of groups and developing your own leadership style. Specialties will include:

  • Community Empowerment Groups (talking across difference and encouraging diversity)
  • Group Therapy
  • Support Groups
  • Couples and Family Therapy
  • Experiential Teaching
  • Mindfulness, Meditation and Faith Groups
  • Consciousness-Raising Groups
  • Workshop and Presentation Design and Leadership
  • Changes Groups and Other Partner-Centered Groups

PROGRAM OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION

Classes will be held on Zoom.

Participants will pay $240 fee per course, paid directly to the instructor. Scholarships are available. Instructors will contribute 10% of fees toward program administration.

We intend to host an online Open House on Zoom in the Fall of 2025.

Hope to see you there!