The Intermediate – Advanced Focusing Training Program

The comprehensive Intermediate – Advanced Focusing Training program includes an 8 week course, supervised practice sessions, and the Intermediate – Advanced Training Manual which includes a variety of exercises and other materials to enhance learning.

In this program, you’ll learn how to facilitate a Focusing session with grace and compassion for someone new to Focusing. You’ll also learn how to help a Focuser navigate a variety of potential challenges and special situations that may arise in Focusing. At the same time, you will enhance your own Focusing practice by expanding and deepening your understanding of Focusing – thus positively affecting all aspects of your life.

This program is suitable for healing professionals such as psychotherapists, coaches and others wishing to learn skills to deepen their work with clients, for those wishing to work with peers, and for those who simply wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in Focusing.

What is included in the Intermediate – Advanced Focusing Training Program?

The course runs for 8 weeks. Each class meets for 2 ½ hours, with a short break during this time.
Supervised practice sessions
102 page Training Manual (pdf format)
Exercises & handouts to enhance learning
Classes will be recorded and links to recordings provided
To optimize learning, classes limited to maximum 6 participants
Email support between meetings

Total Time Commitment

20 hours class time
Focusing practice between class sessions. Suggested minimum of one hour each week with assigned partner from class to integrate learning
Minimal reading assignments — Estimated under 20 minutes/week

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of this program, essentially?

Participation in the program will allow you to facilitate Focusing sessions for those new to Focusing. You’ll also learn how to help a Focuser navigate a variety of potential challenges and special situations that may arise in Focusing. By expanding and deepening your understanding of Focusing, you will enhance your own Focusing practice.

Are there prerequisites to participating in this program?

Yes. The course is intended for intermediate level Focusers who have taken Focusing Basics, Level One and Two of Inner Relationship Focusing, or the equivalent, with a Certified Focusing Trainer. For those not trained in the Inner Relationship approach, it is possible to join the course by reading and studying relevant parts of the Focusing Basics Training manual and scheduling either a single session with the trainer, or at least two peer sessions with someone trained in this approach.

Who can benefit from this program?

Anyone with a sincere interest in personal growth and healing who is willing to make a commitment to the program can benefit from it. The program is open to and welcomes both laypeople and healing professionals (Therapists, Coaches, Body workers and other healing arts professionals.)

How often will the course meet?

Once a week for 2 ½ hours each week. There will be a brief break during this time.

What time is this in my time zone?

Classes are held from 10 am to 12:30 pm Eastern U.S. time. Please use the world clock to figure out exactly what time this is where you live. Feel free to email us for help with this.

How will we meet?

We will use a video-conferencing program that allows us to see and hear one another via the internet, and to record the class sessions.

How does this course correspond to other Inner Relationship Focusing Courses?

The course combines and integrates Levels Three, Four, and the first half of Level Five.

What, specifically, will be taught?

In the first half of the course you will learn the basics of how to facilitate a Focusing session for someone new to Focusing. In this part of the course you will:

learn powerful supportive guiding suggestions for each stage of the Focusing process
learn why and how each suggestion is so useful

The focus of the second half of the course is on learning a variety of compassionate approaches to handling obstacles that may arise in a Focusing session, including how to use Focusing to:

work with the Inner Critic
deal with blocks to achieving goals
work with habits and addictions
assist a Focuser who “feels nothing” as well as a Focuser who experiences overwhelm
work with a Focuser who has one part attacking or victimizing another
support a Focuser who is distracted by sleepiness, feeling foggy, or distracting thoughts.

For more information about the skills and aptitudes that you will learn in this program, please see the list of Competencies (Objectives) below.

Will there be time for practice during the classes?

Yes! The experiential dimension is an important part of the course. You will have the opportunity to practice facilitating sessions during class meetings, as well as for homework with your assigned partner from class during the week between class meetings. At least half of the sessions will include supervised practice time. In addition, time for questions about practice will be built in to every class session.

What will happen in the supervised practice sessions?

In these sessions you will have an additional opportunity to fine-tune the guiding skills that you will be learning in the classes. Each participant will be supervised facilitating a session with a partner and receive feedback from the trainer and the other participants.

When will the supervised practice sessions be?

These sessions will take place during the time for practice in regularly scheduled classes.

Will I receive some sort of certification for this course?

Following successful completion of this program, the trainee is eligible to apply for the Proficiency as Focusing Partner Award. (The trainer reserves the right to make final decision about the award.) Those wishing it may request a Certificate stating that the trainee has successfully completed the Advanced Focusing course.

What is the next step after this course?

This course will allow you to have your own Focusing practice, and to use Focusing in your daily life and work. It will provide a foundation of knowledge and skills that are invaluable on their own, and form an excellent foundation for those wishing to use Focusing in a professional capacity. Psychologists, Coaches, other healing professionals will be able to integrate Focusing into their work with clients.

For those wishing to continue with further training, the trainee is eligible to enter any of a wide variety of programs oriented toward training and apprenticeship to become a Certified Focusing Professional. More information about becoming a Certified Focusing Professional may be obtained by contacting The International Focusing Institute or the trainer of this course. Specific information about Ruth Hirsch’s Certification program may be viewed here.

Competencies (Objectives)

The Ability to Guide a Focuser

Understanding that the Focuser’s process guides the Guide.
Being able to say “Yes” to whatever happens for the Focuser even if gently suggesting something else.
Knowing how to use tone of voice and pacing to enhance the Focuser’s experience.
Being able to help the Focuser bring awareness into the body.
Being able to help the Focuser acknowledge what comes.
Being able to help the Focuser find the description.
Being able to help the Focuser check and confirm the description and other meanings that come during the session.
Being able to help the Focuser find a positive attitude toward the sense.
Being able to help the Focuser be with the sense in a curious interested way, and ask it questions if necessary.
Knowing how to help the Focuser create a positive inner relationship by sensing it from its point of view, and by letting it know they hear it.
Being able to help the Focuser receive new and/or positive experiences.
Being able to help the Focuser end the session gently, usually by marking the place and thanking what came.
Being able to help the Focuser find the right distance if something is too close or too distant
Being able to help a Focuser with distant process find a felt sense, using evoking techniques, acceptance of whatever comes, and awareness of positive feelings.
Being able to help the Focuser be compassionate and interested in interfering parts or voices, including the critical and judgmental ones.
Knowing how to help the Focuser when two or more “somethings” come, especially when they are in conflict.
Being able to help the Focuser move awareness to the Feeling about the Feeling.
Being able to help the Focuser be compassionate to blocks to Focusing.
Knowing how to sense when a silence has lasted long enough and how to come in.
Knowing how to gracefully accept a Focuser’s reluctance or refusal to do what’s been suggested.
Being able to tell when something suggested has confused or stopped the Focuser, and knowing what to do about this, including being able to take it back, back up, or break it into smaller steps.
Being able to make a person new to Focusing feel comfortable and safe.
Being able to answer the question, “What is Focusing?”
Being able to explain to the new Focuser before the session what is expected.
Being able to use guiding skills with people new to Focusing.
Being able to rephrase any suggestion using different language when the language used may not have been understood by this person.
Understanding that reflection does not have the same effect for a new person that it does for an experienced Focuser, and being able to rephrase reflections as suggestions to resonate, acknowledge, or be with, if necessary.
Being open to the unexpected; being able to “forge new tools” as needed

Ruth Hirsch