Haptonomy and Haptotherapy

Many people may have heard the term haptonomy but do not fully understand what it entails.

In short: Haptonomy is the study of human sensation and emotional life. (Hapsis = touch, feeling. Nomos = the study of...)

I have often observed that deep down, people have a longing to feel connected to others. All human emotions are tied to this connection: joy, anger, fear, and sadness. These emotions lead to feelings such as shame, guilt, involvement, melancholy, fear of failure, pain, love, and so on.

Life is Living Together

You live among and with other people. You grow and develop through both verbal and non-verbal communication. How were you raised? What tools were you given? Was your childhood safe and loving? Was there interest in your well-being? What message did you receive at home? Was there enough boundary-setting? How were you able to further develop in your life? Did you have support from your environment? Were you able to develop your own values and norms?

There may be times in your life when you feel that things are not going well, when you encounter obstacles. For example, you may notice that what you have learned does not align with what is happening in your life or work. Or you might experience physical complaints, feel very tired, or even become exhausted because you constantly try to meet the expectations of others. You might feel frustrated and angry because you feel misunderstood, or you might experience a significant loss. Perhaps you feel like you are not good enough or that you do not belong.

The tendency to suppress these feelings is strong. But over time, the imbalance in your life can become so great that it affects you psychologically, emotionally, and often physically. Your body may signal issues such as back pain, fatigue, and stress. Yet, you may not want to or cannot listen to these signals, and instead, you push yourself harder to avoid feeling them. As a result, you risk overstepping your boundaries and burning out.

As difficult as it may be, it is better to face these feelings, give them space by talking about them, understand them, and, where necessary, process them. By acknowledging these feelings, you can find more peace and clarity in your heart and body. This is precisely the process I can support you with.
People are often afraid that opening up will release a flood of emotions, but usually, it is an enormous relief to talk about it, and often there is no "flood" at all.

Haptotherapy and -Coaching

Haptotherapy is a therapeutic guidance approach based on haptonomy. It focuses on your personal development and growth, as well as how we experience and navigate interpersonal relationships. It helps you connect with yourself and others in a respectful way.
In haptotherapy or -coaching, we go beyond merely talking about your problems, fears, pains, or doubts. You will "physically" experience what you feel within yourself, even in interactions with others. What happens during these interactions? What do you feel from the other person? Can you open up, or do you feel blocked? Is there mutual involvement or empathy? Do you feel you can be yourself during the encounter? All this takes place in a safe setting, providing you with greater insight into your feelings.

How Does It Work?

Conversation

People generally feel relieved when they are given the time to share their story, knowing they will be listened to without judgment or conditions. My coaching program provides that space. Together, we examine the challenges, their origins, and what you need to manage them. Understanding where certain feelings come from is often very enlightening.

Positions

Experiential exercises help you listen more closely to the feelings evoked by immediate actions. We explore the position you take in relation to yourself and others. How do you present yourself to the world? What reactions does that provoke, and how do you experience it? What do you need to take a different position?

Touch

When possible and appropriate, touch can be a valuable tool in haptotherapy. It helps you experience yourself in relation to others. Touch can be nourishing, affirming, healing, and comforting when applied carefully. This process allows you to become aware of your own (possibly hidden) patterns and gain insight into how you interact with yourself and your relationships.

Goal

A learning process where you listen to your feelings, accept them as valid, and act upon them. It is not about right or wrong but about asking: Who are you? What kind of person are you? What qualities do you possess, and what challenges do you face in life? What do you need to move forward so that you can engage differently with yourself and others? What do you truly want in life? What brings you joy? Where are your boundaries?
You will explore your own patterns and shed unnecessary baggage. This leads to broadening, deepening, balance, and connection with your heart, feelings, and soul. You can increasingly become the person you are meant to be, with more self-confidence, quality of life, and joy.

During the Time-Out Retreat at our Spanish finca, we delve deeply into these themes. You will experience a meaningful transformation process, supported by nature, silence, rest, time, and the change of environment. Additionally, I work with nature coaching, visualizations, one-on-one systemic work, and a creative approach. The program is always tailored to your needs and preferences.
An initial consultation is essential, as it is important that you feel safe and understood during this process.