Focusing-Oriented Recovery is the application of Focusing and experiential listening to healing from addictive (skipped)
process, or compulsive patterns of behavior. It is not therapy. We are not professionals. We are men and women
who meet as peers to share the journey of healing together.
So far, there are three kinds of peer-based groups for Focusing-Oriented
Recovery.
These are:
Focus-In Recovery Anonymous group(s)
Recovery-Oriented Changes Meetings
The Recovery Focusing H.O.W. We Heal model
The
purpose of this blog is to be the space holder for the meeting scripts and literature for these groups.
Please
feel free to find the model that best meets your needs. Take what you like and leave the rest.
If you are seeking Professional Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy (FOT) for addictions, click HERE.
Article on Process-Skipping from BioSpiritual.org
FOCUS-IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS
FOCUS-IN Recovery Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their felt
experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may explore in a felt-sensed way their common problem of skipped
(or addictive) process and help each other to recover from this.
It
is based on the Twelve Step Program of Recovery as originally suggested by Alcoholics Anonymous and follows the Twelve Traditions
of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The only requirement for membership
is a desire to explore our skipped (or
addictive) process in a felt sensed way. There
are no dues or fees for Focus-In Recovery Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Focus-In
Recovery Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage
in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to practice Focusing and Listening in
order to stay emotionally and physically sober and to accompany others in their attempts to recover from skipped (or addictive)
process.
Meetings are usually an hour long. At the moment, they are being held via Zoom webinar. If you’d like to join
a meeting please send an email to recovery focusing@gmail.com.
LINK: Focus-IN Recovery Anonymous
RECOVERY-ORIENTED CHANGES MEETINGS
Recovery-Oriented Changes Meetings are based on the Focusing
Changes model for group processing. We are a group of Focusers who wish to explore how to Recover from trauma or addictive
processes by meeting as a group.
Members are often affiliated to a Focusing Institute and do not need to remain anonymous.
The groups can be open to new people or closed to only those who have experience with Focusing.
Recovery-Oriented Changes
groups usually meet for two hours and follow the format recommended by The Focusing Institute of
a) Checking In;
b)
Breaking off for Focusing/Listening exchanges in partnerships or triads; and
c) Closing the circle by sharing the new
insights that came.
At the moment, Recovery-Oriented Changes Meetings are being held via Zoom webinar. If you’d like to join a
meeting please send an email to recovery focusing@gmail.com.
LINK: Recovery Oriented Changes Meetings
For
more information on Changes Groups, see http://www.focusing.org/changes.htm
RECOVERY FOCUSING GROUPS
Recovery Focusing groups
follow the H.O.W. We Heal model for group processing, staying together as a group and sharing within the group. We start by
Honoring ourselves with a positive felt experience, Open what needs our attention with Focusing, and Welcome what could be
by imagining and feeling it.
Recovery Focusing groups can apply the H.O.W. We Heal process to each Step or recovery oriented
topic, or they can use the more open Stepping Stones to Healing model (ask recoveryfocusing@gmail.com
for more information).
Recovery Focusing is particularly helpful in introducing both Focusing and the Twelve Steps to individuals in treatment
for substance or process addictions/dependence. It opens inner doors to working the Twelve Steps of Recovery. It’s aim
is to compare and contrast the inner feel of the addictive process with that of Recovery so that the latter is chosen when
an urge to act out occurs.
At the moment, Recovery Focusing groups are mainly active in Costa Rica at two treatment centers, though the model
has been used in other countries.
A few Certified Focusing Trainers offer training in H.O.W. to Facilitate Recovery Focusing
groups (Suzanne Noel and James Doga), though many Certified Focusing Professionals have been trained in it.
Suzanne
Noel also offers a course on Stepping Stones to Healing which does not use the language of the Twelve Steps and is a crossing
of several styles of Focusing.
A manual for group work is available for Focusers/Twelve Steppers who wish to start a Recovery
Focusing group.
Link: Recovery Focusing
In
addition to these support groups, individuals may practice Focusing/Listening in Partnerships and/or seek Focusing Oriented Therapy for addictions.
RECOVERY-ORIENTED FOCUSING PARTNERSHIPS –
Focusing-Oriented Co-Sponsorship
Individuals may also wish to engage in recovery-oriented Focusing partnerships. They can
use the usual model of Focusing Partnership or the Focus-In Recovery Model.
For more information, please visit The Focusing Institute’s page on Focusing and Addictions.
