Welcome
Thanks for visiting the site of Ed Gutfreund and presencepractice.com. The pages of the site will help you know of our services, and offer material for your own learning. The information is offered to help you make decisions about therapy as well as to prompt reflection or conversation about therapeutic process and learning. Please feel free to call for an introductory consultation.
Myofascial Workshop (pdf file)
Myofascial Workshop (word doc download)Brochure (page 1)
Brochure (page 2)Reflections on Integrating Psychotherapy with Bodywork
Xavier University Summer Counseling Courses (word doc download)
About My Work: Psychotherapy, Bodywork, Education
Therapy
My goal as a therapist is to collaborate with people to discover ways their lives and relationships can work well, despite the inevitable calamities of family history and traumatic events. I do this with my understanding of human development, psychotherapy and therapeutic bodywork/massage.
In meeting for therapy, working to stay awake to experiences, your feelings, thoughts, physical sensations, and patterns of behavior evolve, arriving at new freedom and appreciation for being alive. It is possible to make life even more worth living as relationships and well-being improves.
Frustration arrives when life seems to drive things out of control. A therapeutic connection can be a necessity and gift, an ointment over wounds. I believe it takes a lot of practice to notice what is going on and to choose freely what may happen in the next moment. Finding support for what you need can help.
I will offer you support for your healthiest beliefs, your relationships, your work, your spirituality, your direction in life, your creativity. All this is the stuff of life's complexity. I can help you use your resources to stay present to your challenges and vulnerability. In this way your mind, your body and your soul get the care they need.
Bodywork
I have come to trust the essential connection of body sensation and movement to the way we think, feel, and act. Massaging sore muscles heals injury, or restores vitality. This improves quality of life. Often bodywork grounds you when the residue of stress or trauma makes if difficult to focus. Often working with the body reveals a wound or the meaning of the past, and allows resolution to progress. I have been grateful for what clients have taught me about living in their bodies and healing their souls. This has prompted the joining of hands-on care with the experience of mindful reflection for therapy. For many it is the missing ingredient in their healing process.
Education
As an educator I believe that moments of learning can have significant impact on the direction of an individual or an organization. Good learning adds useful and often insightful information and helps develop skills. New experiences invigorate so the personal and the professional grow in a positive way. I have led classes, workshops or courses in many settings. Learning with those I teach is one of the rewards of the profession.
I am teaching several courses this summer through the counseling school at Xavier University. See the linked doc for more information: Xavier University Summer Counseling Courses (word doc download)
So...Let's Talk
Overall, I find life constantly fascinating. My wife and children, my friends, my garden, my work, my art bring joy and gratitude. However, world events, political unrest, seeing families in strife, natural disasters, war and misuse of power make me face the grief of not being able to control everything and confront the dark side of humanity. Moving back and forth in the joyful and painful differences of daily moments offers vast opportunity. When you want to work on how you experience the range of life, or attend to areas that need healing, give a call. You can arrange a free introductory consultation. Email ed@presencepractice.com (include Therapy Inquiry in subject line) or call 513-319-4432.
My intent is to help you cultivate/strengthen your personal and interpersonal resources so you can carefully and safely examine traumas or other personal issues, and to gradually digest overwhelming experiences. This can allow you to be freer and more present to all that life provides.