What is Compassionate Inquiry?
It's a psychotherapeutic approach created by Dr Gabor Maté, an acclaimed Canadian Physician and trauma specialist.
Being listened to within a safe container of compassion, presence, shared curiosity and attunement is a necessity within the therapeutic relational field. These qualities enhance healing and wholeness. The approach of Compassionate Inquiry is to gently begin to uncover and release layers of childhood trauma, constrictions and suppressed emotions that have become embedded within the body.
“In a Compassionate Inquiry session the therapist doesn’t try to be ‘someone’ to his/her client; instead of advising, fixing or teaching, what is offered is presence, compassion, curiosity and attention. Similarly, the patient doesn’t have to demonstrate anything to the therapist or fit into his or her preconceptions or expectations. When they are equal in that shared space, a profound exchange happens which leads to transformation. It is something beautiful, magical and a privilege to witness”, says Sat Dharam.
When we begin to gently uncover and recognise these held patterns, we can begin to get to the root course of physical and mental blockages, illness and addictions. Through compassionate listening the process can unfold to examine the held traumatic event, and start to uncover the beliefs that have been internalized.
“ Trauma is not what happened to you; it is what happened inside of you as a result of what happened to you “
Beth was one of the early cohorts to train in Compassionate Inquiry back in 2019. She is a private mentor, supervisor and a CI circle leader. https://compassionateinquiry.com/ci-circles/ Her therapeutic sessions integrate many modalities, with a strong somatic approach. Infusing mindfulness, spirituality, art therapy and pre and perinatal psychology. The therapeutic relationship is always at the heart of the process.