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Changes Groups
As a service to the international focusing community, The Focusing Institute provides this space for the posting of dates and times of ongoing "Changes" groups. Changes groups meet to share Focusing either with or without a facilitator. The Focusing Institute does not monitor, and is not responsible or accountable for the following groups. However, individuals listed as Certified Trainers have been certified by the Focusing Institute to be highly competent Focusing teachers.
Are you holding a Changes group that you would like listed here? Email our webmaster with the particulars.
Please also visit our Bulletin Board page
which lists Focusing-related workshops not offered by the Institute.
For information on Institute workshops, please refer to our Workshops page.
Changes Groups Or Listening/Focusing Communities
Kathleen McGuire-Bouwman
In the early 1970’s, when Eugene Gendlin was trying to define Focusing as a skill that could be taught to everyone, students of Gendlin’s and others got together to form a crisis hotline and supportive community where everyone was invited to learn the basic Focusing and Experiential Listening skills. The basic training took place in small groups, and, even after the initial training, many people enjoyed meeting for the exchange of listening/focusing turns as peer counselors in a small group format. The first such group was called “Changes,” and such Listening/Focusing communities have continued to be called Changes groups.
The Building Supportive Community manual, and its Spanish Translation, both available from The Focusing Institute website, tell how to find potential members and to start a Changes Group, the basic Listening/Focusing skills and the exchange of equal peer-counseling turns, and the use of the Listening/Focusing skills to resolve any interpersonal conflicts or group decisions that come up.
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More Articles on Focusing Communities
Virtual Phone Meetings
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD: VIRTUAL CHANGES GROUP - 90 minute sessions meet by phone/Skype connection. Open to all interested individuals. Use of the MaestroConference technology allows us to gather all together for a brief attunement, followed by time in either Focusing partnerships (dyads/triads) for experienced Focusers or a facilitated group-listening experience for beginners, then re-gathering for a brief sharing of experiences. Please check http://askmehouse.com/offerings/freebies/virtual-changes-group/ or email me@askmehouse.com for schedule details and registration info.
USA - East Coast
BOSTON, MA: CHANGES group meetings in the Boston, MA. area are held from 2-4 PM on one Sunday each month at the Arlington Center, 369 Mass Avenue, Arlington, MA. Please check the websites NewEnglandFocusing.com or ArlingtonCenter.org for the exact schedule of meetings. Focusing Coordinators Joan Klagsbrun and Susan Lennox, and other Focusing trainers co-facilitate CHANGES. At each gathering, we offer an introduction to Focusing for newcomers and additional instruction for more experienced people, as well as an opportunity to focus with a partner if that is your preference. If you would like to receive email notices of Changes gatherings and other local Focusing events, please contact joanklag@mac.com or slennox1@juno.com
CHESAPEAKE, DE: Changes Group held in our home in Wilmington, Delaware. We plan to meet every second Sunday of the month and we welcome your energy and input. Please let me know if you are coming and if you need directions. Our address is 1907 West Ninth Street, Wilmington, DE. Phone number: (302) 777-3111 email: tarotflex@yahoo.com
NEW YORK, NY: West Side 'Changes' Groupgenerally meets
once a month to practice Focusing on a Sunday evening, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at
West 86th Street. There is no charge and no pre-set agenda. Everybody is
fully supported to Focus in their own way. The meeting opens with a group
attunement and we close by sharing some freshly revealed aspect of the
process. Call 917 595 6884 or email larry.hurst@focus-in-touch.com
NEW YORK, NY: Changes group for focusers. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! Our changes group welcomes new members. We meet one Friday each month from
7pm-9:30pm in the East Village near 14th Street and 1st Avenue. The group is
free of charge and is open to anyone interested in focusing. We have been
meeting regularly for over 20 years. For further information, please contact
Marsha Lipshitz, 212-734-9004 or email syoung5@juno.com.
POMPTON PLAINS, NJ: The North Jersey Focusers have a Changes
meeting on the second Saturday of the month except for August.
Time: 10:30 AM to 12 noon. Location: Eleanor Buscher's office: 933 Rt 23 So.
Suite 10 Pompton Plains, New Jersey, 07444. (973) 839-5539. email: embuscher@hotmail.com Criteria
for joining: Any experience or interest in Focusing.
This group is an enthusiastic mix of experienced focusers and beginners,
most of whom live in the Northern New Jersey area. It is led by Eleanor
Buscher, Joanne Stickles and Jack Waldron all of whom are in advanced
training with Robert Lee. Eleanor, Joanne and Jack take the role of coaches
at the Changes meetings to help people who want support with focusing
partnership practice.
Eleanor, Joanne and Jack run Introductory classes two or three times a year
to help new people get acquainted with focusing. We are also giving focusing
classes on Monday evenings once a month for people to get more in depth
training and experience after they take Level 1 training in NYC or the
Introductory classes in New Jersey.
WESTCHESTER, NY: Westchester Changes Groupmeets one Sunday a month, 10am-noon, at the home of Rob Parker and Betty McCorkle. Contact person Ruth Rosenblum: 914-450-5776 rsrosenblum@optonline.net and Betty McCorkle: 914-946-9321 bsmccorkle@verizon.net People should call for meeting schedule.
WILMINGTON, DE: Changes Group meeting every second Sunday of the month, 2pm to 5pm. Open to focusing practitioners and students. Those who have no experience in Focusing will need a brief introductory training. Call Martha Garland or Dale Lantz (302) 777-3111 or email: tarotflex@yahoo.com.
WOODBURY, NY: Changes Group meeting for experienced focusers. For more information, please contact: Lori Ketover, LMSW, Long Island Focusing Center, Woodbury, NY, (516)692-0613 lketover@lifocusing.com
USA - Midwest
EVANSTON, IL: Changes group, Sunday evenings, monthly. Contact: Marsha Smith, 847 333-3809.
CHICAGO, IL (Loop): Changes group. Jim Iberg and Chel Ferraro are starting a Changes group in the Loop on the 3rd Thursday of the month, in the evening from 6:30-8:30 pm. Contact Jim Iberg iberg@empathywork.com 847-864-0303
CHICAGO, IL (Western Suburbs): Changes group meets every two
weeks on Sunday afternoons in Glen Ellyn. Contact Jack Hatfield at 630 375
0881 or jackhat1@aol.com
MARINETTE, WI: Changes group meets Sunday evenings at 5 P.M.
at St. James Lutheran rectory. Jim Van Doren, 414-498-3810.
NEW ORLEANS, LA: Changes group in downtown New Orleans meets
every Thursday night from 7-9PM at Magazine Perks Coffee Shop. Anne Redelfs. readsong@juno.com
OAK PARK, IL: Changes group meets Tuesday evenings. Bebe Simon, 708-524-1114.
OCONTO, WI: Changes group has meets Wednesdays at 5 P.M. in the Oconto Memorial Hospital second floor conference room. Jim Van Doren, 414-498-3810.
USA - West Coast and Southern States
BERKELEY and OAKLAND, CA: Changes Group. We meet monthly on Wednesdays 6:30-8:30. Near BART Rockridge station. Open to all who have taken a Focusing Introductory workshop (or equivalent) or more, and can engage in an equal focusing partnership exchange. For dates you can check www.focusingpathways.net or email Francesca at francesca@focusingpathways.net
CORVALLIS, OR: Focusing group. We meet in the home of a
member... mostly in my home as teacher/ leader. We meet twice a month, on
2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons right now for 2 hours, from 3 - 5 PM. We
include people who have learned Focusing already, not people new to it.
Anyone can come who has focusing already. I remind the group by e- mail sent
to all the people in our Corvallis area who have had a Focusing workshop
with me, or have sought me out, having learned Focusing already. There are
maybe 15 people the notices go out to in the Corvallis, Salem area. Contact
person: Nina Joy Lawrence, 9ajoy@comcast.net 541-745-5377
DALLAS, TX: Changes group meets first and third Monday
evenings of every month. Patricia Pierce. 214-596-7784.
EUGENE, OR: Changes group meets bi-weekly. Linda Prier.
541-345-9672.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA: Twice monthly Focusing practice group,
trainer-led. Diana Marder, Ph.D. 16168 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach.
714-843-1109
L.A., CA: Focusing Changes Group, Meets monthly Lucinda Gray
310-827-4241.
PORTLAND, OR: Changes Group, first Tuesdays from 7-9:30pm,
centrally located in Hollywood District. focusinginportland@yahoo.com
RENTON, WA: Changes group meets monthly. Marj Franke. 425-255-1233. Merry O'Brien. 425-271-6417
SAN DIEGO, CA: Changes group meets weekly. Russell Jenkins. 760-672-8466.
SANTA ROSA, CA: Fourth Fridays Focusing Fair Changes
Group.
What: Focusing Changes Group
When: the Fourth Friday of each month on-going 6 - 8 p.m. 2011:
April 22, May 27, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, November
25, and December 23, 2011
Where: Center for Inner Health and Stillness - 424 8th Street, Santa Rosa,
CA
Who: Open to Anyone who knows Focusing
To learn Focusing, a respectful, safe, inviting process of self-referral,
please contact Laura Dickinson, www.innerlifestream.com laura@innerslifestream.com 707-527-7352 for focusing sessions, lessons,
classes, or referrals.
Why: Reconnecting to Life Forward
Host: Laura Dickinson, M.A.
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
WALNUT CREEK, CA: Changes group meets bi-weekly. Buddy Maynes.
925-937-3316.
Canada
MONTREAL, QC: NVC and Focusing Changes group en francais. Tuesday evenings from 7-9 once a month on 21 février, 20 mars, 16 avril, 15 mai, 12 juin 2012. Contact Gina Cenciose gincen@sympatico.ca
MONTREAL, QC: Changes group, en francais. Marine de Freminville, 514-341-9596.
MONTREAL, QC: Changes Group (English) meets the third Tuesday of every month, 7-9.30 p.m. Pre-requisite: You must have some experience of Focusing. Kit, Nada and Patricia are pleased to invite you to a monthly English Focusing Changes Group. Location: Belarôme, 6100 Monkland, Suite 200 in NDG (Monkland and Beaconsfield). FIRST MEETING TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 7PM TO 9.30 PM. For information and rsvp: Nada Lou 450-692-9333 nadalou@nadalou.com, Patricia Manessy 514-369-3003 pmanessy@hotmail.com, Kit Racette 514-968-0927 kit@amindfulmoment.com Link to flyer.
ORILLIA, ON: Monthly changes group. One Sunday a month, 2-4 pm we meet to exchange focusing partnerships. The group is open to people trained to participate in Focusing Partnerships. We start with an attunement, brief check-ins, do our focusing in dyads or triads and then meet again to share check-outs. Contact Judy Archer judyarcher@rogers.com 705-325-2055 for dates, directions and to let us know you're coming.
EAST END TORONTO, ON: Changes Group. Every first and third Tuesday of the month from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Lucy Bowers, a Certifying Coordinator with the Focusing Institute hosts a Changes Group at her home. For details call 416 690 4862 or email the_learning_zone_to@hotmail.com
TORONTO, ON: Changes group meets once a month from 6-7:30pm on Wednesday. Trainers, and seasoned Focuser's are welcome. We meet, have a brief tune-in, then break up in some configuration (dyads or triads) for Focusing time, and generally re-convene together at about 7:50pm. Bala Jaison, 416-482-6689.
International
EAST BURWOOD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: Changes groups. Saturday afternoons, monthly. These groups are very relaxed and informal and provide an opportunity to be amongst other people who are interested in Focusing as well as to do some Focusing in partnership. The meetings usually last for about 2 - 2½ hours. There is always coffee/tea and a biscuit. Everyone contributes a few dollars to cover the cost of the venue and refreshment. Contact Andrea Pelletier on 0412 871137 or andrea.pelletier@bigpond.com.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: A Changes group is held in Mont Albert, Melbourne Vic. on the first Monday of the month from 7.30 till 9.30pm. Ring Maureen Ireland (03) 9899 2053 or email maureen_ireland@bigpond.com.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: Changes group meets on the first Monday of every month from 7PM to 9PM at the Abbotsford convent. 1 St Heliers st Abbotsford. All focusers welcome. Introductory classes run throughout the year. Contact Ruth Cunningham 0413 469050 or Jo Kennedy 0418141870 focusingaustralia@gmail.com
SANTA ANA, COSTA RICA: West Side Changes Meetings in Santa Ana, usually the third Sunday of each month, at 1:30 p.m. at Cooperativa Las Cabañas. Contact Suzanne Noel at recoveryfocusing@gmail.com
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: Changes group on-demand. No previous Focusing experience required. Contact Elmar Kruithoff at info@focusing-kompetenz-zentrum.de for further information.
HAMBURG, GERMANY: Monthly Changes group. Some previous Focusing experience required. Contact Elmar Kruithoff at info@focusing-kompetenz-zentrum.de for further information or visit our website: www.focusing-kompetenz-zentrum.de (German version).
BALI, INDONESIA: Ongoing Focusing groups. Lyly Rojas De Knaus, Tromol Pos #204, Kantor Pos Dan Giro, Ubud, Gianyar 80571 Bali. Fax: 62-361-975115.
BEDFORDSHIRE, UK: Monthly Changes group. We meet at 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month in Potton, near Sandy. Participants require a basic knowledge of Focusing and listening. Contact Kay Hoffmann kay.hoffmann@homecall.co.uk if you wish to attend or would be interested in learning Focusing.
YORKSHIRE, UK: Monthly Changes group. We meet every month at various venues around Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield. Participants require a basic knowledge of Focusing and listening. Contact Simon Kilner at skilner@dyslexiaaction.org.uk if you wish to attend or would be interested in learning Focusing.
Articles on Focusing Communities
Teaching
Focusing and Focusing Communities: Our Way of Teaching Which Resulted In 17
Focusing Communities by Mako Hikasa
Tips for building and
continuing a Focusing Community (Work book appendix for above
article in Japanese) by Mako Hikasa
Some Group Experiences
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