Bodynamic International — Somatic Developmental Psychology
Foundation

Foundation Training

The foundation training is aimed at practicing therapists who have completed a degree or a corresponding psychotherapy training, in particular psychologists, dream therapists, cranio-sacral…

Foundation Training

Duration

18 days over 1 year

Format

Hybrid

Upcoming Sessions

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Live Online Training

Online (Europe Time Zone) · English

Feb 13–15, 2026 · Apr 10–12, 2026 · May 22–24, 2026 · Jul 17–19, 2026 · Aug 28–30, 2026 · Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · Dec 4–6, 2026

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Live Online Training

Online (Europe Time Zone) · English

January 29 – September 19, 2027

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Canada

Edmonton · English

Dates to be announced

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Denmark

Hørsholm · Danish

Started April 3, 2026

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Germany

Aviva Air Space, Berlin · German

Mar 11–15, 2026 · May 13–17, 2026 · Jul 1–5, 2026 · Sep 30–Oct 4, 2026

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Germany

Weißenstein 52, 40764 Langenfeld · German

Mar 13–15, 2026 · Apr 24–26, 2026 · Jun 19–21, 2026 · Aug 21–24, 2026 · Oct 2–4, 2026 · Nov 6–8, 2026 · Jan 8–10, 2027

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Germany

Mohr-Villa, Munich-Freimann · German

Oct 22–25, 2026 · Dec 10–13, 2026 · Feb 18–21, 2027 · Apr 22–25, 2027 · Jun 24–27, 2027 · Sep 2–4, 2027

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Germany

Berlin · German

Starting February 10, 2027

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Portugal

Lisbon · Portuguese

Jan 14–17, 2027 · Mar 11–14, 2027 · Apr 22–25, 2027 · Jun 3–6, 2027 · Jul 1–4, 2027

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Portugal

YOTEL Porto, Porto · Portuguese

Jan 21–24, 2027 · Mar 18–21, 2027 · May 6–9, 2027 · Jun 17–20, 2027 · Jul 8–11, 2027

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Spain

Barcelona · Spanish

Feb 4–8, 2026 · Apr 15–19, 2026 · Jun 24–28, 2026 · Sep 23–27, 2026

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Switzerland

Wäsmeli-Träff, Luzern · German

Dec 11–13, 2026 · Jan 22–24, 2027 · Feb 26–28, 2027 · Apr 16–18, 2027 · May 21–23, 2027 · Jun 18–20, 2027 · Jul 16–18, 2027

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France

Lyon · French / English

Mar 3–7, 2027 · May 5–9, 2027 · Jul 14–18, 2027 · Sep 29–Oct 3, 2027

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United Kingdom

Barnsbury Therapy Rooms, London · English

Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · Dec 11–13, 2026 · Jan 29–31, 2027 · Feb 26–28, 2027 · Apr 2–4, 2027 · May 14–16, 2027 · Jun 11–13, 2027

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United States of America

Southern California (venue to be announced) · English

Apr 7–11, 2027 — Online · Jun 2–6, 2027 — In person · Aug 18–22, 2027 — Online · Oct 13–17, 2027 — In person

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Development of Character Structures

The focus is on the development of character structures by addressing specific needs and challenges in individual phases of development of all human beings (existence, autonomy, etc.). Here, Bodynamic has developed a unique differentiated model of character structures through a 25-years of empirical study. It describes the child development in 7 phases from the 2nd trimester in utero to the 13th year of life.

Role of Developmental Trauma

Development trauma plays a decisive role in the development and creation of these structures. The term was introduced and used by Lisbeth Marcher even before it became popular by Bessel van der Kolk, one of the leading American psychiatrists in the field of trauma and its effects.

Developmental trauma emerges when a child experiences massive and persistent rejection, neglect, etc. through the parents, in the context of the central needs of a development phase. This means that the child may not develop central aspects of his or her own self or may end up abandoning them altogether.

The child experiences in its early childhood in relationship to its external world above, all about his body (bodyego) and its movement. In addition to physical milestones such as crawling, sitting, standing and walking, the child must learn a variety of movement patterns.

Character types and positions

In this training you will learn how the child moves through individual phases by developing motor skills and the voluntary use of muscles and muscle tone reacts to specific external developmental challenges. Correspondingly, body and character structures are formed that are divided into either a more hypotonic (early) or a hypertonic (late) type, each requiring a different therapeutic approach.

These create a characteristic body posture and a corresponding expression, mimicry, etc. As part of the training curriculum we explore the ability to recognize and “read” these embodied character structures. This allows you to step into the age-specific “resonance” of your client and to integrate these respective resources optimally into the healing process.

In addition, this training provides you with a variety of specific body exercises and techniques, as well as the knowledge, more precisely, more effectively and efficiently, with the traumatization of your clients.

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