Rubenfeld Synergy

Rubenfeld Synergy Method

by Meg Warden, CRS, CHT

“About 30 years ago, Ilana Rubenfeld discovered that emotions reside and are held in the body, and that skillful touch combined with talk could release emotions and heal pain, thus freeing people to live healthier, more effective lives.”
Christiane Northrup, M.D., Author
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

What Is Rubenfeld Synergy?

Rubenfeld Synergy Method (RSM) is a therapeutic approach that integrates gentle touch with talk therapy. Sessions are usually performed on a padded table or in a chair while fully clothed. Physical experiences, emotions, core beliefs, attitudes and behavior patterns are explored for the purpose of healing and increasing personal freedom. Insight and change occur through deep work in a heightened state of awareness.

Photo of synergy session

How Is Heightened Awareness Facilitated?

Intention and desire
Mindfulness
Gentle touch
Therapeutic guidance
Metaphors and images
Exploration of present experience

What Are The Goals And Benefits Of RSM?

Accelerate recovery from abuse or trauma
Uncover and release negative patterns of thinking and behavior
Express and release suppressed feelings
Reconnect body and mind
Increase awareness of choices
Resolve inner conflicts
Integrate separated or denied aspects of self
Exchange conditioned responses for authentic freedom
Increase energy flow, inspiration, and insight
Remove blocks to the experience
Enhance appreciation of present experience

What Does A Synergist Do?

Offers complete attention and positive support
Perceives energy, feelings and processes
Reflects and clarifies your thoughts and feelings
Facilitates insights, intuitions, and humor
Assists your movement toward inner peace, self-esteem, and healthy relationships
Gently guides your process toward completion and healing
Affirms and reinforces your inner wisdom and wholeness

How Was RSM Developed?

Ilana Rubenfeld developed RSM through integrating two kinds of bodywork (Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method) and two kinds of psychotherapy (Gestalt Therapy and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy). Gradually, the new method became greater than the sum of its parts; it became a synergy.

Through her work with the Alexander Technique and Moshe Feldenkrais, Ilana learned that people develop habitual ways of holding and moving their bodies that often reflect painful emotional experiences and beliefs systems. While these habits are developed unconsciously, they can be changed. Alexander used a gentle listening touch to assist people in releasing tension that restricted energy flow and caused pain. Feldenkrais facilitated re-education of the body-mind through conscious movement.

Through her training with Fritz Perls (the founder of Gestalt Therapy) Ilana learned to help people become aware of their unconscious limiting beliefs. Using creative experiments, she empowered them to choose freeing alternatives. They were able to resolve inner conflicts, clarify boundaries, forgive past hurts, and discover their authentic selves.

From Milton Erickson, Ilana learned to help her clients focus on present moment awareness to deepen their therapeutic process. He taught her to use intuition, imagination, and metaphors, the symbolic language of the subconscious mind.

To these innovative approaches, Ilana Rubenfeld added her compassion, humor, and energy work. The result is a dynamic healing system for the integration of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. She then developed a 4-year training program for teaching this unique method of healing and self-discovery.

For more information about Rubenfeld Synergy Method go to www.rubenfeldsynergy.com