Work with the body
to heal the mind
Experience body-oriented therapy and exercises
What's Bioenergetic Analysis?
Body-oriented therapy
Bioenergetic analysis (also known as the Alexander Lowen method) is a form of body-oriented psychotherapy. This means we not only talk about your thoughts and feelings. We also move and do simple exercises to help you understand your emotions and regain the energy to live a full life.
Movement is key
The goal of therapy is to help you stand firmly on your feet. With somatic therapy, it's not just a metaphor! You don't only sit, you also get to move around as appropriate. It's up to you to try the exercises I propose. Don't worry, they are easy for any level of fitness of mobility.
Your body tells a story
Sometimes there are no words to describe what you're feeling. Early experiences, traumas, and complex emotions may be hidden from you. By learning to understand your body you reach a deep level of self-awareness and begin to heal your mind.
Contact and connection
We are social beings who thrive in contact with others. Many mental health issues are linked to attachment wounds or complex emotions towards others. Bioenergetic Analysis uses contact exercises and consensual, non-intimate touch (such as hand holding) to teach you about your boundaries and needs.
Is this right for you?
mental health concerns
Body-oriented therapy and exercises are effective for mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety.
They are great for psychosomatic concerns, for example tension headaches.
The method is also good choice for people suffering as a result of trauma, both in adulthood as well as in childhood.
Many people use bioenergetic analysis for improved wellbeing, for example to reduce stress, increase energy levels, or improve sleep quality.
Expats in Switzerland
Moving countries is one of the most stressful events in life. I’ve been there too, I moved to Switzerland from my home country, Poland, several years ago.
The pressure of learning the language and cultural norms, paired with the loss of old identity and the circle of support from family and friends can cause a lot of psychological pain and suffering.
Bioenergetic analysis is a relational therapy, which means the therapist helps you understand how you connect with others and overcome the loneliness of being an expat. The method is also useful for making sense of an identity crisis, as well as the stress of adjusting to the new situation.
Moms & pregnant women
As a mom I understand the struggles of raising a child. From the fertility journey, through pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, all the way to building your new identity and finding joy in raising a small human being.
Somatic therapy can help you reclaim your body, feel like a woman again, and accept changes in your appearance.
Talking about your concerns, worries and doubts with someone who understands can get you through the trying to conceive phase, the pain of miscarriage or difficult childbirth, postpartum depression and everyday stresses of being a mom.
INTIMATE CONCERNS
Body-oriented therapy is helpful for sexual concerns, such as low libido, lack of pleasure, and pain during intimacy.
I’m a trained sexologist with over six years of counseling experience (and many more spent in the field of sexuality education and health).
I use elements of somatic therapy in my sessions with women and couples. These sessions can be also booked online. Please visit my website Sex Therapy Zurich for more information.
Try Bioenergetic Analysis
Bioenergetic analysis Zurich & Thalwil. Low-cost sessions with a trainee at 80 CHF/hour.
Got questions?
Get in touch and let’s have a quick call.
Hi! I'm Anka
I’m a trainee in Bioenergetic Analysis, which means I’m in psychotherapy training. I have completed the pre-clinical phase of my training (two years). To ensure the quality of my work I have regular supervision with an experienced therapist. To round up my professional qualifications I am pursuing my second master’s degree, in psychology (a little over a year left).
On top of my current education I have extensive experience in counseling individuals and couples as a sexologist. I completed postgraduate studies in clinical sexology and life coaching. In addition to that I am a qualified facilitator of psychological workshops with in-depth training in that field.
I speak fluent English and German, while Polish is my mother tongue. I also understand (and try to speak the Zurich dialect of Swiss German). I studied French for several years too but haven’t used that language much.
I migrated to Switzerland from Warsaw, Poland in 2018. Here in Zurich my family pack consists of me, my husband, primary school age son, and two cats.
I love the color red which fits very well with the philosophy of Bioenergetic Analysis. After all, red is the color of life, passion and energy and that’s exactly what this somatic therapy method brings into my life and the lives of my clients.
Qualifications:
- Psychotherapy training in Bioenergetic Analysis (in progress)
- Clinical sexology
- Life coaching
- Psychological training facilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from Bioenergetic Analysis sessions?
Bioenergetic analysis sessions according to the method by Alexander Lowen last 60 minutes for individuals. Recommended frequency is once a week but more frequent sessions are also possible. It’s best to have a session at least once every two weeks.
How long the process will last depends on the client’s goals and mental state. In some cases a short-term process is enough to bring improvement in one particular area or help the client in a crisis. For most people this is long term therapy, typically lasting anywhere between six months and three years.
Sessions are a mix of talking and physical interactions and exercises aimed to increase the awareness of emotions in the body, teach the client to self-regulate, and heal attachment wounds. All exercises, especially the ones involving physical proximity or touch (forms of touch include holding the hands or head etc.), take place with consent of the client.
Since this is a body-focused method, the success of sessions depends on the client’s involvement and motivation to do the exercises and practices in between meetings. This way you get to learn to self-soothe or recognize bodily signs of mental symptoms, such as an anxiety attack.
Is this a science-based method?
Bioenergetic Analysis is an officially recognized method of psychotherapy in Switzerland. It is a well-researched method of therapy with roots in classical psychoanalysis by Freud. Its founder, Alexander Lowen, was a physician and student of another student of Freud’s, Wilhelm Reich. He developed the body-focused method of therapy in the 1950 and the approach has been further developed and modernized ever since.
Since body-oriented therapy recognizes the importance of the body for our psychological wellbeing, therapists incorporate the knowledge of the human physiology and the nervous system in the treatment process.
Ongoing research and the exchange of experience is facilitated by the International Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis. Research results and case studies are published in the clinical journal.
Is this covered by Swiss insurance?
At the moment Bioenergetic Analysis sessions with me are not covered by health insurance, as I’m still a trainee. I offer the session at a reduced rate of 80 CHF/hour to make them affordable. To ensure high quality of my work I have regular professional supervision.
What are the payment options?
To book your first session I will ask you to make an advance payment online. For subsequent sessions I will issue monthly invoices. You can pay by bank transfer or at the office with Twint or card.
Can you do these sessions online?
Bioenergetic analysis brings best results when done face to face. This way you can use its full potential. The therapist can see you and recognize tensions and other patterns in your body and posture. In addition, you get to try the bioenergetic exercises and interventions in a safe space with the support of your therapist.
It’s possible to do sessions with elements of somatic work online, especially if you are looking to improve your well-being, reduce stress and learn to “get out of your head”. Message me describing your needs and I will tell you if this is possible to work on it online. For people living in Switzerland but far away from Zurich I recommend a hybrid system where you come for a face to face session at least once a month.
Try Bioenergetic Analysis
Bioenergetic analysis Zurich & Thalwil. Low-cost sessions with a trainee at 80 CHF/hour.
Got questions?
Get in touch and let’s have a quick call.