In Hakomi Therapy, we don’t just step into the mind and start digging for answers. We invite the body, the breath–the whole self–into a gentle conversation by asking small, curious questions. And then we listen. Together.
We call these questions experiments—small, mindful invitations that help us get beneath the surface of what can sometimes be a very noisy internal experience. So instead of asking a client, “Why does that thought make you anxious?”—a question which beckons a head-first, analytical answer—experiments take advantage of a much wider range of information available to us. A quickening heartbeat. A little burning behind the eyes. A surge of raw emotion that we don’t quite understand.
What Might a Hakomi Experiment Look Like?
Experiments don’t need to be dramatic to be profound. Sometimes the smallest invitation reveals the deepest truth.
Perhaps a client shares that rest feels impossible. Rather than analyzing the “why,” we might offer a simple phrase in mindfulness: “It’s okay to slow down.” Not as a directive, but as a gentle invitation—to notice what stirs when a long-missing message is finally heard.
Other times, the work is about meeting what’s already there. Maybe a client quietly voices a belief like, “I don’t get to be happy.” Rather than rushing to challenge it, we might offer to be the voice of that belief for a moment—speaking the words aloud, slowly and mindfully, while the client listens from a little distance. Sometimes, hearing their own inner narrative reflected back brings unexpected clarity: a tightening in the gut, a surge of anger, a sudden sense of sadness. Whatever arises, we stay with it. Curious. Gentle. Trusting that even painful beliefs have a story worth hearing.
These experiments are not tests. They’re not performances. They’re invitations. Designed with care. Offered gently. And always open to a no.
A Different Kind of Knowing
Hakomi experiments don’t demand answers. They don’t chase catharsis or rush toward clarity. They create a quiet space where something true can arise on its own.
And sometimes, it does.
Not in the form of a breakthrough or a bold declaration—but in a subtle release of the jaw. A softening behind the eyes. A moment of breath where there was once tightness.
That’s the kind of therapy we offer at Somatic Psychotherapy. Not a performance. Not a puzzle to solve. Just an invitation to get curious, go slow, and see what unfolds.
FAQs
What makes Hakomi therapy different from traditional therapy?
Hakomi is a mindfulness-based, body-centered approach that uses “experiments” to help surface unconscious beliefs. Rather than talking about your experience, Hakomi invites you to feel it in real time—gently and without judgment. Learn more about Hakomi therapy here.
Are Hakomi experiments safe for trauma work?
Yes. Hakomi is deeply trauma-informed and uses techniques like titration and pendulation—just like somatic experiencing—to ensure safety. Everything is offered as an invitation, never a push.
Can I do Hakomi therapy virtually?
Absolutely. Our therapists offer virtual and in person therapy across NYC, including Hakomi sessions. All of our work is grounded in presence, whether you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or joining us online.
