USABP Pioneer Award
Honoring Those Who Open New Horizons in Embodied Practice
The field of somatic psychotherapy and embodied practice has been shaped by people willing to explore new territory—to ask different questions, challenge established assumptions, and develop new ways of understanding the relationship among body, mind, emotion, relationship, and human experience.
Since its founding in 1998, the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy has honored individuals whose work has helped shape the development and evolution of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and the broader field of embodied practice.
Since its founding in 1998, the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy has honored individuals whose work has helped shape the development and evolution of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and the broader field of embodied practice.
The USABP Pioneer Award recognizes an individual whose original and influential work has opened new directions in the field. Pioneer Award recipients have introduced or significantly advanced ideas, theories, research, methods, practices, or interdisciplinary approaches that expanded how embodiment is understood and applied.
Their contributions may have:
Their contributions may have:
- opened a new area of inquiry or practice;
- introduced an innovative theory, methodology, or body of research;
- created meaningful connections between somatics and other disciplines;
- challenged prevailing assumptions and expanded the boundaries of the field;
- influenced subsequent generations of practitioners, researchers, educators, or approaches; or
- created new possibilities for healing, growth, connection, and transformation.
The Pioneer Award honors those whose work did more than contribute to the field—it helped move the field into new territory. Here below you will find past recipients:
Pioneer Award Winner, 2023 - Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Founder of Body-Mind Centering®
Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen is a movement artist, researcher, educator, and therapist who has been working with movement, touch, and the body-mind relationship for over 50 years. She is an innovator and leader in developing the Body-Mind Centering® approach, which has influenced many body-mind disciplines such as bodywork, movement, dance, yoga, body psychotherapy, and childhood education. Bonnie founded The School for Body-Mind Centering® in 1973 and has taught workshops throughout the world. She has an extensive background in movement, including various dance styles, dance therapy, bodywork, martial arts, yoga, and voice. Her focus has been with infants and young children, particularly those with neurological challenges and children/teenagers developing scoliosis. Bonnie is currently turning more of her attention to writing and producing videos of her work.
Pioneer Award, 2018
DR. STEPHEN PRORGES research intersects psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. Through his development of the Polyvagal Theory, Porges is discovering how the autonomic nervous system controls the reactions and behaviors of individuals affected by a wide-range of traumatic experiences, including sexual assault and partner violence, bullying, and the trauma associated with diagnoses and treatment of the reproductive system. Currently, Porges is developing the Kinsey Institute Sexual Trauma Research Consortium to address the life-changing affects and treatments around trauma. He is creating a team of collaborative researchers and clinicians at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, and other partner institutions to document both the effects of trauma on people’s ability to form intimate relationships and the development of novel treatments to reverse its effects.
Past Pioneers
AKHTER AHSEN, PH.D. holds a seminal place in the development of Somatic Psychology. Since the early 1950’s Dr. Ahsen has published, practiced, and trained individuals to work in images rather than words. Standing apart from other theorists in psychology, he has never separated mind from body. According to Ahsen, the image holds spirit, mind, and body. Developed through biology, philosophy, mythology, and quantum science, his system is built on the structure of consciousness itself, a method of physical and spiritual consciousness. With an Image as entry point (I), the body is automatically engaged through a Somatic response to the image (S) and the Meaning (M) which emerges as a result of the flow of consciousness. This ISM structure keeps body and mind together, a living, psychosomatic system. The ability to work with the body without leaving the mind is Akhter Ahsen’s most significant contribution to the field of Body Psychotherapy.
EUGENE GENDLIN is internationally recognized as a major American philosopher and psychologist. He taught at the University of Chicago from 1963 to 1995. The applications of this “Philosophy of the Implicit” have been important in many fields. Gendlin has been honored four times by the American Psychological Association for his development of Experiential Psychotherapy. He received the first “Distinguished Professional Psychologist of the Year” award from the Clinical Division, an award from the Philosophical Psychology Division, and he and The Focusing Institute received an award from the Humanistic Division in August of 2000. Division 24 gave him (2010) their highest award for Distinguished Theoretical and Philosophical Contributions to Psychology. In 2008 he was awarded the Viktor Frankl prize by the city of Vienna and the Viktor Frankl Family Foundation. His book, Focusing is translated into 17 languages. His other books include, Let Your Body Interpret Your Dreams, and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy.
CHARLES R. (CHUCK) KELLEY, PH.D. was a philosopher of science, an explorer and engineer of the life force, and an applied experimental psychologist. He was a student of Wilhelm Reich, and after Reich’s death in 1957 he published THE CREATIVE PROCESS, America’s only scientific periodical devoted to furthering Reich’s work at that time. By the late sixties he developed his own system of Radix® Education in Feeling and Purpose, and he and his wife Erica ran a retreat center in California until 1987, offering residential programs and training professionals from around the world.
ARNY MINDELL, PH.D. is in private practice in Portland, Oregon. He is known for his development of the “dreambody” and “process work” (process oriented psychology). He is the author of 19 books in 21 languages, including Dreambody, The Shaman’s Body, Quantum Mind, and Quantum Mind and Healing. Arny has an M.S. from M.I.T., was a Jungian training analyst, and has a Ph.D. in psychology. He is also known in the area of conflict management for his Sitting in the Fire and for his integration of psychology and physics, work on dreams, bodywork, relationships, and for interventions in near death situations. To listen to the March 2009 Somatic Perspective interview click here.
JACK LEE ROSENBERG, PH.D. is internationally recognized as a pioneer for his innovative approach to body psychotherapy, human sexuality, and couples counseling, teaching his approach throughout the United States, Europe and Canada He is founder and Clinical Director of the IBP Central and International Institutes. He has doctorates in dentistry and psychology. His master’s thesis focused on group dynamics and industrial psychology, his doctorate on clinical psychology. As Director of Counseling at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, he did research on somatic medicine and taught dental psychology. He trained therapists at the Gestalt Institute in San Francisco and at the Center for the Healing Art, Los Angeles. He has conducted workshops at the Esalen Institute for more than twenty-eight years. He is in private practice in Los Angeles. He is the author of Total Orgasm, Body, Self and Soul: Sustaining Integration and co-author of The Intimate Couple. To listen to the July 2012 Somatic Perspective Interview click here
Past Pioneers
AKHTER AHSEN, PH.D. holds a seminal place in the development of Somatic Psychology. Since the early 1950’s Dr. Ahsen has published, practiced, and trained individuals to work in images rather than words. Standing apart from other theorists in psychology, he has never separated mind from body. According to Ahsen, the image holds spirit, mind, and body. Developed through biology, philosophy, mythology, and quantum science, his system is built on the structure of consciousness itself, a method of physical and spiritual consciousness. With an Image as entry point (I), the body is automatically engaged through a Somatic response to the image (S) and the Meaning (M) which emerges as a result of the flow of consciousness. This ISM structure keeps body and mind together, a living, psychosomatic system. The ability to work with the body without leaving the mind is Akhter Ahsen’s most significant contribution to the field of Body Psychotherapy.
EUGENE GENDLIN is internationally recognized as a major American philosopher and psychologist. He taught at the University of Chicago from 1963 to 1995. The applications of this “Philosophy of the Implicit” have been important in many fields. Gendlin has been honored four times by the American Psychological Association for his development of Experiential Psychotherapy. He received the first “Distinguished Professional Psychologist of the Year” award from the Clinical Division, an award from the Philosophical Psychology Division, and he and The Focusing Institute received an award from the Humanistic Division in August of 2000. Division 24 gave him (2010) their highest award for Distinguished Theoretical and Philosophical Contributions to Psychology. In 2008 he was awarded the Viktor Frankl prize by the city of Vienna and the Viktor Frankl Family Foundation. His book, Focusing is translated into 17 languages. His other books include, Let Your Body Interpret Your Dreams, and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy.
CHARLES R. (CHUCK) KELLEY, PH.D. was a philosopher of science, an explorer and engineer of the life force, and an applied experimental psychologist. He was a student of Wilhelm Reich, and after Reich’s death in 1957 he published THE CREATIVE PROCESS, America’s only scientific periodical devoted to furthering Reich’s work at that time. By the late sixties he developed his own system of Radix® Education in Feeling and Purpose, and he and his wife Erica ran a retreat center in California until 1987, offering residential programs and training professionals from around the world.
ARNY MINDELL, PH.D. is in private practice in Portland, Oregon. He is known for his development of the “dreambody” and “process work” (process oriented psychology). He is the author of 19 books in 21 languages, including Dreambody, The Shaman’s Body, Quantum Mind, and Quantum Mind and Healing. Arny has an M.S. from M.I.T., was a Jungian training analyst, and has a Ph.D. in psychology. He is also known in the area of conflict management for his Sitting in the Fire and for his integration of psychology and physics, work on dreams, bodywork, relationships, and for interventions in near death situations. To listen to the March 2009 Somatic Perspective interview click here.
JACK LEE ROSENBERG, PH.D. is internationally recognized as a pioneer for his innovative approach to body psychotherapy, human sexuality, and couples counseling, teaching his approach throughout the United States, Europe and Canada He is founder and Clinical Director of the IBP Central and International Institutes. He has doctorates in dentistry and psychology. His master’s thesis focused on group dynamics and industrial psychology, his doctorate on clinical psychology. As Director of Counseling at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, he did research on somatic medicine and taught dental psychology. He trained therapists at the Gestalt Institute in San Francisco and at the Center for the Healing Art, Los Angeles. He has conducted workshops at the Esalen Institute for more than twenty-eight years. He is in private practice in Los Angeles. He is the author of Total Orgasm, Body, Self and Soul: Sustaining Integration and co-author of The Intimate Couple. To listen to the July 2012 Somatic Perspective Interview click here
Lifetime Achievement Award
Discover the individuals whose sustained leadership, scholarship, practice, advocacy, and service have strengthened somatics, expanded its reach, and made an enduring impact on our evolving field.
VIEW THE RECIPIENTS
VIEW THE RECIPIENTS
Alice Ladas Research Award
Explore how the Alice Ladas Research Award supports outstanding somatic psychology research, encourages emerging and established researchers, and contributes to the future of embodied practice.
EXPLORE THE AWARD
EXPLORE THE AWARD
Upcoming Community Events
Presented by the USABP, our Educator Alliance, and proud members
Stay Up to Date
|
|
INTERNATIONAL BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY JOURNAL
Our Vision
We see the Journal as a focal point for our field—an important tool for cross-pollination, bringing together colleagues from around the world, and creating a foundation from which the vital contributions of somatic and body-inclusive therapies can take their place on the world stage.
Our Mission
The Journal supports the growing scientific recognition of somatic psychology and body psychotherapy. We cover the spectrum of academic developments, evolving clinical practices, and interdisciplinary viewpoints within the field of somatic psychology and body psychotherapy. We promote, and stimulate the exchange of ideas, scholarship, and research, and encourage an interdisciplinary exchange with related fields of clinical theory and practice.
We see the Journal as a focal point for our field—an important tool for cross-pollination, bringing together colleagues from around the world, and creating a foundation from which the vital contributions of somatic and body-inclusive therapies can take their place on the world stage.
Our Mission
The Journal supports the growing scientific recognition of somatic psychology and body psychotherapy. We cover the spectrum of academic developments, evolving clinical practices, and interdisciplinary viewpoints within the field of somatic psychology and body psychotherapy. We promote, and stimulate the exchange of ideas, scholarship, and research, and encourage an interdisciplinary exchange with related fields of clinical theory and practice.
|
Published by the European and United States Associations for Body Psychotherapy and Somatic Psychology
The Art and Science of Somatic Praxis A Peer-Reviewed International Journal Published twice a year, the International Body Psychotherapy Journal (IBPJ) is the voice of somatic psychology and body psychotherapy around the world. The Journal is the collaborative publication of two sister organizations:
The combined USABP and EABP membership spans over twenty-nine countries, reaching beyond the United States and Europe to Canada, South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. |