Training

Training Schedule 2009

Richard Overly, M.Div., began training with Eva Reich in 1985 and is endorsed by her to teach Gentle Bio-Energetics™. He providestherapy and training through the Gentle Bio-Energetics Foundation, Asheville, NC and conducts regional workshops. Richard has been in the therapy field since 1968 and is the author of Gentle Bio-Energetics materials. Preserving Dr. Eva Reich's vision, Richard Overly teaches Eva's Gentle Bio-Energetics theory and techniques developed from the work of her father, Wilhelm Reich. These masterful healing tools will change both your personal life and professional work!

Basic Training in Gentle Bio-Energetics is for all those who are interested in learning to use the tools of Gentle Bio-Energetics for either professional or personal use. Mental health therapists, massage therapists, clergy, medical field practitioners, performers, birth and child care practitioners, organizational consultants and all those interested in their own personal growth have found this program rewarding. Because many of the tools in Gentle Bio-Energetics can be used by family and friends, the training is open to all those who wish to work at that level. In addition, many of the tools can be used in the most advanced therapeutic process, and those attending will be urged to use these tools as they gain competency. This mix of some with personal goals and others with professional goals provides a wonderful growth opportunity for everyone. The training will be adapted to your background and intentions.

Richard Overly Demonstrating Butterfly Massage The experiential nature of the training requires participants to do therapy with the leader, practice tools with peers, receive supervision, and study the theory. Participants will become proficient in assessing past and present traumas, in melting armor, and in knowing how these impact current life patterns. Tools will be taught to facilitate:

healing pre-verbal experiences from conception through age two;
restoring energy flow from unconscious experiences including surgery, illness, or injury;
recovering from trance states resulting from physical, sexual, and drug abuse.

Students can learn the tools and be very effective without becoming certified.Students will: understand the natural flow of life energy and how the energy becomes blocked as the result of trauma and armoring: learn gently healing methods: to restore the energetic flow following injury, surgery, anesthesia and other unconscious states; to heal primal trauma, including abuse; and to help infants and childrendevelop healthy ways to respond.

Certification in Gentle Bio-Energetics is an apprenticeship process, during which time trainees will sign individual agreements with the trainer. Requirements include: attending training programs (or individual training to fit schedules); experiencing the tools personally; using the tools with peers and then clients. The program will be taught in two four-day intensives in one year followed by a one-day peer review oral exam. However, some students may wish to take other elective courses or repeat certain segments of the teaching. Certification can be as a Gentle Bio-Energetics Practitioner or for application of the tools to a specific field.

The Gentle Bio-Energetics Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTNB) as a continuing education provider under Category “A”.

The certification process to be a Gentle Bio-Energetics practitioner requires:

meeting certain hours of training
experiencing all of the tools on self
demonstrating proficiency in the use of the tools with others
demonstrating understanding of one’s own armoring and work to become clear in the self
ability to explain the basic theory to a client
peer review exam

The program is designed for students to achieve certification in one year of training. However, the actual length of time can be extended as determined by the individual’s own needs, previous therapy and training, and life experience.

Pathway to Certification

There are three levels of practitioners in Gentle Bio-Energetics.

1.) Practitioners
These include all the people who have attended a workshop, read the Gentle Bio-Energetics books, taken a course at the web site and may be using one or more of the tools with peers, family members, or even clients.

2.) Certified Gentle Bio-Energetics Practitioners
This is a one-year program. These students have become familiar with the theory of Gentle Bio-Energetics by reading the text on the theory, learning the theory on the Internet, or attending a workshop that presents the theory and demonstrated an understanding of the beginning theory by achieving a proficiency score in an oral exam. The next step would be to attend seminars that would teach the application of the tools of Gentle Bio-Energetics.

Students interested in this level of training shall:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theory by passing a written exam.
Sign a written agreement with trainer identifying the responsibilities of the trainer and student.

Attend two 4-day intensives two times a year to learn advanced theory and practice all the tools

3.) Certified Gentle Bio-Energetics Trainers
This is a minimum two-year program. After being certified as Gentle Bio-Energetics Practitioners, students may enter a program to become trainers. During this process they would be expected to:

observe the trainer teach a course
teach the course themselves
have at least one student achieve certified practitioner status
attend one advanced training course
receive supervision after teaching courses
pass a written and oral review.

Certified Trainers would demonstrate:

the ability to teach the theory of Gentle Bio-Energetics (including teaching an introduction)
how to do Butterfly Touch Massage,
how to do a Trauma Life Line
how to train students in the art of Gentle Bio-Energetics working with clients of Gentle Bio-Energetics to develop competency in the process.
Experience all the tools on self before doing with others.
Be in a process of Gentle Bio-Energetics therapy for self.
Work with peers, clients, or family members to practice the tools between sessions.
Attend a review day to demonstrate in an oral exam an understanding of the theory and application of Gentle Bio-Energetics.
Pay appropriate fees.
Attend review workshop once a year or biannually.

Head Massage Training When the student and trainer feel ready then attending and evaluation seminar in which the student would demonstrate an understanding of the tools and their application. During the year the students would also be expected to participate in their own work to change.

There are a variety of Books, audio and videotapes, E-courses, and workshops available to assist the learner in becoming a practitioner of Gentle Bio-Energetics. More are being developed on a continuing basis.

For information, workshop schedules, and to register for training, please contact the Gentle BioEnergetics Institute. Pre-Registration is required 14 days prior to class date. Workshops are taught by Richard Overly and Sandra Tompkins. Class schedule subject to change depending on class size. Discounts available for multiple classes.