Somatic Relational Studies Program
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Earn CEs, expand your knowledge, network, and experience.
The SCIBA Somatic Relational Studies Program features monthly Saturday seminars on a wide variety of topics emerging from the field of Modern Bioenergetic Analysis. The courses are taught by notable Bioenergetic therapists and faculty and are open to students and clinicians at all levels of experience in mental and physical health fields. Theoretical discussions are of the most up-to-date clinical issues in psychotherapy and each day will include experiential components and integration of Modern Bioenergetic Analysis principles.
We are experiencing stressful times in our world and many of us are experiencing increased anxiety, panic and fear. We are bombarded with images of violence and we are being directed to stay in a state of vigilance. Individuals want a way to manage and process their day-to-day experiences. Join us and learn techniques to help you stay grounded during these uncertain times and assist others.
The program is intended for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professions, master and doctoral-level clinicians, physicians and psychiatric nurses, as well as somatic work practitioners.
Learning Objectives
Participants will Identify:
the theoretical basis of three Bioenergetic Analysis principles
three the practice and benefits of “grounding” movements to center one’s body
the concepts of personal safety, grounding, and boundaries
three effects of early muscular contractions resulting from childhood trauma
CEU Information: *Earn up to 32 CE’s
The Southern California Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (SCIBA) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s and / or LEP’s. SCIBA maintains responsibility for this program and its content; Approval #57012.
Each workshop in this Somatic Relational Psychology Workshop Series meets the qualifications of 4 hours of continuing education units for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s and / or LEP’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. A CEU certificate will be provided after completion of each workshop and all fees and evaluations have been submitted. Four CEU’s will be awarded for attendance during the presentation and experiential portions of each workshop day. Total possible CEU’s for attending all 8 workshops is 32 (CE credit is not awarded for breaks and lunch break.)
SCHEDULE:
Each Saturday session will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm:
9:00 – 10:00 Bioenergetic Movement Exercises
10:00 – 12:00 Lecture and Theoretical Discussion
12:00 – 1:15 Lunch on Your Own
1:15 – 4:00 Experiential Learning & Process Group
LOCATION:
25231 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 250, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Fee: $150 per Day
8 Sunday’s - Includes *32 CEU’s
Pay a $150 deposit and then pay one month in advance for each workshop.
Faculty
Homayoun Shahri, Ph.D., M.A., CBT, LMFT: Homayoun Shahri received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering specializing in coding and information theory from Lehigh University in 1990, and his M.A. in clinical and somatic psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute (now part of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology) in 2012. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Laguna Hills, CA. Homayoun is a Certified Bioenergetic Therapist and is a member of the International Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis (IIBA) and the Southern California Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (SCIBA), where he serves as local faculty. He is on the editorial board of the IIBA Journal, a member of the United States Association of Body Psychotherapy (USABP), and serves on the peer review board of the International Body Psychotherapy Journal. For more information, visit www.ravonkavi.com
Additional Information
Accessibility:
Facilities and programs are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a special need and plan to attend the workshops, please contact Homayoun Shahri at homayoun.shahri@ravonkavi.com or (949) 391-7790. Please allow as much advance notice as possible to ensure we have ample opportunity to meet your specific needs.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
The Relational Somatic Psychology Workshop Series Program requires payment for all workshops regardless of attendance. A cancellation request for the series must be submitted in writing to workshops@sciba.org by August 1st. Prior to August 1st, full tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administration fee. A cancellation received between August 1st and August 15th will be refunded minus the fee for one workshop and the administration fee. After August 15th there are no refunds.
To report a grievance or request a copy of the policy please send an email to homayoun.shahri@ravonkavi.com .
September - April
2026 - 2027
Second Sunday of the Month
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1—Introduction to Basic Concepts: What is Modern Bioenergetics? -- Energy, grounding, charge & discharge; overview of overview of developmental stages; very basic anatomy and body alignment
Reading: First four chapters, Bioenergetics, Alexander Lowen
Learning Objectives: Participants will identify 3 types of breathing patterns to assist in self regulation. Participants will identify 3 fundamentals of Modern Bioenergetic therapy. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will be able to identify their own breathing process as well as examine their own flow of energy.
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2—Dissociation, Shock & Developmental Trauma In The Body
Reading: Betrayal of the Body, Alexander Lowen (Chapters 2 & 3)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics that represent the 0-6 month developmental impingement creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with attachment. Participants will be able to utilize the Hilton diagram to describe three adaptations and physical blocks specific to this developmental stage. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will name three body contractions of this personality character structure.
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3—Attachment In The Body
Reading: Characterological Transformation, Stephen M. Johnson (Chapter 5, The Abandoned Child)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics that represent the 6-12 month developmental impingement creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with attachment. Participants will be able to utilize the Hilton diagram to describe 3 adaptations and physical blocks specific to this developmental stage. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will demonstrate their experience of this personality character structure.
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4—Borderline Issues In The Body
Readings: Character Styles, Stephen M. Johnson (Chapter 7, The Owned Child: Symbiotic Character); Living on Shifting Sands: Grounding and Borderline Personality Organization, Scott Baum
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics that represent the borderline structure. Participants will identify the developmental impingements creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with attachment. Participants will be able to utilize the
Hilton diagram to describe adaptations and physical blocks specific to this developmental stage.
Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will demonstrate their experience of the borderline character structure.
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5— The False Self
Reading: Narcissism, Alexander Lowen, (Chapters 2 & 3)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics of the developmentally arrested child in the rapprochement sub-phase of separation-individuation. Participants will identify the developmental impingements creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with self-expression. Participants will be able to utilize the Hilton diagram to describe adaptations and developmental issues specific to this developmental stage. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will demonstrate their knowledge of this character structure.
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6—Aggression In The Body
Reading: Character Styles, Stephen M. Johnson (Chapter 9, The Defeated Child)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics that represent the impingement of the stage of assertion and self-determination creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with aggression. Participants will be able to utilize the Hilton diagram to describe adaptations and physical blocks specific to this developmental stage. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will demonstrate their experience of this personality character structure.
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7—Sexuality in the Body
Reading: Love, Sex & Your Heart, Alexander Lowen (Chapter 5, The Fear of Love)
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify three characteristics that represent the inhibited expression of sexuality. Participants will identify the developmental impingements creating certain emotional, somatic defenses and issues with sexual health. Participants will be able to utilize the Hilton diagram to describe adaptations and developmental issues specific to this developmental stage. Participants will participate in experiential exercises and will demonstrate their experience of the sexually inhibited and rigid character structure.
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8—Integration In The Body
Integration of relational styles and character types
Learning Objectives: Participants will integrate the six character styles and identify contractions and adaptations present for each. Participants will be able to describe the differences between the developmental stages and the impingements that occur at each stage. Participants will describe their knowledge of their own emotional and somatic defenses.