The Focuser’s Focus, Vol.16, No.1, Spring Issue 2013
Focusing developing in China
By Xu Jun
(Certifying Coordinator, China)
Through more than ten years efforts to explore, Focusing and Focusing-orientation Therapy is acknowledged by therapists in China.
In 2000, a chapter introducing Focusing was found in the Chinese version of Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts Case (Sharf, 2000). This was the first time for Chinese therapists to know about the word Focusing in Chinese reference. In 2002, Han Yan, a Chinese Australian psychologist, introduced about Focusing-oriented therapy in his thesis Construction of an Integrated Psychotherapy Model. In 2004, Xu Jun compiled Focusing-oriented Therapy Introduction. Through those resources, the therapists from mainland of China gradually approach to Focusing and some of them attempt to use this technique consciously during their therapy process.
In 2006, an American Buddhist psychology Michael PhD and his translator Wang Yifu from China proactively contacted The Focusing Institute (TFI). After the draft translation version of Focusing being finished, they collaborated with Xu Jun to publish its final Chinese version in May of 2009.
Meanwhile, Michael PhD and Xu Jun got in touch with Professor Campbell Purton, an English Focusing coordinator and trainer. They helped to bring about the First Focusing-oriented Therapy Workshop being held in Shanghai of China in April of 2008. After that, Xu Jun discussed with Professor Campbell Purton who came to China for teaching Focusing to establish a systematical and sustainable training system according to the training compendium for English focusing-oriented therapists. They reached an agreement on a Focusing-oriented therapy training project in 20 days in four times (160 class hours in total). In 2010, this project accomplished successfully. 16 participants had passed the examination from Professor Campbell Purton and got the qualification as Focusing-oriented therapist. In the same year, The Focusing-Oriented Counseling Primer written by Professor Campbell Purton has been published in Chinese version.
After the year of 2010, Xu Jun was recommended as international Focusing coordinator by both Professor Campbell Purton and Professor Akira Ikami. Considered in the process of Focusing development in China, the classic Focusing had its own features to develop, besides, it had better connect with the diversity of international Focusing. Therefore, with the help of Professor Campbell Purton, Xu Jun invited Professor Akira Ikami from Japan to teach Art-oriented Focusing, Professor Yasuyuki Kira to teach the Focusing for Therapists, and Professor Masumi Maeda and Professor Mieko Ito to teach Interactive Focusing in China. Especially the Chinese Character Focusing, initiated by Professor Akira Ikami, was developed into various types, such as Chinese Character Focusing Encounter group, Chinese Character Focusing dream interpretation technology and more others. It developed so flourishing under the collaboration of Professor Akira Ikami and Xu Jun, which presents a new combination of Focusing communication in the common cultural background between China and Japan.
So far by January of 2013, in China mainland, there have been 1 trainer and coordinator, 26 Focusing-oriented therapist certificate holders and more than 70 participants being trained for a systematical training, let alone more than 1000 participants being trained at least the basic level. The amount is increasing every year. Meanwhile, there have been 2 trainers and several candidates in Hongkong of China.
Upon the actual condition of therapist development in China mainland, the Focusing therapist system, after the discussion with Professor Campbell Purton from TFI, is set into five levels, which are Focusing trainer candidate, Focusing-oriented therapist, Focusing trainer (Focusing teacher without psychotherapist certificate), Focusing intern trainer, and coordinate. Actually, Focusing was developed earlier in Hongkong than in mainland, but developed relatively slowly. In recent years, it has been developed well. The Focusing training system in Hongkong is different from that in mainland. They only have three levels which are international coordinator, Focusing trainer and candidate.
In October of 2011, the First Summit Forum on Focusing and its Therapy was held in Shanghai of China. Professor Campbell and Professor Akira Ikemi participated in together. In March of 2013, the Second Summit Forum was held in Hangzhou of China. It had larger scale with more than 80 people participating in. Professor Zhang Jiaxing and Mr. Chen Zhichang organized 14 people from Hongkong participated in. Professor Masumi Maeda and Professor Mieko Ito from Japan conducted a workshop on Children’s Focusing during the Forum. The Third Summit Forum was decided to be held in October of 2015 in Shenzhen of China.
Reference
Gendlin, E. T. 2009. Focusing Psychology. Shanghai: Orient Press.
Purton, C. 2010. The Focusing-Oriented Counseling Primer. Beijing: China Light Industry Press.
Sharf, R. S., 2000. Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts Case. (6th Edition). Beijing: China Light Industry Press.