Authentic Presence – An Introduction to the Hakomi Method – Saturday, May 30th and Sunday May 31st, 2026, ONLINE, live on Zoom
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
Research shows that the benefit of psychotherapy is most determined by the quality of presence of the therapist and the quality of the created therapeutic relationship.
In this 2-day workshop we will explore the foundational aspects of an authentic therapeutic presence.
Through lecture, discussion, explorations in mindfulness, breakout room practices, and Q & A, you will get to know the principles of Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy and foundational Hakomi skills as we explore our own way of being in therapy.
We will discover what enriches our therapeutic presence and which parts inside might come in the way of us meeting our clients with authentic heart qualities like true connection, calm, compassion, curiosity, creativity, spaciousness and more.
- How can we be anchored and fully engaged in moment-to-moment presence?
- Connecting to “being” before “doing”.
- Providing safety and connection: The “therapeutic bubble,” and providing co-regulation from the ventral vagal state.
- Loving presence & embodying qualities of our “Organic Self”
- Exploring our own conditioned parts that at times take over (“the helper,” “the fixer,” the “adviser,” the “caretaker,” “feeling not good enough”, “knowing what is best” and more.
We will explore at the intersections of Hakomi, Parts Work, Neuroscience and Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Applied Polyvagal Theory.
About the instructor: Susann von Meijenfeldt, licensed Social Worker (RSW) in Canada, and EABP Accredited Body Psychotherapist (European Association of Body Psychotherapy), has been working as a somatic therapist since 2000 in not-for-profit agencies and in private practice.
She is a Certified Hakomi Therapist and Teacher and an SEP Trauma Therapist, as well as a HeartMath Coach and Trainer and a Co-active Coach.
She further is trained in IFS (level three), in Attachment focused EMDR and is trained in Applied Polyvagal Theory.
What participants are saying:
Alex Tzinov – participant, Denver Colorado, 2024
“My first introduction to the art of Hakomi was a 2 day introductory workshop called Authentic Therapeutic Presence in November of 2024 with Susann von Meijenfeld.
To say that this workshop – and how Susann taught it – was a profound, path-altering life moment for me would be an understatement. I went into the workshop eager to enter the field of helping others and intrigued by Hakomi. Just 48 hours later I left not only a complete believer in Hakomi but profoundly touched by Susann’s deep presence in a way I would have thought impossible over a Zoom class.
Throughout the entire workshop whether it was lectures, owning and sharing her own somatic experience while navigating stressful technical challenges in front of 25 students, sensing and mirroring the energy in the class and practicing “non-forcing” and adjusting curriculum, or providing insights during breakout groups, Susann embodied Authentic Therapeutic Presence just as much as she taught it. If someone was to ignore all the material that was taught in the class, and simply pay attention to how Susann embodied the material so subtly, they would still get the essence of Hakomi, and this is a gift that few instructors I’ve seen can do, regardless of the discipline.
If the essence of Hakomi is presence, then Susann’s Authentic Therapeutic Presence workshop is the ultimate doorway into this beautiful modality. To anyone contemplating whether this workshop will be worth it or not, I can assure you that my experience was profound, and that Susann really knows what she is doing, both as a Hakomi practitioner and a Hakomi instructor.”
Location: ONLINE – live on Zoom
Dates: May 30-31, 2026
Schedule: 9:30 AM-5 PM MT (with 1.5 hours for the lunch break)
Prerequisite: none – everyone welcome!
Instructed in the English language.
REGISTER BEFORE MAY 1ST AND SAVE $50!
General Admission:
- Early Bird Rate (pay before May 1st): $370 CDN approx. $271 USD
- Regular Rate (pay May 1st or later): $420 CDN approx. $308 USD
Student and/or BIPOC Admission:
- Early Bird Rate (pay before May 1): $300 CDN approx. $220 USD
- Regular Rate (pay May 1st or later): $350 CDN approx. $257 USD
No taxes will be added to your purchase.
CE: This program is not available for NBCC credit but we can provide a certificate that is recognized as a contribution to your professional development.
Registration closes May 24th 2026.
Steps to register:
- Fill out the registration form below
- Send payment:
- within Canada via e-transfer to: susannvonm@gmail.com
- from outside of Canada via PayPal: search for “Susann von Meijenfeldt”
Presented by: HAKOMI INSTITUTE OF EDMONTON
Questions? please email hakomi.edmonton@gmail.com
