Our Founding History

The United States Association for Body Psychotherapy held its first conference in 1996. The birth of Somatic Psychology and Body Psychotherapy came out of the work of Wilhelm Reich and many other innovators in the field.

Learn about them through our lifetime achievement award recipients section. They include the contributions of: John C. Pierrakos (Bioenergetic analysis and Core Energetics), Alexander Lowen (Bioenergetic analysis), Ilana Rubenfeld (Rubenfeld Synergy Method), Stanley Keleman (Author of, "Emotional Anatomy, Embodying Experience and The Body Speaks Its Mind"), Ron Kurtz (Hakomi Therapy), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Albert Pesso (Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor), Eugene Gendlin (Focusing), Judyth Weaver (Sensory Awareness, Reichian Therapy, Pre and Perinatal Therapy). Join Us!

Our Mission

The United States Association for Body Psychotherapy believes that integration of the body and mind is essential to effective psychotherapeutic health. To that end, its mission is to develop and advance the art, science, and practice of body psychotherapy and somatic psychology in a professional, ethical, and caring manner in order to support our membership as they promote the health and welfare of their clients.

USABP Goals

1. Good Health: To establish the integration of the body, mind, and spirit as essential to health and well being.

2. Public Awareness: To increase public awareness of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy and body/mind practices.

3. Body of Knowledge: To develop and systematically evaluate the body of knowledge that guides the theory and practice of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and body/mind modalities.

4. Standards: To develop and promote standards for the application and use of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy and body/mind practices in the public sector.

5. Access for all persons: To promote access to quality somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and body/mind practices for all persons.

6. The greater health care and education communities: To be an influential, equal, and collaborative member of the health care and education communities.

7. A source on issues and information: To be a source on issues and information related to the field of somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and body/mind practices.

8. Professional and personal development of members: To enhance the professional development and personal growth of members.

9. Organizational excellence: To endeavor for organizational excellence.

10. Professional community: To encourage, develop, and provide a professional community that is based on enlightened, collaborative, and collegial relationships.

11. Greater community: To contribute to the creation of a world in which caring and appreciation of diversity are essential values.

Governance

Executive Committee:

President: Dr. Chris Walling

Vice President: Dr. Aline LaPierre

Secretary: Dr. Karen Roller
Treasurer: Mahshid Hager

Marketing, Content Curation & Membership: Liam Blume

Join Us!