An Introduction to Self-Empathy and Focusing
Self Empathy
•
25m
Gina Cenciose, Certified NVC Trainer: In this brief video, Certified Trainer and Inner Relationship Focusing Guide and teacher, Gina Cenciose, teaches that our inner relationship is the basis for both Focusing and NVC work. In NVC, the process of Self-Empathy involves connecting to our feelings and needs. Focusing (also referred to as Inner Relationship Focusing), brings your attention to your body sense which creates additional depth to your Self-Empathy practice.
Ann Weiser Cornell, the founder of the Focusing process, refers to Self-Empathy as Self In Presence, which is acknowledging what is arising in you and to use "presence" language to help you stay with what is there, rather than diverging into thoughts. It is a clear decision to accompany what is alive in you in the moment.
In both NVC Self-Empathy and Focusing processes, the goal is to be present to what's alive in you, rather than trying to control or resist your experience.
Included in the video is an exercise to help you experience the different body sensations apparent when making the statement "I am feeling angry" and the Focusing statement "I am sensing something in me that's angry."
In a second exercise Gina offers the experience of sensing into the qualities of presence in the body, noticing what feels spacious, open, aware and available in your body.
Keywords:
- feelings
- needs
- presence
- self empathy
- connection
- healing
- inspiration
- personal growth
- self compassion
- self talk
- focusing
- Gina Cenciose
Up Next in Self Empathy
-
Dialogues with Our Shame
Giorgos Tsitsirigkos, Certified NVC Trainer: Shame is often an invisible companion that travels along with you in your journey, influencing your choices and how you experience life. Often without clear, outward signs, shame can be the unconscious power that prevents you from living life fully — o...
-
From Self-Connection to Self-Expression
Yoram Mosenzon, Certified NVC Trainer
Video free to watch until June 25, 2026
Yoram Mosenzon discusses judgmental dialogue and its hidden aim to meet needs. This often creates distance instead of fostering connection. Yoram introduces a self-connection exercise to improve the chances o...
-
Make Peace With All Your Feelings
Yvette Erasmus, NVC Trainer
Yvette Erasmus suggests that making peace with our feelings reduces suffering. Sometimes we want to hurry through our feelings and just feel better. A nonviolent way of working with our feelings is to be present as our feelings change. We will notice that as needs are...