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Freda Blob

Trauma
Wholebody Focusing
Creativity
Focusing Oriented counselling
Inner relationship Focusing

Introduction

Arts in Focusing is where I belong. I am a Focusing Oriented Art Therapist, Creative Arts Psychotherapist/Counsellor, TIFI Coordinator and FOT. I have been teaching Focusing for almost 25 years. In 2016, I hosted the EFA Tübingen meeting in Germany

What services do I offer?

I offer training programmes in Focusing and Focusing with the Arts. These are available at all levels and types (skills training, facilitator/practitioner, trainer, and specialisation in FOAT® in English and German)

I offer one-to-one sessions in Expressive Arts Focusing (EXAF) and various group session formats in Focusing. These sessions use a wide range of Creative and Expressive Arts practices, including Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

I also run offer a monthly virtual open studio for Focusers, and courses in Creativity Focusing (Focusing-informed art courses). I provide support for the self-paced practice of Creative Compassion for Peacebuildinge CCP, which can be accessed through my website.

My background in Focusing

I have been a teacher with the German Focusing Association (DFG) since 2022, having volunteered for the DFG since 2019. I am also a senior teacher of the German-Swiss Focusing Network (FN), having worked for the network for over twenty years (2001-2023).

My career in Focusing began in 1994 and I met Gene Gendlin in person in 1996. In 2013, I became a Certified Coordinator of the International Focusing Institute (TIFI). Additional training in Existential Well-Being Counseling with Prof. em. Mia Leijssen (2016), Focusing with the Whole Body with Astrid Schillings (2016–2017), and Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts Therapy (FOAT®) with Dr. Laury Rappaport (2017–2020) elevated my Focusing teaching.

From 2022 to 2024, I was a guest lecturer in Focusing and the Expressive Arts at the Department of Clinical Curative Education at the Catholic University of Freiburg, Germany.

I work with the best practice tools of the following Focusing approaches:
Focusing; Inner Relationship Focusing; Focusing Plus (Focusing Network, FN); Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®); Existential Well-Being Counselling (Mia Leijssen); Wholebody Heartfelt Conversation (Kevin McEvenue). Focusing with the Whole Body (Astrid Schillings); Integrative Focusing (René Maas); Dynamic Expressive Focusing/Being Seriously Playful (René Veugelers); Focusing-Oriented Relational Psychotherapy (Lynn Preston); and Experiential Concept Coaching (Hejo Feuerstein and Heinke Derloch).

My Focusing style is characterised by multiple crossings for the benefit of clients and group participants.

Qualifications

Art Therapist AT (Grad Dip) | Adv Cert Person-Centred Creative Arts Practitioner | Cert Guided Drawing® Practitioner | Cert Focusing Oriented Expressive Arts FOAT® Practitioner

TIFI Certifying Coordinator | TIFI Focusing Trainer | TIFI Focusing Oriented Therapist FOT | TIFI Focusing Trainer FOAT®

Person-centred and Experiential Psychotherapist/Counselor PCT with diploma in Existential Well-Being Counseling

Clinical Psychologist CP (Pre-Bologna BA, MA) | Registered non-medical Practitioner for Psychotherapy

Adult Educator Ed (Pre-Bologna MA) with undergraduate degree in Design Techniques for Vocational Teachers

How do I practice?

In person
Phone
Online

Testimonials

Freda is very professional and compassionate at the same time. She brings to the Focusing world a distinctive way to blend the negative moment with the positive, to project a new synthesis. It could be a Hegelian feature hidden in German culture, but it worked so well in practice, that it has made me enthusiastic about her approach. There is a tenderness implicit in it, that we all should experience.
(Creative Compassion Practice, Online Workshop)

Emanuela, philosopher, Focusing Trainer, Italy

I participated in Freda Blob's workshop 'Arts Based Self Focusing For Supporting Clients in Trauma-informed Focusing Oriented Psychotherapy'. I want to say that Freda's workshop was very professional. The combination of art therapy and Focusing opened up new possibilities for to process with Focusing. I will be able to integrate this valuable experience into my daily work. Thank you, Freda!
(Expressive Arts Focusing ExAF Workshop)

A., PhD, psychologist, art therapist, Focusing Practitioner, Ucraine

Thank you very much for everything that was possible to grow and bloom during the five days at summer camp. The seminar with you was such an intensive and rich experience ... All of your expertise and sensitive way of experiencing was so present and tangible!
(Trauma-informed Focusing with the Expressive Arts, Five-Day Seminar in Presence)

M., remedial practitioner, Focusing Trainer, Switzerland

So honestly presented - thank you very much for this beneficial strengthening offer!
(Focusing, Online Workshop)

A., Person-centered Counselor, Focusing Practitioner, Germany

It is so exciting to see how you are bringing something to life; that you feel exactly what is on at the very moment and thereby accompany me. Thank you so much!
(Focusing Oriented Expressive Arts Therapy FOAT®, 1:1 Online Session)

G. teacher, Focusing Practitioner, Germany

The exercises were really good for me. I am now in focus. Thanks. It was so cool!
(Focusing One-Day Online Training)

A., trauma therapist, Germany

This webinar was so valuable for me. Your calmness and sovereignty did me good. Thanks for everything, and the encouragement!
(Focusing, Online Workshop)

S., remedial nurse, Germany

The workshop opened me up. I never had created before. I painted new things and found new possibilities. My stress did go away and the mood improved - thank you!
(Expressive Arts Focusing ExAF, Online Workshop)

E., clinical psychologist, Ukraine

Despite the online distance, and this is quite amazing for me, I felt very comfortable and safe. Your empathic, clear and soothing instructions and exercises have done me a lot of good!
(Focusing, Online Workshop)

H., coach, Germany

I am delighted that I was able to take part in your courses. I really like the way you convey the content to us. Each of us felt comfortable and valued! This was so motivating, stimulating and moving. Everything was in a flow ... really really nice! Thanks again!
(Arts-Focusing, Felt Art Journaling Workshop Series)

I., sythemic therapist and consultant, Germany