What is Natural Processing?

or, What is Process-Oriented Somatically-Based Psychotherapy that incorporates EMDR and other uses of Bilateral Stimulation?

Craig Penner, LMFT

For nearly four decades, two questions have driven my orientation in therapy: “How does our nature work, and how can we best work with that nature?” These questions have led me to find ways to work with the potential movement and integration of our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual natures.

“Natural Processing” is the somatically-based process-oriented therapy that emerged from the integration of my search through many approaches to healing and growth.

My approach in therapy has evolved from an experiential, non-interpretative, process focused basis since 1980. My training and experience working with EMDR since 1993, coupled with various somatic-focused trainings, and extensive work leading consultation groups for many years has coalesced into this approach.

Foundational to this work is a deep understanding and trust in our “drive for completion,” on every level. Inherent dilemmas arise in many forms, such as competition between “drives for completion” and “drives for survival”. Full engagement in the dynamics that are evident, moment-by-moment, with a strong somatic focus brings the details to life. These vital dynamics are then more accessible to processing. EMDR, and other uses of bilateral stimulation, further enhance the client’s ability to grow towards resolution.

As a therapist, it is more challenging to learn “process” work, than more structured theories and protocol driven therapies and methodologies. The Natural Processing trainings present ways to track resiliency, pace the work, and deepen processing that engage the therapist in the nature of healing capacities. We can honor the necessary conditions for growth, and then closely nurture and “trust the process.”

Participants to these trainings report that this approach “changes the way I work, and is immediately accessible.” My goal in these trainings is to help therapists gain further access to their clients’ nature, as well as their own. I want therapists to be able to integrate this work and find their own unique ways to connect with nature’s potential.

While we offer in-person, 2 and 4-day live trainings in various locations around the US and Canada (see our website www.naturalprocessing.org), we are pleased to also offer online training, so that you can learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your home. The 2-day training, both live and online, are presented with the option of doing a follow-up live 2-day training that is mostly demonstration sessions and practicum sessions, giving therapists practice and feedback to hone their skills.

These online trainings offer the opportunity to understand the "Natural Processing" approach. They are "stand-alone" trainings, and are also excellent foundations for training Craig's live, onsite trainings.

The recorded therapy sessions include notes to highlight aspects of the NP approach as they are demonstrated in the sessions.

We hope you enjoy and benefit from these trainings. We welcome ideas for future trainings. Several more are "in the works!"

Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact: Pamela Grant at [email protected] or 805-957-1773, and we will do our best to assist. For further information on CE Credit hours, cancellation policy, refunds, grievances, and privacy policy, go to: https://naturalprocessing.org/faq/

© 2019 Craig Penner, LMFT, and Natural Processing Trainings