A person slowly walking a stone labyrinth on a clifftop beside the sea
A person slowly walking a stone labyrinth on a clifftop beside the sea

FOCUSING SESSIONS

Listening to the wisdom of your body.

A gentle path towards more self‑trust, inner safety and self‑compassion. In person in Bristol and online, in English and German.

"Your body is not a machine, rather a wonderfully intricate interaction with everything around you, which is why it "knows" so much just in being."

EUGENE GENDLIN

Mareike Ringena, Bristol therapist, seated calmly against a tree trunk with bluebells around her

I learned Focusing in 2012 on a ‘Focusing and Meditation retreat’ in Dhanakosa, a buddhist retreat centre in Scotland. This retreat has been a turning point in my life. I still remember that deep resonance inside, when the teacher was introducing this practice called ‘Focusing’. It felt like ‘homecoming’. It was so familiar and yet it was something completely new. Focusing has shown me how to open the door to the ‘ME’ inside. Learning Focusing has been the beginning of my journey of deep healing and self discovery.

I still remember that simple, yet profound discovery, that I can turn towards my feelings with interested curiosity, no matter how uncomfortable and scary it seemed. Since then a whole new world has opened to me. I had finally found some solid ground to stand on. A reliable resource, I carried inside myself and that was always available. It felt strong and powerful, yet delicate, simple and natural. Learning Focusing has been a precious gift and I immediately knew I wanted to take this forward.

DANCE MOVEMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY (MA, ADMP UK) · FOCUSING PRACTITIONER (BFA) · CHILDREN’S FOCUSING COMPANION · RADICAL ALLOWING PRACTITIONER · BSC PSYCHOLOGY

What is Focusing?

Focusing is the subtle art of inner listening and welcoming your experience as it is. It is a simple yet powerful practice that helps you relate to your feelings in a fresh, deep way; one that allows them to change and bring new insight.

Focusing can also be described as a body-oriented process of self-awareness and emotional healing, where we learn to notice the subtle level of knowing that speaks to us through the body. Most people know they have feelings. What they don't always know is how to be present with those feelings in a way that gives space for them to change.

In a Focusing session, my role is to help you find the kind of inner relationship where you can keep company with whatever arises. I'm there alongside you, offering presence and guidance as you turn towards your inner experience and listen to what it feels like from the inside.

It’s like becoming your own best friend and listener.

A hand tracing spiral patterns into sand, in black and white

"This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all. Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honourably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice. Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond."

RUMI

What to expect

In a Focusing session, I'm not acting as your therapist but as your Focusing guide and companion. Our attention is on your own relationship with what you're experiencing inside. My role is to accompany you with presence and empathy as we turn, together, towards whatever is calling for attention.

We make space for a "something in there", a place that is more than a feeling or a thought, something that carries its own knowing. We pause with it, sense how it is from the inside, and let it show us the way it wants to be met. This “something” often needs company before it can unfold.

This kind of inner attending can be hard to do alone. In our sessions we keep company with what's here together: you listening to it directly, and me supporting you in that listening, helping you stay with the edge where something new can come.

These sessions are suitable whether you're new to Focusing or already familiar with the practice.

A deer standing in a sunlit grassy clearing surrounded by lush green trees and blooming purple flowers.

Focusing might be for you if…

You want to develop a more friendly, loving and compassionate relationship with yourself.

You long for a gentler, more embodied way of being with your feelings.

You find it hard to know what you feel or what you need.

You often feel “too much” inside or “nothing at all.”

You want to build more self‑trust and inner safety.

Ways to focus together

I offer kinds of Focusing sessions. Have a look and let me know which one you are interested in.

1:1 TEACHING

Learning Focusing

For those new to Focusing who want to learn the practice, step by step.

ACCOMPANIED PRACTICE

Going deeper with Focusing

For those who already know Focusing and want deeper support, guidance or holding.

CREATIVE & EMBODIED

Focusing with Art & Movement

A creative approach that welcomes expression beyond words, through gesture, posture, movement or art materials.

INVESTMENT

£65
per session

SESSIONS

60 minutes

WHERE

In-person in Bristol
& online

LANGUAGES

English
& German

Book a free introductory consultation

Whether you're excited to begin, or still a little unsure if this is for you, reach out and we can work it out together. Once you send an enquiry, I'll get back to you shortly to arrange a time for our consultation.

A few questions you might have