Reading “A Theory of Personality Change” (Gendlin, 1964)

Reading “A Theory of Personality Change” (Gendlin, 1964)
with Akira Ikemi

4 Tuesdays: August 18, August 25, September 1, September 8, 2026
9:00am - 11:00am New York time

Check your start time here
 

• Join Akira for this exciting series. Gendlin's article "A Theory of Personality Change” contains the original observation and definition of Focusing, which is quite different from how many people think Focusing is. The sessions will be interactive, with ample time for discussion during each class.
   
• No experience with Focusing or Felt Sensing is required.
   
• Recordings and other material presented during the series will be made available to all registrants after each session (within one day after the session concludes, except in the case of technical difficulty). Breakout rooms are not recorded. All recordings will be available for registrants until December 8, 2026.
   

We hope you can register by the first session but if you miss it, we have registration open until August 26 -- you'll just need to catch up on the recordings.

OVERVIEW

Personality, unconscious, self — do they even exist? And if so, how?
Step back and reunite with Gene Gendlin who explored this completely
              unchartered territory.
His revolutionary thinking will forever change how we view the person and therapy.

"A Theory of Personality Change” by Eugene Gendlin is a classic in Focusing literature, a must-read for anyone who seeks an in-depth understanding of what Focusing is, and the view of the person that is implicit in Focusing.  Here, you will find an early (or earliest) description and definition of Focusing, which might be quite different from how most people today envision Focusing.  What is personality? Is there an unconscious?  Is there a Self?  This eye-opening article elaborates on Gendlin’s profound and comprehensive understanding of the person.  A difficult article to read alone, readings and discussions in the group, as well as Akira’s comments will surely facilitate understanding this sagacious article.

Planned reading schedule:

• Session 1 of 4: From “Problems and Observations” up to  “The Feeling Process—How Change Takes Place in the Individual”
   
• Session 2 of 4: “The Feeling Process—How Change Takes Place in the Individual” up to “The Role of the Personal Relationship…” [This is where you will find the earliest description of “Focusing”] 
   
• Session 3 of 4: “The Role of the Personal Relationship…” up to “Repression and Content Definitions Reformulated”
   
• Session 4 of 4: “Repression and Content Definitions Reformulated”
   

There will be ample time for discussion during each class.

A Theory of Personality Change Gendlin, E.T. (1964) can be viewed here: https://focusing.org/gendlin/docs/gol_2145.html

FORMAT

The four sessions will build upon each other; therefore, if any session is missed it is important to view the recording before the next session. Recordings and other material presented during the series will be made available to all registrants after each session (within one day after the session concludes, except in the case of technical difficulty). Breakout rooms are not recorded.

We use Zoom videoconferencing for our online classes. You will need to have a computer/mobile device. Calling in by phone is also possible but not preferred. This series will be held in Zoom meeting format where participants can see the facilitator and other participants. Breakout rooms will be utilized. 

ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR

Akira Ikemi, Ph.D.
Certified Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Professor Emeritus, Kansai University

Akira’s lifelong involvement with Focusing began at the University of Chicago, where he studied under Professor Eugene Gendlin. He has practiced and explored Focusing in both clinical and corporate mental health contexts. Akira later taught full-time at several universities in Japan, retiring from from Kansai University in 2025. He served on the board of what was then called the Focusing Institute, and later participated in the International Leadership Council (ILC) and the Gendlin Center for Research in Experimental Psychology and Philosophy at TIFI. He is a co-founder and former president of the Japan Focusing Association. In 2019, he was honored as a "Living Luminary" by the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, and received the Humanistic Psychology Award  from the Japanese Association in 2020. Akira continues to teach Focusing actively, both online and in person around the world.

Registration Policies

Pricing: Regular price $295  Modified price $195  Lowest price $120

Three tier pricing. We welcome you to select the level right for you, while reminding you that if you have a reliable means of support and live in a country with a strong economy, we ask that you pay the regular price. By choosing the highest amount you are capable of paying you help make the sliding scale possible. Thank you! 

Note: If the lowest price is not affordable, please email [email protected] to check on scholarship funds.

DEI Scholarship. There are DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Scholarship funds available for anyone in a group under-represented in TIFI's programs, including people aged 30 or younger, those in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and others.  For more about our DEI scholarship, please see focusing.org/board. To apply, email [email protected]. Please write DEI scholarship in the subject line.

Refunds A full refund minus a $25 administrative fee for cancellations 14 days before the start date. Cancellations less than 14 days before the start date are nonrefundable. The International Focusing Institute (TIFI) reserves the right to alter the program, cancel or re-schedule for insufficient enrollment or for other unanticipated reasons. In such cases you will be given a choice of applying your tuition to future programs, or having the full enrollment fee returned to you.

The opinions offered by presenters and participants are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of TIFI. Participants authorize TIFI to use their name, statements and likeness without charge, for promotional purposes in publications, advertising, video, web, new media, or other formats.

By registering for this course with the Institute, and in consideration of the right and opportunity to participate in and contribute to the Institute’s classes, for the purposes of its control of all video and/or audio recordings thereof pertaining to uses serving our purposes and goals, in enrolling in this session you acknowledge and agree to the Institute’s ownership of all rights in such classes, including all rights under copyright therein.  In no circumstance shall any portion or clip posted or displayed exceed 3 minutes in duration.  If you plan to use, post or display any portion or clips of these recordings, including posting these to a website or to a social media platform or portal, you agree that you will seek and obtain the prior approval of the Institute. We ask that participants not take screen shots to share on social media. TIFI may opt to take an official screenshot where participants will be given the option to be included or not.

For more information:

Contact Elizabeth at [email protected] or (845) 480-5111.