Find a Focusing Professional - Mary Anne Schleinich

I grew up in North Africa in a family that loved travel, nature and other cultures, and I became a keen learner. As an adult, I lived in a few cities (Helsinki, Graz, Berlin, Chicago, Toronto, Edmonton), learning through new perspectives and language (German). My greatest learning was working as an Occupational Therapist for more than a decade on an internationally recognized team in palliative care. There I provided active and compassionate care to those with end stage cancer in difficult pain situations. There I saw the body’s deep wisdom to adapt in creative, flexible and ingenious ways, in the face of traumatic change and chronic conditions. I became fundamentally certain of the capacity for healing in any stage and circumstance of life. I saw that quality of attention is the key element. I then became a Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality in a program that holds great respect for the inherent healing processes within each person. From there I chose to study with teachers of exceptional wisdom and humility, Bill (William Douglas) Bowen and Eugene Gendlin, each pioneers in experiential psychotherapy.