Radix, it is first of all a Latin word which means root or source. It also designates the psycho-body approach designed by the American psychologist Charles R. Kelley, a student of the German psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich (see box), himself a disciple of Freud. Radix is ​​often presented as a third generation Neo-Reichian therapy.

Like other so-called global psycho-body therapies, such as postural integration, bioenergy, Jin Shin Do or Rubenfeld Synergy, Radix is ​​based on the concept of body-mind unity. He considers the human being as a whole: thoughts, emotions and physiological reactions are only different forms of expression of the organism, and are inseparable. This therapy aims to restore to the individual the strength provided by the found inner unity and balance. The therapist therefore focuses on both the emotions (the affective), the thoughts (the cognitive) and the body (the somatic).

Radix differs, for example, from the cognitive-behavioral approach – which emphasizes above all thoughts, and their possible deviation from reality – in that it considers work on the body as an essential component of healing (or wellness) process. In a meeting, the non-verbal aspect as well as the verbal aspect are taken into account: in addition to the dialogue, we use different techniques and exercises involving breathing, muscle relaxation, posture, the sense of sight, etc.

Some exercises related to view are characteristic of Radix (although bioenergy also uses it). The eyes would provide direct access to the primitive emotional brain. Being elementary guardians essential to our survival, they would be closely associated with our emotions. Thus, a simple physical change (having the eye more or less open) could cause important changes on the emotional level.

In general, the physical exercises used during a Radix session are rather gentle. Here, no exhausting or violent movements; no need for special strength or endurance. In this sense, the Radix stands out from other neo-Reichian approaches (such as orgontherapy) which first aim to dissolve the emotional blockages inscribed inside the body itself, and which are much more physically demanding.

The Radix is ​​sometimes described as the most humanistic of Neo-Reichian therapies. In fact, Radix theorists are reluctant to even present it as therapy as such, often favoring terms like personal growth, development, or education.

A Radix approach is generally very open. The practitioner avoids categorizing the person according to a previously defined clinical pathology. In addition, it does not follow any predetermined strategy aimed at solving a particular problem. It is in the course of the process that certain long-term goals, part of a body-mind-emotions perspective, will be able to emerge.

In Radix, what matters is not what the practitioner perceives from the individual, but what the individual perceives and discovers about himself. In other words, a Radix practitioner does not treat, at first glance, an obsessive-compulsive problem for example, but a person who suffers, who is anguish, who experiences a “discomfort”. Through listening and various exercises, the practitioner helps the person to “let go” on all levels: emotional releases, release of physical tensions and mental awareness. It is this synergy that would open the door to well-being.

If the Radix is ​​closer to an “emotional education approach” or a “personal development approach”, rather than a formal therapy, is it legitimate to speak of therapeutic applications? ?

Practitioners say yes. The approach would come to the aid of people grappling with one or another of the forms of “discomfort” from the infinite palette of human psychology: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, a feeling of loss. meaning, relationship difficulties, various addictions, lack of autonomy, tantrums, sexual dysfunctions, chronic physical tensions, etc.

But, the Radix practitioner does not focus on these symptoms or manifestations. It is based on what the person perceives – in him, at this moment – of his situation, whatever it is. From this point on, it helps the person become aware of the emotional blockages that could be at the origin of their discomfort, rather than treating them for a specific pathological disorder.

By addressing these blockages, the Radix would release tension and anxiety, and thus clear the ground for “real” emotions to manifest. Concretely, the process would result in greater acceptance of oneself and of others, a better capacity to love and to be loved, the feeling of giving meaning to one’s actions, even to one’s life, increased confidence, healthy sexuality, in short, the feeling of being fully alive.

However, in addition to a few case stories^2,3 reported in the journal of the Radix Institute, no clinical research showing the effectiveness of the approach has been published in a scientific journal.

As an “emotional education” approach, the Radix offers short-term personal growth workshops and group therapy.

For more in-depth work, we meet the practitioner alone, for weekly sessions of 50 to 60 minutes, for at least a few months. If you want to go “to the source”, to radix, and achieving lasting change requires a deep personal commitment that can extend over several years.

The process begins with making contact and discussing the reasons for consultation. At each meeting, we do a weekly review based on what emerges in the person. Dialogue is the basis of therapeutic work, but in Radix, we go beyond the verbalization of emotions or the exploration of their effects on attitudes and behaviors, to emphasize the “feeling”. The practitioner helps the person become aware of what is happening in their body as the story progresses: what are you feeling right now in your throat, in your shoulders, as you tell me about this event? Comment are you breathing? Shortness of breath, a hunched or rigid upper body, a pharynx so tight that the flow of the voice struggles to clear its way can hide a feeling of sadness, pain or repressed anger… What does this non-verbal say?

The practitioner also invites the person to perform various exercises centered on the body. Breathing and its different forms and phases (weak, ample, jerky inspiration and expiration, etc.) is at the heart of these techniques. Such emotion generates such breathing and such breathing generates such emotion. What happens in this area when we relax our shoulders? How does it feel when you practice a rooting in the soil exercise?

The Radix practitioner relies on the non-verbal as much as on the verbal to support the individual in his approach. Whether through words or something unspoken, he offers his patient a decoding manual that allows them to trace the chain of traumas, and possibly to free themselves from them.

There are practitioners in North America, Australia and a few European countries, especially Germany (see the Radix Institute in Sites of Interest).

The term Radix is ​​a registered trademark. Only those who have completed and successfully completed the Radix Institute training program have the right to use it to describe their approach.

The training, which spans several years, is offered in North America, Australia and Europe. The only admission criteria are empathy, openness and self-acceptance. Although the practice of Radix is ​​also based on the mastery of solid skills, it relies above all on human qualities, an aspect neglected by traditional general training, believes the Institute.

The program does not require any academic prerequisites, but a very large number of practitioners have a university degree in a related discipline (psychology, education, social work, etc.).

Richard side. The process of updating the emotional and energetic potential. An introduction to the Reichian Radix approach. CEFER, Canada, 1992.

Mc Kenzie Narelle and Showell Jacqui. Living Fully. An introduction to RADIX bodycentered personal growth. Pam Maitland, Australia, 1998.

Two books to better understand the theoretical and practical bases of Radix. Available through the website of the Association of Radix Practitioners.

Harvey Hélène. Grief is not a disease

Written by a practitioner from Quebec, this is one of the few articles in French on the subject. [Accessed November 1, 2006]. www.terre-inipi.com

Association of RADIX practitioners (APPER)

Quebec group. List and contact details of practitioners.

www.radix.itgo.com

Vital Connections

Site of an American practitioner. Various theoretical and practical information.

www.vital-connections.com

The Radix Institute

The RADIX Institute is a non-profit corporation headquartered in the United States. He owns the rights to the term and oversees the profession. Abundant information on the site.

www.radix.org