Welcome to Doris Prügel-Bennett’s Webpage

Teacher of the Alexander Technique (MSTAT), Certified Doula (ante-natal and birth partner)

Psychodrama Psychotherapy (in training)

Over 10 years experience

Courses and Groups:

Introductory Courses

Alexander Technique - Relieve Pain by Improved Movement

At Totton College

Pain is often relieved by correct gentle movement. The Alexander Technique works with procedures that facilitate more ease and healing in the body. This workshop will present the Alexander Technique and its benefits for everyday living. Whether the daily demands are in the home or stress needs to be dealt with in other areas, the Alexander Technique is a reliable way of meeting those challenges and taking care of one self.

Participants will get to know FM Alexander's philosophy, there will be hands-on-work and a book table, as well as a video will be shown. This course is suitable for beginners of the Alexander Technique, people in chronic pain. No previous knowledge is needed.

Totton College, Adult Education: 023 8087 4874 or www.totton.ac.uk or Doris Prügel-Bennett 023 8066 0925

email: dorispbennett@tiscali.co.uk

Ongoing Psychodrama Psychotherapy Group

The Romney Centre, 61 The Avenue, Southampton

Tuesday evenings, 7 – 9pm

The work addresses self-development (self-esteem and self-confidence), understanding and improving relational issues in the family, the community and at the workplace, responses to psychosomatic symptoms and stress, communication between body and mind, dealing with trauma (physical and other) and loss. Emotions such as fear, anger and sadness are being addressed in an appropriate and processed in a safe way. No previous experience is required.

Cost: between £15 and £25 per session. Contact: Doris Prügel-Bennett: tel 023 8066 0925, email: dorispbennett@tiscali.co.uk

Clearing Out and Moving On

Psychodrama Group

For the over 60s

At Fenwick2 beginning September 2009

This 6-months-course is for people who feel that their issues prevent them from moving forward. The group will consist of people who wish to process, understand and integrate challenging life experiences - current or past, such as trauma and loss, issues in the family, the community or at the workplace, transition into retirement, facing physical challenges. The objective of the group is to offer a supportive and confidential space for addressing any issues that need “airing”.

If you are over 60 years of age and feel that some parts of your life are in need to be “cleared out and put into a better place” in order for you to move on, you are invited to join the group. The small group will meet once a week on a weekday morning for 2 hours beginning in September 2009. The cost will be £8 per session.

Psychodrama is a method within Psychotherapy where the cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual levels are being connected within action. J.L. Moreno was the founder of Psychodrama Therapy (1892 – 1974). His Role Theory, the importance of spontaneity, and his concept of “Tele” build the core of the therapy. Psychodrama uses drama techniques and action methods that allow the whole person to be involved in the therapeutic work. Psychodrama Psychotherapy draws from people’s joy and necessity to act out situations.

No previous experience required. Information and applications: Fenwick2 tel 023 8066 0925 or Doris Prügel-Bennett tel 023 8066 0925, email dorispbennett@tiscali.co.uk

My work with the Alexander Technique and action methods (based on Moreno,

Founder of Psychodrama/Psychotherapy) activates

the resources of a person in all activities and on many levels.

The application of techniques and principles help us to identify

and address limiting patterns. Natural poise and better function

will emerge. Well-being and the quality of performance in every

area of life improve.

In one-to-one sessions, my hands and words of instructions invite a process of

awareness. I encourage the development of the individual’s literacy of psycho-

physical perception that enables the client to deal with each situation in the present.

Limiting patterns can be released and changed into life-giving force. In a safe environment

of discovery and joy, the work addresses a life in a busy and demanding world.

Carefully listening, applying light touch, encouraging gentle movements,

and action methods according to the principles of Psychodrama/Psychotherapy

address physical, emotional and psychological ailments. Those build the core methods

of my work. All human senses, such as hearing and vocal functions, are being explored.

I work with clients in order to improve their health or their performance in life

or on the stage of life in general.

I greatly enjoy facilitating everybody’s potential.

With every client I work for the rehearsal of the possible.

I work in my private practice at the eastern edge of the New Forest, 10 minutes away from Southampton City Centre. I run clinics, workshops and groups at the Fenwick2 Community Health & Well Being Centre in Lyndhurst/Pikes Hill. I offer introductory workshops for groups in industry, for private organizations, and centres of adult education. I work as a co-therapist trainee in a department of Psychological Therapies in the NHS. I teach the Alexander Technique to degree students of Performing Arts at Solent University Southampton and offer introductory courses at Totton College.

As a Doula, I work with pregnant women and any person who wishes to support the mother during labour and delivery in a good process of pregnancy and birth. On request, I attend labour and birth. I run a psychodrama psychotherapy group in Southampton.

The cost for individual sessions usually is between £25 and £40.

My personal development

My studies led me from a degree course in Paedagogy (History and Philosophy of Education) in Germany to studying Social Anthropology and Philosophy at Manchester University. There I got to know the Alexander Technique. In Copenhagen/Denmark I continued my studies in Paedagogy and then joined the Alexanderskole with head Joseph Artzi. I finished my three years’ training at the West-Sussex School for the Alexander Technique with Adam and Rosemary Nott in 1998. Since then I have been living and working as a Teacher of the Alexander Technique and as a Doula in Southampton and surroundings. From July 2003 to July 2004 I was involved with the ATEAM trial (see reference below), a research project into chronic back pain with a very good result regarding the Alexander Technique. Since 2006 I have been studying for a Diploma in Psychodrama/Psychotherapy at the Oxford School of Psychodrama and Integrative Psychotherapy (www.ospip.co.uk) with the focus on bodywork. I am in advanced training with Susan Aaron and her Psychodramatic Bodywork® and am pursuing courses in psychosomatic issues. (Susan Aaron: http://www.youremotions.com)

The health insurance +medicash accept claims towards cost for sessions in the Alexander Technique.

My special interest is the world of music as a keen amateur musician. I am committed to personal and professional development and ethical codes, laid out by both Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) website: www.stat.org.uk and the British Psychodrama Association (BPA) website www.psychodrama.org.uk both of which I am a member.

“Randomised controlled trial of Alexander

technique lessons, exercise, and massage

(ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain”

in British Medical Journal, BMJ 2008;

337, a884.