In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields
What do you notice?
August marks the anniversary of the start of World War I, a conflict that reshaped the world and introduced the terrible reality of trench warfare. The war’s horrors were epitomized by the brutal and relentless trench conditions, where soldiers faced incessant artillery bombardments, pervasive mud and filth, rampant disease, the risk of chemical attacks, and the looming terror of charging into “no man’s land,” all amidst the ever-present reality of death.
Existential-humanistic therapy is relational and experiential. One of the foundational practices is being present to “what is,” both therapist and client. This presence involves deeply attending to the current moment, allowing the therapist and client to engage fully with immediate experience. By cultivating this presence, therapists create a space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations as they unfold.
Vivifying is integral to this approach. Techniques such as tagging (“I notice you just furrowed your brow”) and slowing down/tuning in (“Would you be willing to slow down and feel into what you’re saying?”) help clients become aware of their immediate sensations and emotions. Reflecting protective ways of being (“You know, it seems like when we start to talk about your feelings, you change the subject. Are you aware of that?”) further helps vivify the client’s experience. These engagements support clients in embodying new, adaptive ways of being that align with how they want to live their lives.
In the context of trauma (e.g., war, abuse, sexual trauma, etc.), bringing presence and vivifying are particularly powerful. Trauma therapy highlights the importance of creating a safe and stable environment where clients can process traumatic memories without becoming overwhelmed. By maintaining a present, attuned stance, therapists help clients stay grounded. Vivifying techniques illuminate and gently surface the protections clients have understandably developed in response to trauma, fostering a compassionate exploration and integration of traumatic experiences and supporting clients in moving toward healing.
Links to Related Blog Posts:
Read more posts about the therapeutic relationship.
Read more posts about relational and the experiential in E-H therapy on EHI’s blog.
Read more posts about tagging, slowing down/tuning in, reflecting and protective patterns in E-H therapy on EHI’s blog.
Read all the Existential Moment series posts on EHI’s blog.
Existential Moment Author: Scott Gibbs, LMFT, EHI Board Member-at-Large | Website: www.mscottgibbs.com | Twitter: @Novum_Organum
