The Character Map is a developmental guide focusing on five fundamental realms of human growth: safety, connection, freedom, truth and trust, and play and love. Within each realm, children encounter developmental challenges within the caregiver-child relationship, which can lead to the formation of patterns—patterns within the muscularity system, the energetic system, the relational system, and the child’s emotional core belief system.

Originating from Freud’s five psychosexual stages, William Reich, Freud’s student, introduced characterological patterns, identifying them as structures held within the body’s muscular system, termed muscular armoring. Building upon Reich’s work, pioneers like Alexander Lowen, Stanley Kaleman, and Lizbeth Marcher further refined the map.

Ron Kurz, the founder of Hakomi, and Jon Eisman extended the map to focus on core beliefs – how children form core beliefs at each stage. Marlin Morgan, a former Hakomi trainer in Australia, offered a softer, less pathologizing perspective, focusing on what each character seeks.

The Character Map, viewed from the Relational Somatic Healing perspective, intertwines the map with the child’s developmental movements, inspired by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, the founder of Body-Mind Centering. This holistic and nonjudgmental approach examines each stage’s needs, somatic movement, and healing opportunities within a relational framework.

In this class, we’ll embody and engage with each stage, recognizing both the wounds and strengths they bring, and offering the healing experiences necessary for growth and transformation.

Please note this course includes activities not offered for CE credits. These include meditations, groundings, and small group connections and discussions.