Foundation Modules 1–8

Preparation: Presence, Connection & Blueprint

The Preconception and Conception Journey

Trainers: Carme Renalias and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

An introduction to practical presence and hands-on skills as it pertains to the somatic approach.

Skills introduced in this module include:

• Tracking tempo and establishing integrative rhythms with the blueprint.
• Connecting with ourselves and others through presence, listening, and touch.
• Dynamic Creative Squeeze and Opposition.
• Story showing movement.
• How to employ the CastellinoTraining® Principles and Therapeutic Form.
• Therapeutic centering.
• Orienting.
• Tracking autonomic cycling and related fluid tide dynamics.
• Modulating therapeutic pace or tempo,
• Identifying resource behaviors
• Recognizing the therapeutic leading edge
• Differentiating between trauma and shock imprinting.

This module provides an introduction to the Polarity Paradigm, shock imprinting and developing the internal reference structure for prenatal and birth therapy.

We will present a paradigm that looks at the energetic dynamics of the conception journey, including pre-conception and conception through implantation.

Bonding and Attachment

Trainers: Gitte Virkmann Larsen and Tara Blasco

This module covers the bonding process from early prenatal through post-birth. The issues of connection and separation are primary themes.

This course also addresses issues around receiving nutrition and emotional nurturing.

Skills introduced in this module include:

• How early imprinting affects future relationship formation and individual motivation patterns.
• Prenatal implantation dynamics and the development of the placenta and umbilical cord.
• Energetic umbilical dynamics and related movement imprinting.
• Birth dynamics, the cutting of the umbilical cord, newborn self-attachment behaviors, and the nature of the baby’s first contact with her mother and father after birth.
• The baby’s ability to attach to his/her mother emotionally, at the breast and the establishment of healthy nursing patterns.
• Specific therapeutic protocols for resourcing, resolving and re-patterning bonding and attachment trauma and a means for establishing nursing with babies who are unable to nurse or having difficulty with nursing.

Birth Imprinting

Trainers: Mary Jackson and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

This module covers the vaginal birth process, birth stages, pelvic types, cranial molding, birth movement patterns, and an introduction to infant craniopathy.

We will introduce tracking fluid tide dynamics and tracking stage specific birth movement patterns. By the end of the workshop, each of you will describe your personal birth passage to a small peer group.

Chemical Imprinting

Trainers: Carme Renalias and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

This module covers imprinting from anesthesia, nicotine, fetal alcohol, and drug syndromes.

We will look at the effects of chemical imprinting on prenates and babies’ psyches, their movement patterns, their energy patterns, and the development of the central nervous system. Specific protocols for resolving and re-patterning chemical imprinting are also covered.

We also introduce a new theory that explains the way chemical imprinting affects the function of the cerebral spinal fluid system. Your understanding of the cranial/sacral fluid tide system and the embryonic development of the brain will be enhanced so that you can use your visualization, energetic sensing, fluid tide palpation, and bodywork skills to support the resolution of traumatic chemical imprinting.

Surgical Imprinting

Trainers: Mary Jackson and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

In this module we cover birthing styles including forceps, vacuum extraction, cesarean section, circumcision, and prenatal and infant surgery.

You will learn how to identify signature cranial molding patterns, movement patterns and the psychological impacts of each style. You will learn how to identify signature cranial molding patterns, movement patterns and psychological impacts of each birthing style. You will learn the cranial impacts of forceps and vacuum extraction as well as specific treatment protocols for each type of surgical intervention. We will explore the effect of these procedures on physical structure and on the expression of the body’s energy and fluid tide systems.

Loss, Double Binds, and the Family Dynamic: Part 1

Trainers: Tara Blasco and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

Double binds or paradoxical imprints provide the most complicated dynamics in the PPN field. Double binds amplify practitioner countertransference issues as well as complications for facilitating groups or families.

This subject matter is saved for modules 7 and 8 because the dynamics of these trauma provide the practitioner with the greatest countertransference challenges in the prenatal and birth therapy field. The curricula of the first five modules is designed to build the trainees’ understanding, perception, presence, and therapeutic skills so that they are more prepared to explore the effects of double binds in effective and compassionate ways. Special attention is given to how double bind imprints affect families and group dynamics.

Module 6 focuses on ancestral influences, twin dynamics, and twin loss. Ancestral influences on individuation are explored to differentiate twin and ancestral imprinting. Twin embryonic and placental development are correlated with twin behavior later in life. Lost twin syndrome effects on singleton behavior is covered. You will learn to identify twin psychological imprinting, the countertransference/transference issues involved and twin dynamic therapeutic protocols. Breech birth presentation is covered in this module because a high percentage of breech presentations have occurred during twin births.

Loss, Double Binds, and the Family Dynamic: Part 2

Trainers: Carme Renalias and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

This module focuses on adoption, previous abortion ideation, abortion attempts and abortions, and miscarriage, traumatic impacts of death in the family during pregnancy, stillbirth and infant sibling loss, A.R.T. (Assisted Reproductive Technology) and NICU experience.

The skills for facilitating double bind dynamics are further developed and refined in this module.

Family and Group Dynamics

Trainers: Carme Renalias and Gitte Virkmann Larsen

Our final module is designed to transition the practitioner from foundation skill building to a model for family practice and for an adult small group practice.

This module includes the following:

• Each student will create and share a one-year plan and a five-year plan for integrating the work into their practice and life.
• The structural components for a process session, both with adults in a Womb Surround process workshop setting, and with families in infant/child-centered family settings.
• An introduction to the organization BEBA: A Center for Family Healing. Add link
• An opportunity for students to ask questions about clinical practice.
• A demonstration and debriefing session focusing on recognizing the principles utilized.

Prior to applying to the Foundation Training, applicants are required to EITHER take at least one Womb Surround process workshop with an approved womb surround facilitator or attend a Sequencing Workshop.

Experiencing a Womb Surround provides a deeper understanding of oneself and a felt sense of how the Castellino Training approach works in small groups and families. It also provides an opportunity to practice the 8 principles for the whole workshop while supporting others when it is their turn.

Scheduled Womb Surrounds

The Sequencing Workshop is and provides an opportunity to explore the imprints of your early life, especially birth, on how you approach any task, large or small. There is only one Sequencing Workshop scheduled before the next Foundation Training. Dates to be advised.

• Attend all 8 modules
• Complete all homework
• Participate in a minimum of 4 total Womb Surround process workshops or 3 Womb Surrounds + 1 Sequencing Workshop
• Complete payments

See information about application here