Psycho corporal therapy (aka mind-body therapy). From retrospectives to theoretical applications

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this article is firstly to define the protocols and therapeutic tools used in the various types of psycho corporal therapy that exist today and to then set them within a strict theoretical framework, to see how they can be useful in sex therapy.MethodUsing a review of the literature, we compare the history of the various corporal mediation therapies (bioenergy, gestalt therapy) with the ideas behind their development: (1) so-called “borderline” pathologies; (2) challenging the exclusive use of words to understand suffering and to determine the choice of therapies to be used and (3) greater importance devoted to the emotions. We introduce the contribution of the neurosciences in: (1) interpreting clinical material in the role of the emotions; (2) the significance given to the various expressions and language of the body and (3) understanding the sexual symptoms associated with body inhibitions and the deficiencies of non-verbal communication.ResultsValidation of the importance of the emotions in the various stages of development and all forms of relations with the self, with the significant other and other people. Encouragement to develop more therapeutic tools for awareness and progression of all forms of corporal experience associated with mirror effects that enable us to feel and perceive the language of the body before any intellectual interpretation takes place. Confirmation of the relevance of the psycho-corporal approach in French Sexology university qualifications.