METHODOLOGY
Our Framework
At Being Human, we believe in the power of process oriented artistic exploration to transcend crisis, cultivating a world where human connection is not only preserved but strengthened through the beauty of shared experiences. We are committed to creating spaces where felt sense becomes the guiding force, shaping understandings and dialogues that ripple through personal growth and societal change.
Our approach is built upon three foundational pillars, enriched by the lived experiences of our founders and collaborators:
Phenomenology
Phenomenology is a philosophical methodology that delves into consciousness through the lens of first-person experience. Originating with Edmund Husserl in the early twentieth century and expanded by thinkers like Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Jean-Paul Sartre, phenomenology seeks to explore phenomena as they present themselves in our experiences, free from preconceived notions. This approach endeavors to grasp the unique essence of events or phenomena as they are perceived in the present moment, untainted by prior experiences, learnings, or constructed meanings (Woodruff, 2018).
Expressive Arts Therapy
Founded by Paolo Knill, Shaun McNiff, and pioneers such as Margo Fuchs, Ellen, and Stephen Levine, Expressive Arts Therapy (EXA) is a practice that harnesses intermodal arts and play to nurture creativity, growth, and healing. In an EXA setting, the client is honored as the expert of their reality, while the facilitator supports their transformative journey through artistic and imaginative processes. The facilitator guides rather than prescribes, echoing the solutions that arise naturally through engagement with art-making. This method requires an open-minded, sensitive approach, adopting both phenomenological and health-promoting (salutogenic) models (Knill, Levine & Levine, 2005). As Paolo Knill wisely puts it, "Let go of control to achieve mastery" (Levine, 2019, p.90).
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), developed by Dr. Dan Siegel in the 1990s, is an interdisciplinary field studying the integration of body, mind, and relationships in human development and well-being. IPNB emphasizes the interconnectedness of our physical, mental, and relational aspects, incorporating arts and mindfulness into the science of human existence. This framework focuses on three main elements: Brain: The nervous system's mechanism throughout the body, transporting energy and information. Mind: The regulation of energy and information flow. Relationships: The patterns through which energy and information are shared. By understanding these components, IPNB provides a holistic view of human functioning and development (Siegel, 2012).
