About Ernst von Meijenfeldt
I work with individuals, couples, and groups who are searching for ways to improve the quality of their lives.
I work process oriented; sessions are a blend of IFS (level 1 and 2), Hakomi therapy, HeartMath coaching and mentoring. I blend these modalities in my own unique way. Holistic somatic mindful life-coaching is perhaps a recognized label that best describes what I do.
IFS
I am trained in IFS – Internal Family Systems, Hakomi – Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy, as well as in R-CS (RE-Creation of the Self Model of Human Systems) an extension of Hakomi developed by Jon Eisman, one of the Hakomi founders. IFS, Hakomi and R-CS are powerful therapeutic disciplines right at the intersection of psychotherapy, spiritual practice and neuroscience.
IFS – Internal Family Systems, is a transformative tool that conceives of every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. Just like members of a family, inner parts are forced from into extreme roles within us to cope with life’s circumstances. Self is in everyone. It can’t be damaged. It knows how to heal.
IFS is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts. IFS creates inner and outer connectedness by helping people first access their Self and, from that core, come to understand and heal their parts.
In that sense IFS is what we call a ‘constraint-release’ approach – once the constraints that hold someone back are released, step by step the authentic wholeness of the client is freed.
Hakomi
Hakomi recognizes that we are multidimensional beings with complex biological, psychological and spiritual needs, yearning to experience balance and wholeness. As such, we need to be treated holistically, in a way that acknowledges, nurtures and integrates every aspect of our being. The beauty of this healing modality is that it’s infused with principles of gentleness, non-violence, compassion and mindfulness — bringing together the best of the West and the East in an integrative and holistic framework.
Foundational in Hakomi sessions is developing and maintaining a safe space in which a healthy, lasting and beneficial relationship can unfold. Within that safe container it is my priority to help clients enhance what is and works well in them; what they value; what they enjoy and love; what they desire and aspire; what is up for change and renewal. Bringing out the most balanced and resourced version of them, where their physical, mental and emotional systems are aligned with their heart’s intuitive guidance, is the main focus. This process often naturally uncovers what is in the way; all those areas where growth is stagnated, blocked, wounded, reduced, overshadowed and/or limited. When wounding is more severe we call it trauma. I am trained in the Havening Techniques®, a healing modality designed to help clients overcome problems that are the consequence of traumatic encoding in the body, brain and nervous system. Both Hakomi and Havening are suitable for certain trauma’s. When trauma therapy is required I refer to colleagues who are specialists in that field.
HeartMath
I am a certified HearMath Coach & Mentor. In the HeartMath approach the notion that every heart holds wisdom and intelligence that can help guide each of us through adversities is key. By accessing our heart’s intelligence, creative ways can be found to balance our system. Years of research show that the heart actually sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. Moreover, these heart signals have a significant effect on brain function—influencing emotional processing as well as higher cognitive faculties such as attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving.
The HeartMath Institute has developed a system of effective, scientifically based tools and technologies to build and sustain personal resilience by bringing your system in coherence. If there is one word you should add to your vocabulary it is coherence. Peer reviewed HeartMath research shows that when you have it, your life can be so much better than when you don’t. Coherence is the ideal state described as an optimal state in which the heart, mind and emotions are operating in sync and in balance, and the immune, hormonal and nervous systems function in a state of harmonious coordination.
Coherence is a state that builds resiliency – personal energy is accumulated, not wasted –leaving more energy to manifest intentions and harmonious outcomes. Coherence increases self-awareness and builds and sustains resilience by enhancing people’s ability to more intelligently self-regulate their nervous system and their energy, which directly affects performance and personal fulfilment.
HeartMath Coaching – Building Personal Resilience
As a HeartMath Coach I offer clients the HeartMath Building Personal Resilience program. This is a focused and practical program combining personalized mentoring with scientifically validated tools. The primary objective is to provide clients with effective and sustainable HeartMath energy management skills. These skills increase the client’s ability to more effectively self-regulate their emotions and behaviours, and to sustain their composure and balance as they face the day-to-day challenges in their personal and professional lives. HeartMath tools help you effectively reduce stress and overload, stop energy drains, manage anxiety, frustration or anger, shift your mood, restore nervous system health, improve mental capacity and clarity, increase your composure and performance when you need it, and enhance your overall sense of well-being.
Even though HeartMath techniques are very simple; they are powerful & effective and can be used at any time; at school, at work, in the car, in the cinema, at home, wherever you feel you might need them. Its ease of use makes HeartMath’s learning process an easy task.
Is HeartMatch Coaching something for you? Well … are you anxious? under pressure? angry? disappointed? sad? depressed? afraid? worried? exhausted?
Through HeartMath Coaching sessions you will learn how to incorporate HeartMath tools and techniques into your everyday life. As your HeartMath Coach, I will mentor and coach you, according to your personal needs, and you will learn to identify what drains your energy and effectiveness and how to plug these leaks. I will help you identify the areas of your life that you like to focus on. The first 4 – 6 sessions have an educational component teaching you core HeartMath skills mixed with personalized coaching. During the 4 – 6 weeks, you will learn how to self-renew your energy and establish a new internal baseline. This new baseline will help you improve decision-making skills, composure and sense of ease and increase access to your intuition.
My own journey of inner growth and development
I began searching for answers to life’s existential questions and meaning at an early age. I explored the spiritual side of the human condition, initially through mystic Christianity and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner; and later through the teachings of the Sufi mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan. I engaged in various meditation practices, and for many years studied holotropic breathwork, a breathing method based on the work of Stanislav Groff which opens access into expanded states of consciousness for healing and self-exploration.
About thirty years ago I began my search for a contemporary spiritual teacher who actually lives his teaching in the midst of every day life. On that journey I have come across several examples that were good and sincere. But I have also been mislead by a false and abusive teacher. Both experiences – the good and the bad – have awakened me more and more to my true nature and my way of being. More and more I discovered an inner acceptance, and inner stillness and warmth, a non-judgmental way of listening, a spacious sense of clarity, a tender depth of empathy, and an acute ability to intuit truth.
The confluence of everything I have learned and realized though my personal and professional development, and my love of guiding others in their own awakening drew me to life-coaching, counselling, Hakomi and mentoring. Because of my experience in the business world as an entrepreneur I gained a greater understanding of life’s practical issues which enhances my effectiveness as a coach, counsellor and mentor.
To me an important aspect of being a male in this field is modelling a different way to both male and female clients. The experience of working with a mature male who is warm, attentive, attuned to his feelings, respectful, compassionate and at times humorous can be enriching by itself. It caries intrinsic value above and beyond the content of my sessions.
Coaching, IFS and Hakomi have profoundly impacted my life, particularly through my marriage to Susann, one of the most perceptive and effective therapists and life-coaches I know. Jointly, we provide a safe space to explore ways to transition from one phase to the next for couples who want to move past limitations in their relationship and deepen their love, intimacy and mutual commitment
I work in person, and on zoom, giving you the flexibility and convenience of having sessions from anywhere in the world, wherever you are.
