Dirk Marivoet
Psychotherapist, trainer, founder and director of the IBI
Who is Dirk Marivoet?
After obtaining an MSc. degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Leuven (B) Dirk Marivoet specialized in Psychomotor Therapy (a postgraduate training at KULeuven) and subsequently in Psychotherapy (ECP).
Between 1984 and 1994, Dirk served as a staff member at psychiatric centers, where he was actively involved in the clinical training of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and movement/psychomotor therapists at the KULeuven. In this academic context he received extensive continued schooling on numerous subjects regarding psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, phenomenology, diagnosis, psychopathology and special treatment modalities. Through colleagial exchanges, he expanded his practice to incorporate functional, experiential and conflict-oriented body centered treatment approaches.
Today Dirk directs the Int’l Institute for Bodymind Integration and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Ghent, Belgium. He is recognized both nationally and internationally as an expert in the field of body psychotherapy, having personally worked with many of the now-deceased pioneers in this field. Dirk is a certified senior international trainer and supervisor in body-oriented psychotherapy, body-centered trauma therapy, psychophysiology (formerly known as psychosomatics), and neuroscience.
Out of an interest in the whole person, he intensively researched the body-oriented, humanistic, existential, transpersonal and spiritual directions. His first attractions were Postural Integration® (myofascial bodywork integrated with psychotherapeutic tools), Core Energetics, Bio-Energetics, Reichian therapy, Pelvic-Heart Integration and after 35 years of practice he developed his own method Core Strokes ™ . Dirk’s work builds on the insights of three important key figures from somatic psychotherapy and bodymind integration: Al Pesso, John C. Pierrakos, MD and Jack Painter, Ph.D. Dirk is also the co-founder and current chairperson of the Core Science Foundation, an association that supports scientificity in body-oriented psychotherapy.
Pioneers he personally worked with have largely influenced his work and understanding: Stanislav Grof (Holotropic Breathwork), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Myron Sharaf (Wilhelm Reich’s Biographer), Charles Kelley (Founder of Radix and student of Wilhelm Reich), Gerda Boyesen (Founder of Biodynamic Psychology), Stanley Keleman (Founder of Formative Psychology), David Boadella (Founder of Biosynthesis)… Spiritual teachers such as Archie Fire Lame Deer (Lakota), Philip Carr-Gomm (Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids) and Peggy Dylan (female founder of the firewalking movement), among many others have passed on ‘ancient knowledge/wisdom’, shamanism, and the ability to listen deeply into the many spirits and voices of the earth…
The International Institute for Bodymind Integration (IBI)
In 1994 Dirk Marivoet moved from Leuven to Ghent and founded the IBI there. The IBI is an education center and school for adults and offers a diverse range of courses, workshops and training programs in bodymind integration, holistic bodywork and body-oriented psychotherapy. Dirk also maintains his private practice there, offering personal guidance, couples sessions and group work. The IBI has been an institutional member of the European Association for Body Psychotherapy (EABP) and a member of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) for many years.
Dirk Marivoet’s method
After 35 years of experience as a transdisciplinary clinical psychotherapist, Dirk developed a method called “Core Strokes“ in which the word ‘Core‘ stands for ‘Center of Right (direct) Energy‘ and the word ‘Strokes‘ for ‘deep touches’ or ‘caresses’. ‘Energy and consciousness‘ are simultaneously invited, addressed and developed. As an approach, Core Strokes is strongly inspired by John Pierrakos’ Core Energetics (a spiritual body oriented psychotherapy method of which Dirk is a senior teacher). Integrative multi-level work happens with the 5 dimensions of the personality: body, emotions, thoughts (mind), will and mind. Simultaneous work with the cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects and the link between brain and body are important aspects as well. Targeted forms of structural bodywork – based on Rolfing, Anatomy Trains and Postural Integration (of which Dirk is a Certified Advanced Trainer and Supervisor) – deeply liberate the myofasciae of the body. This is always combined with mindful breathwork (based on Jack Painter’s Natural Breath Cycle) and Energetic Integration®, elements of PBSP, movement expression (Dance, Bio-Energetics, ….), awareness through movement (Feldenkrais, Alexander, etc.), Gestalt and role play.
Bodymind Integration tools are widely applicable within many approaches towards health and well-being, as well as in the treatment of psychological, emotional and behavioral complaints (ranging from depressed feelings, fears, trauma, raw, chronic pain and fatigue, etc.)
I am Physiotherapist and I have a long experience as a sportsman and martial artist. I live with bipolar disorder (I could also say: “I have lived many lives and in many worlds…”). Working with Dirk I felt his great humanity and that he really cared about me. The experience was total and radical (new and as going to the roots). All my worlds, lives, mind, body were just one there and in this moment. Thanks to his presence, hands, voice, movement… lost memories came up. I was able to open my treasured spirituality after a manic episode. After this I felt fresher, lively from my bones to my mind and heart.
Bernardo Gonzalez, PT in Mental Health (Spain)
Dirk Marivoet can find the right words and touches in order to create confidence and security to release blocked energy in your physical and emotional body. By freeing up these areas, he re-connects us to our full potential…. 1000 thanks for helping me to be totally me in my freedom and my fluidity.
Sophie Anquetil, Tantra Teacher (Corsica)
Dirk Marivoet’s expertise lies in a profound knowledge of the body´s and energetic systems – obviously many years of deep work flowing through his hands. I enjoyed his precise explanations of body structures and how to work with them very much. The course “Advanced Somatics Practitioner” inspired my work a lot. I can recommend him as a teacher, as well as a therapist for intense body-mind focused processes.
Patrick Pelzner, psychologist (Switzerland)
Thank you Dirk – you are a shining example of a man who “walks the talk” – sharing your years of experience working with some of the leading thinkers in the field of somatic and bodymind integration. Making Core Strokes accessible to people. My wish is that your work may be a gift to many, as it is to me, shared by many in the years to come.
Llewellyn Diedericks, South Africa
Dirk Marivoet’s Memberships
- Chair of the Core Science Foundation (CSF)
- Full Member Belgian Association for Psychotherapy (BVP-ABP)
- Full Member European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP)
- Full Member European Association for Body Psychotherapy (EABP)
- Full Member of World Association for Person Centered & Experiential Psychotherapy & Counselling. (WAPCEPC)
- Past General Secretary of the International Council for Psychocorporal (Bodymind) Integration Trainers (ICPIT) 1999- 2020.
- Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Bodymind Integration
Working with Dirk
Dirk works following the ethical codes and confidentiality proper to the disciplines he practices. Even asking for advice remains confidential.
If you want to make an appointment with Dirk Marivoet please use the contact form and ask any question.
The Institute
The Pioneers
Why Bodymind Integration?
Ethical code
Dirk Marivoet