Dirk Marivoet
Psychotherapist, trainer, founder and director of the IBI
Who is Dirk Marivoet?
Dirk Marivoet, MSc., is a Belgian psychotherapist, physiotherapist, and internationally recognized expert in the field of Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy and Bodymind Integration. He is the founder and director of the International Institute for Bodymind Integration (IBI) and its educational branch, the Institute for Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP), based in Ghent, Belgium.
After earning his MSc. in Physiotherapy at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Dirk specialized in Psychomotor Therapy (postgraduate KU Leuven) and later in Psychotherapy , receiving the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). His early career (1984–1994) was shaped by his work as a clinical staff member in psychiatric hospitals, where he trained psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and psychomotor therapists. During this period, he was immersed in diverse traditions—ranging from psychoanalysis and phenomenology to diagnostic and trauma-focused approaches—laying the groundwork for a truly integrative vision.
🌍 An Integrative Somatic Vision
Over the last four decades, Dirk’s work evolved through direct apprenticeship with many pioneers in body psychotherapy. His unique synthesis draws from:
Jack Painter, Ph.D. (Postural Integration®, Pelvic-Heart Integration®)
John C. Pierrakos, M.D. (Core Energetics)
Al Pesso (PBSP – Psychomotor Therapy)
Wilhelm Reich’s legacy (via Myron Sharaf and Charles Kelley)
Additional influences include Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Gerda Boyesen, Stanley Keleman, David Boadella, and Stanislav Grof. He has also studied with spiritual teachers such as Archie Fire Lame Deer, Peggy Dylan, and Philip Carr-Gomm, integrating shamanic, ancestral, and transpersonal dimensions into his work.
🌀 Founder of Core Strokes™ and the Neurofascial Approach
With over 35 years of clinical experience, Dirk developed his own method: Core Strokes™ — an integrative approach that bridges fascia-based bodywork, psychodynamic process, and energetic transformation. His teaching emphasizes fascia, breath, emotion, character structure, and relational presence, supported by insights from trauma healing, neuroscience, and polarity dynamics. He is also the creator of the Neurofascial Transformation Process™ and the Energetic Breath Cycle™, foundational tools in the Core Strokes™ method.
✍️ Published Author and Scientific Contributor
Dirk is the author of several articles published in peer-reviewed journals, where he contributes to the evolving field of somatic psychotherapy, integrative bodywork, trauma healing, and fascial science. His writings bridge academic rigor with experiential depth, integrating clinical insight, neuroscientific understanding, and transpersonal perspectives to support a truly holistic vision of healing and transformation.
He is also co-founder and current chairperson of the Core Science Foundation, an international initiative promoting research and professional standards in body-oriented psychotherapy.
🏫 The IBI & ISP
In 1994, Dirk founded the International Institute for Bodymind Integration (IBI) in Ghent. Through its educational branch — the Institute for Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP) — the IBI offers:
Professional certification trainings in Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy
Workshops and intensives in Core Strokes™, Pelvic-Heart Integration®, and Somatic Centering™
Individual sessions for personal transformation and clinical supervision
The IBI/ISP is a long-time institutional member of the European Association for Body Psychotherapy (EABP) and affiliated with the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).
🔬 Commitment to Science & Embodied Transformation
Dirk’s approach weaves together scientific integrity, clinical depth, mythic-symbolic resonance, and embodied wisdom—serving as a bridge between ancient healing traditions and modern therapeutic practice.
Dirk Marivoet’s method
Developed after more than 35 years of transdisciplinary clinical experience, Core Strokes™ is Dirk Marivoet’s original method of Bodymind Integration. The term “Core” refers to the Center of Right (or Direct) Energy, while “Strokes” evokes the deep, intentional touches or caresses that awaken the body’s energetic intelligence. This approach invites and integrates both energy and consciousness, supporting transformation on all levels.
Deeply inspired by Core Energetics—the spiritual body-oriented psychotherapy developed by John C. Pierrakos, M.D., with whom Dirk studied extensively—Core Strokes™ works across five dimensions of the personality: body, emotion, mind (thought), will, and consciousness. Therapeutic sessions aim to address cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and somatic layers simultaneously, highlighting the vital connection between brain, body, and breath.
Core Strokes™ incorporates targeted structural bodywork, drawing on Rolfing®, Anatomy Trains®, and Postural Integration®—in which Dirk is a Certified Advanced Trainer and Supervisor. This work releases chronic patterns and restrictions in the myofascial system, restoring vitality and coherence. It is combined with:
Mindful breathwork, based on Jack Painter’s Natural Breath Cycle and Energetic Integration®
Movement-based expression (e.g., Bio-Energetics, dance, improvisation)
Somatic awareness practices (Feldenkrais®, Alexander Technique)
Gestalt-based process work and role play
Elements of Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor (PBSP®) and transpersonal psychology
As a method, Core Strokes™ is both clinical and creative, offering powerful tools for psychological integration, trauma healing, and personal growth. It is applicable across a wide range of contexts—from mental health care and psychosomatic medicine, to coaching, education, and the healing arts. Clients often experience relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic tension, fatigue, and relational imbalances, while accessing greater vitality, clarity, and embodied presence.
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