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_The History of Affectology
and Af-x Psychotherapy

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For almost two centuries, the history of psychotherapy has focused on the (forensic) analysis of a client's life stories and discussion (talk therapy) toward modification of symptoms. You will see in the following module of this site (the Science), that the history of talk psychotherapy could be considered flawed, simply because authentic declarative stories brought forward into conscious memory and cognitive structure can never be truly authentic.

Apart from the usual statement from clients that they are 'over the talking bit and it didn't do the trick' or having a personality that is private, science and recent discoveries about the way the subconscious emotional mind works tells us that these declarative forays are highly likely to be based on misinterpretation of older events, and/or pressures that prevail from certain subconscious parts drivers (avoidance and sabotage for instance) that, within each of us, are highly skilled at keeping us stuck exactly where we are.

And what does that mean? That the 'talk' aspect of talk therapy can be scientifically seen to be quite untrustworthy.

These findings were fundamental to the drive in the mid-1990s to establish a school that deals exclusively with
a. a study of the excitingly intricate way that the subconscious plays games with all styles of declarative therapy, and
b. the reformation of therapeutic approaches that are quiet, non-narrative, reflective and successful in helping for the balance of deep emotional states of being.

Before we look further at the history of the school, affectology and Af-x, let's pause to look at the report here:-

This, below, is a document - a report - compiled by the Academy of Psychotherapy and Counselling (now, the Applied Psychotherapy and Counselling Centre) in Athens following White's 4-month training project for Greek psychotherapists. It is the full document from which the Director's testimonial (right) was drawn. (to expand for reading, click on the 'Fullscreen' link).

Following study as a lay Bukkyo Zen monk (Japan, 1962-on), Ian White studied Morita Therapy and went on to become a Zen Shiatsu therapist, specializing in Ampuku treatment (body holding emotions). He taught mindfulness in Australia for many years.

After studying and training in numerous forms of Western psychotherapy in the 1980s and 90s, White melded his understanding of the subconscious dynamics when experiencing silence with his insights into Western symptomatic therapy approaches.

The genesis of Af-x in the early 90s led to years of fine-tuning the philosophy, the theory  and the method of Af-x into what it is today.

Early establishment by White of the ESR system of client feedback was also critical in determining the effectiveness of Af-x and providing 'result markers' by which the approach has continued to be improved.

The School of Affectology began its inaugural training as class engagement in 1995, serving student 'face-to-face' classes in both Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

Over the intervening years, the focus on presenting courses has gradually shifted from a traditional class-room style of delivery to online delivery of all theory aspects and components and the majority of practical instruction. The delivery and monitoring of lessons and tutorials by online means has been carefully trialed and tested, with an emphasis on the student's understanding of complex theory.

These trials have  shown that the methods employed by the School of Affectology provide best practices in teaching and training, and result in high levels of comprehension and elevated capacity for detailed understanding of the practical aspects required for quality Af-x session work.

Rather than employ LMS automated delivery programs, the School prefers to maintain personal communication and monitoring, ensuring the very best of training for individual practitioners.

2002 saw the first international practitioner training program held over 5 months in Helsingborg, Sweden. In subsequent years, Af-x Practitioners have been trained in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Greece, South America and Australia.

Of particular interest in Af-x is the human predilection for building unconscious 'drivers' that lead to the construction of what White calls the Avatar Self - the mask we ALL develop to interface with the world around us. An avatar-mask that can never be wholly authentic.

Click on the pic at left for a look behind the avatar.

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Testimonials

_Comments from past students and trainees who have gone on to practice as Af-x Practitioners and Clinical Affectologists (while Dr Dovelos does not specifically work as a Clinical Affectologist, he is in a position to comment on White's training methods and content).

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Darren Davis, works as a Master Af-x therapist and Course Coordinator, Adelaide, Australia
to read Darren's comments, go here

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Margarita Germani; works as Director, Parents Academy, Athens, and as a Master Af-x Practitioner
to read Margarita's comments, go here.

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Michael Wheeler works as a Master Af-x Practitioner in Lima, Peru
to read Michael's comments, go here.

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Steven Daws works as an Af-x therapist, Queensland, Australia
to read Steve's comments, go here

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Jenny Ejlak, works as an Af-x therapist, Melbourne, Australia
to read Jenny's comments, go here

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Leane Browning, Affective neuroscience researcher and Af-x practitioner, NSW, Australia
to read Leane's comments, go here

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_Dr Ionnias Dovelos, Director, Applied Psychotherapy and Counselling Centre, Athens, Greece.
for comments, go here

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Elena Johansson, Af-x Practitioner; Director, Aspire Mind AB, Malmo, Sweden
to read Elena's comments, go here

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Max Johansson (Not related to Elena Johansson) works as an Af-x practitioner in Finland.
to read Max's comments, go here

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