The Gendlin Online Library - central location of all of Gendlin's work
Your tax-deductible contribution to The International Focusing Institute directly supports our worldwide outreach.
Follow The International Focusing Institute on Facebook

About Us
The International Focusing Institute is an international, cross-cultural organization dedicated to supporting individuals and groups world-wide who are teaching, practicing and developing Focusing and its underlying philosophy. (Full Mission Statement)
Founder
Eugene Gendlin, Ph.D. (Bio)
Associate Professor, University of Chicago, 1964 - 1995
Board of Directors
Paula Nowick
President
serving until summer 2019 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Leslie Ellis
Vice President
serving until summer 2021 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Hanspeter Mühlethaler
Treasurer
serving until summer 2020 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Peter Afford
serving until summer 2022 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Nancy Falls
serving until summer 2021 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Nelle Moffett
serving until summer 2022 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Catherine Torpey
Ex-officio
International Leadership Council
International Leadership Council Web Page
Evelyn Fendler-Lee
serving until summer 2021 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Ruth Hirsch
serving until summer 2020 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Sergio Lara Cisternas
serving until summer 2018 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Roberto Larios
serving until summer 2019 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Claude Missiaen
serving until summer 2020 (eligible for appointment to another 3-year term at that time)
Catherine Torpey
Ex-officio
Staff
Catherine Torpey (Bio)
Executive Director
catherine@focusing.org
Elizabeth Cantor
Administrator
elizabeth@focusing.org
Rita Kirsch
rita@focusing.org
Staff Office Phone: 1-845-480-5111
Mission Statement
Diversity Statement
In February 2009 this statement was approved by the Board of Directors
TFI Diversity Statement
Focusing is a practice that honors what arises freshly in the moment. Frozen structures of any kind are antithetical to the ethic of Focusing. Therefore, The International Focusing Institute takes as a core value the principle that the practice of Focusing, how it is taught by certified Focusing teachers, and its application in different fields will not be standardized. Diversity of approaches will be protected. Constructive critiques among Focusing Trainers or between TFI and individuals presenting or applying Focusing are welcome and should be offered by means of open, respectful communication. TFI itself will seek to honor the values of non-standardization in its operations while recognizing that tension can arise between maximum diversity and the need for effectiveness and efficiency in meeting its goals.
By-Laws
By-Laws of The International Focusing Institute, Amended 6th June 2014 [PDF]
Board Documents
The International Focusing Institute ANNUAL REPORT Summer 2016
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY - July 1, 2015
Nominating Process:
- Why we use a nominating committee 日本語 Française Español
- Criteria for nominating
- Steps and Timeline for the 2016 process
- TFI BOD ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOARD AND COUNCIL - July 1, 2014
- TFI BOD ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOARD AND COUNCIL (JAPANESE) 日本語 - July 1, 2014
- TFI BOD ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOARD AND COUNCIL (SPANISH) Español - July 1, 2014
- A MESSAGE TO THE FOCUSING COMMUNITY FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - and - A MESSAGE TO THE FOCUSING COMMUNITY FROM THE 2014 NOMINATING COMMITTEE - June 25, 2014
- UN MENSAJE DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA INTERINA A LA COMUNIDAD DEL FOCUSING - Y - UN MENSAJE A LA COMUNIDAD DE FOCUSING DE PARTE DE LA COMISIÓN DE NOMINACIONES - 25 junio 2014
- PROCESS FOR SELECTING A NEW BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM - May 5, 2014
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE - May 23, 2014
- COMITE DE NOMINACION - 23 de mayo 2014
- 理事と国際リーダーシップ評議会への推薦のお願い <指名委員会とは? 2014年5月23日>
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE SUGGESTIONS ON SELECTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS - May 26, 2014
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE SUGGESTIONS ON SELECTING INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL - May 26, 2014
Board Minutes
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, April 17, 2020
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, March 13, 2020
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, July 10, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, June 12, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, May 8, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, April 10, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, March 13, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, February 13, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, January 9, 2019
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, November 14, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, October 10, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, September 13, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, July 11, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, June 13, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, May 2, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting, April 4, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting March 7, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting February 14, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting January 24, 2018
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting December 13, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting November 8, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting October 25, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting September 13, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting July 26, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting June 14, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting May 10, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting April 12, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting March 8, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting February 8, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting January 4, 2017
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting December 7, 2016
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting November 2, 2016
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting October 5, 2016
Minutes from The International Focusing Institute Board Meeting September 7, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting August 3, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting July 6, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting June 1, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting May 5, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting April 6, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting February 3, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting January 13, 2016
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting December 2, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting November 4, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting October 7, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting September 2, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting August 5, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting July 1, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting June 3, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting May 6, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting April 8, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting March 4, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting February 4, 2015
Minutes from The Focusing Institute Board Meeting January 14, 2015
Timeline
The International Focusing Institute and the network of Focusing teachers have worked for many years to develop Focusing to the point where the public can access information and connect with other individuals who use Focusing in their personal and professional lives. Today, Focusing is applied in many areas and taught around the world in workshops, clinical programs, and at national and international conferences. Focusing has become part of the fabric of our society. More...