Refocussing, as the name suggests, is about focus and refocus. The theory and practice was first developed by Diane Divett in 1995.

As a pastor, teacher, educator, counsellor, she recognised the need for Refocussing to have a variety of different applications.

The development of Refocussing has included:

• Refocussing  as a highly interactive , God, other and self awareness process;
• Refocussing as a life coaching, and life mapping process,
• Refocussing as a spiritual direction/pastoral mentoring process;
• Refocussing for children; marriage and relationships;
• Refocussing for trauma (see Rwanda).

As well, Refocussing is a well researched and highly developed theory, known as Refocussing theory (RF/RT) and its counselling practice , namely, Refocussing Therapy (RFT). http://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz ResearchSpace@Auckland …

With Diane’s pastoral and teaching background she was well placed to begin teaching and training others in what she had developed. Accordingly, by 1997 she had provided extrensive teaching materials and manuals including a counsellors training curriculum which she trialled with the Vineyard churches in NZ. She documented early on in her writings, how Refocussing has  various levels of effective application: the individual level, the pastoral  care/counselling level, the highly skilled and therapeutic and as an amazing tool for evangelism, introducing people to God.

At the time the material was also formed into a set of teaching videos (now in dvd format), for training Refocussing therapists. However, still not satisfied with the level of research she had conducted, Diane then went on to provide further and more extensive research at  post graduate doctoral level at the University of Auckland, beginning in 1999.

At the same time she was conducting her doctoral research, she encouraged those qualified from her team of trainees – Dianne Spain, Jane Kay, Christine Jenkins,  Victoria Cameron,  to also conduct research at post graduate level. They each completed Masters and post- graduate diplomas using Refocussing as their main research topics (see research over at Theory Credentials…>>.)

A central reason Dr Divett felt ‘called’ to research and provide a sound academic theory for Christians that integrated theology and psychology is that she believed that while most theories in psychology did attempt to help people resolve their unmet, unfulfilled or maladjusted needs they simply did not go far enough. For example, While psychology may help people to focus on ‘needs’, using various theoretical and practical methods, what she suggests as being necessary to facilitate true wholeness is a way to refocus on the objective Other, namely God, as our fundamental resource.

Like Albert Einstein, who said -

“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we first created them”,

Dr Divett believes a different perspective – a refocus is required. Therefore in the developing of Refocussing she created a series of programmes (life mapping, small group – self awareness, children’s’ programmes, counselling training etc) that help people;

• Firstly to find God so they can experience His empowering Presence, and then
• Shift to a new space of understanding, insight and empowerment.
• From this space decisions about vision, purpose, dreams, future and healthy ‘wholistic’ living can be made.

This is entirely in keeping with Jeremiah 29:11 “The plans I have for you says the Lord are plans of good and not of evil, of a future and a hope“. Refocussing has many components and applications.

To learn more about What Can Refocussing be Used For? ..>>

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