Jure Yoram Biechonski

ℹ️ Basic Info

• Gender: Male
• Birth Date: April 25, 1953

🗣️ Languages

• Polish
• English
• Arabic
• Latin
• French
• Russian
• Hebrew

💬 Favorite Quotes

• “Every mental or physical disorder is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.”
• “All our so-called problems are irrational and illogical; any attempt to psychoanalyze them rationally will be a waste of the client’s money.”
• “Those problems are created by our imagination, and it is with the use of imagination and symbolism that we can do something about them.”

The professional life began in the quiet predictability of a school, where he taught history. However, a pivotal conversation with the school’s headmaster, who asked him to patrol the school grounds to enforce discipline, sparked a realization in Jure: he was not fulfilling his true potential.

This epiphany led him to leave teaching behind and step into the unpredictable world of theater—an experience that would lay the groundwork for his future in psychotherapy.

While acting provided an emotional outlet, it was the teaching of drama to children that unveiled his natural inclination towards therapeutic methods.

“When they do improvisation, they actually improvise their own life,” Jure observed.

The meager earnings from acting pushed him to teach drama to children, where he discovered his knack for using improvisation as a therapeutic tool.

This experience underscored the interconnectedness of mental and physical health, prompting him to incorporate holistic approaches into his practice. Therapy should address the whole person, fostering growth and healing on multiple levels.

“We talk about it forever and just keep talking and talking and the change does not happen. I believe more for me the therapeutic approach is by doing things not only talking about them.” – The focus is on active participation over traditional talk therapy.

His therapeutic style is deeply influenced by his diverse experiences and personal challenges. He advocates for a practical, hands-on approach to therapy, favoring active participation over passive discussion. This method stems from his belief in the transformative power of acting out emotions and scenarios, which he argues can lead to more substantial and lasting change than traditional talk therapy.

In the sessions with clients he often employs techniques that encourage clients to confront their issues directly through role-play and active imagination, facilitating a deeper understanding and resolution of their conflicts. This approach not only aids in immediate problem-solving but also empowers clients to apply these solutions in their real lives, promoting long-term well-being.

“The therapeutic relationship is to create a real connection with the client, a human emotional connection.” – The critical role of establishing a genuine and empathetic connection with clients is the foundation for effective therapy.

In his work there’s a clear emphasis on action over words. He believes in “doing things, not only talking about them.” This approach is vividly illustrated in sessions where he might ask a client to enact conversations with a parental figure, bringing to the fore unresolved issues in a controlled, therapeutic environment.

“If you have an issue with your father for instance, I’m not going to tell you please tell me about your father… I want you to imagine I’m your father… What do you need to hear me saying? Doing?”

This method fosters not just understanding but real change, as clients are not only encouraged to confront their problems but also to practice solutions. There’s a highlighting in his practice related to the using of role-play to simulate resolutions and emotional reconciliations.

“I find the whole approach (classical therapy) totally inhuman… In therapy there are cases when I sit with a client and I’m becoming the parent that they always wanted to have but maybe never had.”

In a world increasingly categorized by labels and diagnoses, Jure stands out as a beacon of hope for those seeking therapy. He reframes what it means to confront life’s challenges, focusing not on the symptoms that bring people to his door, but on the underlying stories that shape them. His unconventional approach to therapy, emphasizes the importance of understanding the human experience rather than treating perceived ailments.

The Foundation of His Approach

“Because, in a way, most of our so-called problems are unconscious. Another thing that I choose to believe is that all our so-called problems are only an active symptom. All our problems are a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.“

We need to look beyond immediate symptoms to the root causes buried in past experiences.

“So, what we do,” he explains, “instead of trying to fix the normal reaction, we’re going all the way back to the abnormal situation that the client grew up with. This is, in a way, once again, why we go back in life to childhood.”

By revisiting these formative years, Jure aims to uncover the sources of deep sadness and fear, which he believes manifest as depression and anxiety, respectively.

“I choose to believe, okay, that depression is a deep sadness, and anxiety is actually fear.”

Jure expresses a distaste for diagnostic labels, stating, “I feel very uncomfortable with all those diagnostic labels. Sometimes, they are actually damaging a person and not helping a person.” His goal is not to label but to understand, a principle that guides every aspect of his therapeutic practice.

When a new client enters his office, he begins not with an assessment but with questions that delve into the client’s desires and expectations.

“So, first thing, I’m asking two questions. One question is why you are here. Another question that, unfortunately, a lot of psychotherapists don’t ask is, what do you need from me?“

He emphasizes the importance of understanding the holistic personality of the client, asking questions like, “Who they are. What they do in life.”

One of his more unexpected questions is, “What do you do for fun?” It’s a question that often catches clients off guard. “And you cannot imagine how many people open big eyes and have to think about it for some time.”

Another crucial aspect of his approach is exploring the timeline of a client’s symptoms.

“The other important question is, when was the first time in your life when these symptoms have started? And what happened in your life around that time?”

By establishing this timeline, he manages transitioning from focusing on present symptoms to addressing real emotional causes.

This historical perspective allows clients to make connections between past events and current challenges, paving the way for deeper healing and self-awareness. His empathetic approach encourages clients to explore their pasts without fear or judgment, fostering an environment of trust and safety.

Even though many explorations happen in the past of the client, the therapeutic journey is not confined to the past. He guides clients through their present circumstances and into their envisioned futures. “Once we have connected between the present and the past, the important thing we need to do is to go to the future,” he explains. “And I want you to imagine yourself five or ten years from now. Where would you like to be? What would you like to do in your life?”

Therapy is not about returning clients to the life they once knew.

“What is the point of helping a client out of the symptom and sending them back to the unhappy relationship, to the boring job, and to exactly the damaging place where it all happened?” Instead, he seeks to inspire clients to envision and work towards a future that aligns with their true desires.

What drives Jure in his work is a vision of social change and in the same time he challenges the traditional notion of therapy itself.

“You see, the word therapy is also problematic. Because the word therapy implies let’s find what is wrong and try to fix it. Instead of finding, let’s find what is your strength and what is working, and to learn how to use it more effectively.”

Central to his philosophy is the therapeutic relationship itself—a genuine, emotional connection between client and therapist.

“What motivates me in my work? Okay. I see my work as a political work. The world out there, I’m worried about the world that is out there. It’s not becoming a better and healthier and safest place.” 

He envisions a ripple effect from individual transformation, stating, “Any internal change within a client will immediately affect their family life, their partners, their children, and even their relationship with their parents, hopefully. And then their effectiveness and awareness in society at large.”

His practice is inspired by various philosophies and theories, including shadow work, archetypes, and symbolism. He believes that any attempt to interpret a client’s problems or provide personal opinions is not only unhelpful but “extremely abusive.“

It is utterly important not just to acquire knowledge, but  to integrate and apply it effectively. The therapeutic process has three essential stages: experience, integration, and application. “Without it, the whole thing was useless and a waste of time and money.”

The real value lies in how clients apply their insights to improve their lives. “I became aware where it’s coming from. This is how I feel. This is the impact on me,” he explains, emphasizing the role of self-awareness in facilitating change.

There’s also a great power of imagination in therapy, using techniques like past life regression as a tool for self-discovery.

“I explore your life in a past life and I take you to just a moment before your death,” he explains. “And I ask the past life to give a message. What is your message to the present self?”

The therapeutic journey is not about escaping reality but about understanding and transforming it. “Sometimes, okay, you talk about spiritual bypassing. We escape to past lives. We escape to altered states of consciousness. We escape to psychedelics,” he observes.

All these experiences need practical applications:”The first one is the experience. Second one is integration. The third stage, which is the most important one, is application.”

Clients are encouraged to imagine their future selves and the advice they would give to their present selves, reinforcing the idea that “deep inside, we’ve got all the answers. We know exactly what to do.”

He challenges clients to take ownership of their growth, asking them, “What would you like to do with it? How would you like to use it in everyday life?” This approach empowers clients to find their own answers and solutions, rather than relying solely on external guidance.

How can clients distinguish between their true inner voice and external influences?

He acknowledges the confusion many people face, saying, “We are so polluted in the way we grow up that sometimes we lose this inner voice.” Despite this, he believes the inner voice remains intact: “The inner, we don’t touch it. It’s always there.”

To help clients connect with this inner wisdom, Jure employs a simple yet profound exercise. He describes,

“I want to talk to two parts of you. One is your mind and one is your heart. What would you like to say to your heart? What would your heart like to say back?” Through this dialogue, clients often find clarity. “It’s so simple,” he remarks. “And it’s not diagnostic, okay? We’re talking about the real thing here.”

Many clients return to his workshops not just for personal growth but for connection.

“People want to belong. People are looking for contact. They want to come to a place where they can give themselves permission to be themselves as much as possible, and not to hide behind social masks.”

In a world that often feels isolating, Jure sees the value in creating small communities. “It’s a stupid world out there. Sometimes we want to create a small community that we can share ourselves just to be,” he says. This desire for genuine connection fuels his seminars, where like-minded individuals gather to explore their inner landscapes.

These communities become a source of strength and support, empowering participants to navigate their personal journeys with confidence and empathy. Open sharing and vulnerability are very much encouraged, creating an environment where participants can learn from each other’s experiences and insights. By nurturing these connections, Jure helps individuals build a network of support that extends beyond the confines of the workshop, creating lasting bonds and a sense of belonging.

A powerful story of a client had a significant impact on his practice. The client, labeled as schizophrenic, had been in and out of mental hospitals after a violent incident. “He stabbed with a knife his girlfriend. Girlfriend did not die. And then he was arrested,” Jure recounts. The client believed a devil instructed his actions, a belief reinforced by his religious upbringing.

Through therapy, he guided the client in confronting his internalised beliefs.

“We had a dialogue with the devil. And finally, he said to the devil to fuck off,” Jure explains.

This breakthrough led to deeper exploration, uncovering childhood programming. Remarkably, the client transformed his life and became a psychotherapist specialised in schizophrenia. “He does amazing work. He talks to the voices, he does dialogue with the voices, just amazing,” Jure proudly shares.

He learned many lessons from this experience, but the most amazing one – the importance of trusting the process.

“I was really scared. When we talked to the devil, I was hearing things. I said, if he’s going to flip now, he might kill me or something like that,” he admits. Despite the fear, he relied on his belief in the inherent health within each person, saying, “Trust the process, trust the healthy part of the person.“

This story exemplifies his commitment to seeing beyond labels and diagnoses, focusing instead on the potential for healing and growth within every individual. “You don’t rehabilitate yourself from a psychiatric label,” he states. Instead, he highlights the power of understanding and transforming personal narratives.

“Therapy is not about imposing solutions, but about guiding clients to find their own answers.”

Therapists should allow themselves to embrace uncertainty and to view each session as a collaborative effort, where both client and therapist can learn and grow together. Through this approach a deeper trust is created in the therapeutic process, reinforcing the belief that every individual has the capacity for transformation and resilience.

What drives his work is a vision of social change and in the same time he challenges the traditional notion of therapy itself.

“You see, the word therapy is also problematic. Because the word therapy implies let’s find what is wrong and try to fix it. Instead of finding, let’s find what is your strength and what is working, and to learn how to use it more effectively.”

Central to his philosophy is the therapeutic relationship itself—a genuine, emotional connection between client and therapist.

In an era where personal development is often commodified, Jure offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to grow and evolve as a therapist. His candid reflections reveal a deep commitment to continuous learning and a genuine engagement with the complexities of human emotions. His focus is always to remain motivated to expand his understanding and skills.

Embracing the Emotional Spectrum

There’s a common misconception about emotional variability, “Well, some people call it bipolar, okay? But I’m saying that the weather is also bipolar.” Fluctuations in emotions are a natural part of life, not necessarily a disorder.

Reflecting on his own experiences, he states,

“One moment I feel happy, one moment I feel sad. So I go to a specialist, I explain that, you know, one moment I feel enthusiastic about what I do, and one moment I feel very depressed about what I do. Ah, you are bipolar.”

His tone is cynical yet insightful, suggesting that labelling such natural fluctuations can be simplistic and reductive.

Instead of shielding himself from the emotional weight of his work, he chooses to engage with it fully. “I give myself permission to get affected about what I see and what I hear. I don’t protect myself“. By doing so, he opens himself up to both the pain and the beauty inherent in human interactions. “Sometimes it hurts, and it’s painful. But I’m dealing with reality,” he says, acknowledging the personal impact of his work.

Growth as a therapist is intrinsically linked to an ongoing commitment to education and self-improvement. “Never stop studying, to attend seminars, to learn new things all the time, to expand and expand and expand,” he asserts. He expresses concern over therapists who become complacent after obtaining their qualifications, emphasising that “the learning process is permanent and infinite and it’s forever.”

He believes that staying open to new knowledge and experiences is crucial, as the human experience is vast and ever-changing. “No matter how much we know and how much we’ve learned and how much academic degrees we have, we’re always going to come across situations or stories that we never heard before.”

However, Jure is critical of superficial approaches to learning, cautioning against what some call “spiritual bypassing“—the tendency to jump from one seminar or experience to another without applying the lessons learned. “It depends on how practical the seminar is,” he says.

“What is a tool that I’ve got in my hand that I can do something with it?”

Therapists often face the challenge of helping clients uncover their own truths. It is extremely important to trust the client’s inner wisdom,

“It’s very interesting because we do not have the answers. The people have the answers.”

This perspective shifts the therapeutic process from one of directing to one of listening and supporting.

His vision extends beyond traditional therapy settings. He is passionate about creating support groups that focus on various topics and issues. “It’s such a lack in many, many ways,” he admits. He shares advice on starting these groups, emphasizing the importance of not labeling them as problem-focused.

“I created a group. I started with three people or even two people. Just a discussion group. Let’s talk about ourselves, our dreams, what we want.”

He believes in the power of shared experiences, drawing inspiration from pioneers like Louise Hay, who created safe spaces for people to share their positive experiences and support each other. “It was a safe place for them to share some positive things,” – fostering a positive atmosphere is highly important.

His philosophy is rooted in collaboration and the sharing of knowledge.

“Everything I have, everything I know was given to me as a gift. I’m not the owner of the gift; I’m the keeper of the gift, and my mission in life is to give it out.“

He envisions a world where individuals and therapists collaborate to create win-win situations, emphasizing that “there is a place for everyone.”

He encourages others to create partnerships where experts can share their knowledge with groups. “It’s also the time of the expert, which is very valuable,” – he advocates for a model where the expertise is both respected and rewarded.

Inspiration and transformation

There’s strong desire to effect change not only in individuals but also on a societal level. He views his work as inherently political, aiming to foster a healthier, more aware society through the internal transformation of individuals. Each session is seen as an opportunity to influence not just the client but, indirectly, their broader community by improving interpersonal relationships and personal efficacy.

Conclusion

In the intricate dance of therapy, both clients and therapists embark on journeys of discovery and transformation. By trusting the inner wisdom of each individual, embracing the power of presence, and finding grounding in personal passions, therapists create spaces where healing and growth can flourish. These practices can have a profound impact, reminding us that the journey itself is as important as the destination.

Jure’s therapeutic approach is a journey of discovery, empathy, and empowerment. By challenging conventional labels and focusing on the whole person, he helps clients uncover the roots of their challenges and envision a future beyond them. His work is not just about healing individuals but contributing to a broader societal transformation, one client at a time.

“We are here to create a better world. This is the mission!”