ABOUT
Freda Blob, Ed (GRAD), CP (GRAD), AT, PCCAT, PCT, GDP
Andragogist, Therapist, Focusing Expert
Freda is the Founding Director of the FOCUSZART Focusing Studio & School. She is an andragogist who specializes in art and design, as well as an experienced therapist who has worked in various environments for more than 30 years. She is a FOAT-trained, Licensed Art Therapist, Registered Person Centered Creative Arts Therapist, and Registered Person Centered and Experiential Psychotherapist and Counselor. Freda is also a Certifying Coordinator, Focusing-Oriented Therapist, and Focusing Trainer with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)
Freda used Focusing and the arts in her work with different populations, primarily in group settings and in private practice. Building on her practice and long-term teaching experience with the German-Swiss Focusing Network (FN, 1995 - 2023), she developed the Expressive Arts Focusing (EXAF) approach in 2019. This approach later became the flagship program of the Creative Arts and Culture Focusing (CACF) approach in 2025 after evolving into Receptive-Expressive Arts Focusing (REAF) in 2023.
MORE
Videos, Lectures, Conferences, Workshops, Artikles, Papers
Videos
From the Help for Helpers Youtube Channel
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Lectures
Introduction to Expressive Arts Focusing Hands-on Methods: Finding Ground in Experiential Arts. Roots, Branches, and Wings Series with Pioneers and Master Teachers
April 19, 2024. Sponsored by the Focusing And Expressive Arts FOAT Institute
Articles
'Saying no in presence: Setting limits through body sense’, published in Senses of Focusing vol. II (Kypriotakis and Moore, 2021, pp. 469-483)
With a Focusing and FOAT® based directive for healthy boundaries
Blob, F., Exploring Space In Presence with Creative Arts. In: The Art of Insight. Journal for the Association of Person-Centred Creative Arts, Volume 1, Issue 1, Jan. 2024, pp 34-39.
Blob, F., Focusing-Informed Techniques For Grounding For The Therpeutic Use of The Creative Arts. In: The Art of Insight. Journal for the Association of Person-Centred Creative Arts, Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2025, pp 96 - 101.
Papers
Expressive-Creative Arts in Ubuntu and Relational Empathy Focusing
A Review of the Tübingen FOUR Project, Nov. 12, 2025
Conferences
Creative Compassion: Building Relational Empathy, Workshop
Focusing Oriented Therapy Conference TIFI 2023, November 2-5, 2023
The Fresh Urgency of Now and the Transformational Power of Focusing-Oriented Therapy
https://focusing.org/resources/freda-blob-fot-conference-2023
Workshops
Learn to Trust Your Inner Artist and Your Body’s Inner Guidance A Debut Presentation
Activities with the European Focusing Association (EFA)
EFA meeting Italy, 2018
We founded the EFA interest group, 'EFA Community Art Table', in 2025. Currently, we are running a FREE workshops series
In 2017 we co-founded the EFA Teachers Group alongside its main founder, Fiona Parr
In 2016, we hosted the EFA Meeting Tübingen, providing a forum for Community Wellness Focusing with workshops and conversations on refugee support and featuring guests from the Tübingen refugee community
In 2014, we contributed to the first EFA Focusing Fair at Hohenheim, Germany
EFA Meeting Tübingen
Voices From Tübingen Participants
TESTIMONIALS
Focusing Oriented Therapy Conference 2023 TIFI
Open Studio 5 Years and 50 Meetings Celebration Workshop
WM. Kesbedj, artist, photographer MEX, © original art and photos Kesbedj
The participants are all travelling their own road and welcome stops to share with those of a similar nature and creative spirit. The session facilitatior, with warrior like spirit, is unafraid of seeing up as down, or down as up. Her commitment to creativity, growth, compasssion is a way of being
Creative Compassion Workshop, Community Empowerment Help for Helpers
Emanuela, philosopher, Focusing Trainer, IT
Freda is both very professional and compassionate. She brings a distinctive approach to the world of Focusing, blending negative moments with positive ones to create a new synthesis. This could be a hidden feature of German culture, but her approach has worked so well in practice that I am enthusiastic about it. There is an implicit tenderness in it that we should all experience
Online One-day Focusing Workshop
Angela, person-centered counselor, Focusing Practitioner, GER
It was presented so honestly. Thank you for this offer. The exercises strengthened me, and I am now focused. Thank you!
Online Workshop, Focusing Introduction
Helena, coach, GER
Despite the online distance, which is quite amazing to me, I felt very comfortable and safe. Your empathic, clear, and soothing instructions and exercises have been very helpful. They did me good
Annual Gathering of The German Focusing Society DFG, 2024
Ava, PhD, CP, AT, Focusing Practitioner
I took part in Freda Blob's workshop, 'Arts-Based Self-Focusing for Supporting Clients in Trauma-Informed Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy'. I want to say that Freda's workshop was very professional. The combination of art therapy and Focusing created new ways to carry Focusing forward. I will be able to use this valuable experience in my daily work. Thank you, Freda!
Online Workshop, Expressive Arts Focusing
Elena, clinical psychologist, UA
The workshop opened me up. I had never created anything before. I painted new things and discovered new possibilities. My stress went away, and my mood improved. Thank you!
Online Workshop, Expressive Arts Focusing
Lisa, psychology student, UA
I was surprised that Focusing helped me sit with my body's sensations and embrace where I felt uncomfortable. It made me realize that my body can tell what it needs. Now I feel connected. Thank you!
Five-Day Seminar in Presence, Trauma-informed Focusing with the Expressive Arts
Mia, remedial practitioner, Focusing Trainer, CH
Thank you very much for making it possible for us to grow and bloom during the five days at summer camp. The seminar with you was such an intensive and enriching experience. Your expertise and sensitive approach were so evident
Online Workshop, Focusing
Susanne, remedial nurse, GER
This webinar was very valuable to me. Your calmness and composure were so helpful. Thank you for everything and for the encouragement!
Virtual Open Studio
Yvonne, French participant
I feel much more relaxed and comfortable than when I arrived. I came here feeling afraid. This is the first time I've done anything with the arts. But I thought, 'Why not give it a try?' Everything was so easygoing and free. I didn't have to do any art exercises. I could do whatever I wanted. I could play with colors, express myself, or sit and watch in silence. This was so good!
1:1 Online Session, Focusing Oriented Expressive Arts Therapy FOAT©
Gaby, teacher, Focusing Practitioner
It is so exciting to see how you are bringing something to life and sensing exactly what I am feeling at this very moment, thereby accompanying me. Thank you so much!
Felt Art Journaling Workshop Series
Ingrid, systhemic therapist, consultant, GER
I am delighted that I was able to take your courses. I really liked the way you presented the material. Everyone felt comfortable and valued. It was so motivating, stimulating, and moving. Everything flowed really nicely. Thanks again!
Online Workshop, Expressive Arts Focusing
Gertrud, pediatric therapist, Focusing Practitioner, GER
After the webinar, I worked on my picture a few more times, playing with it and discovering more each time. Everything I learned was so valuable. Thanks again for the afternoon! Keep up the good work with Focusing and the Arts — you're a great teacher!
Portfolio
Figurative Art, Abstracts, Sculptures
Original art and photos © Freda Blob, FOCUSZART Focusing Studio & School
From: #TheBillPictures, 2016-2024. Series celebrating 11 years of artist friendship with Kesbej, William Winkfield, Mérida, Mexico
'Making Space For New Experiences', Series I, Mixed Media on Paper, 2024-2025
'Shapes, Color, Sounds', Series II, Mixed Media on Cardboard, 2025
'Inside-Out', green marmor, 1983
Municipal Building Yard Essen, Germany
'Place To Rest', sandstone, body size, 1982
International Stone Sculpture Symposium Kaiserslautern, Germnay
Leave Your Mark
We offer a variety of opportunities to explore the world of art. We have attended numerous art programs that guarantee the excellence of our skills
International Expressive Arts
Therapy Association IEATA®
Member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA©) and the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA)
Shape Your Artist Signature!
ENGAGE. EXPRESS. EXPLORE.
Trust Your Felt Sense. It's A Work Of Art In The Making