26 Courses

Awareness of first aid for mental health: What will you learn? You’ll be surprised by how much you enjoy the 4-hour session. I always make sure the learning process is engaging, interactive and stimulating — so you won’t be bored. Most importantly, it’s a fascinating insight into a subject that’s often brushed under the carpet. It’s a flexible course, and I’m always happy to tailor the content. If there’s an aspect of mental health or addiction you’d like to know more about, please just ask. Here’s the 4-hour course content: Defining mental health, and understanding the stigma surrounding it Factors which affect mental health Roles and responsibilities of a first aider Outline of advice — What to say (and not to say) to someone with a suspected mental health condition Listening without judgement Knowing when to contact the emergency services Identifying signs of stress, and how stress can be managed How to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace Identifying signs and symptoms of depression, suicide, psychosis, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders Do bear in mind, this course can’t teach you how to diagnose and treat a mental health condition. That’s the responsibility of a healthcare professional. However, you’ll know where to signpost an individual who needs professional help. You’ll leave with the knowledge and confidence to approach, reassure and support someone when they need it most.

– a psychotherapy skills masterclass The language we use has a huge impact on others – on this practical, inspiring course you will learn how to combine solution-focused techniques and effective language skills to help relieve distress and improve outcomes, as quickly as possible… Accredited CPD Certificate : 12 hours Length 2 days (9:30am - 4:00pm) Excellent course! I’ve learnt so much and been inspired so much. Gareth has a wonderful style of delivery...MARY FLYNN This course is suitable for anyone working with adults, teens or children – the knowledge and skills you will gain have a wide range of applications in addition to therapy and counselling, including coaching, healthcare, teaching, motivation, overcoming resistance, emotional turmoil and much more. You will leave with a powerful toolkit of precisely-targeted and creative therapeutic language skills, as well as a range of effective brief therapy strategies. These can be easily tailored to any individual and used to successfully help people resolve a wide range of conditions and problems as quickly as possible. If you want to be more effective in what you do, these are core skills to have… Denise Winn previously taught this course, it is now delivered by Gareth Hughes Why take this course Language is key to everything we do – being aware of the power of language to help or do harm is essential when we’re trying to help people. Knowing how to use it well can make all the difference to a successful therapeutic outcome. Paying attention to the language we use is central to the human givens approach to therapy and counselling: our choice of words is crucial in building rapport with people, learning more about someone – their unique qualities and abilities – in listening and responding, in providing motivation and in collaborating to agree goals and strategies for the effective resolution of their problems. The careful use of language is essential for other areas of life too: at work, home, with family and friends – and this 2-day course is accessible to all. It can be taken as part of the Human Givens Diploma or as a stand-alone course. You will gain a solid foundation in the most effective brief solution-focused strategies and language skills that are essential if you want to be able to help people as quickly as possible. By distilling the essence of proven brief therapy approaches and working in tune with the givens of human nature, outcomes can be dramatically improved and suffering successfully reduced. You will also learn how any team of professional healthcare workers can safely incorporate brief therapy techniques into their work with patients suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, anger, OCD, eating disorders, addiction and relationship/marital/family problems, thereby improving outcomes and reducing suffering on an even wider scale. Good to know This course gives you essential skills that are used in the successful treatment of a wide range of conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, addictions, self-harm, OCD and the rewind technique for treating trauma and phobias. They are also fundamental skills to have when using guided imagery and visualisation. This course is an essential component of Part 1 of the HG Diploma. I feel very excited and energised. I can't wait to start using these techniques...OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST What will you learn The essential skills needed for successful brief therapy New information about the APET™ model – why it is so important to construct therapy that is in tune with our how brains work (our emotional reactions come first) – this speeds up therapy and explains why purely cognitive and behavioural approaches can take so long An ability to get to the root of the matter quickly by establishing which innate needs are not being met and why (the essence of effective brief therapy) Quick rapport building skills How to use the RIGAAR™ structure to improve therapy outcomes Reflective listening and reflective reframing How to use therapeutic language skills directly and indirectly to initiate change Ways to use solution-focused questioning to create a framework for change How to identify and use your client’s own life resources An understanding of why the human givens approach dramatically increases the likelihood of therapy being brief, regardless of the presenting problem A range of psychological interventions to use with common psychiatric problems: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, intrusive thoughts, relationship difficulties and so on Promoting cooperation by developing realistic and achievable goals How to identify exceptions (when the problem doesn’t occur) and get the patient to take credit for them How to generate motivation for change in your patients Separating the patient’s core identity from their problem How to minimise or overcome resistance How not to be drawn in to a client’s negative self-view Great use of case histories to illustrate the skills covered How to use the psychological laws of positive expectancy and concentrated attention An understanding of why taking this collaborative human givens stance, reduces stress and pressure on you Plenty of opportunity to consolidate what you are learning by practising the skills yourself How is the course structured? Held over two consecutive days, this skills-based practical workshop combines a blend of talks, demonstrations and exercises. Each day starts at 9.30pm and finishes at 4.00pm, with 2 breaks for networking and refreshment and 45 minutes for lunch. Course notes, refreshments and lunch are included on both days. Who is this course suitable for? You and your patients will benefit enormously from you attending these two days. If you are a counsellor, psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, mental health nurse, GP, doctor, nurse, OT, physiotherapist, youth worker, social worker, health visitor, support worker or any other caring professional, and wish to be more effective in what you do, this course gives you the perfect opportunity to discover new, subtle but highly effective skills with plenty of time to practise to help you assimilate them into your own work. Many other professions – such as educational and business professionals – also find the skills and information covered highly applicable to and beneficial for their own work. It is also suitable for anyone who is thinking of a career in this field as these are core skills needed for successful brief, solution-focused psychotherapy. This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 12 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Did you know 1 in 4 people in the UK are likely to experience mental health problems each year? Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet whilst we know how to take care of our own physical health, many people do not know how to support relatives, friends and even colleagues who are experiencing poor mental health. By developing a greater understanding of common mental health issues, as well as how best to support and guide someone to professional help, you can help further reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the UK. The QA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification that has been specifically designed for those who would like to raise their awareness of mental health, develop an understanding on how best to support, reassure and signpost colleagues to professional support. What’s more, candidates will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to actively promote positive mental health within their workplace, making it an ideal qualification for mental health champions/first aiders, human resources, managers, supervisors and team leaders. What’s Covered? Understanding mental health and its importance The roles and responsibilities for mental health in the workplace Importance of own wellbeing as a mental health first aider Common mental health conditions, including: Characteristics and features Work-related stress Anxiety Eating disorders Depression Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Phobias Bipolar Self-harm Psychosis Suicide Promoting positive mental health first aid in the workplace Best practice for employers Mental health first aid at work action plan Appropriate coping strategies How employers can provide support to employees in the workplace Assisting those off work or returning to work Procedures to support employees who are off work whilst experiencing poor mental health Types of support available both locally and nationally

This practical workshop covers the unique challenges of working with complex trauma cases and gives you clear guidance on the most effective ways to help Accredited CPD: 6 hours Length: 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) Absolutely jam-packed with techniques/information and resources. Ros is superlative. A calm, confident and articulate trainer...J YAP, THERAPIST Why take this course Clients suffering from Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or who have experienced trauma in a shutdown or dissociative state, can present unique challenges to practitioners working with them – but with the right knowledge and skills we can help sufferers move forward in their lives. In this hands-on, experiential workshop you will learn more about what makes trauma ‘complex’, why shutdown or dissociation are often experienced by sufferers, and how to best work with such presentations using the Human Givens framework of understanding. You will also have the chance to collaborate with other experienced practitioners and clinicians during exercises designed to further your understanding, add to your existing skillsets, and bring wider context to an often-misunderstood area of work. During this intensive day of live, in-person training, experienced psychotherapist Ros Townsend will introduce you to a framework within which you can set your understanding of complex trauma presentations and discover the opportunities that we have to help clients move forward from their difficulties. You will learn more about the neurobiology of the automatic survival options that we have available to us, especially dissociative and ‘shutdown’ states, and leave with an understanding of how to use this knowledge to inform your work, giving you greater confidence to work creatively and flexibly with such presentations. From understanding the symptoms that are now recognised as distinguishing C-PTSD, to adapting existing HG techniques and strategies and introducing new tools and skills, this course will explore how we, as clinicians, can approach such complex presentations without getting lost in the complexity ourselves. Using case histories and discussion you will have the chance to understand more about the unique challenges that such work presents and to leave feeling more confident in your ability as a therapist to work effectively and contextually with these. Such a thought-provoking and informative day. Complex PTSD is a real buzz word at present, this took the mystery out of it in a clear and understandable way – highly recommend...MELISSA DERRICOURT What will you learn What Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is What other symptoms a client may present with in addition to those meeting the criteria for ‘classic’ PTSD How to effectively work with these within the Human Givens framework of understanding Vital tools for psycho-education – both adding to your own understanding and to pass on to clients Why individuals enter into a dissociative or ‘shutdown’ state The difference between ‘freeze’ and ‘shutdown’ Why anger can present when an individual comes out of a ‘shutdown’ state How to help a client deal effectively with anger if it does arise The crucial role of the pattern-matching processes in the brain in post-traumatic stress symptoms – and how the kinds of templates stored can subtly differ in more complex trauma How to adapt existing techniques – such as rewind and deconditioning molar memories – to work creatively with such presentations The Dos and Don’ts when working with Guided Imagery in complex presentations How to refine your Guided Imagery skillset to powerfully benefit clients who have experienced trauma in a shutdown state Why any work that we do must be informed by the innate ability we all have to recover from trauma How to avoid negatively reframing trauma and making symptoms worse The most effective ways to help clients towards recovery and post-traumatic growth Under careful guidance from the tutor, you will: Explore and discuss the different survival options available to us as humans in traumatic situations Learn more about the neurobiology of these states – including our passive survival responses Develop a new framework of understanding within which to set your work with all kinds of trauma Understand more about why ‘shutdown’ or ‘dissociation’ are often associated with complex presentations Understand why addictions and self-harming behaviours are often a part of the picture Work collaboratively with peers and colleagues to extend and develop your own skillsets and knowledge Explore how guided imagery can be adapted and used to most powerfully benefit clients suffering in this way You will leave with: The confidence to work creatively and flexibly with a wider range of presentations A clear understanding of a framework within which you can work and continue to develop and adapt your tools and skillsets An appreciation of the importance of taking your time with such work and proceeding at a pace right for each individual client An understanding of how to support clients in moving forward from the use of faulty coping strategies – such as addiction and self-harm Greater confidence in creating metaphors that work powerfully for clients An understanding of how helping a client to meet their emotional needs is particularly key to recovery in the most complex cases Throughout the day there will be plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions and to engage in collaborative work and discussion with the tutor and with experienced colleagues and practitioners. Important note Working with Complex PTSD requires specific skills and experience and thus is only suitable for practitioners either already working in this area and looking to extend their skillset or those who are already practicing as therapists and wish to begin working in this area. If you are an experienced practitioner from another modality, we recommend you familiarise yourself a little with the HG approach before you attend, see: About HG therapy, benefits of the approach, and what is RIGAAR. Who is this course suitable for? Any qualified therapist working with distressed or traumatised people. In order to take full benefit from the course, you will ideally have already taken our Guided Imagery and Visualisation for therapeutic change and Rewind Technique workshops. NB If you are an experienced practitioner from another modality, we recommend you familiarise yourself a little with the HG approach before you attend, see: About HG therapy, benefits of the approach, and what is RIGAAR. Any qualified practitioner in the field of psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or counselling can attend; again you would benefit most by having previously attended our Guided Imagery and Visualisation and Rewind Technique workshops and familiarising yourself a little with the HG approach to therapy. Course Programme This intense 1-day training proceeds through a blend of talks, skill-developing exercises, discussions and deconstruction of real-life case-studies. There is also plenty of opportunity for networking and discussion during the breaks. The training runs from 9.30am–4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am What is complex trauma? A framework for understanding 11.00am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.30am Adapting our toolkit: working creatively with complex presentations 1.00pm Lunch (included) 1.45pm Self-efficacy: supporting a client to become an active agent in life 2.45pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.00pm Reframing: adding context in complex cases 3.30pm Serving clients well 4.00pm Day ends This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Mental Health First Aid England Aware is an introductory course designed to increase mental health awareness and give an understanding of how to look after wellbeing and challenge stigma. Through an interactive instructor-led live session, you will learn: What mental health is and how to challenge stigma An introduction to some common mental health issues Confidence to support someone who may be experiencing mental ill health Ways to look after your own mental health and support wellbeing Outline What is mental health? Mental Health Continuum Factors that affect mental health Stigma Stress and stress management Spotting signs of distress Mental health conditions:DepressionAnxiety disordersPsychosisEating disordersSuicideSelf-harm Recovery Take 10 Together - starting a supportive conversation Supporting mental health in the workplace Useful statistics Helpful resources

Join us for the Darkness into Light Walk - Let's walk together in support for Mental Health We're inviting you to take part in Pieta House's annual Darkness Into Light Walk - a powerful and uplifting event that brings communities together to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention and mental health support. Since 2006, Pieta House has supported over 70,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm through their 20 centres across Ireland. 🕓 An Early Start with a Purpose Join thousands across the country at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, to walk or run 5km and welcome the sunrise as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. 🐾 Bring Friends, Family – Even the Furbabies! You can take part in your own way – solo, with loved ones, or four-legged companions – and donate via the Biogen Foundation Portal, where donations are 100% matched! Click on the Matching Portal to donate. 🚶‍♀️ Want to Join an Official Walk? You can also register for a local Pieta House walk via the official Darkness into Light website. If you do register, let us know so we can include your contribution in our internal fundraising total! 📸 Share the Moments If you take part, don’t forget to snap a few photos and send them our way – we’d love to include them in the next newsletter! 💛 Want to Learn More? Discover the amazing work Pieta House does here. Let’s come together to walk in solidarity, raise funds, and bring light to those who need it most. Thank you for your support! Culture Crew