590 Courses

"What does it mean to heal, properly speaking, in the context of an existential approach". With Dr. Michael Guy Thompson We aim to explore the lived experiences on irregular perceptions of reality with an open mind. Each Saturday includes: a live dialogue between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and an International Existential Therapist; a moment to share your thoughts and feelings with the teachers; and a final integration facilitated by Bárbara Godoy. This series of ten dialogues set out to explore the multifaceted dimentions and complexities associated with Existential Therapies. It attempts to engage with various interpretations of insanity through the lens of patients often painful, confounding, and deeply unsettling life experiences. Healing - between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Dr. Michael Guy Thompson “What does it mean to heal, properly speaking, in the context of an existential approach to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis? How can we take a term that we ordinarily associate with the object of medical treatment and apply it to conversations that are conducted between therapists and their patients with the aim to live a happier and healthy life? In this dialogue I want to explore the concept of healing by exploring the etymology of the word, “heal,” which is cognate with such terms as sane, sound, sanitary, cure, and whole, in order to offer a non-medicalized and diagnostically-laden notion of how an existential approach to psychotherapy may further a healthy way to live. To this end, I want to explore the relationship between health, healing, and sanity – all derived from the same etymological root – and how psychotherapy is not concerned with “treating illnesses,” but with furthering authenticity in our lives. I will argue that living a sane life assumes a life that is lived passionately, honestly, and authentically.” Dr. Michael Guy Thompson. Dr. Michael Guy Thompson, PhD, received his psychoanalytic training from R. D. Laing and associates at the Philadelphia Association in London, and served as the organization’s administrator from 1973–1980. He is Personal and Supervising Analyst and Faculty Member, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California, San Francisco, and former Adjunct Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco, and the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. He is the author of over 100 journal articles, book chapters, and reviews, as well as numerous books, including The Death of Desire: A Study in Psychopathology (1985), The Truth About Freud’s Technique (1994), The Ethic of Honesty (2004), The Legacy of R. D. Laing: An Appraisal of His Contemporary Relevance (Ed., 2015), The Death of Desire: An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness (2017, 2nd edition), an extensively revised and expanded edition of the original, and most recently, Essays in Existential Psychoanalysis: On the Primacy of Authenticity (2024), also published by Routledge. Most recently, Dr. Thompson is founder and director of New School for Existential Psychoanalysis, a certificate-based virtual training program modeled on his work with R. D. Laing in London, based in San Francisco. He founded Free Association, Inc. in 1988 in San Francisco to further the legacy of R. D. Laing, and inaugurated the annual R. D. LAING IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY symposium at Esalen Institute in 2015, to further the legacy and relevance of Laing’s contribution to contemporary psychiatry and psychotherapy. He lives in Berkeley, California. www.mguythompson.com Prof. Ernesto Spinelli was Chair of the Society for Existential Analysis between 1993 and 1999 and is a Life Member of the Society. His writings, lectures and seminars focus on the application of existential phenomenology to the arenas of therapy, supervision, psychology, and executive coaching. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as an APECS accredited executive coach and coaching supervisor. In 2000, he was the Recipient of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. And in 2019, Ernesto received the BPS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice. His most recent book, Practising Existential Therapy: The Relational World 2nd edition (Sage, 2015) has been widely praised as a major contribution to the advancement of existential theory and practice. Living up to the existential dictum that life is absurd, Ernesto is also the author of an on-going series of Private Eye novels. Date and Time: Saturday 22 February from 2 pm to 3 pm – (UK time) Individual Dialogue Fee: £70 Venue: Online Zoom FULL PROGRAMME 2025: 25 January “Knots” with Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy 22 February “Healing” with Dr. Michael Guy Thompson and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 22 March “Difference” with Prof. Tod DuBose and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 12 April “Polarisation” with Prof. Kirk Schneider and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 3 May “Character” with Prof. Robert Romanyshyn and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 21 June “Opening” with Dr. Yaqui Martinez and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 19 July “Meaning” with Dr. Jan Resnick and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 25 October “Invention” with Dr. Betty Cannon and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 15 November “Hallucination” with Prof. Simon du Plock and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 13 December “Hysteria” with Bárbara Godoy and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli Read the full programme here > Course Organised by:

Commission an original, traditional and quirky Portrait in oils, acrylics or digital sketches

Date: Monday 27th November Location: Studio A Time: 4pm Writer turned director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, First Reformed) created a unique, avant-garde biopic about notorious Japanese author Yukio Mishima, who embraced Japan's traditions and fought against the gradual westernisation that became common following the end of World War Two. Using adaptations of sections of his novels, as well as traditional recounting of real-life events, this film sticks out as one of Schrader's best, and continues to inspire awe and heated discussion years later.

Experience Nature’s Beautiful Blues in this fascinating workshop with dye expert Debbie Tomkies. Learn to set up a simple indigo vat, try fun tie dye & shibori in a relaxing, fun environment!

This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the status of an authorised economic operator in the export and in import of goods. This includes the advantages of the status, trusted trader, and the process securing the authorised economic operator status.

The shortage of electricians has lead to an increased demand nationwide and in turn a sharp rise in salary. Our training solutions can help you gain nationally recognised qualifications such as City & Guilds and NVQ. Not only you will train in state-of-the-art training centres, but you can also have the opportunity to attain the Work Based Performance Units and complete a portfolio of diverse evidence of onsite work.

RAKU, SAGGAR & BARREL FIRING WORKSHOPS POTTERY WORKSHOPS RAKU FIRING NAKED RAKU SAGGAR FIRING HORSEHAIR FIRING BARREL FIRING

Target Audience This course is ideal for professionals leading diverse groups toward shared goals, regardless of their formal authority. Note that it is logically paired to Delivering Impactful Training - attend both for a total facilitation and training delivery uplift. Duration 1 Day Course Overview This course enables professionals to lead groups through complexity and toward shared understanding and meaningful outcomes. Participants will learn how to create clarity, build connection, and achieve consensus in real time — without needing to control the outcome. Participants will explore how to open a session with intention, maintain direction and momentum; all whilst navigating moments of their cohort’s discomfort or divergence constructively. Activities focus on real-time practice and the open sharing of feedback and ideas, culminating in individuals planning immediate and tangible actions to strengthen their own unique approach as a facilitator. This course is designed by highly qualified learning design experts, assisted and guided by a Doctoral & Masters level leadership team. Working closely with subject matter leaders with extensive domain experience, this course is built on sound academic rigour and applied real world experience. Run in a cohort-based, activity-led format, it goes beyond theory to provide practical methods and frameworks that you can immediately apply in your workplace. Course Objectives Design facilitation experiences that align to a clear purpose, participant needs, and group context Demonstrate key facilitation behaviours that foster psychological safety, participation, and group insight Adapt facilitation approaches in response to emergent group dynamics and energy shifts Evaluate facilitation presence and impact, and commit to continued development. High-Level Topics Preparing to Facilitate Cultivating Flow & Alignment Navigating Group Dynamics Growing as Facilitator

A three-hour workshop designed to inspire and guide you in writing your personal stories led by local bestselling author and certified book coach Emma Dhesi. This beginner-friendly workshop is designed as a no-pressure, exploratory space where you can connect with your creativity and reflect on your personal experiences. It's ideal for anyone who wants to explore memoir writing and storytelling techniques, whether you’re reflecting on your own life, telling a loved one’s story, or capturing memories tied to a craft or creative activity. You will: Learn practical techniques for uncovering and organising your ideas through memory mapping. Practice sensory writing to make your memories vivid and immersive. Write a heartfelt first scene of your memoir or personal essay, using a simple three-part structure: Hook, Scene, and Reflection. Share your work (optional) and receive encouraging feedback in a supportive group setting. Emma will provide guidance and step-by-step activities to help you structure and enhance your writing, and you will leave with the start of a memoir chapter, or personal essay, and practical tools to continue writing at home. All materials are included, plus a handout with writing prompts, tips, and recommended memoirs for further inspiration. Just bring your ideas and enthusiasm! If you have specific memories or objects you’d like to write about, feel free to bring those for inspiration. More information The Arienas Collective workshops, courses and events are run from a welcoming and supportive environment within a Georgian mews home in Edinburgh’s City Centre New Town. We invite you to join us, leave any day-to-day worries behind and immerse yourself in being creative. Spaces on our workshops and courses are limited so that our creative team of artists and makers can offer you the hands-on help and support you need to make the most of your time with us. Our taster and introductory workshops focus on teaching creative skills and methods you can continue practising at home, using affordable materials and equipment. Where more expensive equipment is required we will mention this in the workshop description. All the equipment and materials you need are included in the price, unless stated otherwise. Light refreshments from local suppliers are provided. On full day workshops you are welcome to bring your own lunch to eat inside or out. There is also a wide range of independent sit-in or takeaway delis, cafés, and restaurants, plus a range of supermarkets all within a 5-10 minute walk. Accessibility The workshop space is on the first-floor of our Georgian mews home and unfortunately we do not have lift access. Blue badge holders can park outside our front door on the single yellow line by arrangement. Allergies The workshop space is in our open plan living space and is not nut free. Please let us know about any skin or food allergies before booking. We offer a dairy-free milk and gluten free snack alternative. Minimum number no refund policy To ensure we can always pay our creatives a fair fee, we require a minimum number of bookings for each workshop and for this reason bookings are non-refundable. Should we have to cancel due to low numbers, we will offer you the option to swap to an alternative date or workshop, or to request a refund. We do our very best to avoid cancellations. Since we often get late bookings, we keep our workshops on sale for as long as possible. We realise that some of you travel from afar, so if you book a space and have not yet received an email confirming your workshop is going ahead and need to make plans for your trip, please get in touch before booking any travel or accommodation so we can update you on booking numbers. Or check in before booking. Private workshop bookings Most of our workshops are also available to book for: private get-togethers with family and friends; themed wedding and birthday celebrations; corporate team building and well-being purposes; and in-store retail events for your customers. If you’d like to know more please Email Lynn. Age restrictions Our workshops are planned with adults in mind. Many are suitable for teenagers, but some may require under 16s to be accompanied for insurance purposes. Please check with us before booking.

Our one-day introduction to machine polishing course is tailored for individuals want to get to grips with the fundamentals of machine polishing before trying it themselves.