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Hysteria’s history, rooted in Greek myth, evolved into a Victorian belief of a “wandering uterus” leading to disturbing medical practices. 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. Hysteria- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy “In this talk, I will compare the Histerical patient to the ancient Greek myth of Persephone, the goddess who traversed the boundaries between the world of the living and the underworld. Just as Persephone’s cyclical descent and return mirrored the changing seasons, hysteria was seen as a condition where emotions and experiences defied easy classification. This notion of transgressing boundaries became a cornerstone of early psychoanalysis. In Victorian times, hysteria took a decidedly bizarre turn. Here, the culprit was believed to be a mobile womb, an organ capable of throwing into disorder and confusion. This “wandering womb” was blamed for a variety of ailments and behaviours, particularly any expression of female desire out-of-wedlock. In a truly disturbing reflection of these beliefs, legal rulings based on this theory emerged. In some cases, women diagnosed with hysteria could be forced to undergo a hysterectomy.” Bárbara Godoy. Bárbara Godoy M.A., Adv. Dip. Exi. Psy, UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor, MBACP and SEA – Director of Therapy Harley Street. Bárbara’s academic experience in London since 2008 includes lecturing and researching on the theory and practice of Phenomenological Existential Therapy on Doctorate, MA and professional courses at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology, Regent’s University and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling directed by Emmy van Deurzen. Bárbara has facilitated therapeutic Group Work internationally since 1997. The question about the meaning of Being-Woman was the topic of her thesis completed in 2005 and evolved into two main Women’s Groups: “Nine muses” and “Four Seasons” which she leads in addition to her individual private practice. Currently, as the clinical director of THS, Bárbara leads a team of over 20 professional practitioners in the area of Psychological services and Wellbeing consultancy. Bárbara is also the founder-director of THS’s Personal Development and CPD Programmes. 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 13 December 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:

I’ll share a case of visual hallucinations, showing how an existential-phenomenological approach helps understand their meaning and purpose. 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. Hallucination- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Prof. Simon du Ploc “The phenomenon of hallucination has been a subject of debate for centuries. It has been suggested that its function was one of revelation or prophesy, and those who hallucinated were often considered to have a ‘sacred’ affliction. In recent times, their function, at least in the West since the Age of Reason, has been often been reduced to primary indicators of schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis. Lumped into the ‘core phenomena’ of schizophrenia, the concern is not so much what they are, or what they mean to the client, or even their content, but their treatment and control. I will present an excerpt from my own clinical practice with a client who presented with distressing visual hallucinations. This piece of work illustrates how approaching such irregular perceptions of reality from an existential-phenomenological perspective can provide a way of understanding their meaning and purpose within a client’s lived experience. I will suggest that such an approach also enables us to take a creative position regarding wider notions of sanity and madness, a position which enables us to navigate a path between, on the one hand, the medical model which typically focusses on reduction and management of hallucinations, and on the other hand, a Laingian view of hallucination as a route to ‘hyper-sanity’. Adopting such a path may enable us to work more confidently with clients when they present with unusual or disturbing perceptions.” Prof. Simon du Ploc. Prof. Simon du Plock is Senior Research Fellow at the Metanoia Institute, London. He was Head of the Faculty of Post-Qualification and Professional Doctorates at the Institute from 2007 to 2020, in which role he directed counselling psychology and psychotherapy research doctorates jointly with Middlesex University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Medicine, a Foundation Member with Senior Practitioner Status of the BPS Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy, and a Member of the BPS Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors. He has been a BPS Chartered Counselling Psychologist and UKCP Registered Psychotherapist since 1994. He has authored nearly one hundred journal papers and book chapters on existential therapy, and he has co-edited Existential Analysis, the Journal of the British Society for Existential Analysis, since 1993. He was an editor of the 2019 Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy. He has lectured and trained internationally, and in 2006 he was made an Honorary Member of the East European Association for Existential Therapy in recognition of his contribution to cooperation between West and East Europe in the development of existential psychotherapy. His clinical and research interests include phenomenological research methodology, clinical and research supervision, existential pedagogy, and working with issues of addiction and dependency. 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 15 November 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:

A starting point to this series of dialogues on insanity, where we will be analyzing R. D. Laings brilliant book "Knots". With Bárbara Godoy 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. Knots - between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy “As a starting point to this series of dialogues on insanity; I wanted to return to R. D. Laings brilliant book which was originally published in 1970. Knots consists of a series of dialogue-scenarios that can be read as poems or brief plays, each demonstrating the intricacies and insanities of human relationships. I would like to expand on Laings insights by exploring the professional relationship between therapist and client as yet another human relationship that, while constantly expanding (and expounding on) its intricacies, might do well to pay more attention to its accompanying insanities.” Prof. Ernesto Spinelli. 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. Bárbara Godoy M.A., Adv. Dip. Exi. Psy, UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor, MBACP and SEA – Director of Therapy Harley Street. Bárbara’s academic experience in London since 2008 includes lecturing and researching on the theory and practice of Phenomenological Existential Therapy on Doctorate, MA and professional courses at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology, Regent’s University and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling directed by Emmy van Deurzen. Bárbara has facilitated therapeutic Group Work internationally since 1997. The question about the meaning of Being-Woman was the topic of her thesis completed in 2005 and evolved into two main Women’s Groups: “Nine muses” and “Four Seasons” which she leads in addition to her individual private practice. Currently, as the clinical director of THS, Bárbara leads a team of over 20 professional practitioners in the area of Psychological services and Wellbeing consultancy. Bárbara is also the founder-director of THS’s Personal Development and CPD Programmes. Date and Time: Saturday 25 January 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:

To understand psychopathology, one must learn a foreign language, lend an ear as it were to a language that is complex and symbolic. 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. Character- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Prof. Robert Romanyshyn “I begin with the term psychopathology to emphasize that the word is about the logos—the thinking/speaking—about the sufferings of the psyche. To understand psychopathology, one must learn a foreign language, lend an ear as it were to a language that is complex, symptomatic, symbolic, and embodied. As complex, psychopathology reveals and conceals the sufferings of psyche. As symptomatic, psychopathology reminds one of things too important to forget but which are forgotten because they are too painful to remember. As symbolic, psychopathology is neither about facts nor ideas but about images, alchemical vessels that not only hold and contain psyche’s sufferings, but also cooks them. As embodied, psyche’s sufferings are inscribed in the flesh, etched as lines of character. To practice psychotherapy as an existential therapist situates therapist and patient in a dialogical field that is complex, symptomatic, symbolic, and embodied as a gestural field between them.” Prof. Robert Romanyshyn. Prof. Robert D. Romanyshyn, an Affiliate Member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, a Fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, and a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, was recently awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Contributions to Humanistic Psychology Award from the Society for Humanistic Psychology APA Division 32. He has published eight books and numerous articles in psychology, philosophy, education, and literary journals. He is also a published poet and has written a one-act play about Frankenstein. In 2009 he created a multi-media DVD entitled Antarctica: Inner journeys in the Outer World, which offers a psychological reflection on the melting polar ice. In addition to online seminars and interviews, he has given lectures and workshops at universities and professional societies in the U.S., Europe, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand. 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 3 May 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:

– the practical steps you need to know This live online suicide intervention training covers a wealth of essential information and strategies to help you help anyone you suspect may be thinking about or planning suicide, or who has survived a previous attempt… Accredited CPD Certificate: 6 hours Length: 1 day (9.15am - 4.00pm GMT) You never know when you may need these skills… Brilliant! I’ve been on previous suicide intervention courses over the years, but this is by far the best – great pace, very knowledgeable trainer...who brings real experience into the learning...SUE HASWELL Join Malcolm Hanson LIVE ONLINE on Tuesday 12th March for his essential suicide intervention training, delivered via Zoom. Book your place and we’ll send you the Zoom link the day before the event. BONUS Recording – the training is recorded, in case anyone experiences technical difficulties, so you also get a recording for a limited time afterwards to maximise your learning. Why take this suicide prevention course Suicide can be a difficult subject to broach and a daunting one to deal with – anyone working with distressed or depressed people wants to keep them safe, to give them the hope they need that circumstances can change for the better, and to provide the skills for coping until that comes about. When people can’t envisage an end to their difficulties, particularly in highly challenging times, a slump into depression can all too quickly spiral down into suicidal thoughts, plans and suicide attempts. The negative trance state of depression itself can beguile people into thinking that there is no other way out of their hopelessness. Thankfully, there is much we can do to help – as this indepth suicide intervention course shows. Tutor Malcolm Hanson has a wealth of experience at helping seriously distressed people get through difficulties which he draws upon as he takes you clearly through the steps to take when faced with anyone who feels suicidal. (He worked for 9 years as a psychotherapist in NHS primary care in an area of extreme deprivation, and for many more years since has seen patients referred by GPs, social workers, psychiatrists, police and probation officers for complex issues.) He has successfully helped clients experiencing multiple trauma (including veterans), chronic pain and terminal illness, clients struggling with uncertain asylum status or facing deportation, and also victims of human trafficking – a tragic range of circumstances in which even the most resilient may sometimes sink into despair. His compassion and understanding shine through this course as he shares with you what he has learnt, along with the latest psychiatric research and risk assessment strategies, to give you the knowledge and assurance you need to work confidently and respectfully with clients struggling to find reasons to stay alive. You will learn how to build in expectation of positive change from the start, have plenty of time to benefit from group discussions and will work through case scenarios with other attendees to help embed your learning. Suicide affects countless people, not only those directly involved, and is now the most common cause of death in men aged 17 to 34. The highest suicide rate is in men aged 45–49; in women, it is highest in those aged between 50–54.1 Join us for this practical online suicide prevention training to learn how you can help reverse this state of affairs… Book your place So much helpful and insightful information delivered in a way that was easy to listen to and take on board...STEVEN TESSEYMAN What will you learn Deeper insight into when and why different people consider suicide Crucial elements needed to build rapport with suicidal people Why most suicidal crises are surprisingly temporary How to normalise circumstances safely A model for running therapeutic sessions that best manages suicide risk Ways to use your own demeanour to instil confidence in the person who is feeling suicidal Effective information gathering to challenge unhelpful beliefs What to look for in their answers to your questions How to broach the subject of suicidal thoughts A structure for difficult conversations The ability to reframe unhelpful beliefs Methods of risk assessment that do not risk losing rapport Advances in psychiatric research on suicide risk management and the implications of this for psychotherapy and counselling How to use language of influence Effective means to address beliefs about being a burden How to set realistic and empowering goals How to make best use of the client’s own resources The importance of addressing emotional needs How to create a safety plan Strategies for client safe self-management between sessions The power of guided imagery for working with suicidal clients Powerful insights and hope from real case histories How to take care of yourself – and more… Malcolm is a wonderful communicator: so clear, measured and thoughtful ... it was a pleasure and privilege to learn from himMATTHEW HOPKINS Course Programme The ‘How To Reduce Suicide Risk’ live online course starts at 9.15am and runs until 4.00pm. 9.15am Join the Zoom meeting 9.30am The important first steps for suicide risk management 11.00am Comfort break and discussion 11.30am Working with what the client brings 1.00pm Lunch break 1.45pm Rehearsing the safety plan 2.45pm Comfort break and discussion 3.00pm Putting what you have learned into practice 4.00pm Day ends Who is this suicide awareness and prevention course for? Psychotherapists and counsellors All mental health and welfare professionals – including GPs, social workers, the emergency services, pastoral care and outreach workers – and anyone else working with people with suicidal ideation Anyone concerned for personal or HR reasons – the training contains a lot of key, helpful information which is presented in a clear, easy to understand way, even though it is primarily geared towards carrying out therapy effectively with suicidal clients Anyone working with young people, such as teachers and youth workers, will benefit from this live online suicide intervention course Anyone who may come into contact with people who are very distressed, whether through their paid or volunteer work, will also learn essential live-saving information. Please Note This course is not a substitute for therapy. Reference 1. www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2019registrations The one certainty in life is that circumstances ALWAYS change... This online suicide awareness and prevention 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.

Sanity is privileged over insanity, which is stigmatized. A therapoet views differences without hierarchy, valuing each unique expression. 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. Difference - between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Dr. Todd DuBose "Sanity and insanity have been situated in relation to each other on a hierarchical scale that privileges sanity over, beyond, above, and more than its “less than” subjugated copy, insanity. Framed in this way, insanity can only be stigmatized, devalued and pathologized, while sanity is that to which we are to strive, uphold, and genuflect. The therapoet as a phenomenological hermeneutic horizontalizes a spectrum of “sayings of suffering souls”, or “befallings”, which is the originally meaning of “symptom”, not as a pathogen to be excised. Countering supremacist hierarchies of sanity/insanity, or health/illness, the therapoet sees difference, not as deficient, but just different, anew, and not in relation to any centric norm, but just to other differences. The relation to other differences is a relative gradation, whose incomparability resists any kind of nothing-but-ism any more than a fish can be said to be nothing but a squirrel with fins, or dirt as nothing but dry water. The therapoet, therefore, attends to each showing or saying of the suffering soul, sufficient in itself, as it is, in its own way of presencing, by being with it, letting it be, without why.” Dr. Todd DuBose. Dr. Todd DuBose is a world-renowned, Distinguished Full Professor at The Chicago School’s College of Professional Psychology. He teaches philosophical foundations of practices of care, ethics, loss and mourning, psychology and spirituality, psychopathology, among other courses, all from a human science perspective, and with a particular focus on therapoetic care. He is a licensed psychologist, supervisor, consultant, and former chaplain, with over thirty-five years of experience. He holds degrees in continental and comparative philosophy of religion and existential-hermeneutical-phenomenological human science clinical psychology and integrates these approaches as a way of caring for such experiences as the impossible (no way out, boundary or limited situations), extreme experiences (such as psychosis, nihilism, suicidal and homicidal ideation), and the taboo (the places no one wants to go: the unwanted and unacceptable, unsayable, unforgiveable, forbidden, and irreverent). He regularly presents workshops in several international venues such as the Circulo de Estudios en Psicoterapia Existential, in Mexico City, Mexico, the Zhi Mian International Institute of Existential-Humanistic Psychology in Dali, China, and the Centre for Existential Practice in Melbourne, Australia. He is widely published and has written on caring for others in very difficult situations including traumatic loss, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, and meaninglessness. He has also written a short dialogue with Miles Groth, edited by Loray Daws, called, Dialogues on The Soul of Existential Therapy, published by The Society for Existential Analysis. Most of all, he considers himself simply a fellow human being. 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 March 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:

Polarization, or the “polarized mind,” is a fixation on one view, causing widespread destructiveness. It needs presence and love to address. 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. Polarisation - between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Prof. Kirk Schneider “I view polarization or that which I call the “polarized mind” as the fixation on a single point of view to the utter exclusion of competing points of view, and I see it as a core dimension of human destructiveness both individually and collectively. Arguably, polarization or the polarized mind is responsible for more devaluation and abuse than any other general psychological dimension, and it crosses cultures, parties, disciplines and so-called diagnosed and undiagnosed populations. In fact it is the undiagnosed populations—polarized cultural, political, and religious leaders and their followers–who have arguably caused the most human destructiveness by far, over those whom we conventionally termed the diagnosed The polarized mind may be partly dispositional but appears to be largely fear-driven and requires abiding presence and love to address it. We are in a race against time to avail people to these “nutrients.” Prof. Kirk Schneider. Prof. Kirk J. Schneider, Ph.D. is a leading spokesperson for contemporary existential-humanistic and existential-integrative psychology. Dr Schneider was a 2022 Candidate for President of the American Psychological Association (APA), a co-founder and current president of the Existential-Humanistic Institute (an award-winning psychotherapy training center), and a two-term Member of the Council of Representatives of the APA. He is also past president (2015-2016) of the Society for Humanistic Psychology (Division 32) of the APA, recent past editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2005-2012), a founder and frequent presenter/facilitator of the bridge-building dialogue approach the Experiential Democracy Dialogue and a trained moderator for the conflict mediation group Braver Angels. Dr Schneider is also an adjunct faculty member at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University and an Honorary Member of the Society for Existential Analysis of the UK and the East European Association for Existential Therapy. He received the Rollo May Award for “outstanding and independent contributions” to the field of humanistic psychology from the Society for Humanistic Psychology, APA and is a Fellow of seven Divisions of the APA (5, 9, 32, 42, 12, 29, and 24). His work on existential-integrative psychotherapy has been featured in a special issue of the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration (March 2016), as well as The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy and the APA’s forthcoming Handbook of Psychotherapy. Dr Schneider has published over 200 articles, interviews and chapters and has authored or edited 14 books including The Paradoxical Self, Horror and the Holy, Rediscovery of Awe, Awakening to Awe, The Spirituality of Awe, The Polarized Mind, The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology, Existential-Humanistic therapy, Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy, The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy, The Depolarizing of America: A Guidebook for Social Healing and his latest volume (February, 2023) Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World. Dr. Schneider’s work has been featured in Scientific American, the New York Times, USA Today, The Guardian, Vanity Fair, Forbes Health, Psychology Today, BBC World News and many other health and psychology outlets. 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 12 April 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:

LEARN HOW IRIDOLOGY CAN MAKE A HUGE CONTRIBUTION TO ANY COMPLEMENTARY PRACTICE A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR I want to welcome you most warmly to the study of Iridology. Students of our course have taken their knowledge out into the world of practice and they have been able to see more penetratingly into the health of their patients. They have seen many truths about causes and effects in health and disease - that is what allows you to understand those extra things that make you into an even better healer. I think you are going to find this the most intriguing and absorbing study and, certainly, that is my sincere hope. As you precede, much of what you learn will amaze you and inspire wonder at the ways of the human body and mind. As you tread this very special road, I pass on to you the words that Bernard Jensen gave me years ago when I was his student, inscribed upon the inside cover of his book: “Seek the Higher Values in Life”. DR. LAWRENCE PLASKETT WHAT IS IRIDOLOGY? Iridology is the art of iris analysis. The iris is connected to the brain via the hypothalamus and can give naturopathic read outs on tissue conditions in various parts of the body. With training and practice it is possible to read signs indicative of biochemical, emotional and environmental influences that are hard to determine by other means. We can thus interpret health (and even aspects of personality) by close examination of the eyes, using suitable illumination and a magnifying glass. The close relationship between naturopathic iridology as an assessment tool and nutritional therapy and other naturopathic disciplines continues and grows closer. Now Iridology can make a huge contribution to complementary therapeutic practice and enhanced by our wonderful digital collection of eye photographs, the learning process with the Plaskett International College is a profound and exciting one. We teach Iridology quite separately from other topics and anyone who possesses, or expects to possess, a practitioner's qualification in any therapeutic discipline, may join the course. Course Duration 12 months Study Hours 200 hours Course Content 9 sections Course Fee £495 How Can Iridology Help Practitioners? Examples of how iridology can help practitioners Did you know that some iris features are so very plain that you can see them with the naked eye in ordinary social contact? You can see from two or three feet away in many cases that the person has a toxic digestive system (a strong wide dark ring around the pupil margin). You can often tell that the person has an overactive stomach (a narrow bright white ring very close to the pupil). You can tell when the skin is overlaid with toxins so that the skin's function in excreting toxins from the body is jeopardised (very narrow dark ring around the iris margin). You can tell in some people (rather advanced cases) that they suffer badly from sodium and potassium imbalance and have placed themselves at potential risk from cholesterol accumulation (the so-called corneal arcus, a white or off-white cloudy deposit, usually fairly thick, around the iris margin).  Another example is the ring of spots or 'tophi' represented by the lymphatic rosary. Its mere presence tells one that there is sluggishness in the lymphatic system. When these tophi are darkly pigmented, the situation gives rise to concern for the possible generation of lymphatic illness. Using the precise positioning of iris reflex areas contained on the iris chart, one may distinguish many key points of analysis. Areas of stress and tension can be pinpointed by identifying 'contraction furrows’. Past injuries and adhesions show themselves as contortions of the normally regular and even iris fibres. You can answer questions like:- Is it the pancreas or the liver that is responsible for the trouble? Is the patient's hypertension caused by a defect of or toxic deposits in the particular brain area that is geared to control blood pressure? One of Jensen's rather dramatic illustrations is of the iris of a man who has just been shot. It shows the precise areas of tissue damage within the body and the response is very fast. The number of potential examples is almost without limit. The above may suffice to show the types of things that iridology can do for practitioners. We hope it will help you decide to study Iridology with the Plaskett International College. Course Overview The course covers the nature of iris observation, the nutritive zone, the iris chart, the chronic and acute, the intestinal and stomach zones and nerve collarette, the constitution type, respiratory system, lacunae, open lacuna, inherent weaknesses, the organs of elimination, other organs, special signs, complete diagnosis of a subject. The treatment of the topic follows the principles of Bernard Jensen in the USA. Once the basics have been learnt, the course teachings then extend considerably by bringing in the work of Dorothy Hall and of Dr Josef Deck, both of which are the subject of a special presentation during the course. The published insights of Farida Sharan and Harri Wolf, while not separately presented, also influence the presentation of the course material. Both the Australian School, (Dorothy Hall) and the German School, (Dr Deck/Harri Wolf), offer an added dimension to the study and interpretation of the constitution. PERSONALITY ASPECTS & CONSTITUTIONAL TYPES The study focuses upon the different personality aspects, which show up in different constitutional types. Dorothy Hall gives insights into what contributes to various different types of personality and their emotional and mental responses and their pre-dispositions to health or disease. Different sorts of people can have different priorities, preferences and imperatives built into their very nature from or before birth, sometimes determining the course of their entire lives and their attitudes to the world and to other people. AN EMPATHY BETWEEN PATIENT & PRACTITIONER The course teaches an understanding of these types and facilitates an empathy between patient and practitioner. It shows how people of the differing constitutional types are likely to go out of balance either mentally or emotionally and how their vulnerability to various physical ailments varies. The German School offers a very exciting and precise approach to the constitutional types, which is really quite different, but no less helpful. It highlights variations in the susceptibility to diseases of different organs and systems. THE 3 SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT It is a prime purpose of this course, not only to teach these differing positions, but also to demonstrate how it is that all three of these major schools of Iridology embody different aspects of the truth, how each is individually valuable and how a full and deep understanding of the meaning of 'constitution' can be gained through a sympathetic synthesis of the contributions from all three of these schools. BREAKDOWN OF THE COURSE SECTIONS In total there are 9 sections comprising of text, videos and iris images to study: SECTION 1 GENERAL PRACTICE AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE NUTRITIVE ZONE Areas Covered Iris colour Information that iridology can give us The structure of the eye and the iris Using the iris as an assessment tool The principle of reflex areas The Nutritive Zone Abnormality in the colon The Collarette (autonomic nerve wreath or anw) Diagnosis of the constitution based upon fibre structure Studies on images of real eyes SECTION 2 FEATURES OF THE FIBRES OUTSIDE THE COLLARETTE Areas Covered The general layout of fibres outside the collarette Inherent weaknesses First stage in further deterioration of an inherent weakness The meaning of darkness in the iris The development of discrete – open lacunae Lacunae Further notes about lightness and darkness amongst the fibres Healing lines Crypts Round the iris chart – the left iris Round the iris chart – the right iris Checking which structures and inside and which outside the collarette The organ systems The neural arc reflex SECTION 3 SPECIAL SIGNS Areas covered The corneal arcus (sodium ring, cholesterol ring, lipemic ring) The tophi (also lymphatic tophi or lymphatic rosary) Corneal Arcus The anaemia sign The catarrhal sign Acidity Grey background Scurf rim Circulatory ring Sphincter muscle (also called pupillary sphincter) Pigments (topastible or topolabile) Psoric spots Contrcation furrows Radial furrows SECTION 4 THE CONSTITUTIONS IN RELATION TO PERSONALITY TYPE AND DISEASE DISPOSITION Areas covered Very resilient Resilient average Moderately resilient Mildly resilient SECTION 5 MORE ABOUT WHITE SIGNS Areas covered Revision of distinctions between the different white signs Pictures of irises with white signs, with commentaries Further interpretation of the corneal arcus Further interpretation of the lytophi More general interpretation of the colour white SECTION 6 COLOURS IN THE IRIS AND OTHER SPECIAL SIGNS Areas Covered Yellow pigment in the iris Orange pigment Brown pigment Contraction furrows Radial furrows Psoric spots Pupillary border The “friendly fibrils” sign Summary of remedies SECTION 7 THE CONSTITUTION AND SIGNS ACCORDING TO THE GERMAN SCHOOL Areas Covered The German school of iridology Our approach to teaching the German school Introduction to the German constitutional types The lymphatic constitutions Mixed biliary constitution or biliary constitution Haematogenic (or haematogenous) constitution The way to use information on the German constitutions New signs that are specific to the German school Treatment recommendations for constitutional types SECTION 8  ADVANCED STUDIES OF THE IRIS Areas Covered Further details of the iris chart – its layout and its implications Neural arc reflex Deformation of pupil shape and position Advanced study of fibre separations, sinuosity, injuries & adhesions Lacunae of different shape and appearance The b3 bulge and the pterygium Working with genetically brown eyes SECTION 9  THE CONSULTATION & THE PRACTICALITIES Areas Covered Diagnosing pathology of individual critical organs Personality interpretations based upon the German school Conducting an iridology consultation Practical aspects of iris examination Making drawings of the iris and recording the data The uses, advantages and limitations of iris photography and its place in iridology practice Equipments and techniques of iris photography Using the computer to store and process digital images The interaction of signs Interpreting the whole iris in conjunction with the case study Pointers to treatment Carrying out case histories TESTIMONIALS Here's what students have to say about the course Emma Rubio, Health Coach Spain "As a Health Coach I decided to pursue my studies with the Plaskett College to become a Nutritional Therapist. For that, I am also studying Iridology. I am happy to have a tutor to answer my doubts and I like the flexibility that the College offers me. I love the subject of Iridology and the way it is explained, I also like having some videos of Dr Plaskett teaching Iridology as I admire him." Dr Ezequiel Lafontaine, Iridologist Puerto Rico "I LOVE IRIDOLOGY. I have over 30 iridology books, Italian, French, German, Spanish and English, plus over 4,000 photos from my own practice. I took this course for a refresher course and found the material was second to none." Mrs D. Moothy, Nutritional Therapist Mauritius “The distance learning courses have given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams through a program that was not only flexible and convenient for my schedule, but was also challenging and rewarding. I thoroughly enjoyed the readings and the assignments but most importantly, I enjoyed being able to do things at my pace. I must say that the most exciting and challenging course was the Iridology Diploma, and I am happy that I was able to do well in all the courses."

Palliative Facilitator Course Overview This course provides an in-depth exploration of palliative and end-of-life care, equipping learners with the knowledge to support individuals facing terminal illness. Covering a wide range of topics, including illness stages, holistic assessments, and legal considerations, this course offers learners the skills necessary to address the complex needs of patients and their families. Upon completion, learners will be able to apply principles of palliative care with confidence, ensuring dignity, comfort, and respect in the end-of-life process. This course is essential for anyone looking to pursue or advance a career in healthcare or support services related to end-of-life care. Course Description This course delves deeper into the key aspects of palliative and end-of-life care, addressing both the theoretical and practical elements involved in caring for individuals with terminal conditions. Learners will study the stages of illness, conduct holistic assessments, and explore advanced care planning to enhance patient quality of life. Topics include the psychological, emotional, and social needs of patients and their families, as well as the legal aspects of end-of-life care. Through this course, learners will develop essential skills to provide compassionate, informed support to patients in their final stages, while ensuring adherence to best practices and legal requirements. Palliative Facilitator Curriculum Module 01: Introduction to Palliative & End of Life Care Module 02: Identification of the Stage of Illness Module 03: Palliative Care Holistic Assessment Module 04: Advance Care Planning Module 05: Further Support, Training and Development Module 06: Legal Issues (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to work in palliative and end-of-life care. Professionals aiming to enhance their career in healthcare or support services. Beginners with an interest in the field of healthcare or social services. Those interested in improving their knowledge of legal and ethical issues in end-of-life care. Career Path Palliative Care Specialist End-of-Life Care Consultant Hospice Care Worker Healthcare Administrator Social Worker in Health and Social Care Bereavement Counsellor

Join us on this webinar presented by Kate Perkins, founder of OncoLaser, discussing the inclusion of therapeutic laser (MLS® Laser therapy) in the treatment of post-operative cancer patients and lymphoedema.