Recognizing the brilliance of someone psychological disturbance normalizes their experience and opens the door to transformative change. 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. Invention- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Dr. Betty Cannon “When I first saw the topic of this year’s dialogues, I asked myself whether I had anything to contribute. After all, I told myself, I do not usually work with psychoses or other so-called ‘extreme’ or’ irregular’ states of consciousness. This started me thinking about a series of demonstration videos that I have been making with students and supervisees over the last couple of years as part of a book project. Do those videos display ‘extreme states’? To my surprise, the answer is yes. They are filled with experiences that might be described as hallucinations (positive and negative), dissociative states, paranoia, delusions, manic and depressive states, crippling anxiety, schizoid withdrawal, depersonalization and derealization, and body dysmorphic phenomena. Not to mention the so-called normal neurotic trances that Freud called transference, countertransference and defenses, psychedelically induced extreme states, and those nightly hallucinations, our dreams. So why did I not remember at least some of these states as being ‘extreme’? Perhaps the answer lies in my perspective on therapy, which is largely existential-phenomenological. I think that the following quote, from a letter that Sartre wrote to R.D. Laing, captures the essence of this perspective: “Like you, I believe that one cannot understand psychological disturbances from the outside, on the basis of a positivistic determinism or reconstruct them with a combination of concepts that remain outside the experience as lived and experienced. I also believe that one cannot study, let alone cure, a neurosis without a fundamental respect for the person of the patient, without a constant effort to grasp the basic situation and relive it, without an attempt to rediscover the response of the person to that situation and––like you, I think––I regard mental illness as the ‘way out’ that the free organism, in its total unity, invents in order to be able to live through an intolerable situation.”* When a client and I together are able to appreciate the true brilliance of this invention, my experience is that it not only normalizes the client’s experience, it also opens the doorway to change. It allows us to invent something new.” Dr. Betty Cannon. Betty Cannon, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who has taught and practiced in Boulder, Colorado, for over 40 years. She is Professor Emerita of the Colorado School of Mines and president and founder of the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute, which has trained mental health professionals in Applied Existential Psychotherapy since 1989. In addition to existential philosophy, especially the philosophy of Sartre, AEP has roots in Gestalt therapy, classical and contemporary psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology (especially the person-centered therapy of Carl Rogers), and body-oriented psychotherapy. Betty is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal for the Society of Existential Analysis and Sartre Studies International. She is the author of Sartre and Psychoanalysis and numerous articles and chapters on existential therapy. Her mentor was Hazel E. Barnes, who translated Sartre into English and who was the world’s foremost Sartre scholar until her death in 2008. Betty is her literary executor, and her book on Sartre is dedicated to Hazel. 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 25 October 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:
1:1 wellbeing programmes for parents and carergivers in neurodiverse families to help you feel less overwhelmed, more energised, and present. Are you exhausted from the constant demands of neurodivergent parenting? Do you find yourself caught in an endless cycle of stress, worrying about what tomorrow might bring? You deserve to prioritise yourself without feeling guilty. After all, taking care of yourself benefits your whole family. And what's even better is that you don't need to sacrifice your time or energy to do so! Who are these programmes for? This programme is designed especially for parents and caregivers, in neurodiverse families, who: Want to feel calmer in daily life Are ready to start prioritising their mental and emotional wellbeing with 1-to-1 support Desire a deeper connection with themselves and want to rediscover their sense of identify outside of their caring responsibilities. Because you deserve to be someone outside a parent/carer. By the end of the programme you'll: Feel less stressed Have new healthy habits that nurture your wellbeing Have more energy, because running on empty isn't good for anyone Feel grounded and present, even during challenging times Notice a calmer mind and feel more intentional with your time and energy. How it Works A mindful approach to escape the cycle of burnout. Based on my Burnout Prevention Method and 4-step ARIA Framework: Awareness Reflection Insight Action A 12-week journey to reset your energy and stop burnout before it happens Tailored guidance, support, and encouragement via voice notes & messaging x2 days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Monthly reflection to acknowledge your journey and celebrate yourself A personalised self-care plan, so you can continue taking care of yourself beyond our time working together. Plus you'll get… Lifetime access to: Online course ‘The Mindful Reconnect’ (worth £399), so you can continue your mindfulness journey and be supported beyond the programme. Self Care Bundle People pay £77 for this, but you get it for free! Have more tools to support you on your wellbeing journey. Next Steps Imagine the calm and joy you can create with ongoing support and encouragement. It's a investment in you and your family’s wellbeing. Due to the personalised support offered, spaces are very limited. Don’t let another day slip by feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Please note: The booking will ask you to select a date after the payment page. Please select the date as the day you are booking. Take the first step today
New Covid 19 inspired course to deepen participants understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety. We will work with them to strengthen them and build resilience. This work is particularly relevant to school and other teams returning to school post Covid-19 lock down experiences or similar. The training can be delivered virtually on Teams or Zoom or face to face safely. Course Category Team Building Leadership Emotional needs Description In this course we deepen participants understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety and will work with them to strengthen them and build resilience. This work is particularly relevant to school and other teams returning to school post Covid-19 lock down experiences or similar. The training can be delivered virtually on Teams or Zoom or face to face safely. Learning Objectives Participants will: Deepen their understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety Develop creative resources for self-care Experience a reflective space in which they feel heard and validated Share narratives and strategies and develop solidarity Create a shared vision for achieving resilience within teams Who Is It For? Any team that is returning to workplace following Covid-19 lockdown or other traumatic events Any team that wants to build strength and resilience Course Content Overview of session, goals and ground rules Confidential listening: story so far… experiences shared – opportunity for mutual support. All shared in strictest confidence unless serious or dangerous. What we know about staying strong and resilient – taught input with short activities covering: Understanding anxiety and stress and how to manage/process both – what’s there already/what’s needed – building a resilience toolkit. What to do about eating, sleeping and worrying? The nature of change and chaos Building trust in each other – with activity The impact of trauma Empowering cooperative teamwork Importance of nurture and inclusion The long view – the power of individual people in our lives who really care and the impact we each make on young people Share collective ideas and resources for building strength Shared vision for a strong, resilient staff – teams that are abiding, constant, durable, established, fast, firm, lasting, firm but flexible, reliable, secure, sound, steadfast, strong, sturdy, sure and well-founded.
The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Person Centred Mindset Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Person Centred Planning Description The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Many of these tools have been taken from MAPS and PATH, and parts also build on the person centred thinking tools. Testimonials Be the first… Learning Objectives This course will provide participants with an understanding of how to use a range of extreme person centred thinking tools to; Use graphics to facilitate creative conversations Learn from people’s stories and histories Listen to and facilitate dreams and nightmares Think about what is positive and possible Connect people with their communities Facilitate inclusion Who Is It For? Person Centred Planning Facilitators Support Workers / Day Centre Officers / Residential Workers Personal Assistants / Teaching Assistants Families Self Advocates Social Workers CAMHS teams Primary and secondary staff teams SENCOs Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course will introduce participants to a range of tools focused around supporting relationships, realising dreams, connecting people with their communities and capacity thinking. Participants will be coached in using the tools and given the opportunity to practice the tools and their graphic facilitation skills in a safe environment. The course will answer the following questions: How can we use ideas from MAP and PATH in our day to day work? How can I use graphics to facilitate conversations? How can we learn more about the people we support? How can we start to think about connecting people to their communities? If you liked this course you may well like: PERSON CENTRED PLANNING USING PATH AND MAPS
This is a practical ‘non-medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people who have experienced serious trauma in their life. We work to strengthen understanding of children who have faced issues of trauma emerging from abuse, violence, loss and family breakdown. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Impact of Trauma Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Meeting emotional needs Behaviour and Relationships Inclusion Teaching and Learning Description This is a practical ‘non-medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people with serious issues arising from trauma. Drawing from the international research and literature and our own experience over many years as educational psychologists of the challenges of children with major social and emotional needs, we will explore together what the best practice can and could look like. We explore the language and key concepts of trauma and outline very practical classroom strategies. We look at what Psychology may help us in our understanding of children who have faced trauma. We explore the themes of: Hyperarousal Intrusive thoughts Constricted lives We look at triggers, self-regulation and unpack a range of strategies. We explore what young people with these difficulties really need from us. We also spend time looking at the emotional impact on practitioners working with children with such needs and what helps at a personal and team level. We can all do something – we do not have to wait for expert therapists to arrive! Testimonials I had no idea… It had a huge impact Belonging and feelings are so important Excellent! Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice for traumatised children in mainstream schools Simple understandable explanation trauma understood Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on social and behavioural needs Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of emotionally disabled children Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils with complex emotional needs New skills, scripts and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For? Practitioners working in schools and other settings with children and young people of all ages Key workers Teaching Assistants with support roles Heads and deputies SENCOs Advanced skills teachers Primary and secondary classroom teachers Parents Local authority support services Course Content The course explores the questions:What does it take for a child to:Feel safe and secureMourn the past traumaReconnect with ordinary relationships with children and adults?How can we start to develop an understanding of traumatised children?What is the true impact of trauma?What else can we do to go about including high profile children or young people with challenging emotional needs?What useful psychological constructs can we use to guide us?This course also explores practical strategies, concepts and language for key adults rebuilding relationships with individual pupils.This is a participative day that aims to be explorative and practical. Opportunities to develop empathy with the children of concern will be created.If you liked this course you may well like:FRESH APPROACHES TO BEHAVIOUR AND RELATIONSHIPS
In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Course Category Inclusion Description In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Testimonials ‘Inclusive practice has become more daring, more radical, more inspirational, more inclusive. How exciting and encouraging!’ ‘What a moving and energising day – there is so much we can do together’ Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing leadership for inclusive practice in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on team building Deeper understanding of developing vision and consensus Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards staff, parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For? Heads and Deputies Leaders Managers of Chidren’s Centres Managers of Early Years settings Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course answers the questions: How to get a team thinking and working more inclusively? How to create and share my vision? Where do I start to think about developing a more inclusive setting? How can I get the best out of my team? We will cover a range of areas including: Establishing a welcoming team Building Vision and values Developing Trust Creating inclusive staff teams and communities of acceptance Creative Team problem solving Organisational models Curriculum access and curriculum design for inclusion Work with parents Consensus building If you liked this course you may well like: LEADERSHIP: CREATING AND SHARING YOUR VISION
Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. Using the PATH or MAP processes of group facilitation and the creating of a large wall sized graphic we will provide a School Improvement Plan to be proud of! Course Category Visioning and Problem Solving Person Centred Planning Strategic Work Team Building and Leadership Description There is an old Japanese proverb, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare” “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about” MARGARET WHEATLEY – ‘TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER’ (2002) Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. They develop images of ‘the future we want to create together’, along with the values that will be important in getting there and the goals they want to see achieved along the way. Unfortunately, many people still think ’vision’ is the top leader’s job. In schools, the ‘vision task’ usually falls to the Headteacher and/or the governors or it comes in a glossy document from the local authority or the DfES. But visions based on authority are not sustainable. Drawing on the planning tools MAPS and PATH (Pearpoint, Forest and O’Brien 1997) and other facilitation sources we use both process and graphic facilitation to enable the group to build their picture of what they would love to see happening within their organisation/community in the future and we encourage this to be a positive naming, not just a list of the things they want to avoid. ??Let us join you to explore your vision and the ‘roadblocks’ to your vision. Testimonials “Thank you so much for the work you did with us yesterday – I have since been in 2 schools today and have spoken to an number of other colleagues who were present – all were totally overwhelmed by the session – they loved it.” “I was totally blown away, so nice to reflect and realise what a long way we have come” “That was so powerful and motivational” “Our Primary is now an OFSTED rated ‘Outstanding School’ – we were in Special Measures – the Visioning and Planning using the PATH process for 3 years has seriously contributed to this”. Learning Objectives To create a far reaching and shared vision of the future for the school team/group you are working with and ensure that each person present contributes to this To create a visual representation (a graphic) of the vision and use this to plan future actions and to inform school improvement and development plans To facilitate the group in thinking through what some of the barriers to achieving their vision are and to begin work on how these can be removed To build a sense of commitment, common purpose and trust within the team/group Who Is It For ? Headteachers School managers EIP Managers Whole staff – including everyone Course Content The facilitation of a shared vision can be delivered as a full or a half day but, unlike our other training days this day depends on your and your team’s needs and the time you have available The course will cover: Creating the vision The Story So Far Headline Themes Naming the Nightmare A Year from Now Naming Roadblocks and Barriers Building strength Who will we need to take with us on the journey towards the vision Who are we? – Gifts, Strengths and Talents Charting Specific Actions
So you appreciated a Keys to Inclusion day? Wondering what next? The Next Set follows on from our lead workshop/training day and is both values driven and a practical guide to successful strategies for further developing inclusive practice in educational settings for children and young people of all ages. Course Category Inclusion Description So you appreciated a Keys to Inclusion day? Wondering what next? The Next Set follows on from our lead workshop/training day and is both values driven and a practical guide to successful strategies for further developing inclusive practice in educational settings for children and young people of all ages. On this day we explore processes and ideas ranging from the individual practitioner’s imagination through to the creating of a community gathering to strengthen inclusion of disabled and disempowered adults and children. This too is a ‘hearts and minds’ day in which you can expect participants to both laugh and cry in equal measure! The day gives those present lots of opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to the inclusion of pupils who are different and most challenging. Testimonials I have learned such a lot. I have learned so much. Keep an Open Mind. Really inspired! I can’t wait to share the day Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of disabled children Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For ? Early Years and School based Practitioners Heads and Deputies SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Parents Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course answers the questions : What next after a Keys day? How do we take people with us? What else can we do to go about including high profile children or young people? What does inclusion really have to do with me? Best delivered over the course of a full day, ‘Keys to Inclusion’ introduces participants to 6 guiding Ideas that underpin inclusive practice. The power of imagination Determination and persistence Growing Relationships How to help not hinder Communicating honestly and directly Creating Community Circles If you liked this course you may well like: KEYS TO INCLUSION Or: INCLUSION: IT DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN
This is our lead workshop/training day on behaviour and relationship work in Primary and Secondary schools and Academies, as well as Early Years, FE and adult settings and is both a values primer and a practical guide to successful innovative strategies for improving behaviour and strengthening relationships for challenging children and people of all ages. Course Category Behaviour and Relationships Meeting emotional needs Early Years Inclusion Description This is our lead workshop/training day on behaviour and relationship work in schools and other settings and is both a values primer and a practical guide to successful innovative strategies for improving behaviour and strengthening relationships for challenging children and young people of all ages. Not just another day on ‘Behaviour Management’ – our ‘Fresh Approaches to Behaviour and Relationships’ day goes well beyond a rewards and sanctions approach to ‘behaviour’. We will be focused on those young people for whom rewards and punishments do not always work and who confuse the adults who work with them. We aim to take a relationships based approach and to give those attending an opportunity to think more deeply about why young people do the things they do and what our part as adults is in creating, sustaining and changing these behaviours. The day gives those present opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to children’s behaviour and relationship building. If your usual approaches to managing behaviour aren’t working with particular individuals then take a tour through this range of cutting edge strategies for bringing about positive behaviour change, and for meeting challenging emotional needs. Testimonials ‘Thank you so much for the excellent training day you delivered last week. I found the whole experience quite uplifting and inspirational.’ ‘Thought provoking and empowering. Probably the best training day we’ve had in school’ ‘There was already evidence on the first day of school for pupils that staff were adopting a different approach. Thank you so much for helping us to make a difference.’ ‘Today has to have been one of the very best INSET days I have personally been to – full of practical tips and techniques to use in the classroom; and also proof that this approach does work in practice. It really was inspirational and an excellent start to the term.’ ‘Very motivating and exciting course.’ ‘Another fantastic Colin and Derek training session’ ‘Enjoyed this course very much. Derek and Colin worked very hard and I understood it. Thank you.’ Learning Objectives Reinforce and affirm good practice Re-energise, stimulate and challenge thinking about inclusion of challenging young people and children Increased understanding about behaviour and emotions Increased confidence in managing challenging pupils in childcare settings mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards families and children and young people Learn new skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For ? Primary and secondary staff teams All Childcare Providers – Out of School club staff/Childminders/Youth Workers Early years and school based practitioners Heads and deputies SENCOs Advanced skills teachers Primary and secondary teachers Year Managers Parents Local authority support services Course Content The course answers the questions: Are there any new ways to include our most challenging young people? Should we focus on behaviour or relationships? How do we go about including high profile children or young people? Can we find an alternative to exclusion? What would a relationship policy look like? The following are some of the key themes and tools we are likely to explore during the day Getting the welcome right for the most challenging Encouraging – getting the best from the most challenging- Circle of Courage – belonging-achievement-generosity – independence Active listening – Listening to the person underneath the behaviour Compass of Shame – which directions do children and young people head when they feel shame? And what helps children work through these feelings in more healthy ways? Involving other children and young people in solutions and interventions – Circles of friends: peer support, counselling and mediation Team Problem Solving – Solution Circles: a 30 minute group problem solving process to get Teams ‘unstuck’ and to generate positive first action steps Circle of Adults: a process that ‘listens deeper’ to generate reflective problem solving creating lasting behaviour change and effective behaviour intervention plans. A particularly valuable process for those looking to enhance their leadership and facilitation skills Restorative justice and restitution: principles and practice of this approach to repairing harm and restoring relationships without reliance on punishment Understanding the effects of Separation, Loss, Trauma and Neglect on children’s learning and relationships in school and what adults can do to reach and support these children