27 Psychotherapist courses

Learn more about yourself, your relationships and your career. Transactional Analysis is a great place to start for personal and professional growth. Join us for this 2 day workshop in an area of outstanding beauty. Have fun whilst learning!

This intensive week of skills practice, feedback and ongoing assessment is the final stage before becoming a fully-qualified human givens practitioner Dates: Mon 6th – Fri 10th Feb 2023Mon 26th – Fri 30th June 2023 Length: 5 days (9.00am – 5.30pm) Tutors: Dr Gareth Hughes, Jo Baker, Rosalind Townsend, Carol Harper Open to: Graduates of Part 2 of the Human Givens Diploma Qualification: Human Givens Practitioner Level Diploma (HG.Dip.P.) This week far exceeded my expectations – I can’t wait to get back and apply what I’ve learntJOHN BUCHANBERGER Part 3 is the Human Givens Practitioner Qualification; the pre-requisite to becoming a fully qualified human givens therapist, eligible for inclusion on the HGI’s Professional Register (which is independently accredited in the UK by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care). Throughout the week, students practise and demonstrate a broad range of practical therapeutic skills under close supervision and rigorous on-going assessment by the two tutors and experienced facilitators. Students who have already successfully graduated from the course enthuse about how useful and enriching it is. Between Part 2 and Part 3 of the Diploma students are expected to carry out extensive therapeutic practice, with a minimum of 10 different people, under ongoing supervision. For more information, please read the following downloads. Course Dates All Part 3 weeks are held at Engineers’ House in Bristol Winter 2023 – Code WK14 Mon 6th–Fri 10th February 2023 – FULL Summer 2023 – Code WK15 Mon 26th–Fri 30th June 2023 – Full, with waiting list Autumn 2023 – Code WK16 Mon 20th–Fri 24th November 2023 – Waiting list, please contact the office HOW TO APPLY: To attend Part 3, your supervisor must be happy that you have gained enough therapeutic experience and are ready to progress with this part of the Diploma. As there are only 12 places on each Part 3, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible to let us know which course you and your supervisor think you will be most likely to attend. Your name will then be added to the list for that course (for more information on this stage of the Diploma, see: Working towards Part 3). Please contact Fiona Heffernan if you have any questions about the course, or are ready to put your name down for a place on one. Meet your tutors Carol Harper Carol has 30 years’ experience in private practice, her holistic outlook and curiosity has influenced her professional development… Read more Dr Gareth Hughes Gareth is an HG psychotherapist, researcher, nationally recognised expert on university mental health and wellbeing and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Read more Jo Baker For many years Jo worked as a therapist within the Psychological Wellbeing department at the University of Derby, where she dealt with an extensive and varied caseload… Read more Rosalind Townsend Ros Townsend is an experienced psychotherapist and supervisor with busy practices in SW England, where she combines private therapy work with referrals from Occupational Health and the NHS. Read more

This seminar is aimed at counselling and psychotherapy practitioners working with members of the LGBTI+ community who are presenting material and/or concerns about the use of illicit drugs, such as Methamphetamine, Mephedrone and GHB/GBL in combination with sex (Chemsex).  The seminar will provide insights into the latest research by presenting case material from a PhD project and focuses on fostering a non-stigmatising/pathologising, shame-reducing approach to clinical practice with this client group. Participants will gain an understanding of the phenomenon by examining the practice from within different therapeutic approaches.   ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Peter Hellsten is a psychodynamic (eclectic) psychotherapist in private practice at A Quiet Room and has worked extensively with members of the LGBT+ community. He is a PhD candidate and qualitative researcher at The University of Edinburgh, where he is working on a project concerning gay men’s sexual behaviour and Chemsex. 

New for Spring 2024! Mindfulness Mornings for Wellbeing at Inner Focus Limited in Long Stratton, Norfolk. 6-week courses starting on 18th April and 6th June. Small groups of 6 participants. Claim 25% off until 31st May 2024 with promo code 'Spring24'.

These two weeks of intensive training consolidate and expand upon what you’ve learnt in Part 1 of the Human Givens Diploma Length: 2 x 5 days (9.00am – 6.30pm) Tutors: Dr Gareth Hughes, Jo Baker Suitable for: See below Location: Our Part 2 courses are held in Bristol Qualification: HG.Dip. / HG.Dip.P. (Trainee) I can’t speak highly enough of Part 2. It had all the elements to make it challenging, stretching, stimulating and, above all, thoroughly practicalPSYCHOTHERAPIST Part 2 of the 3-part Human Givens Diploma course consists of ten days of highly-focused and enjoyable work, plus home study and skills practice. The two separate weeks are held approximately a month apart and include the observation of therapy sessions carried out by HG tutors with real patients. The profound teaching style and practical approach is highly stimulating and generates much extra-curricular thought and discussion. During the two weeks you will have plenty of opportunity to expand upon and consolidate the knowledge and skills you have obtained on the shorter courses that make up Part 1 of the Diploma. There are many practical group and one-to-one exercises during which you will learn how to subtly combine what you’ve learnt into powerful therapy sessions that will enable your clients to move on in their lives, and a 2-hour written examination. The psychological knowledge and psychotherapeutic skills gained on the course are also highly relevant and easily transferable to other fields such as parenting, education, business coaching and back-to-work programmes. Course Dates Part 2 courses are held in Bristol. 2024Course No. HG96 Week 1: 29th January – 2nd February 2024 – 4 places available Week 2: 4th – 8th March 2024 Course No. HG97 Week 1: 20th – 24th May 2024 Week 2: 24th – 28th June 2024 Course No. HG98 Week 1: 14th – 18th October 2024 Week 2: 18th – 22nd November 2024 VENUE: Engineers’ House, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3NB Who is this course for? The HG Diploma is primarily designed for anyone already working in mental health, education or social services, but because all aspects of the course are presented in clear, jargon-free language anyone interested in the subjects covered, or wishing to embark on a career in counselling or psychotherapy for the first time, can benefit from attending. Before attending the first Part 2 week, you need to have completed all 16 x Part 1 required courses, have read the required items on the Reading List and studied the Diploma Manual in depth. NB If you started working towards the HG Diploma before January 2019, you may well have completed some of our previous free-choice Part 1 courses, don’t worry these will still count towards your Part 1 – please call the office to discuss. Meet your tutors Dr Gareth Hughes Gareth is an HG psychotherapist, researcher, nationally recognised expert on university mental health and wellbeing and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Read more Jo Baker For many years Jo worked as a therapist within the Psychological Wellbeing department at the University of Derby, where she dealt with an extensive and varied caseload… Read more

The Motivation Clinic - December Gathering - Wednesday 7th December 2022 12 til 2pm Lunch and Learn gathering & networking at The Brew House, 155 Guildford High Street, Guildford House Gallery, Guildford, GU1 3AJ (Opposite Sainsbury/Bora) It can be a lonely world beavering away growing your business alone and navigating the veritable rollercoaster! Plus, you never get a Christmas Party! Well here is one especially for you! Love to see you for warm chats, networking, food and mince pies to assure you that you are not alone and provide you with the support, encouragement and the motivation to keep going, even when times are tough. Lunch & Learn - 10 minute talk plus questions Diccon Brown, Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist at Tranquility Hypnotherapy Clinic, will be taking us through the fascinating world of hypnotherapy, which I personally have had very positive results from so can't wait to hear more about how this research backed modility can help people overcome phobias, anxiety and habits. Feedback from previous Gatherings "a great opportunity to network with like minded business owners in a friendly, community space" "Informal atmosphere, great group of people, lovely environment" "a friendly, welcoming relaxed atmosphere real sense of community." "uplifted and felt encouraged to get involved more." "lovely session and some great conversations" "a lovely opportunity to meet fellow business owners." Finally, please do share with other business owners you may know in Guildford and surrounding areas! Look forward to seeing you there! Lara Doherty, The Motivation Clinic 07817247727 / lara@themotivationclinic.co.uk

Do you have the skills and experience it takes to become a Human Givens Supervisor? Would you like to take your HG career to the next level? Course Dates: see below Length: 6 days (9.30am – 5.30pm) Venue: Leeds Tutors: Julian Penton, Rosalind Townsend Course requirements: See below Qualification: HG Supervisor / Supervisor-tutor This intensive 6 days of tuition, feedback, skills practice and ongoing assessment is your route to becoming a fully-qualified human givens supervisor. Effective supervision offers many opportunities for learning and growth, as well as providing invaluable support. Successfully completing this training will enable you to work as a supervisor-tutor with Part 3 trainees and as a supervisor with qualified HG therapists. What you will learn What HG supervision is and an understanding of the governance framework A structured approach to supporting a trainee though Part 3 How to support an experienced therapist How learning and memory works and why this matters How to use a range of supervisory approaches, methods and techniques How to assess and give feedback and how to notice if that has been received A deeper understanding of ethics, your role and your responsibilities How to address concerns about supervisees How to support a supervisee who is subject to a complaint   The HG Supervisor-tutor’s Role How you will be assessed This course is designed to enhance the growth and development of your knowledge and skills, your understanding and practice and to assess your competence as a supervisor-tutor. It is therefore a combination of assessment and learning. Throughout the course, therapists practise and demonstrate through discussion, exploration and reflection, a broad range of skills and topics. Assessment will be on-going throughout the course by the two highly experienced tutors and you will also be given feedback from your peers and the experienced facilitators. Why apply Becoming a supervisor isn’t just about taking the next step; being a good supervisor also brings with it a wealth of new opportunities: Collaborative working Own learning and development Stretch and challenge – in a different way to therapy Career progression Quarterly CPD events Annual Supervisors’ CPD day Supervisors Peer Group Deadline for applications – to be advised when the next course dates are announced (provisionally Spring 2025) – how to apply. Course requirements: To apply, you must be an experienced HG therapist who has delivered a minimum of 1,000 sessions of one-to-one HG therapy and is registered with the HGI You must have the support of your supervisor/s, and Submit the information required by the application process by the deadline (this will be announced when we have the next course dates available, provisionally Spring 2025). Course Dates The HG Supervisor course is made up of two blocks of 3 days, held approx. a month apart. We typically run our supervisor training once every 18–24 months. The next course is provisionally planned for the Spring of 2025 – if you are interested in applying, please let us know via the form below. Next course: Part 1: Thursday–Saturday – dates TBC Part 2: Thursday–Saturday – dates TBC Venue:  Novotel Leeds Centre Hotel, Leeds Please note:  There are only 12 places available on this course, all subject to the application process. Meet your tutors Julian Penton Julian is a Human Givens (HG) practitioner who for the past 20 years has been mentoring HG therapists, teaching various HG seminars & workshops and delivering the HG College’s HG supervision training course. Read more Rosalind Townsend Ros Townsend is an experienced psychotherapist and supervisor with busy practices in SW England, where she combines private therapy work with referrals from Occupational Health and the NHS. Read more

Stories and metaphor are a powerful way to stimulate hope and by-pass resistance – they can also enhance problem solving and creativity, beneficially impact the mind/body system and much more… Accredited CPD Certificate : 6 hours Length 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) Wonderful – inspiring, informative and empowering communication skills masterclassJENI NELSON, PSYCHOTHERAPIST / HYPNOTHERAPIST Why take this course Stories can be incredibly powerful therapeutic tools. They help bypass rigid views about life, enhancing the listener’s flexibility of thought. And by suspending ordinary constraints, they help people reclaim optimism whilst fueling their imaginations with the energy necessary to attain goals. In the physically ill, they can also stimulate the immune system and speed recovery. All successful psychotherapy and counselling involves storytelling and the use of pertinent metaphors, both of which tap into the natural way our brains work. We can’t know what goes on in another person’s mind but, if you perceive the ‘pattern’ of a story and understand that it could be useful to them at a specific point in their life, that is reason enough to tell it. Their unconscious, creative imagination will seek and find the ‘meaning’ relevant to their situation. No explanation, no direct statement of a story’s meaning can substitute for the way it acts on the hearer’s mind. Join us to discover more and learn how to source and tell such therapeutic tales yourself… Gareth was fantastic, brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm as well as stories to the course...PROJECT MANAGER Wonderful practical skills - I was entranced the whole day...PSYCHIATRIST What will you learn How and why our brains work through ‘pattern-matching’ How to use this profoundly useful tool for getting through to people stuck in the black-and-white thinking of emotional distress A powerful way to stimulate optimism, hope and independence in distressed people Increased ability to source and tell therapeutic stories yourself Ways to enhance your own problem solving capacity, as well as being better able to help others with theirs A new way to motivate and engage people Insights into the mind/body communication system and how useful this tool can be for promoting healing and recovery A great way to build rapport and bypass resistance How to choose the appropriate stories and metaphors for different people, and when to use them Practical ways in which therapists, teachers, GPs, managers, policy planners etc can apply this knowledge to their work The ability to enhance flexibility of thought, creativity and confidence in your clients How stories and metaphor can also help us diagnose where problems lie A new love and deeper understanding of the value, resonances and resources within stories Greater confidence in dealing with a wide range of people – and a solid understanding of, and practise in, the therapeutic precision of metaphor and more… So informative and relevant to my everyday work..SCHOOL COUNSELLOR Pat Williams, creator of this course, talks you through its benefits Course Programme The ‘How to tell stories that heal’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am How and why stories help people 11.00am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.30am How to find the right story for each situation 1.00pm Lunch (included) 1.45pm How to use stories as therapy 2.45pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.00pm How to tell stories well: the three simple rules 4.00pm Day ends This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Join Dr Andrew Morrice for a deep dive into what the latest mind-body research tells us about the impact of sleep, the microbiome, nutrition, culinary practices and more on our mental and physical health, and recovery … Length: 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) A brilliant framework to understand the neurobiology of our needs and how to manage stressDR ALLY JAFFEE, NHS DOCTOR Why take this course Sleep and sound nutrition are widely recognised to be essential to mental health – this day gives you an opportunity to learn about these two areas in depth, including the role of the Microbiome. A greater understanding of these two areas can be vital in freeing ourselves from the ‘mind-only mindset’ to help us quickly and effectively resolve many of our difficulties in life. Sleep has always been integral to the human givens approach and this course is a chance to catch up on recent advances in understanding and evidence as to which approaches best help with poor sleep. We will explore how sleep allows for the physical recuperation, learning and emotional regulation that are key to improving many mental health problems. The role of food and the microbiome in mental health is seldom part of managing the immediate challenges we face, yet is so important in preventing difficulties, or maintaining recovery, that it is an area in which we can benefit from feeling greater confidence when guiding and advising our clients (or ourselves!). Throughout the day, tutor and GP Andrew Morrice draws on the latest research and his decades of experience managing the complex combination of mental and physical health problems in General Practice (20 of those years, using the Human Givens model), to take us on a deep dive into two of the key interfaces between mind and body: sleep and food, and their effects on our health. Andrew is a most inspiring teacher who is passionate about his subject. Furthermore, his experience as a doctor was invaluable...PSYCHOTHERAPIST / COUNSELLOR What will you learn The structure of sleep – and the functions of the different stages of sleep, including Non-REM and Slow Wave/Deep sleep The fundamental conditions required to promote healthy sleep The challenges of assessing sleep properly both for ourselves and others The complex relationships between sleep disturbances and depression, anxiety, pain syndromes and fatigue states, plus Simple organising ideas for navigating all this complexity What we can do to help resolve sleep difficulties so that we can wake feeling refreshed and emotionally prepared for the next day The fundamental science of the Microbiome – and its links to inflammation, mental health and physical health The eating patterns that worsen or help in mental and emotional health How and why processed foods undermine and confuse our innate guidance systems An understanding of the many other factors impinging on our ability to ‘forage’ well in the modern ‘food environment’ The basis on which foods or eating can become addictive, and how this can point to ways to address these difficulties Why we should consider the implications of the fasting state for our work How Human Givens tools can help clarify many of the confusions around food How to spot diet cults, tribes, and misleading claims Eating patterns we can confidently recommend to support health and wellbeing A review of how depression can be seen as a mind-body state rather than a ‘mental health disorder’ You will also have time to ask our expert tutor questions and benefit from group discussions Course Programme The ‘The Mind-Body Connection in depth: Movement, Emotion and Calm’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am Microbiome and Diet – Finding our Food: how did this get so complicated and confusing? 10.45am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.15am Understanding Processing, Addiction and Tribalism 12.45pm Lunch (included) 1.30pm Getting a good night's sleep 2.45pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.00pm Sleep, depression and inflammation 4.00pm Day ends Who is this course suitable for? The Mind-Body Connection In Depth series is open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of mental and physical health. If you previously attended Andrew Morrice’s Mind-Body Connection course, and would like to spend more time on practical applications, the microbiome, the interface between diet and mental health and to thoroughly review the topic of sleep – this course is for you. Please note: you don’t need to have attended the previous Mind-Body Connection course to come on this one, or its sister course ‘Movement, Emotion and Calm’. This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

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