About Midshires Training Institute
Holistic Training for Holistic Practitioners
All our training uses Transactional Analysis (TA) as the core theoretical model. However, we also incorporate insights and theory drawn from other psychotherapeutic models, as well as from psychology, theology, spirituality and pastoral care.
As trainers we are enthusiastic about applying our range of interests and experience to enhance our training and your professional and personal development. Between us we offer many years of clinical and training experience, drawn from working in acute psychiatry within the NHS, developing and managing training for mental health nurses, teaching pastoral care programmes for the Church and offering professional development for counsellors and therapists in the public, private and voluntary sectors. In addition, we all remain active therapists and supervisors.
Core Trainers
Midshires Core Trainers have a wealth of experience and deliver the majority of your training.
John Monk-Steel
RMN, TSTA
I trained as a mental health nurse and was a senior nurse manager in acute psychiatry for 16 years whilst also working psychotherapeutically mainly with people with Personality Disorders. I worked within the NHS for 26 years and discovered TA whilst running in-patient therapy groups and found it a clear and logical model that gave a sound understanding of human dynamics, that could be used both with patients and to clarify ward dynamics and inter departmental conflicts thus facilitating a more effective working environment.
A lifelong pragmatist, I am now enthusiastic about helping others, perhaps especially from my previous background, discover the power and delight of this most accessible of models. I appreciate that every model has something to offer and work with trainees in synthesising their prior experience with TA.
Chrissie Jones Wood
BSc. Hons, MA (Couns), MA (Theol), PTSTA
Someone once said, ‘Find your passion and pursue it’. My passions are teaching Transactional Analysis psychotherapy and Christian Spirituality. In developing a training which integrates TA therapy, Pastoral Counselling and Christian spirituality, I have managed to do this.
I especially enjoy teaching the foundational principles of counselling and Transactional Analysis. Teaching on my own training programme, at Universities and in Theological College, I have found that people easily understand the powerful nature of this accessible model for themselves. They readily apply it both in their personal lives and their pastoral or therapy work. Having spent the past three years studying for a Masters Degree in Theology prior to my ordination into the Anglican Church, I am now approaching the training course with new insights and renewed excitement.
Together - Synthesis
We are all endlessly fascinated by the myriad ways of telling the human story. We bring together a rich variety of backgrounds to underpin our knowledge and understanding of the experience of being mental health practitioners in a wide variety of settings. Now we want to share this experience, understanding and excitement with you.