December Workshop: The Power of the Unconscious
The Power of the Unconscious: Trauma and fantasy work
This is a good follow-up to the previous workshop.
We will explore the unconscious and take a brief look at the workings of the brain and the recent discoveries of neuroscience. We will look at how neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) can help clients deal with trauma and practice some techniques.
You will:
Learn something about the working of the brain.
Find out what happens to the brain in traumatic situations.
Examine the difference between ‘fact’ and ‘fantasy’.
Learn some NLP techniques.
Have opportunities to practise new techniques and skills.
Presenter:
Chrissie Wood (TSTA)
Date:
December 12th 2009 10am - 5pm
Location:
The Oakwood Centre, Higham, Derbyshire.
November Workshop: Healing in the Broken Places
Healing in the Broken Places: Counselling survivors of childhood abuse
At some time in our professional life – usually sooner rather than later – we will encounter a client whose problems are directly or indirectly related to childhood abuse. This abuse may have been physical, sexual, emotional or spiritual. This workshop examines the painful issues of childhood abuse and considers how best to work with clients who have survived such childhood traumas.
You will:
Examine what constitutes abuse and in what areas abuse can occur.
Learn about the psychological damage childhood abuse can cause.
Learn how to intervene appropriately with adult survivors of abuse.
Reflect on your own responses to the issues raised.
Have opportunities to practice therapeutic skills.
Presenter:
Chrissie Wood (TSTA)
Date:
November 28th 2009. 10am - 5pm
Location:
The Oakwood Centre, Higham, Derbyshire
October Workshop Chalk or Cheese?
Chalk or Cheese? Working with different personality styles
We are all different, and our differences are something to be celebrated. But what happens when our unique characteristics become unhelpful or distressing to ourselves or others? And how do we as psychotherapists and counsellors work effectively with different personality styles?
This workshop looks at how Transactional Analysis understands personality styles (adaptations) and offers useful ways of assessing and intervening with our clients.
You will:
Learn how to recognise personality adaptations using a TA model.
Discover something about your own personality style.
Learn how to maintain therapeutic contact with different personality styles.
Find out to generate effective interventions with your clients.
Have opportunities for practising your skills.
<
Presenter:
Chrissie Wood (TSTA)
Date:
31st October 2009 10am - 5pm
Location:
The Oakwood Centre, Higham, Derbyshire
Book Review TA for Tots
Book Review
TA for Tots – and Other Prinzes. Alvyn M. Freed & Joann Dick. (1973)
Transactional Analysis for Everybody Series.
Torrance CA: Jalamar Press
0-915190-73-7 144 pages, paperback
T.A. For Tots and Other Prinzes by Alvyn M.Freed Ph.D, is a tenderly written book aimed at children. It teaches children in a gentle nurturing way how to understand what they are feeling, and how to express their feelings in an appropriate way, so they can understand at an early age how they should relate to their emotions. Simple language is used throughout this book and delicate explanations abound in this text that children can easily understand and relate to. There is a real soothing parental voice that harmoniously penetrates through to the inner Child. With warmth and compassion the child is taught where their negative feelings have arisen from and how to deal with them. Children are taught that they are O.K., and how to view themselves positively amid the all to often negative aspects of childhood.
This books looks at the basic theory of Transactional Analysis psychotherapy. It talks about the Ego States and how they may become contaminated. Strokes are taught, both the positive and the negative. Overall this is a great teaching tool. For all those adults who are interested in T.A or just interested in looking at the foundations of their own issues, wanting to understand their children better, and most of all just wanting to be great parents then this is a fantastic read and no doubt an essential book to have on any parent’s shelf.
I have used this book with my own children. At the ages of three, five, and eight, they have all received a great deal out of this book in their development as effective caring individuals. We have worked our way through this book taking a chapter each night, and at the end of each chapter the children have been asking for more. My middle child, who is five, would say to me, “Can we read T.A for Tots, Mummy? It’s lovely!” They have all learned how to express their feelings and have been taught the tools in which to recognise what is happening to them emotionally. Also they more easily recognise what they need. If they are feeling a little sad, lonely or any other negative emotion they have learned to recognise the need for comfort, so they will come and ask for a ‘warm fuzzy’. This book has a beautiful way of describing what are known as ‘strokes’ in a very simple way intended for children to understand. The term ‘warm fuzzy’ is given for positive strokes and the opposite term ‘cold prickly’ for negative strokes. For example, if Mummy gives the child a cuddle and says, “you did really well today on your homework!” or a simple smile and “I love you” with a hug, these are positive strokes, ‘warm fuzzies’. On the flip side of that, if Mummy says, “now I am very disappointed in you!” and does not smile, or even disciplines the child, perhaps by sending them to a time-out, the child now feels a horrible negative emotions described as ‘cold pricklies’; they feel sad and even hurt. This is a negative stroke. Just today my daughter who is three years old came home form nursery saying that her friend would not play with her, to which she felt a ‘cold prickly’.
T.A for Tots has a great story to help us understand the reasons why a child may feel inadequate or naughty. Freed speaks of when a child is born, just how loved they are and that they can do no wrong. They were born ‘Princes’ and ‘Princesses’, or ‘Prinzes’ which the book uses as a collective term. They learn and develop which again is praised as they receive positive strokes or ‘warm fuzzies’! However as they grow a little and begin to make mistakes, they begin to experience negative strokes or ‘cold pricklies’ as they are told that what they are doing is wrong and they begin to get disciplined for their what their parents perceive to be negative actions. The children begin to feel less like ‘Prinzes’ and more like ‘Frozzes’ (frogs).
As an adult there is much that I have taken from this book. It has spoken to my inner Child and helped me to understand my own feelings of inadequacies, and those of just being ‘naughty’. Yet more importantly for me I feel that this book has opened my eyes to what is going on emotionally with my own children. In conclusion, I have found this book to be utterly brilliant and a ‘must-read’ for all those with their own children or who work with children. Grown ups who read it for themselves will also get something out of this book - at the very least a warm fuzzy!
Although this book was originally printed in 1973 and is a little dated in appearance it still remains relevant for today, and captures a child’s interest. My only criticism is that there is a slight lacking in grammar which makes is difficult to read at times and to maintain flow, and there is a little talk of ‘spanking’ to which is a controversial subject today - we seem to be moving towards a ban on that, in this country at least. Other than that, I view this book as outstanding, and one that I will keep as precious and inspiring.
Helen Heys
We’ll soon be adding useful links and documents
Over the next few months we’ll be adding useful links and documents to this section of our web site.
Please check back soon.
Workshop Topics
Individually Designed Training Packages
In addition to the training courses we offer one or two day workshops which are suitable for all helping professionals who may be looking for Continuing Professional Development.
These can be offered at one of our venues or in-house if there is a team interested in the training.
Please contact the administrator for dates and times of next courses.
Our fees are £65.00 per person, per day. There is a discount of £5 for every third workshop attended in any academic year. If three or more workshops are booked at the same time, the cost is £180 - a saving of £15.
Some of the one-day training workshops we have presented:
The Subtle Art of Communication
Using the ‘Process Model’ to improve communication.
A Secure Base
Attachment theory and the therapeutic relationship.
Taking a Different Perspective
How to give and receive supervision.
I need a fix!
Working with addictive behaviours.
The Power of the Unconscious
Using Neuro Linguistic Programming.
Me and My Shadow
Spirituality and Personality Types.
The Wounded Self
Working with Narcissistic and Borderline Disorders.
The Crouching Tiger
Conflict and anger in the counselling relationship.
Shame on You!
Sin, Shame, Forgiveness and the Gospel.
Go Away - Please Don’t Leave Me
Understanding the internal distress of the Borderline paradox.
I Feel, Therefore I Am
Understanding the role of emotions.
The Hierarchy of Pain
Working with people who self-harm.
Not Waving but Drowning
Managing stress in every day life.
I’m Not-OK, You’re OK
Developing self esteem.
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Understanding and working with dreams.
From Forgetfulness to Fragmentation
Understanding and working with dissociation.
The Big Freeze
Working with trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Healing in the Broken Places
Diagnosing and treating sexual abuse.
Practising What I Preach
Self care for the counsellor.
What Do You Say After You say Goodbye?
Counselling bereaved people.
2-Day Workshop
Becoming the Way We Are
A Two day Validated Introduction to Transactional Analysis (TA101). This workshop introduces the major theories of Transactional Analysis. Fees for the weekend are £100.00. These workshops are held regularly throughout the year. Please contact us if you are interested in attending one.
Listening for Beginners
A short introductory course in active listening (6 hours).
These are held as required. Please contact us if you are interested.
Cost: £50
For a list of the workshops being held in Higham, Derbyshire in the year 2009-10, please follow the link to ‘Training’
New Website!
We’ve finally got our fancy new look website live!
Over the coming weeks we’ll be adding topics for discussion relating to counselling and psychotherapy training so please do keep checking in and get involved - you’ll be able to make comments and join in, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In the Workshops and Events section we’ll be adding details of upcoming events that you can join.
And in the Resources section we’ll be adding useful links and documents to help you with your counselling training.
Please come back and check up on latest news.
in Latest News and Discussions • (0) Comments •Permalink