Advanced Psychotherapy Diploma

Postgraduate Certificate in
Dream Interpretation

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INTRODUCTION
THE ADVANCED PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING
Course Outline
Therapeutic Techniques
Case Presentations
Weekend Seminars
Group Retreat
Individual Retreat
Individual Tutorial Sessions
Entry Requirements
Diploma Course Requirements
Fees and Dates
Training Staff

introduction

A two-year Advanced Psychotherapy training programme is being offered to train practising psychotherapists to work at the level of senior psychotherapist from a spiritual perspective. This course may be considered as a post-Diploma training for the position of Senior Clinician and Trainer as suggested by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

An Advanced Psychotherapy Diploma will be awarded on completion of this course and the course requirements.

An optional third year studying dreams and dream interpretation from a spiritual perspective will be available to those students who complete the Advanced Diploma, and on completion students will be awarded a Post- Graduate Certificate in Dream Interpretation.

The Advanced Psychotherapy training and Dream Interpretation Certificates together with a research dissertation is planned to be offered as a PhD option in the near future, i.e. candidates who complete the Advanced training and one year studying dream interpretation will be able to convert this training into a professional PhD in Transpersonal Psychotherapy programme.

Alternatively, candidates may combine the one year Diploma in Supervision training with the two year Advanced Psychotherapy Diploma training and a research dissertation to be eligible for the professional PhD in Transpersonal Psychotherapy.

the alchemy of transformation and the planes of consciousness

This unique curriculum is designed to balance the three strands of theory, spiritual experience and psychotherapy practice. The alchemical model, with its stages of transformation, alchemical operations, pictorial emblems and commentaries form the first part of the theoretical model for understanding the process of psychological and spiritual transformation.

The second part of the model involves a study of the subtle levels of human consciousness (the transcendental realms) which are constantly being accessed and expressed in our lives (both consciously and unconsciously) during the process of transformation.

experiencing the model through dream work

Dreams are a window into our inner life and ultimately into our souls. Hence in this course they are used as prime teaching material for experiencing and understanding the process of psychic and spiritual transformation. This is where the theory of the alchemical operations, alchemical stages and planes of consciousness comes alive for us.

Although dream exploration is an art that takes years to learn, simple and safe exploratory methods will be taught and practised from week to week. This experiential work acts as a powerful tool for linking personal experience to both theory and practice.

the advanced psychotherapy training

Advanced psychotherapy training is being offered to those practising psychotherapists who wish to go deeply into the spiritual perspective in psychotherapy. The course includes 60 weekly meetings, 30 sessions per year, of two and a half hours duration each, and four weekend trainings, a five day group retreat and a 10 day individual retreat.

course outline

The first year is spent studying the alchemical operations and alchemical stages of transformation in the therapeutic context. The second year focuses on the role of creative imagination in the therapeutic journey and in our own spiritual path. We also look at the role of guidance in therapy by contrasting the human and divine dimensions in the human being.

Topics include:

1. The seven major alchemical operations (calcinatio, solutio, sublimatio, coagulatio, mortificatio, separatio and coniunctio).

2. The four stage alchemical model of personal transformation (images, symbols and personal expression which signify each stage).

3. The subtle inner levels (planes) of consciousness in the psyche and how life issues draw out qualities from these levels into our personality.

4. A transpersonal theory of dreamwork. Applying the knowledge of alchemical operations, stages of transformation and planes of consciousness to dreamwork.

5. Recognising leaps in consciousness through dreamwork.

6. The four elements and Jung's four functions.

7. Distinguishing between ego and transpersonal work.

8. Stages of consciousness, awakening of the soul and of the spiritual ego.

Examples of the above topics will also be given through case histories and dreams.

therapeutic techniques

• The use of creative imagination in therapy, dealing with thought forms in the body and psychological issues

• Creative Imagination and its use in soul development

• Dreams: working with dreams which reveal the client's spiritual growth

• Using creative imagination in healing

• Developing intuition to help with inner guidance

case presentations

Students are required to make two case presentations showing how you have integrated the work orally and submit this in written form for evaluation.

weekend seminars

The four weekends provide an opportunity to go deeper into our understanding and experience of how the Alchemical model works.

The first three weekend seminars deal with the Alchemical Operations involved in transformation and the fourth weekend seminar (three days) deals with the topics of awakening the heart, the role of the Divine Feminine and the spiritual dimension of the therapeutic relationship.

retreats

Individual and group retreats provide the opportunity for going deeper into the experience of healing and spiritual transformation.

A five day residential retreat in the countryside. Residential and travel costs for the retreat are NOT included in the fees.

Each student will be required to complete a 10 day individual retreat at some point during the 18 month period of the course. (The cost of this is NOT included in the fees.)

individual tutorial sessions

Individual tutorial sessions are optional for help with your presentations.
(The cost of this is NOT included in the fees.)

entry requirements

1 Diploma in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy.

2 Evidence of three years of supervised psychotherapy practice.

3 Evidence of further training beyond the diploma level.

4 Involvement in a spiritual path or tradition.

5 All candidates must be currently practising psychotherapy and be in supervision with a supervisor working from the spiritual perspective.

advanced diploma course requirements

1 At least 80% attendance of weekly sessions, each year.
2 Attend all seminars and retreats.
3 Evidence of sufficient psychotherapy practice and supervision. Here the candidate must be seeing at least four clients per week and receiving sufficient supervision for this. The supervisor may be asked to provide a letter of evidence.
4 Case presentation of work from a spiritual perspective.

For further details and an interview please contact us. The interview lasts an hour, for which we charge £40 (cash or cheque only).

fees and dates

Course Fees: £2750 in 2009 (including a non-refundable deposit of £250 and £300 for the retreat) and £2700 in 2010 (2nd year).

Course Dates: January - November 2009, and the following January - November 2010.
Wednesday 10.00am – 12.30pm.

training staff

Tutors
Nigel Hamilton PhD.,B.Sc., M.A. (Couns. Psych.), Member British Association for Social Psychiatry. Course Director.
Elke Hanman B.A.(Hons.), Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych. Course Tutor. Core staff member.
Angela Gruber Cert.Ed., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych. Course Tutor. Core staff member.