Certificate in Dreamwork

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COURSE TOPICS

COURSE FORMAT

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

FEES AND DATES

COURSE TUTORS

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introduction

The intention of the course is to train practising psychotherapists to be able to use the spiritual perspective in working with dreams and to recognise and work with the spiritual guidance that is present in the dreams.

Our state of mind and inner world is reflected in our dreams. And yet our spirit can also speak to us in the dream through voice, metaphor and action. It can warn us, help us to be more aware and lead us to the Divinity that is waiting within to be discovered.

A method of working with dreams has now been developed by combining the creative imagination, psychological knowledge and healing together with the use of the body as a feedback instrument to help the process of personal transformation and spiritual guidance. It is an extremely effective way of combining the spiritual and psychological approaches to healing and for distinguishing between the two.

the topics

1. the Subtle Levels of Self

Whilst we work with personal issues in the dreams, once we have resolved our major inner personal conflicts, access to the more subtle or transpersonal levels of self and to experiences of the more subtle levels of consciousness become possible. The many spiritual traditions have given different names to this process and some have called it spiritual awakening, some soul consciousness and some have called it clear perception.

These subtle levels of consciousness first appear metaphorically in our dreams; later they begin to become conscious experiences in which we have a direct experience of this phenomenon.

In our practical dreamwork sessions, we work through our issues then learn how to access these states, thereby experiencing both a healing of our psyche and a sense of spiritual awakening. Gradually we begin to develop a consciousness of our soul nature, leading to a much deeper understanding of ourselves than with the current psychotherapy methods.

2. The Alchemical Process of Psycho-Spiritual Transformation

Psycho-spiritual transformation is a process by which we begin to experience ourselves beyond our usual range of personal self-image and perception. We awaken to a sense of the spiritual within us, and begin to seek to lead a more spiritual life.

In this course you will be introduced to the stages of the alchemical process; Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas and Rubedo, and the major alchemical operations that are active inn the process; calcinatio, solutio, sublimatio, coagulatio, separatio, mortificatio and coniunctio. The alchemical stages and operations are used in working with the dreams.

3. Dreams and the Role of Imagination

Imagination is the bridge between this world and the world of spirit. Through our dreams we discover two major influences:
a) the influence of the outer world and its impact on our inner psyche
b) the influence of the world of spirit and its impact upon our psyche

Dreams are a form of unconscious imagination, but when we remember them, we have the opportunity to use the dream to work with in the waking state and heal our inner world.

4. The Different Kinds of Dreams

a) dreams that reflect our worldly preoccupations
b) metaphorical dreams
c) psychic dreams
d) dreams that show the conscious presence of spirit

APPLICATION OF THIS TRAINING

The training is ideally suited to psychotherapists who are being presented with client material that has a spiritual dimension. Many participants use the course for self-development and spiritual guidance. It is also ideal for supervision of client dreams, healing and guiding spiritual retreats.

COURSE FORMAT

Course Duration: 1 Year

We meet one morning every week for 30 weeks during the year. The course runs from January to November.The academic year is divided into 3 terms of 10 weeks each.

Each session lasts three hours and is held on a weekday during the daytime. The day of the week and the exact times will be confirmed at a later stage.

Some of this time is used for the teaching of dream theory. However students mainly present their dreams (and client dreams if permission is granted by them) to the group during the session. The group facilitators work together with the students on their dreams. Time is allotted for suggestions, discussion and questions on the dreamwork session.

Later in the course, students have the opportunity to lead the dreamwork sessions and to receive feedback on how to improve their skills and capabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRY TO THIS COURSE

This is a post-graduate Certificate Course in Dreamwork. Award of a certificate is based on attendance and a demonstration of a readiness to work with people's dreams.

The course will be limited to a maximum of twelve participants. Candidates will ideally be psychotherapy course graduates with some experience of working with clients and a desire to work from the spiritual perspective in dreams. However applications will be considered from mature individuals who have a psychological as well as spiritual awareness and who desire to work with dreams from a spiritual perspective or to incorporate the spiritual perspective in their creative and therapeutic work.

FEES AND DATES

Cost: £2000

Deposit: £200

Registration: Please write or telephone for an interview. The fee for the interview is £40.

COURSE FACILITATORS

Nigel Hamilton is Director of the CCPE and is a UKCP registered psychotherapist; he has an extensive background in Sufism, alchemy and guiding spiritual retreats. Nigel has run several dream workshops and trainings in the UK and abroad.

Elke Hanman is a lecturer, tutor and trainer at the CCPE. She is a UKCP registered psychotherapist with a background in Sufism, healing and guiding spiritual retreats. She and Nigel run dream workshops and trainings in the UK and abroad.