Next Course:- 22/23 September, 20/21 October & 17/18 November 2012

Places left: 6

Physical and Mental health disability can have a deep and far reaching impact on the individual, the couple and the family.
Given that families are ‘shaped’ by the couples’ combined family of origin values, schemas and belief systems, an awareness of attachment, attraction and relationship ‘stages’ can help understand couple, and hence family, dynamics and relationships and how a disability diagnosis may be managed/coped with. Roles within the family may need to change or adapt.

Associated circumstances such as ‘self-medication’, boundary shifts to include professional intervention and support, and loss/change impact further on the couple/family relationship….. awareness of the physical/psychological effect of substance( or behaviour?) dependency and prescribed medication can enhance the containment and potency of effective therapeutic interventions.

Substance/Activity dependency and addiction (ie drug and alcohol, gambling, internet, porn, sex, work) has similar far reaching effect and impact on the couple/family system.

Many counselling services offer individual counselling for the ‘client’ ( e.g. Drug/alcohol user or disabled person) and individual counselling for ‘significant others’ affected by the ‘client’s’ presenting concern. (e.g. partners, siblings, children, carers)
Whilst allowing space for each individual to address their respective experiences often the ‘relationship’ between the ‘client’ and ‘other’ can become further strained as each, individually, grows and develops within the relationship they develop with their respective counsellors.

‘DUO-COUNSELLING’ aims to address and value the ‘space in between’, ie the relational dynamics between the couple, family members, carers affected by the impact of ‘change’ on the overall system.

The course will respect and reflect different core models and approaches, and offer a balanced delivery of theoretical and experiential learning. Emphasis will be on ‘theory and skills into practice’.

Delivered over 6 days, with bridging assignments the course is designed to reflect and parallel the counselling relationship and process…. as such, each module is built on those previous, therefore 100% attendance and commitment is highly desirable.

DUO-COUNSELLING

• Couples/families/significant others affected by ‘change’ such as Disability/Addiction/Dependency

The Couple Relationship

• Stages of Relationship: attraction, conflict, disillusion, disappointment
• Bonding Patterns: inner parents and inner children within the relationship
• Couple Dynamics: the concept of life/death/life cycle in relationships

The Family

• ‘Types’ of Family: ….how families function (or don’t!)
• Internal Changes and Stages: The Family ‘Life-Cycle’, ‘events’.
• Family dynamics: Roles, Rules, Values and Characteristics

Disability Impact: Substance/Activity Impact

• Sex and Disability: attitudes/assumptions drives, practicalities and positions.
• Self medication: addictive physical and psychological ‘pain-killers’
• Change and Loss: Family role changes, loss, choice, acceptance. Impact on the Family ‘Life-Cycle’
• Substance/Activity: attitudes/assumptions/values/culture

Skills….will include

• Circular Questioning: Dialoguing/Two Chair work: Effective Enquiry and Assessment
• Case conceptualisation, Hypothesis and Strategy

Exercises….. will include

• Group, Pairs and Individual experiential understanding of theory into practice
• Self-reflective: …. which can also be used effectively with clients.

Fee: £500.00

Light refreshments, course materials provided

Limited places to afford maximum learning experience – deposit of £75(£60) to secure a place

negotiable reduced fee for low cost placement/service providers