Previous Events

Ties that Bind – The Impact of Trauma on Attachment - Conference with Norma Howes, October 2008

To ensure their survival children and adults will make a form of attachment – a trauma bond – with the person who holds them hostage or does them harm.

This conference is an opportunity for those attending to gain understanding of the complexities of a trauma bond and as a result more effectively intervene to protect children and adults.

This conference will be of particular interest to anyone working with children and/or adults who are or have suffered the trauma of sexual, physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual assault perhaps resulting in a ‘tie that binds’.

Norma Howes is a Social Worker, Child Forensic Psychologist and Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. Norma is involved in training police, social workers, health and education staff on all aspects of childhood trauma and abuse. She has a private practice working with adults and children most of whom have experienced severe childhood trauma. She has worked in the field of trauma, mental health and dissociation for more than twenty years and has researched the impact of dissociation on memory and the implications this has for both civil and criminal court proceedings.

Norma was also a member of a Child Trauma Team one day a week for twelve years where she was involved in both assessment and therapeutic services for children who had experienced Type 1 and Type 2 trauma. She has a special interest in the impact of trauma, abuse and dissociation on attachment and consequent behaviours following child abuse and domestic violence.

Therapeutic Accompaniment as a Spiritual Discipline - Seminar with Canon Professor Brian Thorne, December 2008

In this Seminar, Brian will present his view on counselling as an essentially spiritual undertaking and will explore the implications of this for the training and development of counsellors and psychotherapists. The seminar will also be of direct relevance to those involved in pastoral work and religious education. The day will consist of lectures, small group work and plenary sessions.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work with a practitioner who has gained an international reputation not only as a professional therapist but also as someone who cares deeply about the spiritual evolution of humanity at so critical a time in the history of our planet.

Brian Thorne is a prominent member of the international person-centred community and a prolific author. His work covers the fields of counselling, education and pastoral theology and in recognition of this interdisciplinary contribution he was made Lay Canon of Norwich Cathedral in 2005. Currently he directs the Diploma in Spiritual Accompaniment at the Norwich Centre and lectures widely both in the UK and abroad.

Trauma and the Body - Conference with Norma Howes, January 2009

Talking therapies address how the mind is affected by trauma but rarely involve the therapist or client in working on the effect of the trauma on the body. Van der Kolk, one of the leading researchers and authors on trauma and its affects sums this up when he says ‘The Body Keeps the Score’.

This conference is an opportunity for those attending to gain understanding of the complex nature of trauma and the impact trauma has on the brain and the body.

This conference will be of particular interest to social workers, police, emergency service workers, health, education workers, and therapists in NHS and private practice.

Norma Howes biography is as with previous event.

The Challenge of Relational Depth in Therapeutic Working - Seminar with Professor Dave Mearns, March 2009

Much therapeutic working is achieved with only a degree of relationality – enough to sustain the ‘working alliance’. Within the field of person-centred therapy Dave Mearns has developed the notion of ‘working at relational depth’, a stronger relational engagement that challenges the therapist to offer an unusual quality of relational contact. The seminar will include an analysis of the theory, the practice and the developmental agenda incumbent on the practitioner working at relational depth. Dave’s hope is that this seminar will speak to people from a range of therapeutic backgrounds.

Dave Mearns: As a student, Dave Mearns had additional paid employment as a bus driver and as a manager of a betting-shop. During a winter spell working in a sand-mine in arctic temperatures that resembled a Gulag he read Buber’s I and Thou. Such reading, along with the modern ‘death of God’ theological writings af the 1960s was unusual for a student of Maths and Physics and an atheist.

Not surprising then that he switched his studies to Psychology and in 1972/73 took up the postgraduate position of Visiting Fellow to the Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla, California, under the stewardship of Carl Rogers. His early therapeutic internship involved him in daily therapeutic work with profoundly traumatised war veterans. This sensitised him to the power of relationship in connecting with the private existential world of the other.

In the past 20 years he has written seven books, including four best-sellers, founded the Counselling Unit of the University of Strathclyde and developed extensive primary care and school counselling services. Now retired from the University, he lives with his long-term colleague, playmate and wife, Elke Lambers and admires the lives led by his daughters Kirsty and Tessa. His favourite pastimes are hill-walking, fly-fishing, gardening, horse-riding, horse racing and golf. His favourite territory is Patagonia which he visits frequently.

Existentialism: Challenges and Contributions to Therapeutic Practice - Workshop with Mick Cooper, May 2009

This one day workshop offers counsellors and psychotherapists of all orientations an opportunity to develop their understanding of existential philosophy and therapeutic approaches, and to look at ways in which it may help them to enhance their therapeutic practice. The workshop will involve a combination of theoretical input, discussion and exercises, and will focus on three particular aspects of existential thinking: the exploration of freedom and choice, coming to terms with the limitations of existence, and the need for meaning.

Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde and a UKCP-registered existential psychotherapist. Mick is author of Existential Therapies (Sage, 2003), co-author with Dave Mearns of Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2005) and has written several chapters and papers on aspects of existential therapy, person-centred therapy and self-plurality.

Integrating Prayer and Counselling - Dr Peter Gubi University of Central Lancashire, June 2009

Prayer (connectedness) is at the centre of all spirituality (and arguably counselling), and is enabling of mental health well-being. Research shows that prayer influences the work of a considerable number of counsellors, but not much has been researched or written about it, and it is seemingly a 'taboo' in mainstream counselling. This experiential but informative workshop will enable counsellors to discuss the issues around integrating prayer in counselling. Peter will share some of the findings from his research, which are made more accessible in his book 'Prayer in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Exploring a hidden meaningful dimension' (2008) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Dr Peter Madsen Gubiis a spiritual pilgrim and eclectic/liberal Christian from the Moravian denomination. As part of his journey of discovery and meaning he is a Person-Centred Counsellor, Supervisor and Spiritual Accompanier in Private Practice. He is also Principal Lecturer in Counselling at the University of Central Lancashire and Head of Counselling and Psychological Therapies in the School of Nursing and Caring Sciences. He is a BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor and Supervisor.

Love in Therapy - Suzanne Keys, July 2009

'Suzanne Keys is a brilliant star in the person centred firmament. The controversial issue of how love permeates and informs the therapeutic relationship has been a central concern for her for several years and she has made outstanding presentations to diverse audiences at international conferences and elsewhere. An initial lecture on the subject at the Tavistock clinic in London remains firmly in the memory of those present. Suzanne is a passionate and engaging speaker and this is an occasion not to be missed.’ Brian Thorne 28th May 2009

This day is an opportunity to explore what love means in therapy relationships. Based on client experience and person-centred theory we will develop ideas on how different aspects of loving link with Rogers’ conditions for therapeutic change. This kind of loving involves not only the psychological dimensions of existence but also the spiritual, political and sexual.

Suzanne Keys has been based in London working as a person-centred therapist, supervisor and group facilitator for the past 12 years. She has worked in a drop-in for people who are street drinkers and homeless, a hospice, a women’s centre, a sixth form college and in private practise. She has facilitated groups in France, Martinique and throughout the UK.

Suzanne has edited two books, one on idiosyncratic practice and the other on work with children and young people. She has also written chapters on human rights and practice, training, ethics and prayer. She recently co-edited a special issue of the international Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapies Journal on Gender and Therapy.

A Relational Perspective on Supervision - Working with the counsellor’s developmental agenda in supervision Seminar with Elke Lambers, September 2009

Supervision as a 'requirement' can sound like a bit of a chore, this seminar will more than suggest that this is not the case!

In this seminar we will explore supervision as a relationship that supports the development of the counsellor's ability to meet clients at depth. Whether you are a counsellor or therapist in supervision, a supervisor, or you will be seeking a supervisor in the future, this seminar will open your mind to the potentialities of the supervisor - supervisee relationship. This day will assist you in making more informed choices about how you supervise/are supervised.

Elke Lambers is a Person-Centred Therapist, Supervisor and Trainer, with a private practice in Glasgow, Scotland. She is Dutch, and after training and working as a clinical psychologist in Holland, she has lived and worked in Scotland since 1975. She has extensive experience as a supervisor with individuals and groups and as a trainer of counsellors and supervisors.

Elke has a particular interest in the concept or supervision as a relationship that supports counsellors in the development of their capacity to be fully present and open with themselves in the therapeutic relationship so that they are open to all aspects of the client. She has written about Supervision in ‘Person-Centred Therapy Today’, (Sage, 2000), in Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapies (PCEP, 2006) and in the ‘Handbook of Person-Centred Therapy’.

She has recently worked in Argentina where she has helped to develop a person-centred training programme.

Interpersonally Sensitive CBT - Seminar with Dr Frank Wills, October 2009

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is most well known as a form of therapy with many techniques. Critics have queried whether the focus on technique may lead CB therapists to underplay the therapeutic relationship. Frank Wills has suggested, however, that CB therapists could only ignore the therapeutic relationship at their peril. Though techniques are helpful, they have to be used within a warm and, at times, subtle therapeutic alliance and, further, therapy will invariably misfire unless there is congruence between the technical expertise and the relationship.

CB therapists use a ‘formulation’ (a psychologically informed model of the client’s problems) to focus therapeutic work and it turns out that most of the key concepts on which formulations are built are actually interpersonal (Wills, 2008¹). As in other therapy models, there are often ‘parallel processes’ wherein the client’s problems outside the therapy room become evident within the therapy room. For example, a client who holds the belief ‘I am a failure’ may be very sensitive to ‘failure’ in therapy. CB therapy is vastly strengthened when therapists are able to use interpersonal skills such as immediacy to recognise and work with these processes.

Finally, the therapeutic relationship itself is open to the subtle reward and punishment of client behaviours. Therapists therefore need to be aware of how to handle these factors in ways that are constructive and helpful to the client.

Dr Frank Wills has practiced psychological therapy since 1971. He was pleased recently to hear a well-known American therapist, possibly with tongue in cheek, suggesting that it takes 40 years to become competent at therapy. Frank is expecting competence to come any day now!

Dr. Frank Wills MA, PhD, Dip Counselling (Oxford) Certificate in Cognitive Therapy, Fellow and Accredited Practitioner, BACP, Accredited Cognitive Therapist, BABCP and Registered Psychotherapist, UKCP.

Frank is a highly experienced CB therapist, supervisor, researcher and trainer. He has authored several key texts on CBT, including Counselling for anxiety problems (2003; Sage) Cognitive therapy: an introduction (2005, Sage); The skills of cognitive behavioural counselling and psychotherapy (2008, Sage) and Beck's Cognitive Therapy: Distinctive features (Routledge, Forthcoming). He has also made several therapy DVDs in conjunction with Mike Simmons, including CBT skills in practice (UWN, 2006).

Look and Listen - The Social Psychology of Clustering: Innovative Prevention Strategies in Working with Parasuicidal Teenagers - Seminar with Dr Arthur Cassidy (Northern Ireland), October 2009

“Helplessness and hopelessness..... It’s not just about the end it’s about the journey to the end. There are many young people on that journey right now, how can we join them on their journey, come along side and offer hope?”

‘Look and Listen’ is a day seminar is designed to help caregivers and those in positions of trust to become more ready and able to help young people at risk. This seminar is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, teachers, mentors, counsellors, therapists, youth workers, police and correctional staff, school support staff, clergy and community volunteers.This day event will offer and bring together information, perception, challenge, insight, awareness and alertness and strategies for change.

Dr Arthur Cassidy is a social psychologist at Belfast Metropolitan College and the Open University. His area of research expertise is in the nature of suicide clusters and innovative strategies for suicide prevention in teenagers. He is Director of XChange Suicide Prevention in Craigavon Northern Ireland, has a suicide prevention website and he runs a mobile unit through the night at weekends where he and his team bring therapeutic interventions to young people at the roadside.

Arthur regularly presents national and internationally at conferences and contributes and advises in all aspects of the media concerning teenage development, suicide and young deaths. He was an adviser to the producers of ITV series: ‘I’m a Celebrity -get me out of here now’ and also was consultant to the Endemol Programme for Channel 4 ‘Big Brother's Big Brain’, where he contributed to a scientific understanding of personality processes and conflict in small group dynamics.

Arthur is a member of the International Association for Suicide prevention and a member of the Irish Association of Suicidology.

Teenage Kicks Self Harm, Drugs and Alcohol: Part of Adolescence or a Consequence of Abuse? Conference with Norma Howes and Mark Limmer, November 2009

Think of a few words to describe teenagers and perhaps some of the following will come to mind: rude, selfish, volatile, rebellious, hormone led, monosyllabic, outrageously risky, crash parties, and they lay about and sleep all the time... oh and they are a fashion nightmare.

Ask a teenager to pick a few choice words to describe an adult and maybe one or two of these would be on the list: boring, sad, always angry, don’t listen, control freaks, stupid and old and they are definitely a fashion nightmare.

Adults would possibly prefer to be described more along these lines: patient, understanding, kind, reasonable, offering guidance, clearly explaining consequences and they do not expect to be listened to but will keep on trying despite.

Often workers and parents sigh at the thought of engaging with teenagers. This day will offer up recent studies, investigations and inquiries along with other ideas and possibilities that will perhaps change the groans into sighs of relief. Norma and Mark will be sharing information about teenagers that will intrigue, engage and ensure that working with teenagers whilst always a challenge can also be fun and dynamic.

The conference will consider teenager sex and sexuality and what it means to be a teenager biologically, socially and emotionally. The day will include research and information including the neurobiology of the teenage brain whilst looking at understanding their risk taking behaviours, links between alcohol and teenage pregnancy in the context of risk taking and will include ideas for creative interventions and engagement strategies.

One of the potential outcomes for those attending the day will be a fresh and informed approach to engaging and working with teenagers, seen from this perspective as exciting and interesting. This will come about by understanding and using the neuroscience of the teenage brain to join the teenager on their dynamic journey towards emotional wellbeing and resilience.

This conference is likely to enlighten and enliven any relationship with a teenager be it personal, professional, pastoral or parental.

Norma Howes biography is as with previous events.

Dr Mark Limmer is currently the Deputy Regional Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator for the North West of England and for the last 20 years has worked in the field of young people’s sexual health as a youth and community worker, health adviser, psychotherapist, trainer and strategist.

Between 2004 and 2007 he led a research and intervention project exploring the links between alcohol use and sexual health in 14 and 15 year olds focusing on identifying the connections and the common antecedents. He has a particular interest in working with and researching young men, particularly young men whose sexual attitudes and behaviours are seen as problematic.

He has an MA in Health Research from the University of Lancashire and his doctoral research, completed in 2009, focused on the impact of masculinity and exclusion on the sexual risk taking of young men. His other research interests include exploring the links between alcohol use and sexual health in young people and the development of effective policy and practice to improve the emotional and physical sexual health of excluded and vulnerable young men and women.