Creative Therapy with Children and Young Adults

PROPOSED PARTICIPANTS

Many professionals want to work with children but lack the skills needed to achieve an effective working relationship. This course has been designed for professionals with an interest in increasing their skills and knowledge of working therapeutically with children. This includes teachers, NHS workers, counsellors, nursery workers, care workers, mentors, youth workers, or people who want to gain a qualification in working with children and young adults.

OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE SYLABUS 2005 - 2006

(Weekend 1.)

(Weekend 2.)

Developing a Working Alliance with Group Members

Producing a Professional Framework

Aims and Objectives

Group Agreement for the Training Contract

Bonding and Attachment

Healthy Attachments

Effects of Trauma and Attachment

Disorders of Attachment

The Attachment Disordered Child

Criteria for Assignments

Developing a Working Alliance with the Child

Working Effectively with Young Adult

Skills Development

Working with Children and the Law

Ethical Consideration when Working

Issues Related to Bereavement and Loss

Working with the Bereaved Child

Working with Bereaved Adult

The Stages of Loss and Bereavement

Support for the Bereaved Child

Working Inclusively with Professionals, Families and Carers.

(Weekend 3.)

(Weekend 4.)

Working Creatively with Children

Sand Tray

Play Therapy

Art Work

Group Work with Children & Adults

Working Effectively with Adolescents

Identity and Self-esteem

Working with Anger

Safe Practice

Drug Abuse

Alcohol Abuse

Professional Practice

Framework for Assessments (DSMIV)

Assessing Stress, Depression and Anxiety

Writing Professional Reports

Endings

Submission of Written Project

Submission of Learning Journal

Course Assignments & Written Project

Each participant is required to produce a 5,000 word essay on one aspect of the training course. This is to be agreed between participants and Course Tutor. You will be given advice, support and guidance on the Written Project. Each student is required to produce a Learning Journal. This is to enable participants to reflect upon the learning process of each module. The participants are required to complete one entry per module. You will be provided with criteria for the Learning Journal.

The Course Syllabus will be reflected upon during the course. The aim of the course is to obtain 100% attendance. Participants will be responsible for their own learning and will be expected to complete the required Assignments by weekend 4.

WHO ARE THE COURSE FACILITATORS

The course facilitators are Pat Shea-Halson and Jackie Raven. Pat has a proven record in achieving high levels of success working with children; she works as an integrative Psychotherapist and has a lot of experience working with children and young adults. Pat has many years experience of facilitating courses, she is the Director of the Centre for Personal Development and Lectures in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She creates a relaxed atmosphere, and through her warm, friendly approach, encourages group participation and interaction. Jackie Raven works as a Psychotherapist. She also Lectures in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She has a lot of experience working as a Child and Family Therapist. She has a warm, friendly approach to teaching and always makes the sessions informative and enjoyable. She is an excellent facilitator and has extensive experience in effective communication. Pat and Jackie's teaching style has been described as dynamic.

ASSIGNMENTS

Participants will be assessed during the course. Participants will be given a marking sheet with the Assignment Criteria for each Assignment. The Course Tutor will give participants the information needed to complete the course work. Additional support will be provided to help participants organize and structure their course work.

ASSIGNMENTS REFERRED

If the participant is referred on an Assignment, they will be given written feedback on the marking sheet, stating the reasons why the Assignment has been referred. The participant will then be given a submission date to re-submit the Assignment. We will endeavour to support students with their written work and Assignments.

STUDENTS LEARNING JOURNAL

Participants are requested to keep a Learning Journal. During the course participants will write in the Journal reflecting upon their thoughts and feelings during each module. This will give participants an opportunity to look at the ways in which they are reflecting upon their self-awareness and personal growth and development. The Learning Journal will also reflect the learning process and acknowledge the participant's integration of the skills learnt during the course.

MONITORING LEARNING OBJECTIVES IN JOURNAL

Participants will also identify learning objective in their Journal and monitor the ways in which they achieve their learning outcomes during the course. They will also document the ways in which they are applying their skills, and developing their self-awareness. The Journal will also assist with their professional development.

REVIEW PARTNERS

Participants will have a Review Partner; this is similar to a Study Buddy and part of the course criteria. They are required to meet on a monthly basis. The aim of the Review Partner is to enable them to review the course, their aims, objectives, and skills, together in a supportive and encouraging way.

COURSE ACCREDITATION

The Course is accredited with the (AAMCC) the Association for Accrediting and Moderating Counselling Courses. The External Moderator will evaluate and moderate the course work to ensure it meets the required standard.

MODERATION OF COURSE

The date for the Moderation will be given to students to submit work. All of the course work needs to be submitted on this date. The Moderator will provide a Written Report which will be given to the participants to keep in their Personal and Professional Record of Achievement.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING

Although responsibility for learning lies with the individual, continuous reflection upon learning experiences will be encouraged through the use of the Learning Journal. The Centre for Personal Development will endeavour to develop an atmosphere where each person feels secure enough to engage in learning experiences, which are both personally and professionally challenging and meaningful.

PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The course is designed to encourage personal growth and self-awareness through its experiential approach; and through personal development exercises in small groups, within the large group and one-to-one exercises.

HOME STUDY

During the course home study and reading will form an important part of the course. Participant needs to put at least 4 hours a week aside for home study. The Course Tutors will also provide articles to read and suggest course books and other articles to be obtained by the participants.

WHAT ARE YOU AWARDED AT THE END OF THE COURSE?

On completion of course and for fulfilling the course criteria participants will be presented with the following Award: Diploma in Creative Therapy With Children and Young Adults.

WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

This course has been specifically designed in an interactive style. This style has been chosen because it provides excellent ways of working effectively with children and young adults. We will also introduce you to our accelerated learning programme and motivational learning techniques which will help you to learn and maintain the information learnt during the course. The course will help participants to gain a better understanding of the skills necessary to work in a therapeutic, creative manner with children and young adults. We believe that the learning environment is just as important to adults as it is to children and we therefore ensure that we provide an opportunity to learn, have fun, and engage in a rich, meaningful learning experience. The Course Tutors will demonstrate how to use these techniques to work effectively with children and young adults.

WHAT MAKES THIS COURSE SO SPECIAL?

The course is unique. It is student-centred and it is an enjoyable experience. Studies have shown the more enjoyable the learning process, the easier it is to learn. No other course offers this blend of theory, skills, personal growth and professional development. Here at the Centre for Personal Development the staff and students work together in a warm, friendly, collaborative relationship. This is a first class course. This is the only course in the country which uses the unique learning techniques provided by the Centre for Personal Development. We use accelerated learning techniques to help the participant retain the knowledge taught on the course. We also use motivational learning techniques to help participants to enjoy the learning process and integrated the learning process in a more pleasant manner.

PLACES ARE LIMITED ON THIS COURSE

This is the only course of its kind in the country. Because this is a unique course there is a high demand for it.