Deep Release E-Newsletter June 2011

Dear Friends

May was a very busy month, with Deep Release and Barnabas training courses, Regional Groups and business meetings keeping us fully occupied.  I read in the paper today that we need a holiday every 62 days.   After our break for a few days after Easter, I guess that means I'm due my next one in July!   Whoopee!  Fitting in regular breaks from this demanding profession feels like a very good idea but it can be so easy for diaries to get filled up, and also for the urgent to override the important.  Finding time-out every day usually isn't so difficult for me, but having quality time away from the office is more so.  Running a business (or two) from home means that phone calls can come morning, noon and evening (not usually in the night!), and it can feel like you never really get time off.  Which was why the day with Adrian and Bridget Plass did us a power of good!  I reckon a good laugh must be the equivalent of at least a weekend away!  And in the midst of looking at quite difficult issues, we certainly did laugh that day, and came away thoroughly refreshed.

We do set a high priority on making our courses enjoyable so that you feel you can 'get away from it all' a bit when you do some training with us.  Both Chris and I like to make the training days dynamic, very visual and interactive, and we both like to see the funny side of things.  This can be tricky when it's a heavy subject, but next Sunday, 5th June's Psychoeducation for Clients promises to keep you fully engaged, stimulated and encouraged!  This will be a time when participants can exchange information on the tools they use, and learn from Chris how to teach clients basic principles which can change their lives.  It's empowering and potentially life-changing, helping them to be experts in their own process.  And there's free laminates for everyone who comes on the day!  Book today to make sure of your place!

Friday might not be as easy a day as we are looking at Extreme Reactions (3rd June).  We have narrowed this day down to Self-Harm and Suicide - it used to include Anorexia, but this has moved to the Eating Disorders day, so there's more time for these two very challenging topics.  I've got some new video clips looking at casework, and also counsellors' reactions, and there will be a chance for participants to share their own - sometimes extreme - reactions to these difficult subjects.  You can still book in if you do it today!

Saturday 4th June is Patterns in the Mind and we are thrilled to have author and teacher Margaret Wilkinson coming to talk to us about using metaphor and narrative in trauma work.  I had a phone call from a friend recently who said, "I've just read this brilliant book called 'Coming into Mind' by Margaret Wilkinson - it's so Deep Release!"   When I told her Margaret herself was coming to talk to us, she was delighted and promptly booked her place on the day!  Do come and join us - again, time is short, so why not book now?  Just let us know if you need bursary help, it's always there.

Another key teacher, Adah Sachs, is coming back on Friday 8th July for Coming to a Conclusion.  This day is an absolute must for all those working with trauma and dissociation, or interested in the subject.  Maybe you are wondering if your client has got a dissociative disorder - how can you tell?  And what about Integration?  Is it possible, and what does that mean?  Along with Adah we are delighted to have GP Alison Anderson talking about working with DID clients in the surgery.  This would be a great day for you to bring social workers, CPNs, doctors and other health professionals along to. 

The two days following are also crucial for all counsellors and health care workers:  Saturday 9th July is Mental Health Issues in Counselling and Sunday 10th July Understanding Personality Disorders, two great training days to equip and inspire you.  Chris and Pauline will be teaching on these days.

Keep an eye on the Barnabas Counselling Training website where details of all our courses are advertised - maybe you'd like to start training as a counsellor, or perhaps you are ready for a Diploma?  Maybe your church would like to run our Pastoral Care course?  Just let us know what you need, and we'll do our best to find you a training site in your area.

Well, if I need a total break every 62 days, perhaps we need to stop and do something relaxing every 62 minutes... and my time's up!  Time to remember that God's heart is for us to know the "unforced rhythms of grace" (Matthew 11:28-31, The Message) rather than being over-burdened.    So... who's turn is it to put the kettle on...?

With love

Chris & Pauline