The Foundation training takes place over 10 weekends each year (October-July).
All Foundation psychotherapeutic theory and practice, including Transactional Analysis (TA), is held within an eco-systemic frame of reference and viewed through a lens of intersectionality.
We encourage the development of ongoing self-reflection, co-creativity, curiosity, relationality and critical thinking as a part of the learning process to become an ethical and competent psychotherapist and/or ecological practitioner.
Every weekend the learning takes particular account of the ecological spaces in which we live and learn, including ‘getting on the move’ in accessible natural settings.
We foster a co-creative and relational learning environment through an experiential style of teaching/delivery to open up reflective spaces to stimulate your own thinking and practices. We invite deeper inquiry, active participation, curiosity and interactive dialogue within pairs/triads and the bigger group to lift your learning.
We have a practise-based approach to our delivery of all theory which involves critical reflection upon all theory and developing core therapeutic skills to support the work you do in both indoor and natural spaces. All theoretical input is consolidated and expanded upon with required reading between weekends of the teaching notes/powerpoints and further reading within the literature.
We emphasise throughout the training how ‘practice’ not only refers to interventions with clients but also to our own personal practices. You develop your own intentions and learning aims for the year with ecological and spiritual practices to support your own well-being (body-mind, soul, spirit) and the work you do as a psychotherapist and/or ecological practitioner.
The Foundation Year covers core topics in these Course Modules:
- Ecological Philosophy, Theory + Practices;
- Ego states & Transactions;
- Script & Motivation;
- Games, Rackets & Enactments
- The Therapeutic Relationship
- Contracting & Ethical Practice
- Assessment + Treatment Direction;
- Therapeutic Skills;
- Somatic Experience & the Body;
- Neuroscience & Human Development;
- Approaches within TA and the wider fields
- Specific mental health difficulties, client issues & contexts’.
- Writing & Research;
Theoretical Learning Aims
We have a practise-based approach to our delivery of all theory which involves your own critical reflection to consider how theory might relate to and support the work you do as an psychotherapist:
- introduction to core eco-philosophy, theory developments and practices;
- build experiential understanding of the core TA concepts covered on the TA101;
- learning of core psychotherapeutic theory and practice, including TA, within an eco-systemic frame of reference through a lens of intersectionality;
- develop your capacities to reflect upon and apply theory to understand and relate to self, others and he more-than-human;
- begin to learn skills and competencies in contracting, assessment and treatment direction with a range of mental health difficulties (Axis I);
- begin to locate different TA theoretical perspectives within the wider fields of other theoretical psychotherapeutic approaches;
Personal Development
We emphasise how ‘practice’ not only refers to interventions with clients but also to our own personal practices.
- develop your own intentions and learning aims for the year with ecological and spiritual practices to support your own well-being (body-mind, soul, spirit) and reflectivity as a psychotherapist.
- reflect and apply your learning to your own script process and relating to self, others, the more-than-human within the contexts of the wider world.
Practice Learning Aims
We learn and practice core therapeutic skills and interventions to support the work you do with clients in both indoor and natural spaces as a psychotherapist and/or ecological practitioner:
-
introduction to ecological practices: rites of passage (intention, severance, threshold and return), sufficiency, containment, eco-biography, discipline and ‘clean’ practice.
-
begin to develop skills in contracting, assessment and treatment direction to begin your voluntary placement (Axis I mental health difficulties);
-
understanding of the therapeutic relationship and different ways of relating;
-
core therapeutic skills to support the ‘internal work’ with clients ie. presence skills, movement exercises, storytelling, ritual.
-
navigating the terrain of the psychotherapeutic process; interventions to facilitate the process of change ie. building the working alliance, strengthening Adult, decontamination, social control, symptomatic relief.
-
awareness of ethical thinking and practice;
-
use of supervision;
-
develop your capacity to reflect upon theory and practice.
Teaching and learning happen indoor and in natural spaces through a mixture of…
- questions of inquiry to stimulate your own reflective and creative thinking;
- experiential work;
- theoretical input with interactive dialogue and reflection in pairs/triads and in bigger group to lift learning;
- creative and embodied exercises to deepen and expand learning;
- considering and relating all theory into ‘practice’ to support the work we do with clients;
- solo reflective exercises and journalling;
- therapeutic skills learning and practice;
- required reading between weekends of teaching notes/powerpoints and within the wider psychotherapeutic and ecological literature.
We tailor our style of teaching and assessments to accommodate different learning styles and needs ie. ADD, ADHD and dyslexia.
How am I assessed?
- observed therapeutic skills practice both indoor and in natural spaces;
- keeping a reflective journal, including in an ecological space between weekends;
- mid-year and end of year tutorials;
- 1 essay of 2,000 words (Level 6) submitted in April.
- bringing an offering of your learning to group towards end of year;
- evidence of required reading between weekends of teaching notes/powerpoints and within the literature.
We tailor our style of teaching and assessing to accommodate different learning needs styles and needs ie. ADHD, ADD and dyslexia.
What qualification can I attain?
We offer qualifications to suit the needs of individual trainees See more details of Red Kite Awards and Training Structure here.
Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy (TA)
incorporating ecological philosophy and practices within an eco-systemic frame of reference.
(Foundation Year)
A stand-alone qualification or the entry to Advanced Training
Ecological Practitioner Certificate in Psychotherapy (TA)
incorporating ecological philosophy and practices within an eco-systemic frame of reference.
(Foundation Year)
A qualification for Counsellors or Psychotherapists (Advanced TA trainees or qualified Psychotherapists (TA and other modalities) who wish to develop an ecological practice to support working in natural spaces with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the next Foundation Year?
2023
- October 7th and 8th – South Liverpool
- November 11thand 12th – South Liverpool
- December 9th and 10th – South Liverpool
2024
- January 13th and 14th – South Liverpool
- February 24th and 25th – South Liverpool
- March 23th and 24th – South Liverpool
- April 26th to 28th – residential Shining Cliff Woods in Peak District (from Friday 2.00 to Sunday 3.00)
- May 25th and 26th – South Liverpool
- June 15th and 16th – South Liverpool
- July 13th and 14th – South Liverpool
Who will my Trainer(s) be?
Carol Wain (Principal Trainer);
Hayley Marshall (Core Trainer);
Visiting Trainers to be decided.
How much does the Foundation Year cost?
£2,350 for the whole year from Sept-July. The deposit is £450.00 paid to book your place (this in non-refundable). You can either pay in full or set up a standing order of £190.00 over 10 months.
How do I apply for a place?
1. Fill in enquiry form to introduce yourself to us; before applying the Training Director is happy to have a brief informal chat with you.
2. Complete and return the Red Kite Application Form found here.
3. Send a CV which should include:
- training and qualifications;
- details of relevant work and life experience;
- the 2 referees who you contact for references, one professional and the other personal.
4. Write a brief personal statement giving an outline of their objectives in undertaking training.
5. We will process your application and to assess your suitability and also our suitability to you.
We will offer you a formal interview with the Training Director. This interview forms the basis of Red Kite assessment of an applicant’s suitability for training and also provides an opportunity for the applicant to find out more about the requirements of psychotherapy training and the Red Kite training programme in particular.
How do I pay for my place?
We will send you the Red Kite bank details upon offering you a place on the course.
What is the location?
Greenbank Sports Academy, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, L17 1AG (see directions here) The course will be on ZOOM if Covid restrictions do not allow.
Is there car parking?
There is free car parking at Greenbank college or Greenbank Sports Academy or round Sefton Park
Where is the nearest train station or bus route?
The nearest train stations are St Michael’s or Mossley Hill
What are the timings of the training days?
10am to 5pm. Please arrive at 9:45 on Saturday for registration.
Do I need to bring my own refreshments/lunch?
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at the beginning of the day and at mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks.
You can bring lunch or there are shops/cafés nearby. Directions will be given on the day. There is an on-site cafeteria open on Saturday only.
Is there any pre-course reading or handouts?
Comprehensive handouts, PowerPoints, teaching notes, reading list will be given to you as part of the training. Please bring pen and notebook for your own notes.
Enquire Online
If you are interested in booking onto a course, the first step is to fill in the form below, we will then call you to discuss everything.