Learn Co-Counselling

Co-Counselling courses are experiential (you learn by trying things out). Typically the teacher introduces ideas and ways of working in co-counselling, participants then try these out in a short session. Afterwards there is a sharing how that went and questions are answered.

Local Gatherings

There is a variety of local gatherings. Some are the so-called Community or Open co-counselling days. Then there are the ongoing support groups. Generally the format of the meeting is a round 'Needs, wants and offers' after which people negotiate what will happen next. Usually this will involve either a group activity or session, or else people pair up and have two-way sessions. Sometimes there is a part facilitated by someone on a particular theme.

Further skills workshops

These are workshops where people can learn more advanced co-counselling skills under the guidance of a teacher or experienced Co-counsellor.

Residential Events

These are either a week-end (including the Monday if it's a Bank Holiday) or a whole week. A small group (say 3-4 people) will book a venue and do the necessary publicity. The organising group will welcome people to the event, and host the initial opening circle which gets the event started. They will also devise a blank timetable structure, which usually has spaces for morning and afternoon workshops. Evening activities are generally more social, relaxation or fun based (singing, games, cabaret, dancing, bonfires, music, massage etc, or just chatting). Cost varies from event to event, but most are low to medium cost. Many offer cheaper prices if you camp.

As the residential progresses the blank workshop spaces are filled by workshops that people either want or offer. These workshops are either peer-led or facilitated by the person who offers. They are either strictly co-counselling based, or non-co-counselling, or else a mixture of the two. The person who suggested the workshop makes it clear what is on offer. The workshops often have a theme e.g. loss, saying goodbye, choosing, voice-work, body-work, sound and voice, drama therapy, ''Five Dances''. The list is almost endless. You attend the workshops that appeal to you.