Courses and Workshops

Personal and Professional Development

I offer a programme of courses and workshops that can be tailored to suit your individual, group or organizational needs.

My interest in teaching mindfulness stems from practicing meditation for over 25 years. This practice has given me an in depth personal experience of the core practices of Mindfulness-based approaches and has offered me the opportunity to cultivate open-heartedness and the courage and willingness to face difficulties with kindliness and friendliness. I have trained in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with Professor Mark William, one of the founders of MBCT  and attended  training with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli, founders of MBSR.  I receive regular supervision from a recognized Mindfulness teacher and engage in ongoing training to continue to develop skills and understanding in delivering mindfulness based approaches.  I also regularly attend mindfulness retreats. I adhere to the UK Mindfulness Trainers Network guidance for teaching mindfulness-based courses.

I have taught mindfulness-based courses and workshops in a variety of settings and contexts including business organizations and the voluntary sector and provided training for health professionals, as well as participants on public 8-week courses and on a one:one basis in my therapy practice.

Introduction to Mindful Awareness - Workshop fee £55.00

This workshop runs three times a year, in March, June and September.  Please contact me for dates.

NEXT WORKSHOP:  SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2012

A one-day course to help you understand how mindfulness meditation can help you to:

• Cope better with long-term and short-term stress
• Gain greater energy and enthusiasm for life
• Increase confidence and improve self-esteem
• Develop a greater capacity to cope with pain and difficulty
• Discover a sense of empowerment and well-being
• Acquire valuable insight into your own inner strength and resources

The Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Programme

A weekly course of 2-hour sessions over 8 weeks.

This programme runs three times a year, in February, May and September.  Please contact me for dates.

NEXT COURSE STARTING WEDNESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2012  BETWEEN 2pm - 4pm

This experiential training in meditation practices and mindful movement practices is offered to small groups and individuals. Participants learn new ways to handle challenging emotions, moods, social interaction and physical sensations through the practice of meditation and gentle movement. The course will incorporate both Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) aspects in a form tailored to the needs of the particular individual or group.

Over eight weeks, we work together to bring awareness to the present moment through regular meditation and learn to use this skill in daily life thus bringing a greater sense of ease and calm into your life.  You will be introduced to and learn the meditation practices in class and explore your experience of those practices. The core of the approach is practice and experiential learning. The sessions focus mainly on teaching skills that develop awareness of body sensations, feelings and thoughts and some discussion of the characteristics of anxiety, depression and stress. By learning these practices, with patience and persistence, you will be able to cultivate greater contentment and a more skilful approach to life in general.

The course will teach you skills:

• To help you stay in touch with the present moment and engage more positively with the world

• To develop more appropriate responses to stress rather than reacting in unhelpful ways

You will learn:

• How to meditate by watching your breath and becoming aware of changing sensations in the body

• How to get some distance and perspective on your thoughts and feelings

To get the most out of the course you are encouraged to foster a gentle yet steadfast commitment to yourself to practice these techniques daily. Five CDs and an accompanying workbook will support your daily practice.  Simple everyday tasks like eating, walking to the post box, brushing your teeth or showering can be done mindfully.

Who is it for?

• Anyone seeking to learn how to work skilfully with depression, stress or anxiety
• Anyone interested in learning or developing mindfulness-based practice for personal or professional development

Fee: The individual fee for the 8-week course is £175, which includes a workbook and five CDs to facilitate home practice, a one-day practice retreat, and between class support via phone or email.

An individual interview is arranged before a commitment is made and a further interview is available again at the end of the course, if requested. Home practice is an essential part of the course.  People who commit themselves to one hour of practice a day benefit most from doing the course.

One day practice retreats

For those who are participating in an 8 week course and those who have completed one, this is an opportunity to deepen your Mindfulness practice.
Saturdays 10.30 – 4.00pm.

BOOKING DETAILS

If you are interested in booking a place, please send me your contact details stating which course(s) you are interested in attending, and I will forward you full booking information.