Courses for the Public

Contrary to most peoples' understanding, being assertive does not mean being pushy or aggressive.

Assertive people express their feelings and ask for what they want - or say no to what they don't want - in a way that is clear, open and respectful of other people. This in turn ensures healthy, positive relationships - both at work and at home.

This course teaches you the fundamental skills and attitudes you need to enjoy the many benefits of being more assertive.

A thorough and exciting introduction to all the basic skills you need for successful and effective lay counselling.

Effective trauma counselling skills for lay counsellors.
Trauma is the emotional reaction to a shocking, unexpected event, way beyond the range of usual human experience - muggings, hijackings, sexual assault and rape, serious motor vehicle accidents and natural disasters. Counselling someone who has been involved in a traumatic event requires specialised counselling skills.

Suicide Counselling has two very specific and different dynamics:

• counselling people left behind after a friend or loved one has committed suicide. Normal grief and bereavement counselling does not touch on the particular emotions and needs of people dealing with the aftermath of a suicide.
• counselling those who want to kill themselves. Suicide prevention requires highly specialised knowledge skills.

This course is a thorough and practical introduction to this highly specialised area

Advanced Counselling Skills – Crisis Counselling

This course focuses on Crisis Counselling and is a thorough and practical introduction to this specialised area of counselling. It is aimed at Voluntary Lay Counsellors and BPsych students doing an internship as a Registered Counsellor.

A knowledge of basic counselling skills is necessary, as it takes basic counselling to the next stage by applying counselling skills and techniques to this specialized field.

The course runs over a series of 3 sessions, held over a 1 ½ day course or three half day / 4-hour sessions.

Course Content:

Session 1
Definition of Crisis
Phases of Crisis
Assumptions for Counselling
Style of Approach

Session 2
ABC Model of Crisis Counselling

Session 3
Role Play

For information on when I will be running my next Crisis Counselling Course, click on "events" in the menu bar or side bar to view my calendar.

HIV/AIDS – Education, Not Discrimination

I give this presentation to company employees on site in their own work environment, which is both familiar and convenient for them. The presentation lasts between one and one-and-a-half hours, and encompasses a comprehensive talk – including  questions from the listeners – as well as a practical portion where each person handles condoms (both male and female condoms), which we then discuss and learn about. There is no minimum group size, but in order to ensure each individual benefits fully from the presentation, I like to limit group sizes to a maximum of 25.

The talk answers the following key questions:

• What is HIV/AIDS?
• How do I get HIV/AIDS?
• The process of HIV/ AIDS infection in the body.
• What are CD4 Cells and why does one need a CD4 Count?
• Who gets infected?
• What are opportunistic diseases?
• Is HIV/AIDS curable?
• What treatments can I use?
• How can I prevent HIV infection?
• Ways the virus is NOT transmitted.
• What is VCT?
• What are my rights?
• How do I store and use a condom?
• What are female condoms and how do I use them?

Over and above the general question session included in the main talk, I will happily answer additional, confidential questions individually after the presentation.

To reinforce the information given in this talk, I provide posters, informative pamphlets and other relevant literature, as well as condoms, which are given to each individual.

I can also arrange for the company and/or individuals to have follow-up Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) administered on site by The Open Door Crisis Care Centre. It is hugely beneficial for individuals to know their HIV/AIDS status as they can then act accordingly to ensure a healthy future and productive working career.

A demographical survey can also be conducted at the company to ascertain its HIV/AIDS statistics.

A register for each group will also be taken and left with the company to assist with Skills Training tax claims.

Communication Builds the Nation

My Effective Communication Skills course imparts valuable skills that enable people to communicate with others in a way that is clear and respectful, and yet gets the desired results. It is invaluable to employees, team leaders and managers.

The course can be run over 2 full days or 4 half-day sessions. Course content is practical, and designed with the specific company in mind, that is, issues and solutions raised will be real issues experienced by employees of the company.

Areas covered include:

Session 1
Assertiveness

Session 2
Acknowledging
Summarising

Session 3
Handling Manipulation
Handling somebody who is very angry

Session 4
Giving and Receiving feedback
Reflecting