Training Courses
Choose counselling training courses to support you in a wide range of professional and volunteer roles.
Our courses are validated by external validating bodies Diploma in Counsellor Supervision IACP).
The Diploma in Integrative Counselling – a Christian Perspective (COSCA)
The course is a wonderful resource for your life and is also the introduction for the Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy for those who wish to become professional counsellors.
The course embraces theology, psychology and Christian principles of tri-dimensional healing and is designed to increase other awareness, self awareness and awareness of our potential in God.
In the 21st century, the Christian faith can offer great strength to a generation that is looking for purpose and hope.
On this course you will learn about:
- communication styles
- skills in communication
- boundaries in our lives and in our work
- values, difference and diversity
- valleys in our lives and the power of the past
- your johari window
- challenge and change
The course is taught over 2 day blocks in Ireland and Scotland and often in one 3-4 day block abroad. There is worship and Bible teaching each day.
Over the past 20 years Strength to strength (formerly Listening with the Heart) has been taught all over the world, including, South Africa, China, Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Egypt.
If you have a group of 15+ people who are interested in the course please get in touch.
Trainers: Andrea Wigglesworth and Vicky McEvoy
The Cyclical Model of Supervision: Page and Woskett
This course is fully accredited by the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The Core Theoretical Model: This is a 5 stage model which helps Course participants to “Make the Most of Supervision” and also leads them through various development stages to “Becoming a Supervisor.”
This course is suitable for Counsellors and Psychologists from a wide spectrum of Counselling Theoretical orientations e.g. Person Centered: Psychodynamic and C.B.T. Some people also choose to work Cross Professionally with the Supervision model.
Admission to the course is by application form, recommendation from your current Supervisor and an interview with 2 core staff members. Please download the application form and send to Vital Connexions with a resume of your professional experience and a letter stating why you wish to undertake the course.
New on line version Modules 1 – 4 are now available (8 hours CP per module). For therapists you can work towards the full Certificate by submitting a learning journal for each module. Couples, Pastoral Care teams, Business coaches, and in fact anyone – enjoy the rich teaching and re vitalise your relationships.
See the course leaflet (PDF) »
The course contains experiential learning including triads practice in couple work, group discussion, didactic teaching, media presentations and lots of fun and energy! The work of the following writers will be integrated into the Course and students will develop skills and a professional way of being with couples.
Module 1: “Hold Me Tight” Day 1 & 2
7 Conversations for a Lifetime of Love- Adult Attachment Wounding
Based on material from Dr Sue Johnson (Emotional Focussed Therapy With Couples)
Interventions: Demon Dialogues, Raw Spots, Revisiting Rocky Moments, Engaging and Connecting, Forgiving Injuries, Bonding through Sex and Touch
Module 2: “The Conscious and Unconscious Marriage” Day 3 & 4
Based on material from Dr. Harville Hendrix.
Interventions: What is Imago Relationship Therapy, the Conscious and Unconscious Marriage, Childhood Wound, Power Struggles, Maximising and Minimizing in Relationships, Exit Strategies, Expressing Appreciations and Frustrations, Plans for Change and Shared Vision.
Module 3: “Bridging the Couple Chasm” Day 5 & 6
Based on material from Dr John and Julie Gottman PhD:
Interventions: Love Maps, Nurturing Fondness and Admiration, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and how to stop them! Solvable and Unsolvable Problems, Overcoming Gridlock, Turning Towards, The Sound Relationship House and Shared Meaning.
Module 4: “Sexuality / Helping Couples Get Past the Affair” Day 7 & 8
Based on the work of Douglas Snyder.
- A three stage approach in both theoretical understanding and treatment interventions.
- To help couples to understand and cope with what they are experiencing in the moment.
- To help the couple develop a clear and complete understanding of how they reached the crisis.
- To offer couples an explicit strategy for how to work through the crisis and move on.
Sex : Love and Intimate Relationships
Based on the work of Diamond and Robert Firestone (Voice Therapy)
The new Diploma in Integrative Counselling- A Christian Perspective will start in September 2023. The Diploma will be Directed in Edinburgh by Lynn Millar who is Director of a new training organisation called Vital Pathways . Any questions about the new course in Edinburgh please email- info@vitalpathwaystraining.com. For those who wish to study in Belfast, Laura Wylie is the Director of a new Training organisation in Northern Ireland called Connexions Training. Any questions about the new course in Northern Ireland please email info@connexionstraining.com
Interviews will take place between January- April 2023.
Upcoming Courses
Certificate in Integrative Counselling – A Christian Perspective
Cost £150, Available online NOW to do in your own time. Register now.
This Certificate Course is for those who wish to do some skills training in their own time without a facilitator. Please note that if you wish to continue to the Diploma in 2023, we are asking you to do the face to face option so that you get to work with a group and practice skills with a tutor present.
Certificate in Integrative Counselling – A Christian Perspective Edinburgh 2023
Cost £150, Available online NOW to do in your own time. Register now.
This Certificate Course is for those who wish to do some skills training in their own time without a facilitator. Please note that if you wish to continue to the Diploma in 2023, we are asking you to do the face to face option so that you get to work with a group and practice skills with a tutor present.
CPD Track
Soaring in your strengths – Available online now
Cost £100, Available now.
Working with Clients Online
Cost £55, Available now
Couples/Relationship Coaching NOW AVAILABLE
An online course in your own time