Issues of Sexual Violence – The Counselling Process

This in-depth 12 day programme is provided for counsellors and psychotherapists or those offering in-depth support who wish to enhance their understanding and skills in working with adolescent and adult clients who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is run in six two day modules on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The programme is designed to validate, enhance and develop the existing knowledge, understanding and skills of participants when working with these issues, and to allow those working in specialised areas, such as addiction, to feel equipped to deal with issues of sexual violence appropriately as they arise with their clients. The learning is relevant also to working with clients who have experienced other trauma.

The training programme is informed by trauma therapy, attachment theory, neurobiology, mindful self awareness, sensorimotor psychotherapy, body centred psychotherapy and other theories and methodologies. It is intended and taught as a practical in-service training focussed very much on the work with the client.

There is a strong emphasis throughout the training on vicarious traumatisation and strategies for maintaining the counsellor/psychotherapist’s own well being.

This course will run for twelve days in six two day modules on Wednesdays and Thursdays from November 2015 to February 2016 from 9.30 to 4.30 each day.

Dates:
Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th November 2015
Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd December 2015
Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th December 2015
Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January 2016
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th January 2016
Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th February 2016

Venue: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
Comprehensive written handouts are provided with this training programme to support the learning and to act as an ongoing resource

Issues explored will include:
Societal beliefs and attitudes concerning sexual violence and how these compound the impact on people who have experienced sexual violence
The impact of core limiting beliefs internalised by the child
The impact of sexual abuse on the child, and the longer term impact into adolescence and adulthood
An opportunity to develop an awareness of the internalised beliefs and attitudes of the counsellor/psychotherapist and their potential impact in the therapeutic process
An overview of the therapeutic process in working with sexual abuse
Understanding the impact of traumatic experiences
Guidelines for facilitating a disclosure of sexual abuse
Working with trauma and preventing re-traumatisation
Issues related to attachment and early development
Working with sexual abuse: the impact on the counsellor/psychotherapist
Creating safety: Trauma symptoms and useful strategies and self-help skills for the client
Identifying and developing the resources of the client including the resources which have been undermined by traumatic experiences
Mindful self awareness in trauma recovery
Working with boundaries
Deepening the process: working experientially
Integration as part of the therapeutic process
The immediate and long-term impact of rape and sexual assault
Crisis intervention in the aftermath of rape and sexual assault
Medical and legal issues in the aftermath of rape and sexual assault
Counselling issues when working with rape
Sexual Harassment: Definition, Impact, Law, Procedures, Counselling Issues
Sensuality and sexuality
The dynamics of abuse: issues for the counselling relationship
Finishing therapy
Vicarious traumatisation and self care strategies for the counsellor
Methods include creative and experiential elements, DVDs of client experiences, theoretical inputs, mindful self study and resourcing, case studies, role play and group interaction.

Comprehensive written handouts are provided with all DRCC training programmes to support the learning and to act as an ongoing resource

The sensitive nature of the issues being addressed and their capacity to resonate with participants is taken into account in the approach. The training methods include the use of video and audio materials, lectures, role-plays, experiential exercises, case studies and small group work.

This training is offered in the expectation that participants will have access to their own personal therapy should issues arise for them during the course.

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to participants who complete the training programme.

This training programme is recognised for CPD purposes by the Irish Council for Psychotherapy.

The fee for the course is €1,450.

Staged payment of fees can be arranged

Application: If you would like to participate in this training course, please complete the attached application form and return with €195 non-refundable deposit.

Please note that this course is intended for those with prior counselling or psychotherapy training or who are working in a counselling role, and focuses on the therapeutic process. DRCC also holds workshops and training programmes on issues of sexual violence for those in other roles. Please contact us to enquire.

For further information and to book a place on the course, please contact Leonie O’Dowd, Head of Education and Training, at 01 6614911 or email leonie@rcc.ie

To facilitate group participation, places on the course are limited, so early booking is advisable.