Five days to change your life!...
KNOW YOURSELF! THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CO-COUNSELLING: a five-day course
Leeds, Autumn 2008

When I first participated in a co-counselling course it had a big impact on how I viewed myself, and how I held back from relating authentically with the world. What I got most from co-counselling was a sense of freedom to be myself - I felt I had permission to explore inside myself without being disapproved of if I found something unpleasant.

The aim of this course is to help you live autonomously, creatively and in touch with your emotions, uncovering hidden parts of yourself. Co-counselling challenges the view that some feelings are taboo and that you should not have them. It can help you come to terms with your past and your present, so that your feelings have less of a grip on you. This is a powerful opportunity to develop self-awareness, authenticity and personal strength.

Co-counselling is a peer-based therapeutic system based on mutual exchange and using a variety of techniques you will learn on the course: it draws from Gestalt, process oriented psychology (POP), psychodynamic, humanistic, bodywork, psychodrama and cognitive approaches.

The course is an integrated and therapeutic experience in its own right: even if you decide not to do any co-counselling after the course, the two weekends will give you a space to experience and confront yourself within a therapeutic and supportive group setting.

After the course you may choose to utilize co-counselling skills with a co-counselling partner or in a group. Successful completion of the course allows you access to the local, national or international CCI (Co-Counselling International) network and its workshops. CCI residential workshops have provided me personally with a unique and liberating space to grow, play, and to challenge myself. See the link above.

NB. Co-counselling does not replace work with a professional therapist: it should be seen as an additional and complementary way of therapeutic working. It is not suitable for people who are dependent on statutory or voluntary sector services for emotional support or who are prone to psychotic episodes (i.e. emotional breakdown accompanied by lack of awareness of reality).

Richard Mills 2007

FEEDBACK
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The following feedback is from participants on courses facilitated by Richard Mills and Elisabeth Macdonald.

‘This weekend has changed my life’

‘I appreciated the energy and authenticity the trainers brought to the course’

‘Inspiring and liberating. I also enjoyed the variety of activities and teaching methods.’

‘I appreciated the creation of such a safe atmosphere.’

‘The course has given me hope that I can discover my potential.’

‘I thought Elisabeth and Richard made a good team – skilled and sensitive facilitation.’

‘A well planned, well facilitated and balanced course – it was also great fun.’

Personal feedback from co-counsellors about Richard Mills

'I warmed to Richard's thoughtful facilitation and creation of a safe space for us to explore our feelings. I was pleased and surprised with how much I learnt about myself over the two weekends of the course.' D.H., Wakefield

'You were an easy going facilitator that enabled me to feel at ease throughout the training. Your sense of humor allowed me to bring clarity and focus to the issues I found most challenging. For this I am most grateful.' C.C., Leeds.

'Brilliant facilitator…Thank you.'

'I appreciate the care you put into the ‘Here and Now ’ facilitation. Thank you.'

'… The group responded magnificently to your masterly facilitation so that a wide range of distress was exposed and worked on. I left…in touch with my true self…'

‘I appreciate the creativity and thought you put into your workshops.’

'Thanks for…contributing so much, with your workshops. You enriched my weekend.'

'Challenging and stimulating but always dependable. Safe guy.'

'Thanks for your workshops…I feel inspired by you.'

'You expose reality in a way that is illuminating for me. Thank you.'

'I like your clarity and directness…the caring in your facilitation.'

'I am encouraged by your courage, honesty and integrity.'

'You are a wise, astute, sensitive and warm man.'

'Thanks for the challenges.'

'Your facilitation of your Celebration workshop was brilliant. I appreciate your support.'

Feedback from co-counsellors about Co-Counselling International
Click here click to see further feedback comments.

Feedback from confidence-building courses

"I found the whole course to be very effective, especially the work on presentation techniques."
P.S., Leeds.

''A great opportunity to look at situations from another perspective and practice doing things differently. It was good to meet people facing similiar issues and explore in greater depth my own.''
Course participant, Leeds.

Feedback about Richard Mills' professional counselling with individuals:

(NB.Because each therapeutic relationship is unique and is a joint enterprise between therapist and client, I have had all sorts of reactions. One of the things that keeps me doing this work is the powerful reactions from some people about just how helpful this kind of process can be. In order to preserve confidentiality I am mostly not repeating, in the section below, anyone's exact words, but I print below some of the types of comments I have had. The first one is verbatim.)

'Having worked with you for over two years, I have the greatest respect for your unfailing presence, your professionalism, your focus, your understanding and your abilities as a therapist.'

'If I hadn't seen you, all of the final year at college would have been wasted.'

'This has helped me realise it wasn't all my fault.'

'I feel like a new me.'

'I know myself so much better now.'

'I wish I could have seen you for longer, but I feel like I'm on the right path now.'

'Just the one session helped me make some important decisions.'

'I am amazed at how you have understood me: I feel more understood by you than by anyone else.'

.....................Book soon to avoid disappointment: places are limited. Act now and make it happen!