confidence-building
courses 2008

The following feedback is from participants on courses jointly facilitated by Elisabeth Macdonald and me.
‘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.’

Feedback from previous courses
"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

"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.

''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.

On a recent course that I ran in a community centre, the participants were asked for their feedback. The eight questions below were answered with scores of 1 (Disagree strongly) to 5 (Agree strongly) and converted to a percentage. The particpants' responses were added together to form an average:

1. I got what I wanted from the course: 65 percent
2. I feel more confident since the course started 8 weeks ago: 75 percent
3. I enjoyed the course: 75 percent
4. The handouts were useful: 75percent
5. The course tutor was effective: 85 percent
6. I would recommend the course to others: 75 percent
7. I would like to do more of this kind of training: 70 percent
8. I would like the centre to offer more of this kind of course: 75 percent
Mean average across all questions: 74.4 percent

Feedback about my work with individuals
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 anyone's exact words, but I print below some of the types of comments I have had.

'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.'

Personal feedback from people in the CCI co-counselling network about me
'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.'