'The course offers a rare opportunity to learn about conflict resolution from a number of hand-picked, highly inspirational people. The support given throughout the course is excellent and the safe environment created at each session is truly exemplary.' (Student 2011-12)

This course aims to provide a thorough training in working with individuals, groups and teams. It is designed for professionals who are required to facilitate groups, be that in residential settings (such as prisons or therapeutic communities), in a more public context or when there is conflict. This includes group workers, community leaders, mediators, educators as well as coaches, counsellors and organisational consultants.

This training intensive explores the link between more individualised approaches to reconciliation such as counselling and working with dual and larger systems. The course recognises the larger dynamics behind all conflict and the common ground shared by enemies.
Counselling skills complement both group facilitation and conflict resolution skills and include unconditional positive regard, respect and authenticity. The principles of non-violent communication underpin these activities.

By drawing course participants from a wide variety of professional backgrounds the course community will provide a rich and fertile environment for challenge, support and personal development.
The training is run by NAOS in conjunction with the The Forgiveness Project, whose own methodologies and contributions to the field of restorative justice are an integral part of this course.

To download the new flyer, click here.

Faculty: The faculty includes Prof Renos Papadopoulos, Marina Cantacuzino, Ulrike Encke, Hen Wilkinson, Indra Adnan, Tineke Brackel, Paul Croal, Masi Noor, Maria Arp, Sandra Barefoot, Jaap Westerbos and Bernd C. Leygraf (Course Directors).

Dates: October 2013 - October 2014, one full day per month plus four weekend intensives (Saturday to Sunday, 10.00 - 17.30, non-residential, total: 21 days). In addition course participants are required to take part in twice monthly peer sessions for support, skills training and discussion. 

Location: Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA, London. www.resourceforlondon.org

Fees: £1650, payable by one deposit of £100 (to reserve your place), plus 10 instalments of £155 a month. £100 discount for applicants who book their place before 1st June 2013. Fees paid upfront are reduced by 10%. Some bursaries are available for particularly gifted and motivated applicants. 

• Student Testimonials

  • “Just wanted to say a huge thank you for what transpired to be an amazing opening to the diploma, Jaap & Bernd are 2 of the most incredible facilitators I have ever met and I can say my experience was one of an assortment of words including, openess, newness, differences and I could go on and on!”
    Tracey Ford, Founding Director JAGS Foundation

    
    “One of the most rewarding experiences of my life. More challenging and fulfilling than you could imagine”. (Student 2011-12)

    
    “The course offers a rare opportunity to learn about conflict resolution from a number of hand-picked, highly inspirational people. The support given throughout the course is excellent and the safe environment created at each session is truly exemplary.” (Student 2011-12)

    
    “I am very impressed by the course so far and I can be very cynical and arrogant when it comes to training as my previous career was designing courses for years (for the legal profession which is different but I can tell a good course from a badly designed one).
    You definitely got the balance of practice versus theory right but also my God you all know so well what you are doing!!  You and Bernd are great, you really know how to communicate and push our boundaries but create a safe environment at the same time. Difficult balance to strike...  I am also ever so impressed by Renos Papadapoulos.  The way he held everyone's attention so well all day was remarkable... If all your guest speakers are as good as you guys and him, we will have a great year.”
    Yeshim Harris, Director Engi

    
    “I am absolutely loving the course!!”
    Sue Dominey
    
    

    “Overall, a potentially life-informing course.” London-2012

     
    "Blew my socks off" The course tutors are utterly magical.” N.A. London-2012
     

    "One of the most extraordinary years of my life.” R.H. London-2012

   
   
• Full Course Content
  • 
    Course content
    
    Group Facilitation
    1. The core principles and values underpinning successful facilitation work: creating an environment of trust, observing group process, intervention skills, handling conflict and complex situations
    2. Tools and techniques used in facilitation: story telling, dialogue skills, appreciative inquiry, Gestalt cycle, Transactional Analysis
    3. The role of the facilitator: use of self, presence, authenticity, holding and containment
    4. Psychological theory underpinning group facilitation: Tuckman (1965), Schwarz (2002), Doyle (2003) et al.
    
    Conflict Resolution
    1. The principles of non-violent communication. Language of responsibility, feedback, personal ownership, projections, emotional availability, the quality of the relationship, shadow functions
    2. Working with cultural differences, including gender, race, sexuality, victim and perpetrator cultures
    3. Working with a variety of value systems
    4. The use of mindfulness
    5. Working with dual and larger systems
    
    Counselling Skills
    1. Carl Rogers’ core conditions: empathy, authenticity and respect
    2. Intimate relationship skills
    3. Disclosure and transparency: Transactional Analysis, Karpman’s Drama Triangle
    4. Ethical practice and establishing and holding boundaries
    5. Active listening
    6. Verbal and non-verbal skills
    
    Additional teaching
    1. Principles of Soft Power
    2. Hellinger’s hidden symmetry of love
    3. Inspirational Leadership
    4. Working cross culturally
    
    Methodology
    The programme combines didactic and experiential learning, skills training in triads and small groups, guided reading and large group process.
    
    Faculty
    The faculty represents a wide range of expertise in the field of conflict resolution, group facilitation and counselling. For biographies see: About Us.
    Prof Renos Papadopoulos, Marina Cantacuzino, Ulrike Encke, Hen Wilkinson, Indra Adnan, Tineke Brackel, Paul Croal, Masi Noor, Maria Arp, Sandra Barefoot, Jaap Westerbos and Bernd C. Leygraf (Course Directors).
    
    Handbook
    All course participants will be provided with an extensive course handbook, including handouts, code of ethics, assessment forms, essay title, a reading list and more.
    
    Course dates 2013/2014
    The course runs from October 2013 until October 2014: one full Saturday per month plus four weekend intensives (Saturday to Sunday, 10.00 - 17.30 non-residential). Total: 21 days. In addition course participants are required to take part in twice monthly peer sessions for support, skills training and discussion.
    
    Dates
    October 2013 - October 2014, one full day per month plus four weekend intensives (Saturday to Sunday, 10.00 - 17.30, non-residential, total: 21 days).
    
    Day 1 + 2: Weekend 1, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October, 2013
    Day 3: Saturday 16 November, 2013
    Day 4: Saturday 30 November, 2013
    Day 5: Saturday 21 December, 2013
    Day 6: Saturday 18 January, 2014
    Day 7: Saturday 8 February, 2014
    Day 8 + 9: Weekend 2, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March, 2014
    Day 10: Saturday 22 March, 2014
    Day 11: Saturday 12 April, 2014
    Day 12: Saturday 10 May, 2014
    Day 13: Saturday 31 May, 2014
    Day 14 + 15: Weekend 3, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, 2014
    Day 16: Saturday 5 July, 2014
    Day 17: Saturday 26 July, 2014
    Day 18: Saturday 6 September, 2014
    Day 19: Saturday 27 September, 2014
    Day 20 + 21: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, 2014
    
    Assessment
    To qualify for the Diploma students are required to complete one 3500 words case study, active participation, have fully paid all course fees and attend a minimum of 90% of the course.
    
    Award
    A Diploma in Group Facilitation, Conflict Resolution and Counselling Skills. Graduates may apply to UKAHPP (Association for Humanistic Psychology Practitioners) for national accreditation as group facilitator (or mediator).
    
    Entry Requirements: 
    Ability to work at HE Diploma level..
    No less than 1 year experience working with people.
    
    Accreditation
    A Diploma in Group Facilitation, Conflict Resolution and Counselling Skills. Graduates may apply to UKAHPP (Association for Humanistic Psychology Practitioners) for national accreditation as group facilitator (or mediator).
    
    Fees
    £1650, payable by one deposit of £100 (to reserve your place), plus 10 instalments of £155 a month. £100 discount for applicants who book their place before 1st June 2013. Fees paid upfront are reduced by 10%.Some bursaries are available for particularly gifted and motivated applicants. 
    
    Application process
    Applicants are required to complete the application form (click here).
    This will be followed by a telephone interview. If offered a place, a course contract will have to be completed and an initial deposit of £100 to secure a place.
    
    
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