Year Four - Dharma In Psychotherapy
The emphasis of the student's work in year four is the further development of psychotherapy skills and the establishment of a professional psychotherapy practice. Active supervision will be the main vehicle of skills enhancement and learning during training seminars. In this process, students are actively engaged in observation of session work and case studies. Feedback is based on the skills of resonance and clear reflection and is focused on the therapists process. Active supervision and case studies form the core of the year's work and the student is grounded in professional practice issues and explorations. Personal work in this year revolves around the issues arising out of the psychotherapist's position. The student must recognise and be aware of overt and subtle distortions of power which may arise within this relationship. This may have particular power when issues
of abuse, or exploitation are identified. Issues of culture, race and gender and sexual orientation also must be clarified within this context.
Theoretical input will be responsive to the unfolding needs of the maturing student psychotherapist. Buddhist psychology and an arising awareness of Dharma in the psychotherapeutic relationship will continue to support the psychotherapeutic process. Meditational and reflective practices support a larger context for the work and are continued throughout the programme. The students ability to maintain and hold the psycho-therapeutic relationship and to create a safe psychotherapeutic space is emphasised. This is directly related to their ability to self-regulate and to maintain an ethical position as an expression of their inner process. To support this, ongoing personal psychotherapy and supervision is required and must be maintained throughout the training. All students are required to have some form of inner practice as a personal support for their work. Meditation, contemplative practices and personal psychotherapy are equally valued.
The student will be encouraged through this inner exploration, to be resonant with a wide spectrum of human consciousness and experience. The nature of the psycho-therapeutic relationship must be respectful and approached with humility.
All work in the fourth year is reflective of a process of transition between trainee and graduate therapist. During the year negotiated partings and separation from the Institute will be explored. Professional and personal support systems outside of the Institute will be initiated and developed.
Application and Dates
|
