SPP

When:  July 24th - 26th inclusive (Friday 4pm - Sunday 2pm)
Where: Claridge House, Surrey, UK
How much: £449 includes:

i) pre-course reader (60 pages PDF file) and course reader (40 pages printed booklet), which contain course material and key articles
ii) books by course team: Tim Lebon's Wise Therapy and Antonia Macaro's Reason, Virtue and Psychotherapy
iii) accommodation and food

Concessions: £399 for full-time students and registered unemployed, reductions: £10 for SPP members - note only one reduction can apply.

Facilitators: Tim LeBon, Antonia Macaro, David Arnaud 

Full payment, by cheque or PayPal, is required on booking. A cancellation charge of 25% is payable if cancellations are made more than 6 weeks before the course; refunds are not normally possible if bookings are cancelled withing six weeks of the course date. Whilst every effort will be made to run the course at the date specified, the SPP reserves the right to cancel courses and substitute trainers where necessary.

What is Philosophical Counselling?
Philosophical counselling uses philosophical methods and insights to help individuals reflect, think and act more wisely. Specific issues include meaning crises, relationship issues, and career dilemmas.

Newspaper articles on the SPP and Philosophical Counselling.
The Independent on Sunday, October 2nd 2005 I think, therefore I am in need of Socrates
The Independent 16th November 2004: Plato is my Agony Aunt
The Observer Magazine Sunday November 21, 2004: I shrink therefore I am 

What will this course provide?
· Intensive study of the theory behind philosophical counselling.
· Practical experience with discussion and reflection on this practice. 
· Certificate from the Society For Philosophy In Practice, which provides part fulfilment of the requirements to be registered with the Society as a practising philosophical counsellor.

Course requirements
The course is open to everyone interested in finding out more about philosophical counselling. A strong interest in the practical application of philosophy is required. It is beneficial for participants to have gained counselling skills experience before attending the residential part of the course, by, for instance, taking a course in counselling skills.

Course topics
We will explore many key topics, including:-
· What is philosophical counselling? 
· How can it be useful to clients?
· What methods and skills are used in philosophical counselling?
· Practice sessions giving you experience as both counsellor and client 

Facilitators
Tim LeBon is a philosophical counsellor with a private practice in London. He gained a first in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and later trained as an existential counsellor at Regent's College, London. Tim was the founding editor of Practical Philosophy, and is the author of Wise Therapy: Philosophy for Counsellors published by Sage. He also teaches philosophy, counselling and personal development in London.

Antonia Macaro has an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MA in Philosophy. She has worked for many years in the field of addictive behaviours and currently practises as an existential therapist and as a supervisor. Her approach is a blend of philosophical and more mainstream therapeutic ideas and methods. She is particularly inspired by Aristotle's ideas about the good life, which she has explored in her book Reason, Virtue and Psychotherapy.

David Arnaud is a lecturer in philosophy and psychology, with a degree in Philosophy and an MSc in the Psychology of Education. David is a registered philosophical counsellor and a former editor of Practical Philosophy, and has a particular research interest in wise decision-making.

Itinerary
Part 1: distance learning, to be completed before July 1st, 2009
Part 2: 3-day residential weekend workshop at Claridge House, Surrey, UK. Friday July 24th 2009 (4pm) to Sunday July 26th (2pm)
Part 3: distance learning, to be completed before August 1st 2010

Claridge House
Claridge House is a Quaker centre for healing, rest and renewal. It is situated in the small Surrey village of Dormansland, and stands in about two acres of beautiful gardens with many fine trees. The house is over 150 years old.  Claridge House is only 15 miles from Gatwick Airport and easily accessible by road and rail.

Course Certificate
As well as participation in the course itself, delegates will be asked to complete a piece of written work at the end of the course to demonstrate their understanding of philosophical counselling. Upon successful completion a certificate will be issued by the Society for Philosophy in Practice. 
 

Register
The society maintains a register of philosophical counsellors it deems to have met minimum standards of competency. This course fulfils part of the requirements for entry on the register. 
 

What Participants Said About Previous Courses
"I really enjoyed myself & have learnt a great deal. Lovely tutors - very approachable."
"I think the course was fantastic. It was stimulating and challenging but in a safe and friendly environment. Thanks a lot."
"The tutors were all very friendly, an important part of any course"
"Tutors complement each other very well and impressed about way such a diverse student group was handled"
"Thank you all for a lot of hard work and a very enjoyable course"
"Tutors worked very hard and seem dedicated to producing the best possible course"