Centre for Stress Management
Established in 1987
Providing training and consultancy services for over 35 years
All courses are now delivered using the zoom virtual training platform
Primary Certificate & CPD Courses/modules
INTRODUCTION
Primary certificate programmess are usually of 2-day duration. A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review (PPR) within a set period. An extension can be negotiated if necessary otherwise a late submission fee of £20 is charged for late assignments.
If learners only wish to obtain a CPD certificate for their CPD logbooks/records, and not the full primary certificate, then they can enrol for the CPD course only. This is at a lower fee. Later, if they then decide to obtain the full primary certificate they can take the PPR assignment and pay extra for the examination fee.
Do note that a couple of programmes are only run in-house for organisations.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN STRESS MANAGEMENT
CONTENT
This two-day course includes the theory of stress and its management. The course takes a multimodal cognitive-behavioural approach to stress management and is based on current research and practice. Some of the topics included are individual and organisational symptoms of stress, thinking errors and thinking skills, stress mapping, stability zones, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, pressure and stress, lifestyle management, physical outlets, management of the personal work environment, Type A behaviour, locus of control, time management, coping strategies at work and home. The application of theory to practice in different settings, e.g. coaching, counselling, health education, individual and group training, and management will be covered. A book, manual, handouts and biodots are provided. A number of questionnaires will need completing at the end of the first day of the course.
AIMS
• to become knowledgeable about the nature of stress, its management and prevention
• be able to apply this knowledge to recognise stress in self, others and organisations
• to become knowledgeable about a multimodal cognitive-behavioural approach to stress management based on current practice and its application to different settings
OBJECTIVES
• define stress and understand how it differs from pressure
• have a working understanding of modern models of stress including the multimodal-transactional model, the cognitive ABCDE model and an organisational model
• understand the psychophysiology of stress
• identify the main physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms of stress in self and others
• examine primary, secondary and tertiary stress management interventions at the individual and organisational levels
• recognise thinking errors and performance interfering thoughts and develop coaching, training or counselling thinking skills to help individuals modify these beliefs
• develop a range of strategies and techniques to tackle stress, including Type A modification, relaxation skills, lifestyle management, biofeedback, stress mapping
• understand Type A behaviour and Locus of Control constructs
• recognise the organisational symptoms of stress and identify what strategies can be undertaken to prevent and manage stress at work
TRAINERS
The trainer is Professor Stephen Palmer, Siobhain O’Riordan or Nick Edgerton.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL AND ORGANISATIONAL STRESS MANAGEMENT
CONTENT
This 2-day course includes the theory of stress and its management with specific reference to occupational and organisational settings. The course is based on current research and practice. Some of the topics included are individual and organisational symptoms of stress, primary/secondary/tertiary interventions, stress auditing, HSE stress risk assessment, thinking errors and thinking skills, stability zones, pressure and stress, management of the personal work environment, Type A behaviour, locus of control, factors intrinsic to the job, career development, structure and climate, relationships, legal issues, role conflict and ambiguity, time management and coping strategies. A book, manual and handouts are provided. A number of questionnaires will need completing at the end of the first day of the course. As some of the content in this course overlaps with the Primary Certificate in Stress Management, we do not recommend students to do both.
AIMS
• To become knowledgeable about the nature of stress, its management and prevention
• Be able to apply this knowledge in the workplace to recognise stress in self, employees and the organisation
OBJECTIVES
• Define stress and understand how it differs from pressure
• Have a working understanding of modern models of stress
• Identify the main physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms of stress in self and others
• Examine primary, secondary and tertiary stress management interventions at the individual and organisational levels
• Develop a range of strategies and techniques to tackle stress at work and home including thinking skills, coaching skills and Type A modification
• Understand Type A behaviour, Locus of Control and Coping Strategies
• Examine a number of relevant legal cases
• Recognise organisational symptoms of stress
• Examine the HSE guidelines and guide for employees
• Understand the HSE stress risk assessment
• Be aware of the main sources of occupational and organisational stress
• Identify what managers, health professionals and trainers can do to prevent and manage stress at work
• Develop a personal stress management action plan, if appropriate
TRAINERS
The trainer is Prof Stephen Palmer, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan or Nick Edgerton.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN PERFORMANCE COACHING
CONTENT
This intensive two-day course based workshop covers the theory and practice of performance coaching applied to work and personal contexts. It takes a cognitive behavioural approach. Participants will have the opportunity to practise coaching skills and techniques in small group work. Some of the topics included are the structure of a performance coaching session, assessing current performance, awareness and taking responsibility, reducing interference, overcoming psychological blocks, the coach as a catalyst, goal setting and goal theory, eliminating the discrepancy between actual and desired performance, competence, developing performance confidence, performance as a measure of behaviour, overcoming the perils of perfectionism, performance enhancing thoughts, performance improvement plans, tackling troublesome thoughts, keeping focused. Handouts and a manual are provided. For the purposes of skills training, participants should be prepared to discuss one problem in small group work. Suitable for coaches, managers, personnel staff, trainers and counsellors. Normal rules of confidentiality apply.
AIMS
To provide participants with a range of performance coaching skills.
OBJECTIVES
• gain competence in carrying out an assessment of a person’s current performance
• identify and tackle blocks to improving current performance
• develop collaboratively a performance improvement plan
• understand what steps will be needed to maintain performance once it has improved
• troubleshoot obstacles to improving and/or maintaining performance
TRAINERS
The trainer is Nick Edgerton, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan or Professor Stephen Palmer.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN PROBLEM FOCUSED COUNSELLING, COACHING AND TRAINING
CONTENT
This two-day workshop is based upon the problem solving approaches e.g. Palmer (1994), Wasik (1984) Palmer and Burton (1996), Milner and Palmer (1998). It includes the seven-step cognitive behavioural and solution focused PRACTICE model sequence (Palmer, 2011): problem identification, realistic goal development, alternatives generated, consideration of consequences, target most feasible solution, implementation of chosen solution, and evaluation. For the purposes of skills training, participants should be prepared to discuss two personal problems in small group work. Normal rules of confidentiality apply.
AIMS
To provide participants with an introduction to the theory and practice of problem solving within counselling and coaching settings.
OBJECTIVES
• develop an understanding of and gain practice in using the seven-step PRACTICE model and two coaching models
• practise applying the models step by step to current problems
• practise using the techniques associated with problem solving
• distinguish between problem interfering thoughts (PITS) and problem enhancing thoughts (PETS)
• understand the differences between counselling and coaching
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Kasia Szymanska, Nick Edgerton or Professor Stephen Palmer.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN ASSERTION AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS TRAINING
CONTENT
This two-day workshop focuses on the theory and practice of assertion and communications skills. The course takes a cognitive behavioural approach. There will be an emphasis on skills practise and course participants will be given opportunity to practise assertion and communication skills, step by step. Assertion skills such as negative feelings assertion, fogging, workable compromise and setting clear boundaries will be covered. Communication skills such as sending and receiving skills will be included. The use of assertion and communications skills in coaching, counselling and stress and time management training will also be discussed.
AIMS
To provide a practical understanding of those skills associated with assertiveness training and how these skills can be used to aid the communication process.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course delegates will:
• have an understanding of the differing personality types associated with assertiveness training, viewed through the SPACE model
• be able to identify individual behaviour patterns
• have had the opportunity to practise a range of assertiveness techniques
• have had the opportunity of discussing personal concerns
• have developed an Action Plan to consolidate learning and future training needs
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Nick Edgerton or Dr Siobhain O’Riordan.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN DEVELOPING PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE: A COACHING PERSPECTIVE
CONTENT
This intensive two-day course based workshop covers the theory and practice of developing psychological resilience. Participants will have the opportunity to practise skills and techniques in small group work. Topics include essential characteristics of a resilient personality, managing hardship, steering through daily difficulties, bouncing back from adversity, reaching out to new opportunities, developing resilience, building strengths rather than repairing weaknesses, distinguishing between resilience inducing beliefs (RIBs) and resilience undermining beliefs (RUBs). Handouts and a manual are provided. For the purposes of skills training, participants should be prepared to discuss one problem in small group work. Suitable for coaches, managers, personnel staff, trainers and counsellors. Normal rules of confidentiality apply.
AIMS
To provide an introduction to the concept of psychological resilience and how such an outlook can be developed/strengthened.
OBJECTIVES
• Examine some of the characteristics associated with resilience
• Consider some of the myths of resilience
• Identify some of the ideas that undermine resilience building
• Discuss the views of various writers on resilience
• Pinpoint areas where a poor coping response prevails
• Identify core beliefs which are a source of psychological vulnerability
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Michael Neenan, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan or Prof Stephen Palmer. This course is currently only available for in-house training.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING (SKILLS)
This course is only offered externally
This is an intensive two-day course in counselling skills based on the developmental skills model of Gerard Egan, with its three-stage framework of exploration, understanding and action, which can be used effectively in different work contexts. The course is run in association with the Centre for Stress Management. See their training programme for details.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN REDUNDANCY COACHING AND COUNSELLING
CONTENT
Given the current economic climate, this course covers the coaching and counselling skills required to help deal with and manage redundancy within a team or company or support your clients to manage this difficult reality. This 2-day workshop is designed to help manager and HR professionals to deal with difficult times within their organisations. This course is also aimed at coaches and counsellors who want to improve their skills in this area.
NB. This is an introductory to intermediate Level 5 programme and may not be suitable for experienced coaches and counsellors.
AIMS
To provide an overview of the effects of redundancy on individuals and to develop skills and strategies drawn from coaching and counselling.
OBJECTIVES
• Review the importance of work for individuals
• Understand the effects of redundancy on individuals
• Develop relevant coaching and counselling skills and strategies to help individuals facing redundancy
• Develop skills from cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help alleviate the more serious negative effects of redundancy such as depression and loss of self-esteem and confidence
• Develop processing skills to respond to both the positive and negative personal and emotional reactions to redundancy
• Take stock: evaluate the possibilities in the context of change and new circumstances
• Move forward: explore new goals and pathways
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Nick Edgerton, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan or Prof Stephen Palmer.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN HEALTH & WELLBEING COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL COACHING
Health and wellbeing coaching has become an established area of practice in the UK, Australia and USA. Health coaching has even been offered as a free service within some Primary Care Trusts in the UK. Professional bodies such as the Association for Coaching recognise health coaching as a specialism.
INTRODUCTION
Cognitive behavioural health coaching can help with behaviour change, enhance health goal achievement and also assist in relapse prevention. Course participants will have the opportunity to practise health and wellbeing coaching skills and techniques in pair work or triads. Pre-course reading includes Improving Health: Changing Behaviour, the NHS Health Trainer Handbook. This provides a basic understanding of some of the key health related issues and introduces the behavioural and educational approach to changing health behaviour. The Centre also provides articles on health coaching, relaxation, imagery techniques and the life stage model focusing on physical health factors. The behavioural and cognitive-behavioural approach will provide a framework and underpin the psychological model of health and wellbeing coaching. The course is recognised by the International Society for Coaching Psychology as providing CPD/CPE for its Members.
AIM
To become knowledgeable about health and wellbeing coaching
OBJECTIVES
This skills based workshop will help participants to:
• define health and wellbeing coaching
• define health education and wellbeing
• consider the theory, research and practice of health and wellbeing coaching and training
• consider what mediums can be used to deliver health coaching
• become knowledgeable of the structure of a health and wellbeing coaching session
• goal setting and SMART goals in health and wellbeing coaching
• become more knowledgeable about Motivational Interviewing, RULE, OARS and useful questions
• become knowledgeable the Transtheoretical Model of Change, and the Life Stage model focusing on physical health factors
• understand cognitive-behavioural and multimodal frameworks in developing an individual health coaching programme
• become knowledgeable about environmental influences in health and how to develop Health Enhancing Behaviours (HEBs) and Lifestyle
• become knowledgeable about Health Inhibiting Thinking (HITs) and Health Enhancing Thinking (HETs)
• practise eliciting HITs and developing HETs
• gain practice in using the 2 and 5 column HETs form
• become knowledgeable about a range of cognitive, behavioural and imaginal techniques for use within health and wellbeing coaching including anti-craving imagery and over-consumption imagery
• understand the use of Socratic dialogue in health coaching
• become knowledgeable about a range of relaxation techniques including relaxation imagery, the Multimodal Relaxation Method and the Benson Relaxation Technique
• understand and tackle the environment, cognitions, emotions and behaviours that may lead to lapse (relapse)
• consider how you may integrate health coaching within your coaching or counselling practice
• reflect upon supervision requirements for health and wellbeing coaching
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Dr Siobhain O’Riordan or Prof Stephen Palmer.
PRIMARY CERTIFICATE IN MEDIATION TRAINING SKILLS
CONTENT
This intensive 2-day mediation training skills course offers an effective framework for dealing with conflict and disputes both in the workplace and other settings. It uses a positive problem solving and solution seeking approach.
The course includes team role plays, feedback and debriefing. It covers why and when to mediate, qualities and attitudes of a mediator, definition of mediation, structures to provide ways to communicate constructively, opening statements, agenda setting, confidentiality, importance of impartiality and neutrality, a range of mediator skills, use of side meetings, exploring solutions, resolution offers, avoiding collusion and other pitfalls, moving from the past to the future, dealing with strong emotions, overcoming power imbalances, writing up agreements, arranging and conducting reviews.
Mediation can be used to resolve interpersonal staff conflicts at work, in neighbourhoods and communities. Mediation allows for a greater range of solutions and options for those in dispute and, where appropriate, on rebuilding relationships. It focuses on the future and uses a collaborative problem solving approach to achieve a win/win situation acceptable to all. Participants will gain these valuable skills whilst learning in a safe and supportive setting.
AIMS
• To gain core skills in mediation
OBJECTIVES
• To gain skills to examine reasons for conflict
• To identify information needed to develop fair solutions
• To understand your own conflict management style
• To practise the skills of identifying key issues, assessing positions and testing out solutions
• To understand the importance of neutrality, impartiality and confidentiality
• To apply the principles, process and practical applications of mediation
• To practise how to set up and manage a structured mediation
POST PROGRAMME REVIEW & CERTIFICATE
A CPD certificate is provided for all attendees. Learners wishing to obtain a Certificate of Achievement need to submit a 750 word Post Programme Review.
TRAINERS
The trainer is Elizabeth Doggart who is an Accredited Mediator or Keith Chadwick MSc.
PLEASE READ: GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION