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Training courses for counsellors, psychotherapists and social workers in Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy, in
Hebden Bridge and Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, UK; and by distance learning around the world. ... Rational
Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) training; combined with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) training; and elements of psycho-dynamic
approaches, narrative approaches, and zen philosophy. That is the essence of Dr Jim Byrne's new Cognitive Emotive Narrative
Therapy (CENT). ... Jim's philosophical stance is one of Contextual Constructionism, which lies in the
middle ground between naive realism and radical relativism. He believes there is a real "noumenal reality"
that underlies people's "social constructions" and social narratives; but that nobody can see that reality directly.
It is always understood via interpretations and more or less subjective experiences. Thus it would seem we can never
reach absolute certainty about anything - as demonstrated by the history of western philosophy. Nor can we definitely
rule (almost) anything out. So we inevitably get pluralism, in religion, in politics, in national cultures. It
is only at the extremes that we can object to that plurality of perspective and interpretation, and thus therapy had better
adjust to the existence of a range of tribes each believing very different interpretations of the human condition. ... The
plurality of competing tribes does not just exist in politics, religion and national and regional cultures of course.
It also, and most tellingly, exists at the very heart of science and philosophy. Even in the hard science of physics,
the Newtonian, Einsteinian and Quantum Mechanics paradigms are all useful but not at all compatible with each other.
From the perspective of any one, the others are false or wrong; and yet they are all useful; ail are used; and all have their
fans. Once we move away from the hard sciences, towards human science, the inevitability of paradigmatic tribes grows
rapidly and inevitably. And we therefore find, in counselling and therapy, as many schools of thought about the "nature
of reality" as we find in ...er...physics! ... The people who know most about the nature of reality
at the heart of counselling and therapy, in the UK today, are...er...civil servants in the Health Professions Council.
(Check that result. It doesn't sound right to me!) How did they do their research? Where did they publish
their workings out? What are their qualifications to make these pronouncements? How many other paradigms are there
apart from the HPC one? ... Whatever you resist persists. So resisting the HPC will strengthen
them. Go with the flow. Incorporate CBT. Psycho-dynamicize it! Humanize it! And even learn
from it! Let go of your big toe! ... "Having said that, we can nevertheless try our best to
relate various models of therapy to each other, and try our best to integrate those elements that make the best bed-fellows.
And it seems to me that each honest intellectual has a responsibility to ask themselves: 'What are the elements of my model
of the human mind? How does my model relate to the various traditions? And how could I learn from the overlaps
and tensions between them?' It's not particularly commendable to dismiss any system of therapy out of hand, just because
it does not 'feel right'!" Dr Jim Byrne, June 2009. ... Science involves blokes and birds trying
to make sense of stuff. Of course, those blokes and birds normally tend to have some kind of academic training in conducting
forms of research. But there is nothing about any human system of academic training, or existing forms of research,
which can override the major learning from the philosophy of science, which is this: It seems impossible
to establish anything with certainty. So science then posits probability, and
then tries to show that its products are highlyprobable. But according to Popper, its all
conjecture, and the only valid use of experimentation is to try to INVALIDATE our own theories. When was the last time
you heard of any system of therapy trying to INVALIDATE its own conjectures? Probably never! ... So
we, as therapists and counsellors, are essentially artists who care for the suffering of others.
And we develop our art forms through reading, thinking, speculating, talking to others, including clients. And we make
the best sense of our clients that we can. But our 'schemas' of therapy/distress/mind can become frozen, and we then
stop taking in information. The archetypical frozen schema is the mind set of the racist individual.
The racist person can never see the human beyond his/her prejudicial perceptions. And any system of therapy
can equally develop this kind of frozen schema, in which we no longer take in information. We see in the "outside
world" what we carry in our heads/hearts. We already "know everything" - and our minds become as closed
as the vaults at the Bank of England. ... Continuing Professional Development must include exposing ourselves
to ideas that are alien to our current paradigm of interpretation and explanation in counselling and therapy, and trying to
keep our cognitive-emotive schemas unfrozen. ... Jim Byrne, June 2009
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Welcome to: THE
ABC COACHING ACADEMY Hebden Bridge and Halifax
Calderdale, West Yorkshire, UK And Worldwide over the Internet "For high quality, low cost training in counselling
skills, and personal and professional development" Dr
Jim Byrne
Principal |  |
Counselling and therapy
training: The ABC Coaching Academy was formally established in 2001. Initially
the aim was to provide a small range of training courses for counsellors who were attracted to cognitive/rational approaches
- namely REBT/CBT. Those courses were run face to face in Hebden Bridge and Halifax; and the Primary Certificate
in REBT was also run by distance learning. Throughout this period, Dr Jim Byrne has provided high quality, low
cost distance training courses in Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Counselling to students in various parts of the
world. He has also run a range of face to face seminars/workshops on counselling and therapy,
and on self-confidence. Since the death of Dr Albert Ellis, the creator of REBT, and the grandfather of CBT,
Dr Byrne has accelerated his well established practice of integrating REBT, CBT, Transactional Analysis (TA), and Zen philosophy. He
has now also added Narrative Therapy and the psychodynamic Object Relations approaches, into an integration called Cognitive-Emotive
Narrative Therapy. Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT) goes beyond the Third Wave of cognitive
therapies, in that we go back to the beginning and construct a new model of the person from scratch,
incorporating the models of Freud, Klein, Berne, Ellis, Beck, Epston and White, constructivist perspectives, and the Buddha's
insights into the human mind. "...Hemmings suggests that, 'as a profession we move away from
potential paradigm zealotry to a more pan theoretical model of therapy'. He continues, 'if we can maintain a continued
dialogue with the formulationist wing of CBT this could be a possibility. By doing this we could, as a profession, examine
how different paradigms of psychological therapy can integrate into a broader more complex and viable alternative to
medication'..." Page 239, Loewenthal, D. and House, R. (2008) Contesting therapy
paradigms about what it means to be human. In: House, R. and Loewenthal, D. (eds) Against and For CBT:
Towards a constructive dialogue? Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
And beyond this integrationist view by Hemmings, it is important to remember the research on meta-analyses of counselling
and therapy research reports conducted by Dr Bruce Wampold*, which demonstrates convincingly that all systems of counselling
and psychotherapy that are designed to be therapeutic produce broadly equivalent outcomes. This work builds upon
the original studies by Smith and Glass (1977)*, and Smith, Glass and Miller (1980)*. Thus there is no empirical basis
to the much vaunted claim that CBT is more effective than other therapies. The idea that CBT is indisputably more effective
than other forms of therapy is an artifacts of the ways in which that research was conducted. (*Footnote:
Sources: Messer, S. & Wampold, B. (2002)
Let's face facts: Common factors are more potent than specific therapy ingredients'. Clin Psychol Sci Pract.
9: 21-25.Smith, M.L. and Glass, G.V. (1977) ‘Meta-analysis
of psychotherapy outcomes studies’, American Psychologists, 32, 752-760. Summarized in:
Banyard, Philip and Grayson, Andrew (1996) Introducing Psychological Research: sixty studies that shape psychology, Basingstoke,
Macmillan Press Limited. Smith, M., Glass, G. and Miller, T. (1980) The Benefits of Psychotherapy, Baltimore, Johns Hopkins
University Press. Wampold, B.E. (2001a) Contextualizing psychotherapy as a healing practice:
culture, history and methods, Applied and Preventive Psychology 10: 69-86. Wampold, B.E. (2001b) The Great Psychotherapy Debate: Model, methods,
and findings. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Wampold, B.E.,
Ahn, H., and Coleman, H.K.L. (2001) Medical model as metaphor: Old habits die hard. Journal of Counselling
Psychology, 48, 268-273.Wampold, B.E., Mondin,
G.W., Moody, M., Stich, F., Benson, K., and Ahn, H. (1997) A meta-analysis of outcomes studies comparing bona fide psychotherapies:
Empirically, “All must have prizes”. Psychological Bulletin, 122, 203-215.) Given
this background, it seems to me to be an urgent priority to demonstrate that any system of counselling and psychotherapy takes
full account of the best insights into how to model the mind of an emotionally distressed individual. ~~~ Planned Training for 2010 The
old Primary Certificate in REBT is now officially closed to new entrants, and is being phased
out. Students on that course will, of course, be able to continue through to completion, and will receive the
Primary Cert in the normal way. However, entry is now closed. In a few weeks, I will be launching: The ABC Certificate in Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Counselling/Therapy. This course will be in the new Video & Text format, completely online. It will
contain some CENT transitions at the margins, but will consist of an REBT/CBT core. By the summer
of 2010, I will launch the Professional Certificate in Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy.
It will comprise four components: 1. The REBT component: This can be satisfied
by individuals who hold either a Primary Cert in REBT/REBC, or the new ABC Cert in RE&CBC/T. In addition, candidates
will be required to evidence 25 hours of application of the content of their qualifying course; making a total of 50 hours
of REBT training/application. 2. The TA component: This can be satisfied by a TA101 Certificate;
or the (soon to be announced) ABC Cert in Transactional Analysis (25 hours). In addition, they will need evidence of
25 hours of applying these ideas in a real life context. 3. The Object Relations component:
This can be satisfied by a portfolio of experience of learning about and/or using the Object Relations model; or the ABC Cert
in Object Relations. Evidence of a total of 50 hours of training/learning/application. 4.
The moral philosophy component. The ABC Cert in Moral Philosophy for Counsellors/Psychotherapists (25 hours).
Plus 25 hours of applications in the real world.
To express an interest in either
of these programmes, please contact Jim Byrne at the ABC Coaching Academy. ~~~ In-house Training
Service Dr Jim Byrne provides a unique service, in teaching the integration of CBT and
Psychodynamic approaches, combined with Narrative and Constructivist approaches. He is happy to provide quotations for
in-house training in Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT): in units of half a day, one day
or two days duration. This training will appeal to professionals who want to examine the possibility of integrating
CBT/REBT and the Psychodynamic approach to dealing with clients, in health care, social care, social welfare and human
resources teams. This service is provided to suit the client organisation's goals, budget and timetable. For further
background information on this approach, please take a look at the following pages: What is Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT)? What is REBT? The Institute for CENT Studies
For additional information, or to discuss possibilities, please email Dr Jim Byrne, at
the ABC Coaching Academy. Or call me on my Freephone:  Or phone me on 01422 847 882
(from inside the UK) Or on 44 1422
847 882 (from outside the UK) ~~~ Proposed Diploma in CENT By autumn 2010, or soon afterwards, there should
be a new, largely distance-learning based course as follows: The Diploma in Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy
(CENT), which will be based on 400 hours of self-directed study, plus some audio tutorials, live telephone tutorials, and
two long weekend events in Hebden Bridge. Watch this space. (To express an interest in attending this course, or to put your
name on the waiting list, please email Jim at ABC Coaching). Indicative minimum requirements for entry to this course could include: (1) A Diploma in Counselling and/or
Psychotherapy, or PG Cert in Mental Health Practice; plus (2) the Primary Certificate in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
(REBT/CBT); plus (3) TA101: Introduction to Transactional Analysis; and (4) Evidence of understanding the Freudian or post-Freudian
(e.g. Kleinian/Object Relations) view of psychological development. Item (1) is essential. Items (2) to (4) could
be negotiated based on experience, reading, and comparable qualifications. ~~~
ABOUT TRAINING AT THE ABC COACHING ACADEMY The ABC Coaching Academy offers both
face-to-face training courses, and Distance Learning courses, based on Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT) theory
and principles. Jim Byrne has modified certain elements of REBT, and combines it with TA and Zen philosophy,
and other modern narrative therapies and philosophies; and he understands the human mind in a psychodynamic/narrative framework.
Although he does not use the approaches of Carl Rogers very much, outside of the core conditions, and active listening, he
acknowledges that the relationship between counsellor and client is hugely important, as argued by Klein, Fairbairn, Rogers
and others. But active teaching by a warm teacher is Jim's modus operandum, in both his counselling and his teaching
roles. Jim lives his life primarily from the philosophical base of CENT, as described
above; and an absolute commitment to living a moral life; and he teaches this system to his clients in private practice, as
well as trainees on his courses. He can vouch for the efficacy of this form of cognitive-emotive-narrative
therapy from his own life experience, and from the successful outcomes he achieves with his clients on a regular basis. (See
the Unsolicited Client Testimonials page). Jim Byrne has a Professional Doctorate in Counselling degree, from the University
of Manchester (2009); a higher Diploma (With Distinction) in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy, from Rusland College,
Bath (2004); a Professional Certificate in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, from the old Institute for REBT, Bristol (1999)
- plus a Primary Certificate in Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Techniques, from the Albert Ellis Institute,
New York, (2005). His MA degree is in Education, with substantial elements of psychology. He is also a trained and experienced
Further Education Teacher, and a Professional Trainer. He has been teaching rational and cognitive approaches to counselling
since 1994; and in private practice as a Coaching and Counselling Psychologist/Philosopher and REBT/CBT Therapist since
December 1998. He was Deputy Chief Executive of a highly creative and innovative education and training organization before
diversifying into coaching in 1994. ~~~ UNSOLICITED STUDENT TESTIMONIALS: Here is a small selection of unsolicited testimonials
from current and recent students of the ABC Coaching Academy: "Thank
you Jim for the kind remarks and help with my first assignment (on the Primary Cert). Thanks also for the extra information
you sent. I will study it at home this weekend. I am very excited about this course, and finding it stimulating".
S.J.G., Washington State. Current Primary Cert student.
"Hello Jim. My certificate
arrived and is now fixed on my wall in a frame. Thank you for your really helpful comments on my written work and on my session
recordings. It was always concise, appropriate, clear and helpful. I do use REBT more and more now with my clients and it
seems to help in most cases". T.M., Successful Primary Cert student, Leicester, UK. "Thank
you Jim for your feedback on my second assignment, which is head and shoulders above the comments I received on my general
counselling diploma (which I studied elsewhere). This level of developmental feedback is on a new level, and as challenging
as I am finding it, I am glad I chose to do the (Primary) Certificate in RE&CBT". H.H., Successful Primary Cert student,
Cornwall, UK. "Dear Jim, I was pleasantly surprised by the degree of feedback received.
I feel I have been greatly helped. Thank you". G.P., Current Diploma student, Northants. "Thank
you for all your help and support in completing the Primary Cert. I will now take a little break before starting the Advanced
Cert". J.G., Successful Primary Cert student, Rochdale, Lancs. "Hi! Jim. Thank you
for your comments which I have noted. This Assignment (number one of the Primary Cert) has been an interesting and worthwhile
learning curve for me". P.J., Current Primary Cert student, Cardiff, Wales. “Hi Jim,
Thanks for the very quick feedback. As with previous feedback, I am finding this very helpful indeed. Your attention to detail
is much appreciated”. D.F., Current Diploma student, Co.Durham. "Hi Jim, I am still
grateful for what I learned with you, and you will be pleased to hear that I use my REBT/CBT skills much of the time in sessions
with clients. Doing your distance learning course was invaluable. Many thanks again". J.G., Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
"Dear Jim, The certificate arrived and is very, very nice! Thank you. Looking forward to
further teachings". D.G., Boston, Mass. "Thanks Jim. A wonderful teaching input! I am
re-recording it on a CD as I type this. I will listen to it again and again. Thanks so much for this".
L.H., Ottawa, Canada.
(Course participants' initials and locations have been changed to preserve
confidentiality/anonymity). ~~~ Statement by Dr Jim Byrne "If you decide to train with the
ABC Coaching Academy, I can guarantee you that you will become one of the best trained cognitive-emotive-dynamic
therapists in the counselling and therapy profession; with an appreciation of the 'expanded ABC model', which allows you to
conceptualize your client in terms of the personality structures developed by Sigmund Freud and Eric Berne; as well as the
conceptualizations developed by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck; and those of Melanie Kline and Ronald Fairbairn, and others.
You will also appreciate the role of helpful and unhelpful narratives in the development of emotional, behavioural and relationship
problems, including constructivist and Zen perspectives on language and story". Jim Byrne
DCouns, MA(Ed)., Dip.CP.Psych.(Rus), P.Cert.REBT,
MISPC, CCC-Reg.
Principal - THE ABC COACHING ACADEMY
~~~ Email address: Jim Byrne at the ABC Coaching Academy Social bookmarking: If
you like the content of this page, and want to share it with your friends, or return to it at a later date, then why not bookmark
it, by clicking the button that follows: 
~~~ If you are looking for other types
of training, check out the training-classes.com directory of personal growth and self help training seminars ~~~ Jim Byrne's Homepage. ~~~ ...Back to the Four Main Services page... ~~~ |
Jim Byrne is currently compiling lists of individuals who are interested
in participating in the various proposed and upcoming courses outlined above. It may not be possible to accommodate
all interested individuals next time around; so please put your name on the waiting list to ensure a place on the course(s)
of your choice. Please fill in the form that follows, and click the "submit" button,
to get it to Jim Byrne. Please indicate which course(s) you are interested in, and your level of interest. It would be most
helpful if you could use the course code(s): e.g. Prof-1; Pub-2; etc. In due course, individuals who send this form will receive
an information sheet describing the course(s) of their choice in more detail, and informing them of course details, dates,
payment deadlines, etc. Thanking you. Jim Byrne, Doctor
of Counselling
Principal, the ABC Coaching Academy ~~~
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