PROGRAM START TIME

THERE ARE SPACES AVAILABLE IN A NEW SMALL GROUP STARTING JANUARY 2021 (via Zoom).

Click on Current Program for a summary of the Program and Tuition Fees.

PREPARATION

  1. Before you begin the Core Courses: you are requested to begin your individual practicum requirements with at least one private counselling session with Barbara Forest to personally & deeply experience the transformational processes, to decide re the Program being a fit for you, and to get a head start with the processes taught. This is part of your application procedure.
  2. Depending on how much time you have before your first Core Course starts, you can prepare and get a head start by doing readings and having additional sessions with Barbara.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Types of Students:

Our counsellor training program is geared toward people who are interested in

  • going on a journey of personal growth and healing
  • learning skills for relationship and mutual-help networks
  • learning skills for professional development in Counselling and Human Relations

Students come from a wide variety of professional, academic, ethnic and economic backgrounds, yet are united by the sincere desire to help others and make a positive difference in their own lives. Some will have already been counsellors for many years, while others will have been helping others in more informal contexts. Everyone entering the program already has some experience in the field of counselling and human relations (either formally or informally) and wishes to upgrade or obtain more skills.

Research shows that a therapist’s warmthgenuinenessnon-judgmental caring, and empathic listening are essential for working with people successfully. These are also the qualities, in addition to pertinent life experience, that we are looking for in our potential students.

The focus is on hands-on practical skills attainment. Applicants also need to have the maturity, experience, and personal qualities relevant for training in skills to help others. Students in the Program are on their own healing journey. However, they also need to be at a level of stability in their personal development that they are ready to also facilitate others.

Trainee Tape Consultation with Barbara-5

Above: a Lifespace student consults with Barbara for feedback on a tape-recorded session of him as a counsellor.

2. Application Steps:

(1) Filling out and emailing us the Online Application Form, and then discussing your background and goals with Barbara Forest to mutually decide if the Program is a fit for you. (Click on Online Application Form.)

(2) Having at least one 1-to-1 counselling session/tutorial in the foundation skills, with Barbara, to personally experience the transformational processes (counts toward your practicum requirements). Fee is at the discounted Lifespace student rate.

Click on Current Program for a summary of the Program and Tuition Fees.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, via Zoom. Email us at coordinator@lifespace.ca to contact the Director and Core Instructor, Barbara Forest, to explore if the Program is a fit for you.

Options: you can

  • ask your questions via email
  • have a phone discussion
  • follow up with a meeting in person
  • have counselling session(s) to personally experience the transformational processes