Group Dynamics & Conflict Resolution Training

This innovative training is open to those who are interested in working in a professional facilitation role with group dynamics in a way that also addresses inevitable conflict and tensions within the field. ‘Group work’ is a broad field that includes groups of colleagues, teams, personal relationship groupings, training and student groups. The training is open to therapeutic practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds such as counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, personal and executive coaches, group facilitators and clinical services managers.

Our training focuses on developing the capacity to map group process and facilitate in a relational and inclusive way. By the end of the training you will have deepened your understanding of the roles within groups, the way in which material becomes constellated between people, and techniques for deepening contact, communication and understanding for group participants. Conflict as an inevitable part of group dynamics is taught as a search for intimacy within differentiation, and developing compassionate, yet also robust skills that enable you to mediate the space effectively, is a main part of this training.

We foster an inspirational and collegial atmosphere where it is safe to explore and step into new territory, utilising teaching within an experiential framework. It is not necessary for you to have group facilitation experience before you start the course.


 


ENTRY REQUIREMENT
350 hours of practice as a practitioner in your chosen field.

DATES
The next course starts in September 2024, please contact us if you are interested.

FORMAT
Six weekend modules (once a month)

VENUE
London

FEES
Our courses are very reasonably priced in comparison to other trainings, as we aim to support the therapeutic community.  Please email for current details.

CONTACT
Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you have as we are always delighted to discuss your needs. 
Email contact@alkimiatraining.com
Phone 0208 444 2670
 

Part 1: Weekend training modules

Six weekend modules (once a month) of theoretical and experiential input, with plenty of time to practice the skills learned and de-briefing to deepen the learning.

MODULE 1: A PROCESS MODEL OF GROUP DYNAMICS
This module presents an innovative model for group dynamics that is straightforward to understand and apply.  You will learn the way in which groups constellate within a field of influence, noticing emerging themes and polarising roles that may be confluent or dissonant.  Working within a contextual field of influence allows groups to explore in a way that moves the purely personal into an additional sphere of larger enduring processes to be unfolded. This has the potential to be both personally and collectively satisfying, encouraging emerging authenticity and developing the courage to enter relationally robust explorative dialogue.

MODULE 2: LEADERSHIP AS A PATH OF EVOLUTION
During this weekend we examine the archetype of leadership in its many facets and both the shadow distortions and evolutionary potential within leadership and facilitatory roles.  Deep democracy with compassionate leadership is explored as a path towards connective relationality, generating the safety necessary for groups to be vulnerable with the challenge needed to move tribal tendencies into catalytic space.  

MODULE 3: CONFLUENCE AND DISSONANCE; WORKING WITH CONFLICT
This module expands on the essential group dynamic model to address the deeper archetypal influences that constellate within groups, offering a sage perspective for facilitation. Addressing cycles of contact that are joining and separating from a potential oriented place allows conflict to occur in a way that is more relaxed and courageous.  Discovering shared values within opposing dynamics offers a way to respect differences whilst also uncovering mutual ground.  Conflict is explored as a dynamic connection beyond a problem to be resolved, offering the prospect of creative interaction that is alive and exciting.  

MODULE 4: SHAME AS BORDERGUARD OR OUTRIDER
This weekend examines the role that shame plays in groups, both as a guard that restricts our ways of being and as a signal that we are on the verge of breaking new ground.  Many groups constellate around normalising tribal behaviour that dictates the rules for engagement, creating cohesive tribes.  However, learning to tolerate the shame that occurs when we are heading into new ways of being, is necessary if groups are to move towards creative risk taking that refreshes and inspires them.   

MODULE 5: THE EDGES FROM GROUP PATHOLOGY TO GROUP MYTHOLOGY
This module tackles the thorny arena of pathological structures that might arrest group development, creating developmental repeating patterns.  We will be teaching the capacity to notice defensiveness and the way in which defences are both helping and hindering the individuals involved to explore as differentiated others within the group field. Utilising the capacity to describe group development as a mythological narrative rather than solely relying on clinical terms which may activate defensiveness, offers a way of encouraging groups to move beyond compulsive cycling which prevents forward movement.  

MODULE 6: GROUP GROUND OF BEING

This weekend examines the elements of group work that establish containment within the context that brings them together.  Whether they are collegial work groups, student groups, process groups or personal groups, containing elements such as contracts, boundaries, minority awareness and group values, provides the mutual ground on which groups experience respectful safety, with the freedom to be authentic and to challenge elements that cause discontent.  Established ground creates a field of influence into which groups can lean when the going gets tough, offering an allying and strengthening sense of identity for the individuals within it.  


Part 2: Consultative supervision groups


Six consultative supervision groups (meeting once a month on a Saturday) where you will practice the skills you are learning and collaborate on working with a group.

The aim of these groups is to foster an explorative, collegial, supportive and encouraging atmosphere in which you practice group facilitation, using the skills that you have learned during the modular element of the course. These groups are relaxed, fun and inspirational, modelling the creation of a learning space that facilitates participants to develop their sense of identity as a group facilitator.


Written work components


As part of the training you will write a short essay on the modular themes that you have found most compelling. The purpose of this short piece of work is to support the development of your identity and style of working as a group facilitator.


Testimonials
"So much has been meaningful!  Particularly the idea of being a channel for archetypal stuff and co-creating – being part of something bigger.  Feels exciting/fascinating/stretching and reassuring/supportive at the same time."


"The serendipity of learning and feeling like I am in the right place; subtle body, dreaming up, emissaries of the self…all concepts I have understood, ways that I work and have this week been given the language to explain. Thank you."
 
"An inspiration, tour de force, fully modelling the exploration of transpersonal dynamics right here, right now. Demonstrating a very confident and impressive knowledge of psychological theory and depth psychology and at the same time showing where and how to exercise a lighter, more irreverent touch leading to good humoured but very purposeful challenge. Visibly demonstrating how the field and the collective unconscious is alive in groups and the possibilities of extending our knowledge and understanding it by exploring it with openness."

 

Contact Information

0208 444 2670

contact@alkimiatraining.com

Business Hours

Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm

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