Personal Development and Communication Skills - For Teens
“I’m so glad I did this course!”
This 30-hour course is designed to help you (young people aged 13 – 16 years) gain a better understanding of yourself and others.
The course is experiential and practical so the sessions are not theory-heavy and typically very enjoyable. It will help you feel happier in your own skin and will help you to connect with others in a healthy way.
A willingness to explore and share with others is necessary but any sharing is always at your own pace. Each group will have between eight and twelve people who agree to keep all sharing confidential.
We can meet on Zoom for a quick chat to answer any questions you may have and to make sure this is a good fit for you.
Progression
This course does not lead to any qualification as a counsellor. It is designed for your personal growth.
Assessment
There is no assessment in this course.
If you are able to attend 80% of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
What will you gain?
- greater understanding of your emotions and your anxiety, and increased self-worth and confidence
- a stronger sense of personal choice, responsibility and autonomy
- greater capacity for listening and understanding others, and increased ability to express yourself and be understood
- a greater understanding of your personal needs and support in developing a self-care programme that works for you
Course Content
Throughout the course, you will learn skills supporting the management of anxiety and social fears. The skills are immediately useable in the group experience and beyond.
You’ll develop your self-awareness, self-esteem and assertiveness.
You’ll also expand your ability to listen and communicate through the group experience and learn how to use these skills outside the group, with family, friends and others.
Cost
The cost of this programme is €20 per 2-hour session.
A deposit of €75 is taken to hold a place and three monthly instalments of €75 will be required.
Dates and booking
The next course starts in 2025. Enrolment is open so you can email now to secure your place.
Delivery Format
This course is being held online via Zoom, and therefore a good internet connection will be essential.
One evening per week for fifteen weeks (7:00-9:00pm Irish Standard Time).
N.B. All courses are subject to a minimum enrolment of eight participants.
Facilitators
The course will be primarily facilitated by Paula Short MIACP, BSc, MA Counselling and Psychotherapy with the support of Jamin DeMarco as co-facilitator. Paula has over twenty years experience as a Psychotherapist and has over ten years experience as a Group Facilitator and Lecturer of third level education in Counselling and Psychotherapy, up to and including Level 8 programmes. Jamin is a qualified group facilitator and therapist in training.
Confidentiality and Safeguarding
In order for young people to gain the most from the group experience, it will be important for them to know that the group space is private and confidential. Confidentiality will be discussed in the interview process and at length during the first session, so that all know how to maintain the confidentiality of all in the group. Whilst parents are required to be part of the interview process, they are asked not to be present in the room with their child once the course commences. This allows each child in the group to feel safe and secure in their sharing. Paula will contact parents immediately at the close of a session if their child has shared anything that would raise safety concerns. Parents will be responsible for ensuring that their child receives additional appropriate support if there are any such concerns.
Feedback on this course
“I’m so glad I did this course!”
“I got so much more from this than I could have imagined”
“It has helped me become so much more comfortable and confident in myself”
“Others can see how much my daughter has benefitted from this course and she has even been discharged from hospital as a result of it”
“Learning to notice and accept my own emotions has been so good for me”
“Things that were out of my comfort zone are now in my comfort zone!”
“Other people’s comments helped me to learn about myself”
“It helped me in all the ways I hoped – and more!”
“I wish it could have gone on longer”
“I have loved every part of it”