(1) COURSE FORMAT and REQUIREMENTS:

(A) PROFESSIONAL STANDARD

The I.C.S.T.R. (QLD) P.S.H. Practitioner Training Program is accredited by the Australasian Subconscious-mind Therapists' Association - (ASTA) as an approved training course for P.S.H. therapists. Successful graduates are therefore eligible to join that organisation and are encouraged to do so.

Therapists' names are included on the Association's Australia-wide referral system and clients are referred to practitioners in the appropriate geographical area.

Due to some similarities in the subconscious mind aspects of the method, our course is also accepted in a similar manner by the Australian Hypnotherapists' Association (AHA) and the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ASCH).

(B) THE TRAINING MODEL

The therapy model taught in this program is based on the clinical work of the Principal Trainer, Gregory L. Brice. The content of the program reflects as closely as possible, the methods, principles and techniques as they are practised in the clinical setting.

"We only teach what we actually do".

Client response to these methods has been such that the trainer's practice has supported itself exclusively by client referral since 1982.

We do not say that 'our way' is the only way, as every kind of therapy can be of help to at least someone. However, P.S.H. is about the percentage of positive results, and statistics clearly indicate the technique helps more people resolve their 'subconscious problems' than most other methods.

This school recognises that 'high academic ability' or 'intellectual prowess' does NOT necessarily make a good therapist.

Attitude, practical ability, natural intelligence, common sense and the motivation to excel are far more important than mental credentials.

If you feel strongly and genuinely drawn to this work, but think the academic requirements may be beyond you, you should speak with us. Every applicant is considered on an individual basis - on their own merits - and where necessary, extra assistance is provided to help those who would otherwise struggle.

(C) PRACTICAL ORIENTATION

The continuing success enjoyed by the I.C.S.T.R. (QLD) course is largely due to the experiential nature of the program format.  P.S.H. cannot be learnt adequately by simply reading books, attending lectures and writing assignments.  Students need to practise the techniques and methods they will be using professionally.

A large portion of each training module is therefore allocated to practising the application of clinical techniques.  Students practise with each other in the alternate roles of 'therapist', 'client' and 'observer', during each of the training modules. Trainers participate in the practise sessions and give advice, assistance and correction wherever necessary.  A strict protocol is applied to this session work, enabling students to receive valuable feed- back and critical appraisal in a comfortable and beneficial manner.

It is important that the practical theme of the training modules is transferred immediately to the student's home or clinic work, between training sessions.  For instance, it is essential that the language patterns and methods taught in module one are thoroughly practised, in order to go on comfortably with the work presented in module two.  Continual practise is a must in order to gain the fluency needed to continue.  Following the first module, students are equipped with the necessary skills to begin doing 'simple' - albeit valuable - work and are strongly encouraged to practise using those skills. At this time most people restrict their practise to family members and friends.

From the conclusion of the second module, students are equipped to use the P.S.H. model and are required to use the techniques as a necessary part of their training.  This is an essential requirement of the course.  At this time, recordings of the student's work are made (with clients' consent) and sent to the school for evaluation and feedback.  This gives the trainers an opportunity to assess students' work and help develop their techniques.

The latter parts of the training program are concerned primarily with 'fine tuning' students' practical application of the procedures.  During the third training module, a number of very important concepts and strategies are introduced that rely on the student being thoroughly practised and familiar with what has gone before.  If practise were not an integral part of the student's commitment, much of the benefits of the program would be forfeited and successful completion would be severely jeopardized.

(D) OTHER MODALITIES

One of the most important things to consider before applying for this course involves the practice of other health modalities.  If you already practice another method, this will NOT exclude you from training, however you should consider several things, very carefully.  For example:

● During your training, it is essential for you to focus your attention exclusively on learning this modality in order to become effective with P.S.H.  If you were just wanting this training to 'make you better' at your present modality, you would probably be wasting your time participating in the course.  To think in terms of 'adding on to', or 'enhancing' another method, can result in divided attention and make learning very difficult.  However, there is of course, every chance that the knowledge and skills gained in this program will in fact equip you better for other methods as well.

● P.S.H. is not a therapy to 'mix and match' with other techniques.  The many subtleties involved in the philosophical framework simply do not blend with other known methods.  When P.S.H. is used in conjunction with other modalities (with the same client, at the same time), both methods are often rendered ineffective.  This does not mean we expect you to abandon your other methods.  It is usually very important however, to use P.S.H. on its own with any given client.  When the situation is diagnosed correctly, P.S.H. is usually all that is required to help the client bring about the desired results.

● P.S.H. is not a therapy for those who need to 'get inside their client's head', and it is not a therapy for those who need to have a sense of 'power' over their clients.  P.S.H. is a technique which gives clients total privacy to make their own changes.  Although many other therapies claim to, P.S.H. is a technique which actually does 'empower' the client.  It is a 'client-centered', rather than a 'therapist-centered' therapy.

● P.S.H. is not a therapy to boost the therapist's ego.  True subconscious change and healing often takes place in such a way, the person does not realise or acknowledge that therapy has been responsible for initiating the change.

● If you are already committed to a particular model or method for people to gain 'wellness' and self-actualisation, and are not prepared to be flexible in your attitudes, you possibly should re-consider training in P.S.H.  This method is designed explicitly to help clients make their own changes in their own best ways.  When therapists force their attitudes and beliefs onto clients, the results are usually negative - or at best, only temporary.

(E) PERSONAL THERAPY

It is widely accepted that many people find themselves drawn to the various areas of professional health care in an unconscious (and sometimes conscious) attempt to find answers to their own problems.  This may be particularly so in the case of psychological therapies in general, and perhaps even more particularly in the case of the subconscious-mind therapies.  We suggest you examine your motives very carefully in this regard.  It is unlikely that any personal issues would be permanently corrected as a result of participation in this practitioner training program.  It is not a 'self-help' course.

We hasten to acknowledge however, that many of our most successful students sought training - after experiencing the life-changing results of their own P.S.H. therapy.

As it is not considered ethical for trainers to work with students on a consultative basis, we recommend that if you believe you have personal issues to address, you seek professional help from an independent P.S.H. therapist before commencing your training.

(F) TIME SCHEDULING

The program is carefully structured in such a way that students are able to maintain their current employment and home-life commitments.  However, it is vital that you allocate the necessary time to fully attend all parts of all training modules and fulfil all obligations of the course.  It is almost impossible to 'catch-up' on time missed during the training sessions and no part of the curriculum can be repeated to cater for late or non-attendance.  In addition to the time spent attending each training module, it is also necessary to allocate 'homework' time (on a weekly basis) in order to complete the required home assignments and practise.

Intending students are strongly advised to register for a course, only when they are capable and willing to put the necessary time aside and focus attention on the program.

(G) COURSE FEES

Course fees may be paid by credit card, personal cheque, bank cheque or EFT.  Where a 'payment plan' has been offered, payments must be received by the due dates in order to continue in the program.  Contact the school for details.

(H) ACCOMMODATION

Several accommodation facilities are available, close to the training venue.  They are within easy walking distance to major shopping centres and public transport.  A list of these facilities is included with our application package, sent to people who apply to do the course.  This list will also be sent separately on request.

(I) DEFERMENT

In the event of it being impossible for a student to continue their particular course, arrangements can usually be made to defer at that time and enter the following program at the commencement of the appropriate module.  Where there has been changes to the course fee, extra fees may sometimes be incurred.

(J) GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate, students must successfully complete all course work, home assignments, all sections of the final assessment, which is carried out during the fourth training module, and they must have generated the required amount of successful client-research feedback.  Graduates are advised of their results as early as possible.  In the event of a student being unable to successfully complete all sections of the assessment, they are given the opportunity to do so as quickly as possible.  Undergraduates who show genuine keenness are given every assistance necessary to successfully fulfil all requirements and graduate.

When numbers warrant it, a formal graduation module is conducted approximately 6 months after the final training module.  This module includes course debriefing, review of all work, problem clinic, networking etc.  A formal graduation ceremony is held on the Saturday night and students are helped to plan the formalities to suit their own wishes, as far as possible.  The school encourages students to invite family and friends to the ceremony.  The program concludes and is formally closed, following the ceremony.  NOTE: The Graduation module is a separate, formal event and is only conducted when enough students are eligible for graduation.   

(2) P.S.H. PRINCIPLES and PHILOSOPHIES:

The process and techniques of P.S.H. have been gradually developed in the clinical setting over a long period of time.  The model taught in the I.C.S.T.R. (QLD) P.S.H. Practitioner Training Program is the result of a dedicated effort to find better ways of helping people resolve subconsciously based problems.  The principles and techniques have evolved through a process of clinical application and research, rather than mere speculation, theory or preconceived ideas.  Although much of what we say about P.S.H., is also said of many other therapy techniques, it is the only known subconscious-mind therapy that actually embraces and maintains the integrity of the principles and philosophies to which it aspires.  Appropriate application does indeed, empower the client to bring about permanent change and to lead a healthier, happier life.

The old notion that we have to know the cause of a problem, in order to 'fix' it, no longer holds true.  P.S.H. practitioners are trained to help clients resolve their problems without the need to traumatise them with memories of past hurts.  With correct guidance, a person can utilise their natural ability to make the desired changes within the privacy and seclusion of their subconscious mind.  The process of true emotional healing is a personal one, in which the therapist cannot be involved and although these ideas are not new, the clinical application of them is almost exclusively restricted to the practise of P.S.H.  Almost every clinician that works with subconscious problems, will agree that the 'healing power' lies within the client.  Unfortunately, many of the techniques used to help people with subconsciously-based problems, misrepresent that philosophy.

We readily acknowledge that there are many other therapy techniques that try to operate within the boundaries of these principles.  Regrettably, many of them do not.  P.S.H. has been specifically developed with the client's need for subconscious, emotional privacy, uppermost in mind.  It is only when the true 'rules' of the subconscious are honoured during therapy that genuine and lasting emotional healing occurs.  The 'privacy factor' is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of P.S.H.  However, it requires a very special expertise and clinical skill to maintain it adequately during the process of helping clients with their problems.

We have no doubt that further refinement and modification will continue in the field of subconscious-mind therapy.  During the development of this modality, there have been many changes and new understandings that have contributed to its effectiveness.  At present, it is a method that is capable of helping clients bring about permanent change in a very quick, private and gentle manner.  In most cases it has superseded the more commonly known subconscious-mind therapy techniques that have dominated the field of subconscious-mind therapy for more than a century.

The above represents only a small part of the important philosophy underlying the P.S.H. approach to emotional healing.  Current research indicates that the P.S.H. model will remain a benchmark in subconscious therapy for many years to come.  It is also clear that with the high standard of new practitioners coming into the profession, it will not only remain at the cutting edge of subconscious-mind therapy, it will most certainly continue to evolve.

©2009 I.C.S.T.R. (QLD)