We are very excited and delighted to announce that we are launching a new qualification:
Certificate in Coping Skills for Stress Training.

The certificate is designed to enable students to prepare and teach a series of stress coping skills training workshops for groups – that can be adapted as needed. 

Teaching coping skills to a group is generally easier and less complex than one-to-one therapy – and after Stage 2 of the Diploma course many students are very capable of teaching basic evidence-based coping skills in relaxation, self-hypnosis and meditation to groups of people. This can be of immense benefit to people.

The idea is to allow you to be out there helping people cope with stress even before you’ve finished the Diploma, and to be able to build your skills and reputation, earning an income prior to full qualification in hypnotherapy.

This Certificate includes 2 hours of 1 to 1 coaching, assessment and feedback on your ability to teach evidence-based stress coping skills to an appropriate audience or group.

Prerequisite Skill Level / Knowledge

All students will have completed Stages 1 and 2 of the Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy – 90 hours of training either tutor-led/online/blended/self-directed. 

Students will be able to explain and teach the following stress coping skills:

Required

• Benson Meditation and Relaxation Response
• Simple Observing Thoughts Meditation/ Mindfulness
• Self-Hypnosis for Relaxation
• Self-Hypnosis for Basic Self Suggestion of Coping Statements or a self-written suggestion script.
• Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Various Tension Release/ Relaxation approaches
• Breathing and Relaxation – including diaphragmatic breathing and lengthening the exhalation
• Self- instruction, writing coping statements and using Coping Cue-Cards.

Optional  

• Self-Expression and Assertiveness Training
• Thought Spotting and Disputation
• Thought Spotting and Switching to Helpful Thoughts
• Keeping Records (self-monitoring)
• Identifying Triggers
• Rehearsal of relaxation for target trigger situations 

Students will be able to:

• Position workshop effectively with potential clients so that they understand the nature of stress and the range and role of coping skills.
• Have a clear and structured delivery plan.
• Confidently manage group expectations from outset including discussing contraindications/ abreactions.  
• Ensure group members understand the voluntary nature of the workshop. 
• Understand and explain the difference and boundary between skills training and therapy.
• Understand how to deal with interruptions, requests beyond level of competence and how to refer on appropriately – “signposting”.

Assessment Methods

Student’s practice notes are evaluated, assessed and given feedback by tutors continuously to form a body of evidence. 

Students will identify three techniques and role-play with a peer group, demonstrating capability of working with groups.  Feedback from the group is sent to the assessor.

Students will also arrange practice sessions with their own small group of volunteers and gather feedback which is sent to the assessor.

Provide a ten-minute video recording to include: 

• a personal introduction 
• an introduction to a coping skills workshop 
• the rationale for the session
• the nature of stress
• describes the techniques to be learnt during session.

Produce a one-page handout which will include:

• the rationale of the workshop
• the impact of stress in the workplace/educational establishment
• what the workshop will include
• what attendees should expect to learn / takeaway.

Materials

In addition to completing stage 1 & 2 of the Diploma the student will have access to:

• Definitions of Stress – 2 lessons from Module 1 of SMRB training
• Workshop Presentation Skills & Workshop Design lessons from Module 6 of SMRB training

Fee

The fee for the Coping Skills Certificate is £235.00 and includes 2 hours 1-1 coaching, submission of questions & recordings and feedback on practical exercises during coaching.

What are the key differences between the Coping Skills Training Certificate and the Stress Management & Resilience Building (SMRB) course?

Students who complete the Coping Skills Training Certificate will be competent to run small workshops or training sessions, teaching the coping skills outlined above.

The SMRB course is a more in-depth stress management course that provides a more extensive understanding of different stress models, resilience, disorders of arousal and relevant neurology.  Students completing the SMRB course will be qualified to work with individuals in a therapy context as well as providing workshops and training – and would be able to draw on more extensive theory and a wider range of techniques.