Accidental Counsellor Foundations 2-day complete workshop

In this 2 day more comprehensive Accidental Counsellor Foundations Workshop we will provide you with necessary skills and tools to be able to step into the shoes of an accidental counsellor momentarily, respond appropriately, efficiently and effectively to people in crisis or distress when there may not be a professional immediately available.

Ever had to step into the shoes of The Accidental Counsellor?

In community services work, we may often be the first point of contact for someone in crisis needing immediate assistance. Even without a formal qualification in counselling, a toolbox of counselling techniques and questioning frameworks provides the necessary support to clients when they are anxious, angry, experiencing loss or in a challenging time in their life.

Participants gain a greater understanding of how to communicate more effectively and learn strategies to help foster effective and trusting relationships with clients or peers. In this workshop, we ask participants to reflect on personal values and beliefs and how they influence interactions with clients. How you respond will create an impact on the person in need of support or assistance and often determine the outcome of your interactions.

Only 3 registrations will be accepted per organisation for each community Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a dedicated training event for your organisation.

2 Day Workshop

• Module 1 The Accidental Counsellor
• Module 2 Barriers to listening
• Module 3 Values and beliefs
• Module 4 Understanding emotional crisis
• Module 5 Understanding conflict
• Module 6 Dealing with behaviours of concern
• Module 7 Professional boundaries
• Module 8 Self-care

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Comprehend how values can get in the way of good listening
• Differentiate between effective communication and counselling
• Determine the urgency of a situation by utilising appropriate assessment skills
• Engage empathetically with others using specific counselling and communication skills such as rapport building, reflection of feelings, paraphrasing, active listening
• Develop specific questioning techniques to suit different situations
• Identify and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas
• Be ethical in your approach when dealing with sensitive information
• Be able to set boundaries and limits yet still maintain an appropriate level of involvement
• Appreciate the importance of debriefing and caring-for-you-as-carer after emotionally-charged interactions.

When you reserve your place at this workshop, we ask that you do not attend if you are feeling unwell on the day of the event or during the days leading up to it. Let us know if you can beforehand so that we are able to adjust catering.  

Lifeline Direct Ltd Training Booking Terms and Conditions

Payment at the time of booking: Places at our workshops can be paid by credit card or an invoice can be requested at the time of purchase if an organisation is to be billed.  Invoices are not issued to private individuals.

Refunds: We can refund payment if we are notified to [email protected] at least 2 weeks before the scheduled workshop.

Rescheduling: If we are notified to [email protected] at least 2 weeks before the workshop date of the inability to attend, the booked place may be transferred to another same workshop, once only. If there is a cost gap between the original payment and the rescheduled place(s), that differential will be applied to the rescheduler.

Replacement: If a registrant is unable to attend, the booking may be transferred to another person for the same workshop. This must be arranged at least 5 business days before the workshop by notifying us at [email protected] with the new attendee’s details. 

Maximum numbers: For individuals paying a place-by-place set price or seeking places at one of our funded events, we accept no more than three registrations per organisation.  Lifeline reserves the right to reject applications or payments made that exceed this limit.

Minimum age: We do not accept applicants under 18 years of age.

No-Show Policy: if a registrant does not attend the booked workshop, the place is forfeited, and no reschedule or refund will be offered.

Cancellations by Lifeline: in the unlikely event that Lifeline needs to cancel or reschedule a workshop, those registered will have the option to transfer to another workshop at no extra charge or receive a full refund.

Regional criteria & funded places: Some of our workshops are funded by corporate benefactors who determine a specific regional boundary of where applicants work and/or live.  Only apply for a funded place if you meet the regional eligibility criteria.

Responsible registration: Before completing an application for a funded place, please be aware that such places are in high demand.  Those unable to attend should notify us as soon as possible at [email protected] to allow another eligible participant to take a vacated place.

Dedicated workplace events: In the case of a group booking for which a commercial rate has been negotiated, if the booking is cancelled more than seven days but less than 14 days prior to commencement of the planned training, a 20% administration fee will be charged. If cancellation of a group or organisation booking is made less than seven days before workshop commencement, 50% of the negotiated rate will be charged. A dedicated Training Support Team representative will work with clients to help prevent cancellations and minimise penalties.