“The Triad of Support: Advanced Course in Relationship Building, Counselling, and Child & Adolescent Psychology for Educational Professionals”

This holistic and experiential six-day course is designed for educational professionals seeking to deepen their ability to relate through the integration of advanced communication and counselling skills with an advanced psychological understanding of child and adolescent behaviour. Grounded in scientific theory and evidence-based psychological practices, the course empowers participants to cultivate meaningful interpersonal connections, enhance emotional attunement, and respond effectively to relational challenges. Through experiential learning - including group activities, self-awareness exercises, role-plays, and the application of the original Interviewing Microskills Framework©, developed by the Trainer - participants develop both personal insight and professional competence. The course also provides a systemic perspective on family dynamics while offering a culturally enriching experience in Cyprus.

Please note: Course dates can be arranged upon request

Location: Paphos - Cyprus

Course Program

Day 1

Welcome session

• Presentation of EISF and Trainer

• Group activity

• Participants’ Introductions

• Presentation of the course - Participants’ goals and needs input

• Exploring possibilities for Participants’ active involvement

• Housekeeping – practicalities 

Entering the course

• Building relationships of mutual respect and understanding: Necessary preconditions

• Self-awareness exercises 

• The Self as an active listener: Psychological role/orientation

• The psychological nature of Counselling 

• Building Rapport: The necessary preconditions 

• Closing of the day: What will you be taking at home from today?

Day 2

• Presentation and practice with the comprehensive Interviewing Microskills Framework©: Observation & Self-Evaluation (v. 2), developed by the Trainer, which consists nineteen (19) skills 

• Experiential learning: dyadic and group exercises

• Developmental reflections, feedback, and role-plays

• Psychological blocks to relational building 

• Closing of the day: What will you be taking at home from today?

Day 3 

• Interviewing Microskills Framework© (continued): Developmental reflections, feedback, and role-plays

• The Communication context (dimensions of communication)

• The “Listen” poem

• The power triangle

• The self-fulfilling prophecy

• Closing of the day: What will you be taking at home from today?

Day 4

• Family Systems Theory, and child and adolescent psychological adjustment. 

• The Differentiation of Self: A global construct?

• The “secure base” and its potential school impact 

• The “omnipotent parent” in childhood  

• Internalized symptoms in children and adolescents: anxiety, depression, somatization, withdrawal

• Externalizing symptoms in children and adolescents: aggression, defiance, impulsivity, conduct issues

• Closing of the day: What will you be taking at home from today?

Day 5 

• Egocentrism of adolescence and alternative psychoanalytic views 

• The adolescent identity journey: family vs peers 

• The self as relationally negotiated: How adolescents may change across social contexts

• Negative group affiliations: Possible causes.  

• Exercise: Letter to our adolescent selves 

• Closing of the day: What will you be taking at home from today?

Day 6

• Putting the pieces together: Course summary

• Participants’ experiences: Sharing, Questions and Answers

• Course evaluation and feedback

• Opportunities for future collaboration

• General discussion

• Cultural sightseeing led by professional guide