The diploma involves two levels or phases. During Phase I of your studies, the focus is on understanding, cognitively and experientially, the Process Work paradigm and its application in various areas. This involves becoming able to communicate about it to others and being able to compare and contrast it with other approaches. Completing the Phase I stage is dependent on the approval of the Study Committee after the first year of study. Phase II studies focus on your learning spirit and the experiential and practical application of Process Work, on your ability to work with the paradigm, to discuss your work and to work fluidly with your own process.
At the end of each Phase of study there are exams. These are regarded as a ritual, marking points of transition as you wrestle with and go beyond critics and personal edges, as you pick up new identities, moving from student to facilitator of processes, an opportunity to celebrate your progress. They can be difficult and challenging, but also beautiful experiences. The Phase I exams concern your grasp of the paradigm, theory and concepts of Process Work and your ability to articulate it. The Phase II exams mark your entering a spirit of ongoing learning.
Phase I Study
After a minimum of one year, the whole study committee should meet together, in order to focus on you, find out how your studies are developing, and support you in connecting with your unique learning process, to the learning community and study committee. At this meeting, the committee will also look at the various strands of your studies, including personal therapy, seminar attendance, contact with your study committee, work in peer groups. The committee will determine that there have been sufficient hours (30) of personal therapy completed, as well as seminars (4), and consistent contact with the study committee and peer group. It is also a time to make sure that you have a basic familiarity with the Process Work paradigm.
At this meeting you will have an opportunity to present a written resume of your personal process, past experiences and dreams and proposed fields of study and research. This meeting is pivotal to determining if and how you proceed with your course of study. Exceptions to the guidelines stated above should be carefully discussed and processed with your study committee.
Phase I Exams
After at least two years, when you are ready and upon written recommendation of your study committee, you can take your Phase 1 exams. You may need to sign up for exams approximately 6-9 months in advance. At the time of exams, you should have completed 80 hours of personal therapy, and attended a minimum of 8 seminars over the two years excluding supervision seminars. Because of the way in which the different themes interconnect and the usefulness of `cooking' them together, once started, the Phase I exams must all be taken within 13 month period. You will be examined on the areas of study listed below, in ten oral exams. Additionally there is an exam on the basics of anatomy and physiology in relation to Process Work, and an ethics discussion and exam.
Areas of study:
Substantial reading is required as well as seminar attendance (to gain a strong foundation knowledge in the following themes:
1. History and philosophy of process thought:
the foundations and development of process thought, drawing on Taoism, alchemy, mythology, physics and the psychology of Jung.
2. Process theory:
other psychological approaches, (including Jung, Freud, Gestalt, Moreno and Rogers, cognitive / behavioural, transpersonal), together with a basic understanding of modern physics, systems theory and information/communications theory.
3. Working in the visual channel:
the theory of process oriented dreamwork, knowledge of the dreamwork of other psychologies, (including Jung, Freud, gestalt, Moreno and Rogers), ability to work with myths, fairy tales and legends, knowledge of art therapy and of shamanism.
4. Working in the proprioceptive channel:
process oriented bodywork, including working with symptoms and illness, knowledge of other approaches to body work, comparative medical systems and foundations of psychosomatic medicine.
5. Working in the kinaesthetic channel:
process oriented movement work, knowledge of dance, dance therapy and the martial arts.
6. Working in the auditory channel:
process oriented approach to discovering the process structure in linguistic information, to working with music and sound, familiarity with music therapy and the field of linguistics.
7. Relationship work:
process oriented relationship work, a knowledge of systems theory and other approaches to relationship work, couple and family therapy.
8. Working in the world channel:
process oriented worldwork, including an understanding of social and political issues from a process work perspective, especially the dynamics of oppression, dominance and marginalisation, polarisations within a field and the facilitation of groups and conflict, a knowledge of other theories of group dynamics, systems theory, the collective unconscious, the I Ching, process oriented approach to environmental issues.
9. Working with altered and extreme states:
process oriented work with altered and extreme states of consciousness and addictions, familiarity with psychopathology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, progression of the major disorders, (etiological theories), psychopharmacology, working with trance states, shamanism, ethnopsychotherapy and the collective aspect of these states. Work with the dying and with comatose states.
10. Working on yourself alone:
inner work, (which is practically examined), a knowledge of other systems of meditation, yoga, eastern and western spiritual practices, Jung's active imagination.
Phase II Study
On passing the Phase I exams, you become a Phase II student. Provided you meet supervision requirements, you can now work with clients, calling yourself a student of Process Work, i.e. one hour supervision per 5 client hours. You will continue to develop the three strands of the training, attending seminars on each of the different themes and participating in video study and group supervision. You will be working towards an advanced level of skills and metaskills, a theoretical and practical understanding of individual and systemic processes, and an ability to process fluidly inner and outer tensions and life difficulties with a spirit of creativity and life.
Together with your study committee, you will determine your readiness to take the final Phase II exams. This will be at least three years, (the minimum period), after successfully completing your Phase I exams. While we regard studying Process Work as a lifelong activity, these final exams are an important stage in this process, reflecting a high level of skill and commitment on your part and are, invariably, an awesome experience.
Phase II Exams
Before taking the exams, you must have met the following practical requirements:
- the written recommendation of your study committee members and therapist
- 250 hours of personal therapy, at least 200 hours of which with a certified process worker
- 250 hours of case control and supervision, 15 hours of which recorded on video
- completed clinical and worldwork practical placements, amounting to 500 hours, 250 of which should involve direct contact
- run a course or workshop on process work
- completed a research project, a creative project or diploma thesis.
Areas covered are:
Ability to work on your own personal process:
1.Innerwork
2.Working on a personal conflict with another person
Ability to:
3. Work with an individual on an unspecified issue
4. Work with an individual on a symptom or physical illness
5. Work with an individual in an extreme state of consciousness
6. Work with relationship with a couple or family
7. Work with a group
Cognitive skills:
8. Analysis of a videotaped session which the examiners provide.
9. Ethical issues for individual, relationship and group work