FAQs

The body experiences the event first, followed almost immediately by the other levels of our being – language , ideas, thoughts, narrative, emotional responses, behaviours and relationships.

When in mortal danger, we experience instictive response of the fight, flight and freeze.  When the self protective responses are not completed, the capacity to recover ie.re-establish ease and regulation, is diminished.  It is clear from recent trauma research that the physiology must be central to the work of trauma integration that is the unfinished business of fight, flight and freeze.

Trauma support has traditionally targeted the emotional and cognitive levels or the verbal story, missing the importance of the physiology that is, the nervous system story.  It is the important work with the physiological encoding of an event, which, if missed, makes trauma resolution and integration very difficult.

Unlike these, the Somatic Experiencing approach to trauma resolution employs

• a bottom up-top down approach to working with trauma which maintains that it is change in the physiology which promotes change at other levels of the system.

• an exploration of capacity rather than the problem,  ie how the person continues to survive.

• Co-regulation is an inherent biological desire for connection with other humans and is embedded in our social engagement system.  and is central on the SE approach the basis of connection and is central to promoting safety. 

• a present focuss rather than the past or goal setting in the future and moving slowly from the sense of survival and capacity to engaging with small elements of the traumatic residue held in the nervous system ie the unfinished fight flight and the experience of freeze.  [LINK]

• an awareness of body sensation to help people “renegotiate” and heal rather than re-live or re-enact trauma.

• guidance re the bodily “felt sense,” allowing the highly aroused survival energies to be experienced safely and gradually discharged.

• an exploration of small elements of experience, rather than buliding towards catharsis 

• For those wishing to apply for the 3 year training, attendance at an Introductory workshop is a requirement.  
• The idea is that you get a flavour of the scope of the training to help you to decide whether or not to apply.  
• If you do an introductory workshop anywhere in the world, it is acceptaible at any training. 
• The workshop is also free standing and open to  anyone interested in SE. 

Introductory workshops take place 3 times per year.

The next Introductory Workshop will take place

• in person 
• In Belfast
• 11/12th May, 2024
• Maximum number of participants 14

The workshops usually take place in Belfast but can occur in other places, if the group numbers are sufficient.

Event info  https://www.irelandse.org/event/-----

Link to downloadable application forms, http://https://www.irelandse.org/students

The Introductory workshop is open to anyone who is interested in SE.  It is free standing and carries a CPD attendance certificate.

The next full training will begin in 28th Jan - 2nd February 2025  It is residential and there are 35 places. https://www.irelandse.org/training-events

This will be taught by SEI faculty member Linda Stelte and take place in Corrymeela https://www.corrymeela.org/

How do I apply for the training?

1. A downloadable application form is available here  https://www.irelandse.org/saltcp/files.php

2. A deposit (minimum £350) will secure your place in the training and payable before the first module. 

3. You will receive confirmation of your place in the training, when your registration has been processed and your application accepted.

4. Class sizes are limited .  Should all places on the course be taken at the time of your application, your payment will be refunded immediately and you will be invited to join the waiting list.

5. If you have been allocated a place in the training and should you decide not to take the place, cancellation must be made in writing. 
Cancellation up to 30 days prior to the start of the course is charged 50% of the deposit paid. Later cancellation is subject to 100% loss of deposit unless a substitute trainee, fulfilling the necessary criteria, can be taken from the waiting list.

6. The registration is binding for one year of training (12 training days).  Should you leave the training during that year, the fee will remain payable for that year. This also applies to those who are using a payment plan.

7. As this is a clinical training and not personal development,  you must include with your application form copies of the following which illustrate your practice context:  [Your application will not be considered until all the documentation is provided.]

• Copy of Introductory workshop certificate (if not provided by ISE)

•  a copy of your current curriculum vitae

• proof of membership of professional and regulatory body; 

• proof of professional insurance

• two professional references; (senior practitioner in you field or clinical supervisor and another regarding your ability to complete the training

• If intending to take the Pro Bono route, a signed commitment to provide 4 pro bono hours per month to a community organisation of your choice with contact details if available.  This would usually begin in the Intermediate year but can begin sooner.

All SE modules are  recognised universally from one training organisation to another.   This because the curriculum content is the same no matter where you do your training. 

As long as there is space in the student body for another participant, a student can change where they do their training.  

However, If you want to join a different training, you need to be able

• to provide evidence that you have successfully completed all previous modules in your original training
• meet any extra, specific requirements relating to the new one. 

The full curriculum consists of three levels conisting of 2 modules (72 hours) :https://www.irelandse.org/training-events

• Beginning, 

• Intermediate 

• Advanced 

Beginning:

• Understand the physiological basis of trauma.

• Learn about containment, resourcing and empowerment.

• Study tracking skills, titration and establishing continuity through the felt sense.

• Practice establishing defensive orienting responses, completion and discharge.

• Explore coupling dynamics, the elements of internal experience (SIBAM), and integrating experiential polarities, in order to restore creative self-regulation.

• Be able to identify, normalize, and stabilize traumatic reactions.

• Attain skills to avoid pitfalls of re-traumatization and false memory.

• Learn to uncouple fear from immobility; re-establish and maintain healthy boundaries.

• Investigate the transformative qualities of trauma.

• Integrate trauma work into ongoing therapy.

• Acquire short-term solutions to acute and chronic symptoms.

Intermediate:

• Examine the different categories and causes of traumatic shock and approaches to treating each case including:

• Global High Intensity Trauma i.e. surgery, electrocution, hallucinogens, drowning, suffocation, strangulation, fetal distress, traumatic birth, intrauterine stress, and invasive medical procedures in utero.

• Inescapable Attack i.e. by wild animals, rape, war, bombings, physical abuse, mugging, incest, molestation.

• Physical Injury i.e. surgery, anesthesia, burns, poisoning, hospitalizations, stabbing, gunshot wounds.

• Failure of Physical Defense i.e. falls, high impact accidents, head injury.

• Emotional Trauma i.e. severe neglect and abandonment, severe loss, ongoing abuse.

• Natural Disasters i.e. earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, floods, social dislocation from the natural world and community.

• Horror i.e. seeing an accident (especially with blood, gore), watching someone else be abused, raped, killed or tortured, killing or hurting someone yourself.

• Torture and Ritual Abuse i.e. war torture, repeated rape in war, concentration camp, and systematic abuse (sometimes with the person drugged).

Advanced:

• Learn about the relationship of trauma to various clinical syndromes.

• Further integrate SE theory and practice into the specialty area of the therapist.

• SE bodywork in working with the different categories of trauma.

• Application of research in the psychophysiology of trauma.

• The ‘art’ of therapy.

• Special topics including work with children and infants.

As a voluntary non- profit organisation, our aim is to keep the training costs as low as possible and equal to the cost of providing the training programme.

There are two levels of training fees:

• Full - applicable to those not offering Pro Bono hours
• Probono -To qualify for the reduced rate of fees you must sign a commitment to provide Pro bono hours to a community-based organisation of your choice.   Please note : if you are resident outside Ireland please discuss this with ISE

Total costs summary (estimated) - Group 6 beginning January 2025 (SEP certification)

All payments should be in Sterling or the currency equivilent

Please be aware that you should check the exchange rate between the sterling and other currencies at the time of your payment and include the bank charges when calculating your payment. Participants must allow for the additional costs of any banking fees incurred in the transfer.

This should be paid as follows:

one-time deposit of £350 is required prior to the beginning of the training, to hold your place in the class and is counted as part  fees for the first year. 

The balance to be made either;

• in two equal payments – one made four weeks before the beginning of each Modules  in any one year.
• via the payment plan (see below).

Fees must be settled completely by the end of the final module (Advanced 2).  No certificates will be issued if fees are outstanding or if no specific arrangements made for payment with ISE.

Please note: Late payments are subject to a 10% surcharge. Special conditions apply. 

Sterling Cheques made payable to Ireland SE CIC.

Bank transfers and internet banking also available.  

Payment Plan

Payment by amonthly plan is possible via direct debit.  All fees must be settled by the beginning of the final module. Therefore the payment plan is spread over 30 months and refders to the tuition fees only.   

Accommodation and daily rates, personal sessions and case consults are not included in the payment plan and should be paid separately to the relevant person

Minimal changes to the advertised cost of a particular training year are possible (travel expenses of substitute trainer in case of illness, etc.)

Ireland SE reserves the right to cancel and /or reschedule the Beginning 1 class due to low enrollment prior to the training beginning. In which case you will be notified as soon as possible and an immediate full refund of the tuition fee will be forwarded to your bank. 

Please note Ireland SE is not liable for any expenses incurred as a result of cancellation e.g. travel, accommodation

• give you a context for practicing your skills outside your own organisation or in a different section of it.  You can also do your probono hours in the health service 
• The probono route is to offer support to those who would not normally have access to this therapy
• You must choose those who have been on the waiting list so that people do not "jump the list"
• These are additional resources for the organisation.
• That SE becomes known to a wider community
• The probono fee is designed to help with the costs of the training by offering a "fee in kind" as part of the training fee

 ISE does not provides bursaries in order to begin the training.  

Ireland SE has been established as a Community Interest Company and as such may not make profits, all excess monies must be reinvested in the organisation to support its vision and purpose.  

We are however, in a position to offer an emergency bursary to support those already in training.  We are able to offer this because we have had support from people involved with the programme,including

• the voluntary work of the organisation’s personnel
• the support of Corrymeela as an organisation 
• the commitment of the assistants, 
• the willingness of participants to provide transport for those travelling to Corrymeela.
• donations

Who is eligible?

The emergency support is a one-off payment in the form of a free module, aimed at those who are already in training and who have experienced unexpected and significant change in their circumstances since beginning the training.

Applying for the emergency fund.

If you wish to apply for the fund you will need to supply the following:

1. A description of the change in circumstances and how this has affected your ability to meet the cost of the training module.
2. An outline of how the funding will be beneficial to you in completing your training
3. An outline of your plans for meeting the costs of your continued training.

Your information will be held in strict confidence and be considered anonymously by two Directors of ISE.

If you do not complete the training, having received an emergency fund payment, you may be asked to repay all or part of the award.

The training is led by a senior trainer who is a faculty member of either SEI or EASE 

The trainer is supported by a lead assistant and by a group of assistants who are there to support the learning of the students. We have one assistant per three students.

The programme lasts 3 three years with a specific content for each year and level of the training.

Programme Elements

Each level is made up of a number of elements:

• Teaching modules  
• Personal Sessions 
• Case Consultations 
• A self organising study group throughout the training between modules is not required but reccommended.

Modules

There are two 6-day modules per year  (Spring and Autumn) for 3 years.  

This is a total of 36 training hours per module so each year the students complete 72 training hours - a total of 216 training hours per full ccourse.

• Year 1        Spring: Beginning 1&2;   Autumn - Beginning 2/3 
• Year 2        Spring Intermediate 1/2  Autumn - Intermediate 2/3
• Year 3        Spring advanced one;    Autumn - Advanced 2

You may wish to complete the training modules only and obtain an attendence certificate.

However, if you wish to obtain a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) certificate, you must complete all of the elements of the training 100% attendance, 15 personal Sessions and 18 Case Consultations

Beginning Level (Year One)

• 5 hours of Personal Sessions
• 4 hours of Case Consultation

Intermediate Level (Year Two)

• 5 hours of Personal Sessions
• 6 hours of Case Consultation

Advanced Level (Year Three)

• 5 hours of Personal Sessions
• 8 hours of Case Consultation

A case consultation is not the same as clinical supervision.  In clinical supervision , the client is at the centre of the work and together the supervisor and the supervisee explore the therapeutic relationship.  The supervisor and supervisee meet regularly to hold the client/practitioner field in the forefront of the work.

In a case consultation the practitioner is the focus of the consultation.

As you will also have you clinical supervisor, [ or senior practitioner who support the client/practitioner relationship, your client will be well supported elsewhere.  The student (practitioner) and case consultatnt forcus on how well the theory and practice are being applied in their work.  Case consultations are much less frequent and therefore cannot hold the same degree of continuity with clients.

Accessing consultations

During training: you can book consultations during the residential training. These are held at times available outside of teaching time i.e. before training begins in the morning, at lunchtime or on free evenings.

In between training modules: consultations can be  arranged with programme assistants or SE practitioners agreed with the Trainer.  On Line sessions may be used where face-to-face sessions are not possible.  If you use an assistant not in the training team, be sure to ask if they are an approved consultation provider and at the current level of your training. 

All sessions must be logged on the case consultation record and validated by an approved assistant’. .  

Please note: It is your responsibility to maintain and retain these documents. They are required as evidence for your SEP qualification.  You will be asked a the end of each training event to log your completed sessions with the Administrator

Case Consultations

You must undertake 18 hours of case consultation, to include Individual and Group, during the 3-year training. Ideally these should also be spread over the three years. 

• A minimum of 6 hours of the required 18 hours must be with a SETI faculty member; these can be either in a Group or Individual Case Consultation 
• You are advised but not required to take the opportunity to get your case consultations whilst attending the module.  
• For Individual case consultations, 1 consult hour equals 1 credit hour. 
• Approved providers will provide Individual case consultations. Participants must receive a minimum of 9 hours of the required 18 hours of Case Consultation in an Individual Case Consultation format. 
• The fee for a case consultation is £55 until the 18 hours has been completed.  After that the fee is agreed with the consultant.
• Information is available in relation to those able to provide case consultation.

Personal Sessions

Personal sessions are to provide a context for exploring what you are learning during the teaching time. During these sessions it is reccomended that you reflect on your own experiences in relation to the module that you are studying.

You must undertake 15 hours of personal sessions during the 3-year training.

It is recommended that these are spread evenly over the full training i.e. five per year. This gives you the opportunity to experience what has been covered in the modules.  These 15 modules are the minimum indicated.  Many students do more than that.  

Only an SEP approved to sign at your level, may countersign your record of personal sessions

The module cost is £50 per hour until the 15 sessions have been completed.  After you have completed your required sessions,  the fee per session is negotiated with the  therapist.

Study groups, though not required  but are strongly recommended.  The purpose is to study the manual provided for each level of training and practice the skills in groups, between training modules.  This will help to embed the work, develop skills and support the cohesion and containment within the training group.   Experience has shown that study group support greatly enhances the experience of the learning in the modules.

Guidelines for Study Groups

• A study group is self-forming.
• Activities include reading, discussion, skills development, and revisiting training materials used on the modules including, videos, manuals and demos .
• It is recommended that you keep your group to even numbers for practice pairs and small enough to get focused support.
• For some of you a study group may not be possible given distances to be travelled etc.  In that case an internet group is possible and again this is a self-forming group.  
• Your group may benefit from having one of the training assistants attending. 
• Not every assistant will be available so please note the names of those who can be available when your study group is meeting.  Again your assistant may attend via an internet connection.
• Please bear in mind this will mean the assistants will have time away from their other practice and work, therefore your group will need to cover their travel expenses and provide a  group fee.
• A session is a 2 hour block and may be arranged as multiples of 2 over part or full days.
• The study group will be responsible for providing accommodation for the meeting.
• The study group may also be responsible for arranging accommodation for the assistant.
• If you cannot meet with a study group, please read the manual and email an assistant with your questions – should you have any!

Study groups have continued after the training has ended as a professional support for the newly trained practitioners.

Review of your progress takes the form of continuous feedback and guidance on the part of the Assistants and Lead Assistant, in consultation with the Trainer. This takes place continuously throughout the three years.  Feedback is aimed at supporting you to succeed in your training and to have a valuable personal experience.  

You will receive ongoing feedback through the triad work as well as your personal sessions and case consultations.  No written work is required.

You are expected to demonstrate continuing commitment to the training and the coherence of the training group.

• work with your own activation and trauma history
• reflect on the application of your SE skills and understanding of the theoretical framework
• participate in the group training
• demonstrate the skills taught in each module
• complete the attendance requirements

This individual feedback will refer specifically to the level of your SE skills and knowledge demonstrated during the Beginning and Intermediate Modules and – if necessary -a recommendation made to support your progress into the Advanced/third year of training.

Remember

If you wish to obtain a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Certificate (SEP), and be registered with SEI and EASE, the following additional requirements must be met:

For SEP certification (in addition) you will need to complete:

• the personal session requirements, listed and validated by the providing assistant
• the consultation requirements, listed and validated by the providing assistant
• 100% attendance.
• Personal Sessions: The aim of the personal session is to develop your awareness of your own nervous system and to and experience SE from a client's perspective.   You must complete these with and approved SEP/Assistant
• These are personal sessions related to training and different from on going sessions you may have elsewhere.  Therefore, you need to have your own therapeutic support in place outside the training. 15 hours of personal sessions are required to complete SEP certification.  The costs for personal sessions cost £50 for each of these sessions.
• Case Consultations: 18 hours of case consultation, to include Individual and Group, during the 3 year training. You must seek an approved consultation provider.  A minimum of 6 hours of the required 18 hours must be with a faculty member (accredited teacher); these can take place during the training module or between modules. For a group of ......
• Individual Case Consultations: For Individual case consultations, 1 consult hour equals 1 credit hour.  Participants must receive a minimum of 10 hours of the required 18 hours of Case Consultation in an Individual Case Consultation format. 
• Group Case Consultations:    Please discuss this with your consultant

You have two years to complete the SEP requirements though it is recommended that you try to do so as soon as possible after the training. If you do not complete the SEP requirements or you choose not to do so, then you will receive an attendance certificate from ISE.

The SEP certificate is provided by EASE and recognized by SEI.

 Attendance and absence

You must attend each day of each module, unless otherwise agreed with Ireland SE, that is 100% attendance.

Where this is not possible for unforeseen reasons, you will need to take part in the catch-up procedure which involves attending a tutorial with an assistant and using the training videos.  Please check with the lead assistant before you begin this work.

This is at your own cost as there will be an hourly fee payable to the assistant.  

You may use assistant and video support once only where absence from one complete module is involved.

You will be permitted a maximum of 

• two days’ absence within one module, supported by tutorial support.  
• More than two days in any one module will require you to retake the module. 

   

If you miss a complete module, you can finish in any training as long as you give evidence of having completed the other modules with a recognised training organisation. You must do so within 2 years.

If you miss more than one complete module you must retake the full training.

The training will take place in the beautiful setting of North Antrim on the North coast of Ireland.  We are delighted to be accommodated in Corrymeela. http://http://www.corrymeela.org

Full Board

Full board is available at Corrymeela, though it is limited.

If you wish to stay at Corrymeela during the training week you need to book early with Ireland SE. 

It is to be assumed that if you want to stay at Corrymeela, you will probably have to share a room.   If there is someone you wish to share with it would be good if you could let us know asap.

If you wish to have a single room this will depend on availability, given student numbers and there will be a single occupancy supplement.  

Non-residential

It is also possible to be non residential and there is sufficient holiday accommodation in Ballycastle ranging from hostal to hotel accommodation.  The price of B&B varies depending on the standard you choose.  Students often share a holiday apartment.  Public transport is limited so you are advised to stay in Ballycastle as Corrymeela is a mile outide the town and therefore walkable if you do not have transport.

You can obtain information from us and /or Moyle District council or the Northern Irish Tourist Board or Google search B&Bs in Ballycastle Co. Antrim.  Students regularly leave information re the B&Bs they have stayed in.

Cost

This is separate from the training fee you pay to ISE

Everyone pays the training facility fee [daily fee ) -  even if they choose not to have the meals provided.   The cost is determined by Corrymeela and may be subject to change. 

Those staying on site have an additional cost. The charge is determined annually by Corrymeela and may be subject to change.  

If you are staying off–site, breakfast (if you need it) lunch and evening meal and refreshments during the day are provided at no extra cost.

Our administrator collects this on behalf of Corrymeela.