The development of skills in self-awareness through inner work is central to the holistic counselling and psychotherapy model.

The development of skills in self-awareness through inner work is central to the holistic counselling and psychotherapy model. This 3-credit point Inner Work 1 unit develops the metaskills of deep respect, listening, presence in relationship, the ‘not knowing’ or ‘beginner’s’ mind and curiosity.

Self-reflective exercises are introduced in this unit, including the use of rapid writing, journaling, drawing, mindfulness and meditation. Exercises in this unit are designed both for the development of the therapist and to be applied in therapy sessions for the empowerment of clients.

Specific exercises in Process Oriented work are developed, including “Working on Yourself Alone” (Mindell, 2014), dream work, body work and relationships. The flirting exercise (Mindell, 2002) and other experiential exercises such as Goethe’s observation of nature are introduced, to develop students’ capacity to open to deeper levels of awareness than everyday consciousness, thereby becoming aware of the essence, or the working of a universal consciousness in each person’s life.