So, you want to be a Clay Conversations Practitioner … read on!

Clay Conversations is an associated branch of the Clay Therapy Community (www.claytherapy.co.uk) with both trainings being offered under the auspices of Bridging Creative Therapies Consultancy (www.bctconsultancy.co.uk)
 
Clay Conversations Practitioner Training has been devised as a direct response from many professionals requesting training to work with clay to build well-being. These professionals are parents, special education needs teachers, teachers, teaching assistances, nature leaders, youth workers, summer school and forest school providers, and even a school nurse in Tasmania.
 
This training has been developed by Dr Lynne Souter-Anderson in line with a Level 5 RQF qualification (Regulated Qualification Framework). Dr Souter-Anderson has almost 60 years of interest in clay, pottery and ceramics through her various roles as a student, teacher, psychotherapist, author, workshop presenter, trainer and researcher – her Doctoral thesis was on The Use of Clay in Therapy. This places her in a unique position to create the Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations.
 
Please remember that the Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations is not a training programme that sets a practitioner up to work as a Clay Therapist neither as a therapeutic practitioner, though naturally there is likely to be a therapeutic element in working with clay as evidenced by research. (Souter-Anderson, 2021). 

Upon successful completion of the 3 Parts of the one-year study programme the Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations, will be presented.
 
The Award equips and upskills the practitioner to offer clay sessions with the purpose of building and supporting well-being and comprises of 3 Parts

• Part 1 – 18 hours. Clay Conversations
• Part 2 – 12 hours. Clay Conversations with Groups
• Part 3 – 13 hours. Clay Conversations and Stories

Part 1 – Clay Conversations, 18 hours
6 Online live interactive training meetings of 3 hours

2022 May 11th, 18th, 25th & June 8th, 15th, 22nd.
4.00pm - 7.00pm

Part 1 Programme Content:

• Review of experience and interest in working with clay
• Historical and cultural perspectives in clay working
• Clay, it’s properties and different types
• Sourcing clay
• Active listening skills
• Benefits from working with clay
• Age appropriateness for clay work
• Diverse and specific needs in clay work
• Aesthetics and process orientated clay work
• Underpinning theory and research into using clay for building and supporting resilience and well-being
• Links with nature well-being practices
• Case material
• Legal, ethical and professional aspects to working as a Clay Conversations Facilitator
• Safeguarding and child safety aspects
• Application of learning
• Abundance of clay activities

Part 2 – Clay Conversations with Groups, 12 hours
4 Online live interactive training meetings of 3 hours
 
2022 January 13th, 20th, 27th & February 3rd 4.00pm - 7.00pm
2022 September 21st, 28th & October 5th, 12th. 4.00pm - 7.00pm

Part 2 Programme Content:

• Experiences of group work
• Group stages and phases when working with clay
• Inclusiveness and roles in groups when working with clay
• Setting up clay groups: benefits and limitations
• Case material
• Legal, ethical and professional aspects to working as a Clay Conversations Facilitator
• Safeguarding and child safety aspects
• Abundance of clay activities with groups
• Application of learning

Part 3 – Clay Conversations and Stories, 13 hours
4 Online live interactive training meetings of 3 hours plus 1 hour tutorial
 2022 April 21st, 28th & May 5th, 12th 4.00pm – 7.00pm
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2023 January 18th, 25th & February 1st, 8th. 4.00pm - 7.00pm.

Part 3 Programme Content:

• The role of stories and storytelling
• Age-related clay work with stories for individuals and groups
• Benefits and limitations of clay work and stories
• Themed, helping stories and purposeful stories in clay work
• Case material
• Legal, ethical and professional aspects to working as a Clay Conversations Facilitator
• Safeguarding and child safety aspects
• Abundance of clay stories
• Application of learning
• Ways forward

Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations Assignments

Part 1

• Learning Journal
• Peer and trainer feedback sheets
• Observation sheets
• Assignment, Clay appreciation
• Assignment, Using clay within cultural and diverse forums

Part 2

• Learning Journal
• Assignment, Group review
• Assignment, Setting up groups
• Assignment, Clay Conversations group plan

Part 3

• ​Learning Journal
• Assignment, Clay story creation
• Professional and personal statement

Assessment Process
There are two categories for assessed written assignments; these being ‘Achieved’ or ‘Not yet achieved’. Assignments that are assessed as being in the second category may be resubmitted within one month from the assessment date.

Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations, full course fee £695.
Please see Payments page for instalment options.
Fee covers the following;

• All 14 live, interactive online training sessions
• Resources to include, PDF Study Guide and Training session hand-outs, Guidelines for assignments, Feedback and observation template sheets.
• Email support from trainers throughout the duration of the training programme
• Practitioner Group Consultation meetings offering questions and answers opportunities  

Getting the most from the training

• As well as the live, interactive online training sessions you will need to set aside personal study time for the written assignments and required reading
• Thinking and reflecting time is also important in between the online training sessions
• Ensure you have your own supply of clay for online sessions and further creative work, play and modelling
• You will need to give consideration as to where and when you will be able to set up an ‘application opportunity’, this means setting a time and place where you can practise the course learning with a friend or family
• Aim to keep an open mind and be willing to experiment and explore your own use of clay in between online training sessions
• Be willing to ask for help if, and when you need it for group support is important to get the most from the Clay Conversations training.
• Remember learning can be fun too and so rewarding!

And what will you do with your learning upon successful completion of the Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations?
Perhaps you see the Practitioner Award in Clay Conversations as a training that will enhance your current work or role and that’s always very worthwhile. On the other hand, you may be seeking new avenues of employment or creating new work possibilities for yourself. Whatever you choose, you’ll know that this programme of study will have provided a solid foundation for your next step.
Remember, there will always be support at the end of an email you send to us helping you on your way.
 
Dr Lynne Souter-Anderson
Founder of Clay Conversations