Our Regional Training Groups offer a safe and encouraging space for counsellors to come together for training and support. 

• Counselling can be lonely work and RTGs provide an ideal opportunity to connect, while refreshing and learning new creative counselling skills, practising with peers to gain more confidence.

• Groups typically take place up to 6 times a year (usually on the same day of the week for around 3-4 hours during the day), at the home of the group leader, who will be a Deep Release creative counsellor.

• There is an element of group supervision, and some groups offer this as a specific optional extra at the end of the group.

• Most of the people attending RTGs share Christian faith, and from time to time the sessions will include exploring spiritual issues and prayer, but we welcome people of all faiths or none and the group will offer sensitivity and acceptance of different views.

• There is a charge of typically £30-£40 each session (set by the leader). Bursary help can be offered to those in financial need (depending on available funds).

• Participants are asked to bring their own lunch, refreshments are included. Participants are also requested to bring their own felt tip pens and paper, otherwise creative tools are provided in most cases.. 

• CPD certificates are provided.

Interested in joining a group?

Email us! info@deeprelease.org.uk

Current Regional Training Groups

Hampshire/Wiltshire (SO51)

Meets around 4-5 times a year on a Monday

Debbie Waldron is co-coordinator of the Hampshire and Wiltshire Regional Training Group.  She was an ACC accredited counsellor and supervisor for over 16 years and has an MA in Christian Spirituality.  Debbie is now retired from counselling and counselling supervision, but continues to use creative interventions in training and various aspects of spiritual direction/supervision.

Debbie is married with adult children and grandchildren.  She loves Celtic and medieval spirituality and being in nature.

Liz Strain is co-coordinator of the Hampshire and Wiltshire Regional Training Group. She is a trained Deep Release therapist, with an MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy. Liz is registered with UKCP and is a counsellor, supervisor and Spiritual Director. She has a real interest in the creative and the arts in spirituality.

Liz has three grown-up sons and enjoys cooking, eating and walking!

Hertfordshire (HP3)

Meets around 5-6 times a year on a Friday

Hazel Barton has a Diploma in Integrative Counselling, a Diploma in Supervision, and is accredited with the Association of Christian Counsellors.

She has been integrating Deep Release into her practice since 2004 and is an experienced trainer with both Deep Release and Barnabas Counselling Training. 

Hazel is married with two children and four grandchildren. 

Online Group via Zoom

Meets around 5-6 times a year on a Saturday

Hazel also leads an Online RTG, ideal for those who don’t have a group in their area. 

Essex (CM15)

Meets around 6-8 times a year on a Friday

Morag Barker has a Post-graduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Counselling & Theology and a L5 Certificate in Integrating Creative Interventions in Counselling.  She is a trained Deep Release therapist, and you will often see her pop up on our training days as a Q&A host.  She has her own private practice based in Walthamstow, East London as well as counselling one day a week within a palliative care hospice setting. She has many years of experience running groups within a church setting and loves bringing people together to support and encourage one another. Morag and her husband have three growing daughters who inspire her to be brave and try new things! 

Kent (TN12)

Angie Petrie is a Deep Release counsellor with a diploma in Integrative Counselling and a Level 5 Certificate in Creative Counselling. She is an experienced group leader with a passion for creativity.

Angie Petrie is a Deep Release counsellor with a diploma in Integrative Counselling and a Level 5 Certificate in Creative Counselling. She is an experienced group leader with a passion for creativity.

Worcs (Evesham)

Christine Cooper is co-coordinator of the Worcestershire Regional Training Group. She is originally from New York and has lived in the UK for the last 24 years. Christine holds a FdA in Counselling, a qualification in Supervision and works in her own private practice part-time alongside also working as a tutor/curriculum lead for counselling courses. Christine has a background working in education, in particular with those that struggled with a school setting which led her to go on to train as a counsellor. She has a love of all things creative, in her work and also in her downtime. Tie the two together and a creative counsellor emerged who sees the benefit it can have.

Carla Retallick is co-coordinator of the Worcestershire Regional Training Group. She is a qualified Person-Centred counsellor with a vast knowledge of people from all walks of life and different cultures. Having lived in 5 countries and fluently speaking 3 languages has helped her develop empathy, non- judgmental and congruency towards people. Carla worked in a high school for 14 years, raised 3 children, one of whom has autism and been married for over 30 years. She believes that all this life experience has led her to this amazing career and every day she feels privileged to do the job she does.

Interested in joining a group?

Send us a message letting us know which group you are interested in and and we will ask the leader of the group to contact you.

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