The British Tinnitus Association - registered charity no: 1011145

BTA Counselling Training Courses For lay counsellors to help those with tinnitus

Course dates for 2008 are:

11 & 12 April

26 & 27 September

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) recognises the need to provide some training to enhance the skills of those who wish to help people with tinnitus.

As an organisation we have a commitment to support everyone with tinnitus and we are very aware of the importance of counselling in this regard.

We have obtained the help of a professional trainer to offer, with consultation, lay counselling training to enable participants, who may already have some experience, to build on this experience and so become better equipped to help people with tinnitus as well as to support other helpers.

The two-day course takes place at the Westminster Hotel, Nottingham, a venue that provides participants with excellent facilities and surroundings to make the most of the training.

Aims of the Training

to raise participants’ awareness and increase their understanding of the use of counselling skills and the counselling process, with focus on specific issues of loss and the process of adjustment to living with tinnitus
to provide an opportunity to practise counselling skills
to evaluate personal strengths, concerns and issues when working as a helper with tinnitus sufferers.
to increase participants understanding of the medical background to the condition of tinnitus, and introduce them to some of the practical coping
aids available at present.

Trainer - Vera Vaughan, BA MSc in Counselling:, Lecturer in Counselling, Counsellor in private practice, Member of the British Association for Counselling

Course Director – Eric Trowsdale BA Hons. (Psychology) BTA Counselling Training Adviser

Cost of the Course

BTA Member £240

Non BTA Member £260

The Cost Covers

Coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, overnight accommodation on Friday, breakfast, coffee and lunch on Saturday. Any additional accommodation, food etc is not covered in the cost and must be paid to the hotel before departure.

Due to the nature of the training, places are limited to 14, therefore it is important to apply as soon as possible.

Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of attendance and the BTA will maintain a list of registered helpers who have completed the course.

However, the BTA also reserves the right to withdraw any name from the list if it is felt that the person concerned is not acting in the best interests of the BTA. We expect that members will want the BTA to maintain standards and this is an effort to undertake that task.

The training consists of input on basic counselling and listening skills coupled with how to respond appropriately to the many enquiries that are received. There will also be some input on tinnitus as a medical condition and the audiological services available, so that you have knowledge to share with the people you help.

We welcome applications from professionals such as hearing therapists, audiologists etc.

Click here to see a copy of the BTA's Policy and Code of Practice & Ethics for Lay Counsellors

This course has been accredited with 12 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) units from the British Academy of Audiology

Booking Conditions

(a) Payment is due in full prior to the start of the course

(b) Cancellations for the course received 4 weeks before the start date will be refunded, less a £10.00

(c) Cancellations for the course received less than 4 weeks of the start date will not be refunded. Substitutions may be made at any time by informing the BTA office

[Updated 19 July 2007]