We are registering students for our upcoming modules as described below. These modules will lead to either the Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Counselling. Our programme and activities of the network were featured in the Straits Times on 14 April 2007. You may view a cutting of  the article at <http://www.alivecommunity.net/network/testimonials/ >

Our Advanced Diploma is a programme recognised as leading to professional membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
ACA is an association of over 2500 professional counselors which has international standing and accredits counselling training programmes.
For more details about ACA, do look at their website <http://www.theaca.net.au/ >

Interested participants are welcome to join the programme at the start of these new modules to earn the diplomas. 
Individuals who are not interested to pursue a formal diploma programme can enroll as audit students at a lower fee of $150 per module.

Our online brochures & application forms can be downloaded at <http://www.alivecommunity.net/education/counselling-program/ >
Just submit your application form, together with a copy of your NRIC/Passport & a deposit of $100 (Credit students)/ $50 (Audit students) upon registration.

(1) Module Title: Counselling Practice

Module Description:This module deals with providing an introduction to the role of the counselor and how he or she is able to meaningfully help individuals. Fundamental in this course will be exercises to develop personal self-awareness and the ability to communicate in a sensitive manner to clients. Students will gain an awareness on how their own personal values and background affect the counseling interaction. The student will learn how to conduct a counseling session including skills to engage the client, to provide intervention strategies and to monitor progress.

Dates: 18 August till 10 November on Monday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm

(2) Module Title: Marriage & Family Counselling

Module Description:Besides providing an introduction to the theory and practice of marriage and family counseling, students will be exposed to the Satir model of intervening with families. Students will learn about the impact of events in their families of origin to their current relationships. Students will also be presented with a systemic approach to understand  family dynamics. The classes will be practically oriented and students will explore their own family dynamics and use this to better understand how they can assist other families.

Dates: 4 September till  4 December (break on 23 Oct) on Thursday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm (Tentative schedule)

Course Fees:
$550 per module (credit student) is payable in 3 monthly installments - $200 (First 2 installments) & $150 (Last installment).
$330 per module (credit student) is the subsidized rate up to 40% from Alive Community Network for church staff/ leaders who are involved in counselling.
$150 per module (audit student) is payable for students who do not sit for exams and will only be given a certificate of attendance.

Staff and volunteers from NCSS Member VWOs are eligible for the 80% funding capped at $1000 per course under NCSS Pre-approved Training Grant for both diploma programmes. Do use VCF Ref. No. upon application i.e. PA0438/FY0708 - Diploma in Counselling & PA0439/FY0708 - Advanced Diploma in Counselling.

Instructors for the above modules:

(1) Mr. Joachim Lee, MSocSc
Joachim has a Bachelor of Theology from Melbourne School of Theology and a Masters in Counselling from University of South Australia. He has pursued additional training and certification in Solution Oriented therapy, Yungian therapy and Gambling and Addictions counselling. Joachim had many years of counselling students at the NUS counselling centre where he was Senior Counsellor He was also responsible for both counselling services and ensures the ongoing training of the counsellors at the centre. Recently, he has been supervising and counselling at the Tampines Family Service Centre as a Director of the centre. Joachim is a Certified Clinical Supervisor.

(2) Mr. Warren Tan, MSW
Warren Tan holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Hong Kong. He is among the only three therapists in Singapore to hold a clinical membership of the American Association of Marital & Family Therapists. Warren frequently provides counselling training and supervision to therapists and does many workshops and public seminars in Singapore and Malaysia. Warren is among the only therapists in the region to be permitted to run certification programmes in Satir therapy through the Satir Institute of the Pacific.

(3) Mr. Mathew Mathews, PhD
Mathew completed his PhD from the National University of Singapore with a thesis, "Clergy and Counsellors: Mental health care in Singapore". He received his training in counselling both at NUS and at Liberty University, Virginia. Mathew has published research on the intersection of religion and counselling and has several articles in the pipeline on mental health care. Mathew is actively involved in research. He was commissioned by the National Council of Social Services to examine professionalization of counselling in Singapore and by the National Youth Council to study help seeking behaviour among youths. Mathew actively provides counselling help and is a Clinical Member of the Australian Counselling Association.

Venue: Alive Community Network, Training Room, 291 New Bridge Road, #02-12 Oriental Plaza
(opposite Pearl Centre, 5 mins walk from Outram MRT station)

We will be glad to answer your  queries!

Best wishes,
Mei Cheng
Program Administrator
Alive Community Education Centre
DID: 6372 1053/ 6323 5393
Email: learning@alivecommunity.net
http://www.alivecommunity.net/education/counselling-program/

P/s - Frequently Asked Questions :
<http://www.alivecommunity.net/education/counseling-program/frequently-asked-questions.html >

These modules will lead to either the Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Counselling.
Our programme and activities of the network were featured in the Straits Times on 14 April 2007.
You may view a cutting of  the article at <http://www.alivecommunity.net/network/testimonials/ >

Our Advanced Diploma is a programme recognised as leading to professional membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
ACA is an association of over 2500 professional counselors which has international standing and accredits counselling training programmes.
For more details about ACA, do look at their website <http://www.theaca.net.au/ >

Interested participants are welcome to join the programme at the start of these new modules to earn the diplomas. 
Individuals who are not interested to pursue a formal diploma programme can enrol as audit students at a lower fee of $150 per module.

Our online brochures & application forms can be downloaded at <http://www.alivecommunity.net/education/counselling-program/ >
Just submit your application form, together with a copy of your NRIC/Passport & a deposit of $100 (Credit students)/ $50 (Audit students) upon registration.

(1) Module Title: Marriage & Family Counselling

Module Description:
Besides providing an introduction to the theory and practice of marriage and family counseling,
students will be exposed to the Satir model of intervening with families. Students will learn about the impact of events in their families of origin to their current relationships.
Students will also be presented with a systemic approach to understand  family dynamics. The classes will be practically oriented and students will explore their own family dynamics and use this to better understand how they can assist other families. 

Dates: 29 January till 29 April 2008 on Tuesday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm (Break on 5 Feb)

Instructor: Warren Tan, MSW
Mr. Warren Tan holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Hong Kong. He is among the only three therapists in Singapore to hold a clinical membership of the American Association of Marital & Family Therapists. Warren frequently provides counselling training and supervision to therapists and does many workshops and public seminars in Singapore and Malaysia. Warren is the only therapist in the region to be permitted to run certification programmes in Satir therapy through the Satir Institute of the Pacific.
 
(2) Module Title: Group Counselling

Module Description:
This course examines the elements of group dynamics and the leadership of groups involved in therapy. Various theoretical approaches to group counseling will be presented along with the knowledge and skills of how to facilitate therapy groups. Care will be made to examine adaptations that need to be made when dealing with different populations in group work. As part of the course, students will be required to either be involved in leading a group or be a participant observer of such a group.

Instructor: Joachim Lee, MSocSc
Joachim has a Bachelor of Theology from Melbourne School of Theology and a Masters in Counselling from University of South Australia. He has pursued additional training and certification in Solution Oriented therapy, Yungian therapy and Gambling and Addictions counselling. Joachim had many years of counselling students at the NUS counselling centre where he was Senior Counsellor He was also responsible for both counselling services and ensures the ongoing training of the counsellors at the centre. Recently, he has been supervising and counselling at the Tampines Family Service Centre as a Director of the centre. Group therapy is a common intervention in this centre. Joachim is a Certified Clinical Supervisor.

Dates: 31 January till 8 May 2008 on Thursday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm (Breaks on 7 Feb & 1 May)

Course Fees:
$550 per module (credit student) is payable in 3 monthly installments - $200 (First 2 installments) & $150 (Last installment).
$150 per module (audit student) is payable for students who do not sit for exams and will only be given a certificate of attendance.
$330 per module is the subsidized rate up to 40% from Alive Community Network for church staff and leaders involved in counselling.
Staff and volunteers from NCSS Member VWOs are eligible for the 60% NCSS Pre-approved Training Grant up to a cap of $1,000 for each diploma programme.

Contact details:
Rev (Dr) Mathew Mathews, Course Facilitator email to mathew@alivecommunity.net
Mei Cheng, Program Administrator at 63235393/ 63721053/ 94751721 or email to learning@alivecommunity.net

Venue: Alive Community Network, Training Room, 291 New Bridge Road, #02-12 Oriental Plaza
(opposite Pearl Centre, 5 mins walk from Outram MRT station)

We will be glad to answer your  queries!

P/s - Frequently Asked Questions :
<http://www.alivecommunity.net/education/counseling-program/frequently-asked-questions.html >

All of us want to cope well with our emotions. Sometimes we feel that we do not have the courage to face up to the world. Sometimes we feel lousy about ourselves and feel we are nobody. Some emotions affect us drastically and make us miserable.

This workshop uses principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that recognizes that most of our negative feelings stem from irrational thoughts.
If we learn to identify, change and replace these destructive thoughts  with new and more constructive ones, we will be heading onto a new direction in life.
The group sessions allow you to explore some of these issues together with others in a therapeutic setting.

Coming for these groups means that you are interested in having greater control of your emotions and thoughts. It is a sign of strength and not weakness! Sessions are interactive. You will get to interact with others, watch movie clips, read comic strips and learn new skills.

We hope to start our 3rd & final repeat run of Module 1 for 2007 of this 5-module programme on Thursday nights, 22 November till 6 December.

Outline of Module 1: Changing Surface Beliefs and Processes will be covered in 3 meetings.

1. Session One: Group Basics.    
2. Session Two: Thinking and Feeling.    
3. Session Three: Logical Errors.    
4. Session Four: Appropriate Logic.    
5. Session Five: Countering Logical Errors. 

We deal with the basics that show how our behavior and emotions are actually related to various thought processes. There are logical errors in some of our thinking that leads us to invalid conclusions.
A simple model of how our emotions are related to our beliefs and learn to deal with surface beliefs will also be explored.

Module 2: Going beyond the Surface Beliefs
We go beyond understanding the surface beliefs which affect our emotions and behaviour and give thought to what is beneath the surface.
The negative belief systems that all of us hold to through the advanced vertical arrow technique will be explored.
We find out how these belief systems (schemas) have developed through our families of origin and our experiences while we were younger.

Module 3: Analysis of Belief Models
In the third module, we begin the process to change these belief patterns, as we had explored the negative schemas we hold in the second module.
Here we use adversarial, investigatory and scientific analysis to test the belief models that have become entrenched in our minds.

Module 4: Changing Belief and Feelings
The fourth module teaches us how to change our beliefs and feelings using the useful techniques of schema content shift, schema rebalancing and imagery.

Module 5: Develop Plans of Change
We apply what we have gained through the process of changing our thinking and feeling to change our behaviors through developing self-change plans and rehearsals.

Note: Subsequent modules 2 to 5 will be covered in 2 meetings of 2-hours period per module.

Group Facilitator: Dr. Mathew Mathews
Dr. Mathews completed his PhD at the National University of Singapore and is a Certified Clinical Member of the Australian Counselling Association.

Venue: Alive Community Network Training Room 1, 291 New Bridge Road, #02-12 Oriental Plaza
Dates:Nov 22,29; Dec 6 Thursday evenings. Time: 8 - 9:30pm
Course Fee of Module 1 (Includes materials): $30 for Working Adults; $15 for Students
Subsequent Course Fees of Modules 2 to 5: $20 per module for Working Adults; $10 for Students
Note: In our efforts to serve the needs of the community, if you are unable to pay for the course fees but are interested in the course, please email Mei Cheng.

Contact information for Signups/ Enquiries:
Tel: 63721053 (Mei Cheng)
Email learning@alivecommunity.net

Here, you may download our application form & submit the completed form together with your payment via mail or walk-in.
For cheque payments, please issue your cheque payable to "Alive Community Network".

Outline of Workshop:

• An introduction to the homosexual community
• Sexual orientation and the sexual Lifestyle (the ex gay lifestyle)
• How does one become a homosexual?
• The self issue
• The vacuum issue
• The barrier issue
• How does a homosexual recover?
• What can you do for the ex-gay community?

About the Speaker

Edmund Smith was a former homosexual who lived a homosexual lifestyle from 1983 until 1994 when he decided to walk away from it.
He started the Real Love Ministry in Malaysia - a ministry that reaches out to the marginalised communities such as the deaf, people with AIDS and the homosexual community. 

Edmund is also a professional performing and recording artiste who has released two albums titled "Wake Up" & "Homosexuality and the Ex-Gay Lifestyle".  He is now happily married to Amanda and is blessed with two children, Angelica and Ethan Smith.

For our online brochure, please proceed to click here.

Venue: Oriental Plaza Oriental One, Level 4, 291 New Bridge Road
(Free Admission but Registration is Required.)

Date: 22 September Saturday
Time:  2pm - 5pm

Contact person for registration/ enquiries: Paul Teo
Tel: 63235393
Email: learning@alivecommunity.net

Everybody wants to grow emotionally, psychologically and relationally. Sometimes this requires the input of someone who is trained to listen and ask you the right questions. The structure allows you to focus your growth efforts.

There are other times when problems crop up in life. There is nothing to be embarrassed about talking about your problems with someone who is concerned and willing to help you think through things better. Getting help when you have a problem with a relationship or when you have thoughts bothering you or a habit which you can do without, is a sign of strength not weakness.

At ALIVE, we understand that it is hard to make that first step to talk to someone else whether it is to achieve greater growth in your life or to cope with a problem. We know that you may have many concerns in your mind about such help. Here are some things which may ease your mind.

Read

1. Counselling professionals at the centre abide by an ethical standard, one of which expects them to keep matters confidential. They will not talk to others about your problems. No one will know about why you appeared for counselling. Counsellors are however obliged to inform someone who can help when there is a risk you can possibly harm yourself or someone else. In those cases, it is in your best interest that they will get additional help for you. When this is done, you will be part of this process.

2. Our centre engages counselors at different levels to provide help. For an appointment with a master therapist, there is a fee which is payable for therapy. For the help of a trained professional and trainee counselors, we do not charge any fees. However we recommend a donation as described below. This is to ensure that you play a part in your personal development. Secondly it defrays the costs of such professional services (Counsellors require personal supervision, continual training etc which can amount to substantial amounts)

Master therapists -  These professionals commonly have at least a Master’s degree, a speciality training and over 10 years of experience in counselling. They have received an appropriate amount of supervision and engage in continuous learning and training. Counsellors engaged in this category at our centre have received certification and clinical membership in professional associations such as the Australian Counselling Association. Some have worked at length in places in the US and were licensed to practice counselling there. All of these professionals are also involved in the training and development of newer counselors both at the centre and at other agencies around Singapore.

A fee of $100 is charged for each consultation session.

Trained Professional – These professionals commonly have at least a Master’s degree and some years of experience in counselling (5-10 years). They have received an appropriate amount of supervision and engage in continuous learning and training. Counsellors engaged in this category at our centre have received certification and clinical membership in professional associations such as the Australian Counselling Association.

We recommend a $50 - $80 donation per session.

Trainee Counsellors – These students are training to become full fledged counselors. They have nearly completed a programme in counselling and are currently using their skills to help others. These student counselors are under supervision, i.e a trained professional or master therapist watches over their work to ensure that they provide quality service.

We recommend a $20 donation per session to help defray the cost of their supervision.

Donations and professional fees are to be made directly to the centre, and not to the professional who consults with you.

While we encourage donations for the help of our trained professionals and student counsellors, your donations are voluntary. We certainly understand that if you are a student, unemployed or financially challenged that you will not be able to make a donation at the moment, but sometime when your state of life changes. Thus we don’t want these donations to deter you from being helped!

3. Counselling sessions are normally one hour in length for each appointment. The number of sessions vary depending on what you and your counsellor discuss.

4. Our counsellors recognise that your cultural background and religious beliefs play a part in how well the sessions progress. While our counsellors are sensitive to all religious beliefs (or non religious beliefs), and do not impose their values on clients, we have counsellors who are particularly knowledgeable about the application of Christian resources to your growth. If this is important to you, please indicate this when you make an appointment for a suitable counsellor to attend to you.

Making Appointments

To book a counselling appointment, please call 63721053 or email learning@alivecommunity.net. The staff attending to your call or email are well trained to answer your communication. They will ask you the general nature of the consultation (you do not have to mention any details) so they can inform you of a suitable professional. You should also inform them if you would prefer a counsellor who is of the same gender as yourself or would prefer a Christian counsellor or if there are any other important preferences you have.

The staff will also ask if you are willing to pay for the services of a master therapist or whether you would mind a trainee counsellor.

Some areas we provide counselling in are as follows (though this list is not exhaustive)

• Premarital Preparation
• Marital Improvement
• Family issues
• Dealing with grief
• Christian based counselling / Spiritual issues
• Sexual/gender identity issues
• Addiction
• Personality issues / growth
• Self improvement
• Finding meaning and purpose to life
• Youth based issues
• Dealing with emotions (e.g anger, bitterness)
• Dealing with depressive thoughts

Do you know that depression affects nearly 10% of the Singaporean adult population? Depression and other types of mental illness can be rather debilitating. But the good news is that with early detection, proper treatment and a good supportive environment people who experience various kinds of mental disorder can live fulfilling lives within the community.

To help people better recognise those who may potentially have a mental problem and to be able to give them the initial support before professional treatment begins, we will be launching a 12 hour workshop entitled “Mental First Aid”. This programme has been well tested in Australia and has been shown to increase people’s awareness of mental health issues and assist individuals in playing a supportive role with those who may have mental health problems.

For detailed information about Mental First Aid, you can visit the following web address http://www.mhfa.com.au

You will receive a certificate of completion after you complete the training programme.

Who Should Attend:
Anyone who is interested in being more aware of the mental health needs of others.

Trainer: Ms Jeannie Koh, MA
An accredited instructor of MHFA who is also a mental health professional will be running this programme.

Venue: Alive Community Network Training Room 1, 291 New Bridge Road, #02-12 Oriental Plaza

Date: Course has been postponed as  the Australian package used in the pilot runs had some issues that needed to be addressed.
As such they have decided to fine tune the local version further. Hence, the programme will only be available possibly by November 2007.

Our own trainers who were responsible for bringing Mental Health First Aid to Singapore are designing a new programme which will address some of the same issues as Mental Health First Aid. We will keep you posted on this once we have finalised it.