Professional Training

The Professional Training Program teaches Psychosynthesis theory, the principles of holistic counseling and the process of psychological and spiritual development. The program provides a multifaceted, in-depth theoretical and practical training as well as intensive personal, professional and spiritual growth for the participant. The syllabus covers the principles of synthesis and evolution, the nature and development of the human psyche, consciousness and will, psychospiritual development, self-actualization and self-realization. Training includes the techniques and methodology of psychological functions, subpersonalities and healing the inner child, guided imagery, expressive work, and more. (For a complete syllabus, click here.)
This training is open to those actively engaged in or studying the helping professions. This is an intense program that leads to certification as a Psychosynthesis practitioner. CEU's for social work and mental health counseling are available if requested 2 months prior to the start of the program, usually with your program application. PDP's for teachers may also be available. College credit may be obtained by those enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs.
Graduates of the program are currently applying Psychosynthesis principles to all aspects of counseling, including private practice, pastoral counseling, social work and psychiatric emergency services. They have also taken Psychosynthesis into educational, medical, and religious fields, business, the arts, conflict mediation, bodywork, dance and everyday life.

The Training experience is created when a small committed group of people come together in an atmosphere of personal, professional and spiritual growth. The training program focuses on experiential learning. All theory is grounded and amplified through personal exercises, work with fellow students, inner process and group sharing. It is considered essential that practitioners "practice what they preach" and the goal of optimal well-being and self-realization for each of our clients is one that is sought first by the practitioner. Thus, the training experience focuses on personal and spiritual evolution through our work in the group, and through the commitment to individual therapy that each trainee makes.
Training progresses to ongoing practicum work that includes practice guiding (counseling) with other students and ongoing one-on-one guiding sessions with a partner throughout the year. As a result, each student has ample opportunity for practice and professional development. Throughout the program, the trainee is encouraged to find his or her own "voice" as a professional. The true Self finds its expression in this work and for each practitioner it is unique. In the second year, trainees take the principles of Psychosynthesis and holistic counseling and learn the specific, in-depth application of those principles to the helping relationship. Supervision begins in the second year and continues into a third year for those who are interested in being certified as a Psychosynthesis practitioner. In the supervision year, trainees are given supervision of their work with clients in the field. It is in this final stage that students come to integrate Psychosynthesis into their work in a way that allows their deepest truths to find professional expression. Each year of the program is separate unto itself and years one and two are honored with a certificate of completion of basic and advanced Psychosynthesis training.

Training Program Components
Counselor Skills Training offers theory, individual and group exercises, and counseling practicum.
Personal and Group Process offers support, community, and interpersonal skill development.
Observation and Supervision allow the opportunity for feedback of practice work and analysis of therapy sessions.
Individual Therapy is required as an adjunct to the program and is designed to support trainees in their personal growth and offer experience of the counseling process.
Peer Counseling with a fellow trainee on a monthly basis solidifies newly acquired counseling skills.
Support Work includes reading in psychosynthesis and related fields, as well as exercises and writing to ground the training.

Training Staff
Dorothy Firman, Ed.D, LMHC, is the founder, director, and core faculty of the program. She also maintains a private psychotherapy practice, is an author, a professor of psychology, and a workshop leader. Dr. Firman is a founding member of The Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis. Support staff includes Jon Schottland, a psychosynthesis practitioner with expertise in a wide range of fields.

Program Logistics (for yearly program, for the Summer Intensive see below)
The program meets in Amherst, Massachusetts, a small and culturally diverse college town nestled in the scenic Connecticut River Valley. The next program begins in the summer of 2012 (see Summer Intensive below). We will meet on nine weekends each year for two consecutive years. Fee for the next Level I Program will be $3000. Some work exchange and scholarships are available. Fees include all books and materials. Housing and individual therapy (required) are not included. See the Amherst web site for housing options. Housing with local, fellow students is occasionally available. Monthly payment plans are available and we accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. The third year is individually designed for the needs of each student. The program is taught by Synthesis Center staff, under the direction of Dorothy Firman, and has run continuously since 1980. Our next Level I is a summer intensive, see below for details.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this training with our director of training she can be reached at didi@synthesiscenter.org

Level I Summer Intensive
We will be running a Level I Summer Intensive starting in July 2012. This is an intensive 3, 4-day weekend program format that covers the entire content included in the 9 weekend Level I program format. Completion of this program would enable you to join the Level II group starting in October of 2012. The training staff, price and other logistical aspects of the progam are the same as the for the 9 month program described above. We will schedule Free Introductory Evenings beforehand, so that you will have a chance to visit the center, meet staff and have any questions answered, if you so desire. Dates for these evenings will be posted when they become available. The application process is explained below (sorry, there are no forms to download and fill out, we get many questions about this but it actually is as simple as described below).

The Program dates are July 13-16, August 10-13 & September 7-10 . This is an intensive program with much material to cover and the classes will run into the evenings. Please feel free to contact Didi Firman at the e-mail address in the above section with any questions or concerns.

Application
To apply to this program, send an essay describing your professional work, educational background and how this program would serve you. Include information on your current life situation and a significant event in your life and the meaning it had for you. Also include your address and phone number. We will review your application and call you to arrange an interview. You may e-mail this material to Dorothy Firman at didi@synthesiscenter.org or send it by mail to the Center. This is all there is to applying, there are no forms to fill out or documents to provide. Please inform us in your application if you would like CEUs or PDPs for your participation in the program.

Mailing list, Workshop and Free Evening Introductions
If you would like to be on our mailing list and receive program updates, click here, fill out the form, and click submit.

Free Informational Evenings
These evenings will be experiential as well as informational to give you a better experience of psychosynthesis and what the training program is like. They will all be run by core faculty of the program. There will be ample time for questions as well. Please call the center at (413) 256-0772 or E-mail didi@synthesiscenter.org to register as space is limited or for more information on how to get to the events. You can also contact the Center to speak with staff or graduates of the program to answer any questions you may have. Free Evenings will be held at the Synthesis Center, The dates are Saturday, May 18, 6:30-8:00PM and Sunday, July 8, 4:30-:600PM. We will have a Free Evening in Brattleboro, Vermont as well, on Wednesday, June 6 from 6:30-8:00 PM. The location will be posted as soon as we have it. For information on the Brattleboro evening call Jon Schottland at 802-451-6768.

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