Crossing thresholds

Transition Mentoring with Nature-based Tools A modular training programme led by Holger Heiten BA Social Work (Germany), Psychotherapist, Gestalt Therapist

Using innovative methods based in eco-psychology and nature-based tools , this course will teach you effective ways to support youth and adults in life transition situations, both as individuals and in groups.

Module 1 & 2 starting September 2010

» What are Transition mentoring and Nature-based Tools?

» Certification and Course Structure

» Cost and venue information

» Trainers

» What previous participants say

What is transition mentoring?

Throughout our lives we all go through many transitions, adolescence to adulthood, middle age to old age, single,divorced, married, we start new jobs, face illnesses or move house. In each of these situations we need to cross a threshold and this is not always so easy to do by ourselves. The support of a mentor can greatly increase the chance of us deepening our understanding of the issues involved in the transition and successfully integrating new insights into our lives.

In the case of young people, this support is particularly crucial on their complex journey from adolescence to adulthood. Without the companionship of an adult mentor, who encourages them to face their own shadows, so called “self-initiation attempts” of youth will fail in many cases and can lead to disorientation, crime, drug addiction or other kinds of stagnation.

What are nature-based tools and why use them?
Nature-based tools, just like nature itself, are focused on balance, resources and interconnections with the living world, rather than on pathologies of beings disconnected from their surrounding environment. Following the credo that the best answers are always already contained within the person, or the group that asks for them, these tools can help the treasures within to emerge.

A range of methods will be taught including:

The Four Shields of Human Nature - A psychological model of human health and growth, based on the natural world
Thresholds - Mirror of Nature Working with outer nature as a mirror, to find a deeper self-understanding of the unique inner nature of each of us.
Solo time in Nature
Way of Council
Shadow work
Creating inviting and safe space
Transition process design

Who is this course for?
This course is for youth workers, social workers, psychologists, outdoor education professionals and all those interested in innovative and dynamic tools for supporting youth and adults in life transition situations.

Certification and Course Structure

The course is certified by the Eschwege Institut, Germany and Findhorn College, Scotland.
The 7-module programme offers a 3 tier-structure for those who wish to qualify with basic, intermediate and advanced skills.

Level I
Threshold Guide
Nature-based Tools for modern mentors
(Introduction to the tools, the art of mirroring, the ABC of Process Mentoring, the Four Shields of man and woman, getting ready to work with short formats)

Module 1: Experiencing Nature-based Tools
Become familiar with the three major tools: The “Four Shields”, a nature-based psychological model of human growth and health, “threshold and mirror”, a nature-based tool for a deeper self-understanding and creating inviting and safe space. Learn about the importance of attitude, ethics and authenticity, in order to effectively use these tools.

Module 2: Practicing Nature-based Tools
Consolidate the content you learned in Module 1 by practicing the tools in a diversity of assignments. Gain an in-depth theoretical and practical training in the art of mirroring, a respectful way to respond to the stories that participants bring back from assignments carried out in nature.

Module 3: The ABC of Transition Process Mentoring
Deepen your understanding of archetypal patterns of coping with crisis in life transition phases and how they can be translated into a modern understanding of mentoring.
Learn to understand modern transition rituals more deeply and individually design small course formats with the help of the Mono Myth and the Four Shields. Go through a six-hour solo time in nature experience. Continue further training with Threshold, Mirror and Mirroring.

Module 4: The Four Shields of Man and Woman
Journey through the wheel of C.G. Jung’s archetypes of men and women and deal with your wounds on the way. Reframe strategies, that have turned out to be inadequate in the meantime.
Challenge yourself with a rite of passage experience in nature, to mark the actual status quo of being a man or a woman. Enjoy the completion ceremony, the blessing and certification and decide on possible next steps.

General notes
Each tool will be first presented theoretically, and then the opportunity for experiencing them yourself will be offered. The self experience part will be mostly outdoors and therefore we ask you to come equipped with outdoor waterproof, warm clothes and shoes as well as with clothes for our indoor sessions.

Level II
Transition Mentor (pre-requisite - completion of modules 1-4)
Advanced training in Nature-based Tools
(safety skills, psychological backgrounds, working with the shadow, 24-hour solo, learning through practice under supervision, The Way of Council)

Practical Project
Design, plan, advertise and carry out a programme of at least three days, together with up to three fellow participants. Take the opportunity to face the praxis of mentoring under supervised circumstances and be prepared for the precious exchange of experiences with fellow participants during Module 7.

Participate in one seminar on the Way of Council sometime during the training
This ancient practice of sitting in a circle, speaking and listening from the heart, can enrich any of your relationships – at home, in school, in the workplace, in community. Council is a gateway to deeper communication, intercultural understanding and the non-violent resolution of conflict – a place where destiny and the present moment meet.

Module 5: Five days walk a way
Experience the impact of the most popular format in the work of Transition Mentors with youth in the German speaking countries. Be outdoors for five days and track not only pathways in the outer landscape, but also those into the “terra incognita” of your soul. Each day will include solo times with certain assignments, every evening we will listen to the experienced stories at the camp fire.

Module 6: Working with the shadow and psychological background
Learn theoretically and through self experience about the unique benefits of facing, embracing and often healing the (inner) shadow. Learn to facilitate safe ritualized frames, in which others also feel encouraged to face their shadow and to “drink a cup of tea with the devil”. Learn about the psychological background, possible dangers, the do’s and don’ts in this work

Module 7: Feedback, certification and completion
Learn about does and don’ts in advertising, design and planning, through supervision on the praxis projects. Talk about ethics and sustainability. Benefit of an amount of praxis experience that others are only able to gather within a year. Enjoy a solemn completion and certification ceremony of the training and decide on possible next steps.

Level III
Vision Quest Guide (pre-requisite - completion of modules 1-7)
Extend the possible use of tools and understanding learned so far, into the complex and powerful format of the Vision Quest in the tradition of the School of Lost Borders.
Start at any time, by participating in a Vision Quest offered by the Eschwege Institut and then complete two apprenticeships following this. Learn new and specific Vision Quest tools, such as working with the confirmation sentence, screening, safety systems and incorporation.

Structure of the Vision Quest:
Four days of preparation; Five days out in the wilderness. Four of these days will be your solo fast. The guides in the base camp will keep watch over your safety day and night. Two days of integration of the vision into the life to which you return

Cost and Venue information

Modules take place at Findhorn Ecovillage, Moray, Scotland with the exception of Module 4 which is planned to take place at the Eschwege Institut, Germany. Partial bursaries may be available.

**Please note that the prices for Module 1 and 2 cover tuition, materials, lunch and dinner. Accommodation is not included. There are many B&B’s in the immediate vicinity (£20-35 per night) . Please contact us if you need help finding reasonably priced accommodation.

The Trainers

All trainers are fully qualified and speak fluent English

	Holger Heiten *1966, married, father of two children, social worker and experienced psycho-therapist, has trained to guide Vision Quests with the School of Lost Borders in California with Steven Foster & Meredith Little and with Verena & Haiko Nitschke in Germany. He offers workshops and trainings on modern rites of passage, such as Vision Quests and seminars on related subjects, such as “the Four Shields of human nature” and the “Way of Council”, all over Europe. He is the co-founder of the Eschwege Institut in Germany and trains “Transition Process Mentors”, together with his wife and a faculty of international teachers, in open 2-year training programs and also exclusively within institutions. For more information please visit: www.eschwege-institut.de
	Gesa Heiten *1966; married; mother of two children; Dipl. Psychologist, trained to guide Vision Quests with the School of Lost Borders in California with Steven Foster & Meredith Little and with Verena & Haiko Nitschke in Germany. Gesa Heiten is a manager and international leadership trainer. Beside her work in the Eschwege Institute, she is a process moderator, counsellor and coach in personal and organisational development. Since 2001 she has worked together with her husband Holger Heiten. Since 2003, together they have been offering two year trainings for Transition Mentors and Vision Quest Guides. Both are members of all major Networks in this field. Together they founded Business Quest Network, an international network of leadership trainers and process moderators that work within the field of sustainable and resilient management and with rite of passage tools.
	Roger Duncan is a Biologist, Waldorf educator, Vision Fast guide and Family and Systemic Psychotherapist. He has been exploring the connections between nature, education, and rites of passage for the last twenty years. He is currently Head of Education and Therapy at Ruskin Mill College Gloucestershire, UK www.rmet.org.uk

What participants say...

"Working with Holger has enhanced and expanded my abilities and skills and contributed towards my effectiveness in working with young people both in Moray and throughout Europe. I have gained more methodolgies, more practical and theoretical skills and modalities which I use to empower and inspire young people and adults alike."  Gavin Morgan, Senior Youth Worker and DofE Award Officer, The Moray Council

"I have found this work to be of huge importance and value in my life. Being introduced to these tools has helped me to deepen my awareness of myself and my place in the world with profound effects both personally and professionally. For me, this work is absolutely vital for the future of the whole planet".
Rupert Hutchinson, International Mountain Leader and Outdoor Educator

“I found the Four Shields model, a simple yet powerful map for understanding the developmental stages we as humans go through whenever we reach a moment of transformation. This model, coupled with nature -based tools makes this course an essential experience for people who work with our youth, marginalised groups and anyone interested in using nature to heal and restore our faith in goodness”.
Lisa Sutherland, Teacher, facilitator and complementary health practitioner

"I found Holger to be an excellent facilitator, he is able to share his abundance of knowledge in a clear manner while holding an awareness of each participants needs. I left the training feeling fully inspired and enthused, clear in the intention to bring this positive process back to the youth in our community and make the change that is needed in today’s society."
Craig Dickson, Youth worker

Apply online here

Contact Information:
Findhorn College, The Park, Findhorn, Forres, IV36 3TZ
Tel: 01309 690806,
E-mail: college@findhorncollege.org