My advice for anyone taking up this service would be to persevere if at first you don’t think this is for you. By the end of our 6 sessions I felt like everything had clicked into place. I really felt like Dave had understood where I was coming from and had very quickly (considering the fairly limited amount of time) managed to get the measure of me and my situation. Everyone is different but I don’t tend to confide in people so this in itself was a big deal for me.
It was a pleasure being in the company of and in conversation with other counsellors. I now have a much deeper understanding of addiction and clarification of a successful approach to working with those who wish to break the cycle of addiction. Just want to say thank you – the workshop was much appreciated.
I came away with a real insight into the psychology of addiction as well as an insight into the difference between general therapy and addiction therapy.
Very good and enjoyable experience in a friendly and relaxed environment.
The course raised my awareness of a way of working with addictions.
This is very different to general counselling.
This gave me new ideas for working with addictions.
Understanding how addictions emerge and the techniques that can be used – not to try to stop the addiction but to work on the underlying causes. It was all I hoped that it would be – and more.
Liked working with the model of a house – brilliant…for my clients and for me personally!! I love the visual way of working – this is how I learn…and my clients too. I just work with children and young people. It was a fabulous day.
The building model & it’s uses is brilliant…thank you for a brilliant day with so much detailed information. Your experiences are so relevant and so needed today.
The course was a consolidation of my own experiences with clients and a new perspective of viewing addiction.
The course gave me a structure upon which I can build my contact with heroin addicts. It gave me confidence to continue to interact with my contacts. Great day. Excellent quality.
I enjoyed “The Building Model” and the explanation of two types of addiction. Thanks to everyone involved.
I found the ‘Exit Door & gate’ useful and also learned that all addictions involve developing relationships with inanimate objects. I liked the recovery box & the diagonal line as ALL experiences mean success & growth. Brilliant that you are talking from experience. Superb! Thank you!
“Learning from my mistakes” and “owning my own stuff”!!
I liked the metaphor of “Building a House for recovery and growth”. Very good Dave – I wish I had heard you long ago. Thanks.
This gave me so much to think about. I also got to connect with 2 fellow christian counsellors.
Deepened my understanding of demands and other ways of working with addictions.
I admire Dave’s passion and commitment. I desire to learn and understand more about addictions.
I have a completely new understanding of how to approach addiction. The course was extremely useful.
I was impressed with the depth of information and John’s share. Thank you.
The course communicated the enormity of the subject. I liked the “building of the house” and the “Recovery Box”. I also enjoyed the anecdotal stories.
I found the sections on Addictive Personalities and Self-Medicating Trauma very informative. I also liked the House Building Model. Valuable content communicated clearly.
I like the automatic “EXIT” of an addict and not giving attention to the addiction by fighting it. Excellent!
I learned that difficulties are learning opportunities and that growth, not abstinence, is the goal.
Addiction is an inappropriate relationship with a substance or behaviour. I liked “FREDS List”.
The use of metaphors has been very useful. I now understand ‘the Dave approach”.
More understanding and more tools / ways of working / transferable skills / shifting my perspective.
This is a huge subject and I realise that this course is just an appetizer. I realised that addicts have lived their lives by lying and deceit so the need for them arriving and taking responsibility for their addiction.
Excellent insightful teaching. Helpful input from previous clients. Thank you!
I gained a lot of new & varied perspectives. A personal testimony from the presenter and other people who have been through it made it very relevant.
I appreciated the many statements made during the day which affirmed to me that this process is not always easy for the counsellor or client. I loved the box and building and that negatives can be used in the growth & development process. I enjoyed the day.
I gained a useful insight into addiction, meeting others and networking. The course gave me a new perspective too.
I liked “Building the house” as well as the differences between the addicts personality and trauma based dependency. Very interesting and informative.
“The House” and the “The Baby” were excellent metaphors. I loved the idea of the straight line of recovery and the recovery box.
I just love the model and for me (a pastoral carer at ‘The Hub’) this is a structure/model we could use. I am already doing something similar (not as defined!) with 2 clients now in their 3rd year of journeying. Both gave their lives to Christ last year. One has a job and the other volunteering at the Hub. Their addictions are almost a thing of the past.
I found the recovery box useful and the analogy of the “BABY”. Gained knowledge regarding the left and right side of the brain. Very interesting. Would have liked a longer 2-day workshop.