When can I start?

You can start the attendance courses anytime. We accept applications throughout the academic year, and you are welcome to try out a "sampler" course before this procedure is completed. Distance Learning courses start each October.

Which courses do I have to attend?

You can choose any courses from the short course programme. Obviously it is best to select courses that interest you, but to some extent you can choose courses according to convenience.

I can't make this course, will it be repeated?

All attendance courses are "one offs". They are often a shared learning process between staff and the group, and may develop in exciting and unexpected ways. For this reason courses can never be repeated, though occasionally titles recur. We do follow a sequence of six skills areas through the year which repeat in a cycle, but within this, courses present different angles with each repetition. For this reason you may want to attend a course in the same area more than once.

What if I fall behind in the Distance Learning course?

Some students do find it hard to keep up with the units for this programme. We encourage students to try to keep up with their peers because this gives them encouragement to continue and deadlines to prevent them falling too far behind. Sometimes, however, a student will complete units more slowly, and we can renegotiate a late submission date or a rate of work to a more realistic level.

I have done years of personal therapy in the past. Do I need to do more?

There is a personal therapy requirement for the course, and we expect that most students will use this to reflect on issues raised by work on the course as well as to experience the client role at first hand. If you have done sustained therapy in the past you may negotiate some other way of meeting this requirement.

How do I find a Buddhist Therapist?

This can be a problem. We will do our best to help you, but we recognise that most students will have difficulty finding a therapist who works in the models taught on the course. Often you will have to shop around to find someone you feel comfortable to work with, but sometimes this can mean accepting that there is a conflict of value systems between yourself and the person you are working with.

How do I arrange a practicum?

Students need to set up their own opportunities for practice work. Staff can help advise you on how to go about this. It may be students are already working in situations where they can develop therapeutic work, but for many, finding clients requires effort. Some students find placements with voluntary organisations, whilst others may advertise in suitable places for clients. Sometimes a local supervisor can help. Although it may seem daunting, in practice students who want to generally find clients without too much difficulty.

Is the course accredited?

Systems of accreditation vary from country to country so students need to check out local requirements. For UK arrangements see Professional Standards

Can I pay in installments?

The Advanced Certificate and Diploma programmes have facilities for payment by four six monthly instalments. If you need to negotiate other arrangements please speak to us. Amida Trust uses income from the training programme to finance its work in various engaged fields.