Integrative Mental Health University
Live/ In Person Only
2023 Schedule
We meet Friday evenings 7-8:30pm in addition to Saturday and Sunday, 9-5.
Group Size:
Group is usually limited to 20-25 people.
Locations:
Scroll down the page for details on each location.
Disturbances related to spiritual awakening are not in themselves indicators of illness or pathology and are often misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals. Generally, most healthcare providers were not trained to recognize or support someone in this process. The DSM-V alludes to “spiritual problems” but clumps all spiritually-based, anomalous events under the umbrella of "cultural phenomena" which does not adequately describe spiritual emergence or the crises that can arise called “spiritual emergency”. Because of this inadequate nomenclature, intense emerging phenomena in an awakening process can become confused with diagnoses of psychosis or mania.
This course teaches skills and provides time for practicing skills for interacting supportively with those in spiritual emergency or the process of awakening, spiritual emergence. Friday night will be a model support group in which participants can share experiences and resources. Students will clarify their personal strengths in working with those experiencing awakening as well as the need for enlisting collaborative colleagues. Ethical guidelines will be emphasized as well as the regulations for being a support person when one is or is not authorized as a healthcare provider.
Teachings are appropriate for healthcare professionals as well as the general public. Healthcare professionals will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients. Training is open to those with lived experience, their loved ones, as well as healers, peer counselors, spiritual directors, and pastoral counselors.
To those who are not previously authorized to do one to one coaching or counseling: IMHU's training will cover how to lead support groups. You can be certified as a "Peer Coach" to lead support groups. IMHU cannot authorize you to do one to one coaching or counseling for those in spiritual crisis in a brief workshop. We subscribe to the idea that people who are able to connect and "be with" those in extreme states are often the best support people--whether they have had previous academic or professional training or not.
You are welcome to take the course if you want certification or not. We learn from each other’s perspectives and thus enrich our experience of the domain of spiritual emergency—and what kind of help is most beneficial for those in this particular crisis.
Pre-requisite: Students must take the course "How to Effectively Support Someone in Spiritual Emergency"--offered ongoing at IMHU.org.
At the end of the course you will be better able to:
Benefits to you of Certification are also described in full by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to see short videos that introduce you to Certified Spiritual Emergence Coaches®--hear about what they are doing.
If you are financially challenged, please apply for a partial scholarship by clicking on Scholarship Application.
To qualify for certification you need to have some prior experience facilitating groups and/or authorization to coach, counsel, or give psychotherapy given by a reputable board in your state or country. We ask you to provide IMHU with a recommendation from someone who has observed you and overseen your work in the role facilitating support groups if you are not authorized to do 1-on-1 coaching/counseling/or psychotherapy. See application below for details. After the Practicum is over an IMHU representative will have a brief personal interview with each applicant to discuss their readiness for being certified as a Spiritual Emergence Coach®.
Please fill out an application for becoming an IMHU Certified Spiritual Emergence Coach®
and bring it with you to the Practicum. Click for our Policies, Procedures and Regulations. Click HERE for application.
Emma Bragdon, PhD, (Transpersonal Psychology) is an expert in the field of Spiritual Emergence and Emergency. She’s been immersed in it as a researcher, psychotherapist, teacher, and published author since 1984. She is the author of seven books and co-producer of two documentary films, and the Founder/Director of Integrative Mental Health University, IMHU.org. Dr. Bragdon is most well known for the seminal books she originally published on Spiritual Emergency in 1988, and 1990, and recently updated. Her most recent books about Spiritism in Brazil have also gained rave reviews. She was a volunteer for the Grof’s Spiritual Emergency Network from 1984-1991 and Editor of its newsletter and Journal. Dr. Grof invited her to be one of four teachers in South America for his "Grof Legacy Training". She was licensed as a psychotherapist in 1988 and has expanded that practice by serving also as a spiritual guide. She spent 6 months of every year from 2001-2012 in Brazil researching the positive potential of Spiritist Community Centers and Spiritist Psychiatric Hospitals. EmmaBragdon.com, IMHU.org
In some cases we can offer partial scholarship. Scroll below for details.
$950.00
Regular price
4 x $240.00
Payment Plan
Previously: A Sourcebook for Helping People in Spiritual Emergency
Harper SanFrancisco invited Dr. Bragdon to write this book to be published by them in 1990.
for Psychologists, MDs, Psychotherapists, MSWs, Nurses, and Counselors
The Spiritual Competency Academy is providing CE units.
CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their certificate of attendance for 4 years after the course concludes.
For questions about enrolling in CE or receiving your Certificate of Attendance, visit info@IMHU.org/ Emma Bragdon). For other questions about CE contact David Lukoff, PhD at CE@spiritualcompetency.com.
The APA does not allow partial credit to be earned for a course; we cannot provide a participant who missed a live session (or was more than 15 minutes late or left early from any live session) with fewer CE hours for our 10.5-hour class. This applies to all participants seeking credit. Otherwise, the participant forfeits all of their CE hours.
Health and Wellness Coaches may petition for the CE credit themselves using the course description or apply through Westbrook University: https://courses.imhu.org/courses/IMH-ce-credits
"This should be mandatory for all mental/physical health care providers--Provides for a great societal need on a practical and applicable level. Highly Recommend." -Jordan Blacktop, PhD.
"...Will help one become more present and skillful in being with someone who is in spiritual emergency." -Christine Karczewski, ARNP
"Digging deep into Spiritual Emergence and Emergency and how to bring this into our work to serve our clients in a more integrated way." -Tessa Cooke, Licensed Professional Counselor"It's been a wonderful experience...having a safe space to share thoughts and ideas on how to further support one another." -Genny Moss, RN
“I was elated after the Practicum! I felt “If I die today, it’s all good, because I just had one of the most healing and educational experiences of my life”… Now I’m part of a vast community of new friends and like-minded people… The tools I learned in the workshop were applicable the first few hours back at the job helping people with addiction and mental health issues.” —William Smith, Addictions Counselor
“Great experiential learning opportunity that helped me develop more tools to help others in crisis!” —Licensed Psychologist
“Excellent course for anyone at all interested in this field.” —Massage Therapist
“Focused on very practical skills for care and support. Excellent hand-outs with resources and guidelines.” —Peer Support Worker
“It was awesome!” —Licensed Social Worker
“…essential for anyone who wants to work with people experiencing spiritual emergency or psycho-spiritual transformation. Emma teaches material, skills and methods with wisdom and compassion and shares her knowledge and expertise with clear purpose. The fact that this course is unique in the world at this time also makes it a highly valuable opportunity.” —Jen MacDonald, Peer Counselor; Toronto,Canada
Windsor, VT is in central VT on the Connecticut River, close to I-91 & I-89. It is a historic village with an Amtrak station, a few nice restaurants, a brewery, and fantastic sculpture garden (see photo aove showing maze in the sculpture garden). Windsor has a lake for swimming, a river for kayaking, a mountain for skiing plus Paradise Park for year-round hiking. Participants can stay at the Snapdragon Inn or Windsor Mansion Inn in Windsor, or the Fairfield Inn in White River Jct, VT where the course will be taught. This Inn is within walking distance of an Amtrak station, a bus station, and on the intersection of I-89 and I-91.
Set on 12 acres, the setting embraces nature and beauty — on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound with an unimpeded view of the majestic Olympic Mountains. Walking trails thread through the property. Flowers abound.
London, UK:
at North London Buddhist Centre, 72 Holloway Rd, Highbury East, London N7 8JG
Close to the Tube, restaurants and two city parks. Airbnbs easy to find. We provide water, tea, coffee and lite snacks during the day.
This Practicum will be at the Sane Living Center in central Ojai, CA on 316 E Matilija St. The Hip Vegan Cafe is on site for meals or there are many other restaurant options close by. We will meet 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
There are a number of hotels, motels and inns in Ojai also Airbnb. There are also wonderful opportunities for hiking, golf, walking the Pacific Ocean beach and other forms of recreation—even massage.
Ojai’s considered a primo ‘go-to’ spot and has always been prized by the Native Americans as a healing area!
This Practicum will be at a retreat setting located 15 minutes from Asheville, NC airport in Flatrock at Highland Lake Cove. It is about 20-30 minutes outside of Asheville, on a lake. We have arranged for rooms for Friday and Saturday nights in cabins on the lake--an exquisite setting--but not expensive. We have also arranged for catering from Friday dinner-Sunday lunch. If you arrive on Friday you will have a relaxing evening with other students before the course starts on Saturday. Please contact info@IMHU.org for details and to make your reservation.
If you are coming for the day: You may want to bring a picnic lunch--or arrange for the catered meals (info@IMHU.org) we can provide with prior arrangement. We will have coffee, tea and lite snacks on hand.
The glamping bedrooms for rent are next to the meeting space where the course will be given! There is also a canoe for our use on the lake!
Highland Lake Cove (HLC) also has rooms and cabins for rent if you care to spend one night or more in a more private atmosphere or with family (hlinn.com/western-nc-cabins) Ph: 800-635-5101. Your family will find plenty to do while you are taking the Practicum! Prices for overnight in cabins range from $50 – $150 per night, depending on your choice of accommodations. HLC also has an excellent restaurant onsite where you can purchase 3 meals a day (hlinn.com/seasons). A coop for snacks and good meals is 7 min. drive by car.
This is another favorite area for getting away from it all. The beloved poet, Carl Sandburg, had his home close by and wrote Pulitzer prize winning poetry there.
Experience New England with Fall colors!
This Practicum has formerly been in a Carriage House (behind above house), remodeled as a meeting area in a residential neighborhood. In 2022 moved to the classrooms of Lesley University in Cambridge, MA--due to the ongoing pandemic issues.
If you are flying in: There is public transportation from the airport.
Our location does not have beds so you will need to find a place to stay. Where we will meet is within an easy walk to busstops, hotels and Airbnbs.
The area has many choices of restaurants. In the past, participants have enjoyed eating lunch out together, sometimes dinner as well. Alternatively, you are also welcome to bring your lunch and eat onsite.
Like to walk? In Arlington, we are close to large playing fields and a walkway next to a lake. Perfect for a picnic or after lunch leg stretch or casual walk, bike ride, or jog at the end of the day. In Cambridge--we are not far from Harvard Square and the Charles River.
We have some partial scholarships available. Check above to apply.
$950.00
Regular price
4 x $240.00
Payment Plan
No, this course has many experiential exercises and is only offered live. Live discussion with other participants and the facilitator is also an important part of the course. We want to meet each person who is applying to be certified.
We make every effort to stick to a schedule. We begin on time, schedule our breaks, and stick to our end time each day. Each activity builds on the previous activity. For this reason, arriving late upsets your learning experience as well as the experience of the group. Out of respect for all participants, we ask that you stick to the schedule we give you. Participants arriving after the first 15 minutes will not be admitted to the course and will forfeit their payment in full. If they have registered for CE units they will also forfeit all of the units they registered for.
Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you would like to apply for a scholarship please fill out our online application form, by clicking on UpdateScholarshipAppJan2018.
If you pay in full for this course and must cancel your reserved spot, we offer the following refunds: If you cancel up to 6 weeks before the course begins, we will give you a full refund minus $50. (admin. fee). If you cancel from 6 weeks to 3 weeks before the course begins we will offer you a 50% refund. If you cancel after 3 weeks before the course begins, we will not refund any of your payment. The trainings occur in areas where our facilitators must travel, rent space for the course, and pay for hotel accommodations and meals. We ask that you be respectful of how much time and energy we expend to organize these courses. (There are no refunds with scholarship awards.) If you are in an unexpected crisis, please let us know asap.
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(1) 5.0 average rating
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(1) 3.0 average ratingSign up for the IMHU newsletter and get info on newest courses, blogs and more!