IPSO gGmbH trains motivated individuals from around the world in our intracultural psychosocial counseling approach, Value-Based Counseling (VBC).
Value-Based Counseling (VBC) originated from the practical experience of Jungian analyst Inge Missmahl, based on her work in Afghanistan and other countries where people experience high psychological stress.
This psychodynamic short-term intervention takes a salutogenic approach, aiming to restore individuals’ sense of coherence and self-efficacy. This is achieved through a non-directive, yet carefully structured, conversation.
VBC is based on a humanistic view that emphasizes the inherent need for a meaningful life. The potential for self-realization and the drive to utilize this potential forms the basis for promoting human self-healing. This counseling approach avoids pathologizing clinical symptoms, which may be rooted in intrapsychic or interpersonal conflicts, traumatic experiences, disruptive social environments, or difficult life transitions such as migration or loss of livelihood. Instead, it seeks to understand the personal significance of these symptoms as expressions of unresolved social stress.
VBC posits that individuals who become aware of their situation, the associated values hierarchy (both their own and others’), and the emotions these trigger, can create opportunities for change. As a starting point for perceiving the world and related feelings, culture, along with collective, family, and personal values, is viewed as a meaningful resource that can be strategically utilized in counseling.
The course consists of 6 modules. All modules are offered once online and once offline in both German and English over the course of a year.
Modules must be completed sequentially and in the correct order. You can mix online and offline modules, for example: Module 1 online, Module 2 offline, and Module 3 online again. You must complete at least two modules offline, each during an on-site week.
Of course, you can also attend all 6 modules offline at the IPSO.academy and additionally deepen your knowledge in webinars.
The on-site weeks listed below can also be booked individually outside of VBC training. They are open to already licensed VBC Counselors for refresher training or for interested psychologists.
On-Site Weeks at IPSO.academy
During the on-site weeks, we deepen the topics of the 6 modules through practical exercises and guided self-reflection. Dialogues and group discussions inside and outside seminar times enrich and expand your understanding of Value-Based Counseling in the sense of spiral learning.
We hope that during these weeks, your cognitive knowledge, as “cold knowledge,” can at least partially transform into lived and experienced knowledge, or “hot knowledge.” For us, deeper understanding also means greater empathetic and intuitive understanding, “seeing with the heart.”
All weeks follow the same schedule:
We begin in the morning with a movement class before breakfast for those interested in movement and dance. We then work every day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the group.
Afterward, there is time for nature walks, conversations, and relaxation.
Costs:
Seminar costs are included in the price when booking the entire VBC course.
For individual bookings, the course fee per module is 500 Euros.
The course fee includes:
- 12 teaching units of 120 minutes each
- 4 movement sessions
- Open group discussions
- One individual conversation
Optionally, you can book accommodation at the IPSO.academy.
Accommodation: 350 Euros
- 5 nights in a single room with a balcony and bathroom
Meals: 190 Euros
- Breakfast with fresh rolls, homemade jam, eggs, yogurt, and fruit. For lunch, a salad, fresh Allgäu cheese, and country bread are served. For dinner, a warm vegetarian meal is provided.
Instructors: Inge Missmahl, Lothar Dunkel, Stefano Marucci, Alia Zein, Rike Wienssmahl, Lothar Dunkel, Stefano Marucci, Alia Zein, Rike Wiens
Human Values and Their Influence on Our Perception of the World, Our Emotional Reactions, and Our Behavior
We will explore the subtle assumptions inherent in our language and our conscious or unconscious positions. In doing so, we will turn our attention to our own cultural context to better understand it.
Communication Skills and the Professional Helping Relationship
The art of structured, egalitarian conversation. During this week, we will improve our communication skills in the structured conversation of the VBC approach through many practical role plays and exercises.
Symbolic Expressions of the Unconscious
A personal journey to our inner world. We will explore our dreams, engage in active imagination, listen to fairy tales and myths, and discover the meanings they can have for us personally.
Psychosocial Stressors
Social stressors from our social and cultural environment influence us and our lives. Using our own experiences as examples, we will explore the relationship between different psychosocial stressors, psychological symptoms, and psychosocial well-being.
Intervention Skills
Proven interventions that support people on their way to self-efficacy will be practiced in role plays. The interventions relate to conflict de-escalation, dealing with grief and loss, individual interventions from behavior therapy, and coping with traumatic experiences.
The Structured Approach in VBC
During this week, we will reinforce the structure of the conversation, the potential in each of the 7 stages, and the importance of each stage within the overall methodical approach through practical exercises. We will also better understand the limitations and possibilities of VBC using practical examples.
If you are interested in applying or receiving invitations to our informational events, please send us your contact details at academy@ipsocontext.org. You can also apply directly here.
Webinars
36 webinars (120-minute sessions) in 6 modules to provide foundational knowledge of VBC and psychosocial interventions used in VBC:
Each module will consist of 6 webinars: The webinars will take place three times a week, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM CET.
The exact dates will be announced at the beginning of August.
Overview of Modules
- Module 1: Introduction to VBC.
- Module 2: Counselor-client relationship; communication skills; symptoms and counseling step 1.
- Module 3: The basics of Jungian psychology and the psychodynamic approach; counseling steps 2-5.
- Module 4: Symptoms and psychosocial stressors.
- Module 5: Psychosocial interventions; counseling step 6.
- Module 6: Counseling step 7; structural approach to steps 1-7 with case work; case documentation; supervision; differences between online and offline sessions.
If you have participated in all modules either online or offline, you are eligible to take the mid-term exam.
At the end of these 6 modules (at least two of which must be attended in person), there is a mid-term exam, which, upon passing, qualifies you to conduct practical cases in VBC. This exam consists of a written test with multiple choice and open questions, as well as a 30-minute interview.
During the practical work in Phase II of the training, you are required to participate in 10 group supervisions and at least 10, up to a maximum of 15, individual supervisions. All cases are documented on the Ipso documentation platform. To be admitted to the second exam, you need 10 well-documented and supervised cases, as well as a more detailed case report. The supervisors and instructors then decide on admission to the final exam.
Completion of Training
The final exam consists of a personal interview in which you present your case from the case report.
Cost of the Complete Training: 3,000 Euros
The training fee of 3,000 euros covers the entire training period and includes the following costs:
- 36 webinars and the course fee for 2 on-site seminars. Please note that accommodation and meals are not included in the training fees.
- Access to digital learning materials on the e-learning platform and technical support;
- Individual support;
- 10 group supervision sessions and 10-15 individual supervision sessions;
- Examination and licensing fees.
A fee reduction is possible upon request.
If you are interested in the full training to become a licensed VBC Counselor, please apply with a letter of motivation and your CV at academy@ipsocontext.org.