To continue your training there are 4 more core curriculum classes.
We call them CranioSacral Therapy 2, SomatoEmotional Release 1 & SomatoEmotional Release 2; and Advanced CranioSacral Therapy 1.
You need to do them in that order.
The first four are 4-day modules and the fifth is 5-days, held on retreat.
You’ll typically need 3 – 6 months in between each class to practice and embed what you have learned (guidance is given in each class) – but the more you’re able to practice, the sooner you’ll be ready!
Getting Qualified
To become qualified you need to do the 5 core curriculum classes, the Techniques exam (see the purple box link) and maintain membership of the Cranio Sacral Society.
Says who?
The Cranio Sacral Society, which is the accrediting body for our training. (Why we have our own governing organisation is a long story, that started in the late 1990’s when the government asked complementary therapies to figure out their own journeys to self regulation… and a meaty tale for another time.) You will need to maintain membership for your qualification status. But we’ll fill you in on more about that later.
And then there’s the other part of the journey.
The more personal one, that you probably can’t predict or anticipate,
other than knowing that to help your clients find their path to healing, you have to find yours first…
What You’ll Get From Each Course
CranioSacral Therapy 1
Leave with extraordinary techniques for a whole body treatment that embeds the essence of the CST approach.
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Your hands find a new way to work.
You feel new rhythms and ‘hear more’ with your hands – using less pressure than you may expect.
You explore different ways to treat fascia – the connective tissue that runs all through the body – including (probably) new areas like the head and spinal cord.
Your hands’ proprioceptors wake up further and their feeling sense reaches a new level.
You come out with a ’10 Step Treatment Protocol’ to take away and practice LOTS. Like a musician learning and then practicing scales and studies until they are fluent.
Even this first level of skills can be a game changer for your clients.
CranioSacral Therapy 2
Connect even more deeply with clients to help their body make even deeper structural and energetic change.
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Firstly you see why a hugely important bone in the skull – the sphenoid – is so important.
Then you experience the transformation that can come from treating the bones of the face and hard palate…
After that, you venture ‘off-piste’.
Would it be helpful to know EXACTLY WHERE a body wants / needs you to start and to treat? Learn exciting ways to hone right in, every time… And a few more awesome ways to work when you are there.
SomatoEmotional Release 1
Reach deeper into you – hold a more potent space for clients.
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After LOTS more practice of all the work from the previous classes, this next level demonstrates the extraordinary value of releasing what Dr Upledger called ‘the avenue of expression’ – tissues of the throat and floor of the mouth.
You learn more about the ways we hold emotion in the body and how to work with emotions that surface with hands-on tissue work (ie somato – body tissue – emotionalrelease or SER).
Imagine becoming confident to work with feelings, images or experiences coming up for the client. It’s a lot about learning how to hold space. Empower the client. Not fixing anything for them but sitting alongside them on their journey.
To do this well? Things we need to work on in ourselves also have a way of surfacing…
SomatoEmotional Release 2
Now you are cooking! Developing the craft, deepening the art form…
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In this class you expand and deepen the possibilities you offer your clients, exploring how to integrate aspects of psychosynthesis, Gestalt and Jungian psychologies with our bodywork approach.
This brings you different tools and possibilities to help clients discover more about themselves and improve their body-mind-spirit wellbeing at an even deeper level.
All while we are still working hands-on, deeply observing changes in the tissue.
Advanced CranioSacral Therapy 1
Commitment. To your work. Your clients. Yourself.
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You will continually hear us emphasise the importance of getting on the table ourselves, getting treatments, doing our inner work. It is a vital part of our growth as practitioners.
This class delivers this in spades: working multi-hands for 5 days on retreat.
You experience when to speak, when to employ a technique, when to be silent… to follow what their system is asking for to support its healing.
In your turn on the table you dive in to yourself, and come away more proficient at holding the space for others.
A light touch creating deep change.... welcome to the magic of CranioSacral Therapy.
Our students’ take on each of the classes
CST1: a new chapter in my life
Doing CST1 I realised that the power of a light touch can bring great healing. I have a deeper connection with myself and the universe and am endlessly grateful for the course. Thank you everyone in the room for this amazing energy.
Olga
CST1: An Enriching Experience
I have certainly gained a wider understanding of the processes involved in CST and so much more besides… I might go so far as to say this was a really enriching experience that I want to take forwards and I will work out where and how this will fit for me. Thank you for this amazing course!
Meilssa
The Gift of CST2
‘The CST2 course was a wonderful, supportive learning environment. Caroline has a unique ability to breathe life into anatomy and technique lectures in a way that makes content immediately accessible and enjoyable. Leaving the course feeling enthusiastic and motivated to treat and prepare for the next step in the therapeutic process, rather than overwhelmed by information, is the real gift and value of Upledger courses.’
Carol Watt
The Post CST2 effect….
Since starting my training in CST I have noticed a huge shift on every aspect of myself – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I feel I am more in touch with my true essence than I have been since I was about 5 years old, more centred, more grounded, more at peace. With regards to my holistic therapy work, CST has brought in new layers and new depths to all my treatments. I feel I get to the source of patients’ problems much quicker than before and have so many tools to help them heal. As a homeopath, I feel that CST works in a very similar way, in that it encourages the body’s own healing system to recentre and rebalance, without force, which is how I love to work.
Sam Mitchell
The SER1 Boost…
SER1 helped to boost my confidence and strengthen the techniques I have learned. Extraordinary content and amazing instructors. There is also always so much support from the students and assistants in the classes too. If you feel this course is for you be prepared to go beyond!! Enjoy the path…
Daniella B
SER1: So helpful for my practice
This class furthered my experience of and confidence in communicating with my inner wisdom. In my practice I can see I am becoming more neutral and allowing more time and space for the wonder and witnessing of CST work. It’s very helpful for my practice!
Lorena McLaughlin
SER2 from Afar…
I decide to come to this course (from Spain) to have a different experience. I was a little hesitant at first because of the language, but Caroline and Maggie and the group made me feel really comfortable and I have had an amazing experience here in the UK. I’ll recommend it to anyone.
Guillemo
After SER2
What a journey! Wonderful teaching in a lovely gentle manner & pace, allowing for questions, process, examples of client reactions & also laughter when needed. Such a valuable learning experience – again – giving me confidence & awareness of how many actual CST tools I have. #inspired-excited-grateful
Clare J
Advanced 1: Transformative training
When I began my CST journey my perception was about being a therapist and helping others. While it has delivered this in bucket loads at all course levels, it has also been transformative for me. This work has allowed me to get a sense of who I am, to feel more connected to my physical body, my emotions and my spiritual self. It has opened doors I never thought I would be capable of walking through but I did. The Institute supports their students on their journey as do the other members in your class groups so you never feel alone or isolated. If this work sparks a light within you don’t hesitate – act upon that light. You have nothing to loose yet so much to gain.
Mark Woodgate
On the Core Pack…
The core pack has been an amazing experience for me and has meant I have been able to continue on a journey I never thought I would be taking, physically, mentally and emotionally both for myself and my clients. It has also meant that I am going to be doing the CSTT exams which would probably not have been done if I had not taken the Core Pack. It is better value for money too if you plan on starting on this journey as you know you will have the 5 main courses under your belt. I would certainly recommend anyone starting on the CST journey go with the core pack.
Naomi Pegden
On the Core Pack and Qualifying
For anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge about themselves, and explore the CST work – in order to be a more skillful therapist and have more tools and resources to help their clients – qualifying with Upledger has been one of the best investments in myself and my career. The vast knowledge, expertise and experience of the instructors and tutors was incredible and made assimilating the information easier and fun.
Anon
The ‘missing system’ that makes the CST difference
CST will add a depth and trust to your work, and take away the need to know what to do to ‘fix’ or the thinking that we should know what needs to happen.
There is something hugely respectful about just listening and following the body, allowing it to express and maybe even release what is really going on there. Often patients feel deeply listened to, maybe for the first time.
Learning to trust this can be a process in itself!
In the 70’s, Dr John Upledger was invited to Michigan State University to assess the validity of the Cranial Osteopaths’ claims of cranial bone movement. Over 7 years, this research, (which showed it was), fed into his practice and conclusion that the cranial bones were often ‘slaves to the fascia’.
The way that the fascia and fluid surrounding the central nervous system contributed to a subtle rhythm suggested that we could therefore consider these part of another body system – the craniosacral system: this was missing from many people’s understanding.
The profound effect this system has on the nervous system, and therefore our whole wellbeing, suggests it needs to be in good working order!
CST, as distinct from Cranial Osteopathy, grew out of this.
Dr Upledger’s first book ‘CranioSacral Therapy’ was published in 1983 and followed by six others over the years, as he continued to share his innovative ideas.
SomatoEmotional Release is the name he gave to his approach to working with emotional issues that show up in sessions, but know this is not different from CST.
Because we are aiming to treat the fascia within the cranium and spinal cord, and the fluid that surrounds these, we are addressing parts that have often not been addressed before!
This really can bring relief from symptoms, improvements in functioning and a deeper sense of wellbeing on many levels.
People all over the world find something that keeps them coming back. This work has been shared with professionals and healthcare practitioners from here to New Zealand and back again…!
Here’s a couple of really common questions below, but check out the FAQs, feel free to email, or call the office with any more that you have.
We’re also super-happy to jump on a zoom with you or let you know when the next introductory webinar is.
And keep scrolling to:
Grab a prospectus (just below) if you want time to read and ponder…
Find out how to get the most support & save the most money with our CORE PACK…
Or sign up to our FREE email course to Discover how CST can Change Your Practice.
Q
I have previous healthcare experience but I’m not sure if it is enough?
If you have a background in some form of healthcare but either:
not to a nationally recognised level of qualification,
without the required level of anatomy, physiology and pathology (level 3 or above) or if
you have not had a ‘hands-on’ element to your work (eg if you are a yoga, pilates or fitness instructor, nurse, dentist etc)
then you may need to do the Training from Scratch programme, with or without the Foundation Certificate in Body Science (anatomy, physiology & pathology).
We work this out on a case by case basis. Have a look on this page and on the Training from Scratch page and if you’re still not sure then please give us a call so we can help!
Q
I’ve done other CST training – can I skip the first few courses and do the advanced ones?
Sometimes we get asked by students who have done other CST trainings (or part of them) at another school, if they can join our further courses, or continue their training with us.
Unfortunately this is not possible as, although there will be some crossover, there will also be differences, and we need everyone to be on the same page when they are in any class beyond CST1.
If you do decide to join our training too we guarantee you will still learn lots to add to your practice!
Q
Can I get something ‘real’ to read with all the info in it?
Yes! We have a lovely printed prospectus which we are happy to send you in an old fashioned envelope, through the mail (I know!), by email as a pdf – or hey, push the boat out and do both.
