Life in action offers a range of training for both organisations, therapists and health professionals. We can create tailor made programs for you and your business, including, managing performance, appraisals, dealing with difficult conversations and leadership development to name a few.
Our therapists are experienced and qualified to deliver a wide range of short courses as part of your CPD. These include using Myers Briggs type indicator( MBTI) with clients, dealing with conflict- a therapists approach, and,the introduction to transactional analysis- therapy in practice (TA) All our courses come with a certificate of attendance from Life in action, supporting your CPD requirements.
Full course details can be found below
Upcoming Training and Events:
An introduction to Transactional Analysis (TA) – Applying methods to practice
Venue: Hythe Community Centre Colchester
Date: Monday 20 July 2026
Time: 10.00- 16.00
Cost: £85.00
CPD: A certificate for 5.5 hours will be awarded on completion
Who is this course for: Therapists both qualified and in training as well as teachers and those working in the health profession
Information:
Would you like to understand yourself, others and your relationships better? Or look at how using TA can help you develop your practice then this course is for you!
Transactional Analysis is a theory of personality and offers a range of models that can be used to understand communication and relationships. This 1 day introduction course is designed to help therapists and other health professionals better understand the way TA can be used with individuals and couples in a therapeutic setting. The learning from this course can be useful for anyone who wishes to understand more about themselves and their relationships, for those who want to explore how they can be more effective at work or for therapists or counsellors who wish to broaden their skills.
Topics covered:
Ego States – how come sometimes I feel like I’m a little kid again? or act like my Mum or Dad?
Psychological Games – identifying a potential for upset brewing in the conversation?
Life Scripts – why we may keep on repeating the same old mistakes?
Transactions – what might be going on in the conversations you have
Autonomy – identifying how to take control over how you feel
An introduction to Transactional Analysis (TA) – Applying methods to practice
Venue: Hythe Community Centre Colchester
Date: Saturday 22nd August 2026
Time: 10.00- 16.00
Cost: £85.00
Who is this course for: Therapists both qualified and in training as well as teachers and those working in the health profession. Couples who have previously been in therapy or have endorsement from a BACP qualified therapist.
Information
The way we communicate after many years in marriage or a long term relationships changes significantly. Two people have needs that differ and we often forgot these and how important they are to each other. Compromise rarely works long term and resentment and discourse sink in. Affairs, arguments and loneliness often follow.
Note: this is not a substitute for couples therapy.
Topics covered:
there is some open discussion about your personal experiences and we then look at the following areas:
- How do we use communication
- the types of power and conflict
- unconscious conversations
- stamp collecting
- intimacy
- when things go wrong
- how to re-define the marriage to move forward
This training will be partly theory based with the opportunity to work in small groups and discuss and put in to practice methods that can be used in practice.
Uncovering The Inner Layers: Using Matryoshka Dolls in Therapy to Reveal What Lies Within
Date: Saturday 6th June 2026
Time: 16.00- 18.00
Investment: £45.00
Delivery method: Online (Zoom)
Who is this course for:
This course is suitable for counsellors, psychotherapists, and therapists both qualified and in training, as well as teachers and those working in the health profession. It is also ideal for anyone with an interest in working creatively with individuals, including children, young people, or couples, using a well-established and engaging model based on Matryoshka dolls.
Information
This engaging and experiential training introduces the creative use of Matryoshka (Russian) dolls as a powerful therapeutic tool to explore identity, self-concept, and the layered nature of human experience.
Drawing on integrative counselling approaches, this course supports practitioners in helping clients gently uncover deeper emotional layers, linking past experiences with present patterns in a safe and structured way.
Participants will gain insight into how the “layers” metaphor can be used to explore core beliefs, protective parts, and authentic self, making it particularly effective for work with anxiety, trauma, identity, and self-esteem.
The training balances theory with practical application, offering a reflective space for both personal and professional development.
Additional Resources Available to Purchase
To support your learning and enhance your work with clients, there are two accompanying books available. These resources will be referenced throughout the training and offer practical guidance for integrating the model into your practice.
Participants are encouraged, where possible, to have a copy of the main practitioner book prior to attending, to gain the most from the experience. Access to the client workbook will be provided following completion of the course.
Uncovering The Inner Layers Book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCN3D7GC
Topics covered:
- The history and symbolism of Matryoshka dolls
- Understanding the “layers of self” in therapeutic practice
- Linking the model to key theories (e.g. ego states, attachment, and psychodynamic concepts)
- Exploring protective layers and core identity
- Working safely and ethically with metaphor and creative tools
- Using the dolls with different client groups, including neurodivergent clients
- Structuring sessions using the layered approach
- Practical demonstrations and guided exercises
- Integrating the model into your existing therapeutic approach
Further Information
On successful completion of the training, participants will be equipped to use the Hidden Layers workbook, a structured and thoughtfully designed resource that supports clients in exploring and uncovering their inner layers in a safe and meaningful way.
In addition, participants will be invited to join a private, closed Facebook group exclusively for those who have completed the training. This space offers an opportunity to connect with other practitioners, share ideas and experiences, and explore learning in a supportive and confidential environment.
The group also provides ongoing access to the trainer, with additional resources, updates, and developments shared as the model continues to evolve — offering continued professional growth beyond the training itself.