PROFESSIONAL SKILLS INTERNSHIPS

Facilitator internships and instructor apprenticeships provide the one-on-one supervision and instruction needed for a practitioner to acquire the skill and confidence to reach a high level of performance as a facilitator, instructor and technical director of TIR and metapsychology. Facilitator skills are logical and practical not only in session but also in life and, therefore, are of great benefit to the individual who completes a successful internship.

1. An internship with a certified instructor is a requirement for facilitator certification.

2. Most certified instructors provide post-workshop internships.

3. An internship can be done with any AMI-certified instructor/technical director; therefore, if the instructor who delivers the workshop does not offer internships, another instructor can provide that service.

4. Facilitator internships have no set length. When all the certification application requirements have been completed, the certification application may be submitted to the AMI Certification Committee.

5. As with all TIR-related professional skills workshops, instructors set their own fees for the internships they deliver. Fees vary from instructor to instructor; however, all TIR-related workshops and internships delivered by certified instructors and technical directors must meet the strict standards set by Applied Metapsychology International.

ARTICLE FROM BARBARA DUTTON ON HER TIR FACILITATOR INTERNSHIP

My internship for certification in TIR proved as priceless as the workshop itself. As an individual with a non-counseling background, I found the workshop intimidating, with all the profesional counselors in attendance; I felt like a "fish out of water." However, the workshop was most educational; offering me a new avenue of service to others. The Technical Director (TD) I worked with for my certification in TIR knew me from the TIR workshop. Personally, I think that was a plus. I had an idea of the TD's background and skill ahead of time. Our personalities blended and it made for open and honest communication.

The TD was only a phone call away, which proved to allay my misgivings. With each case the TD read carefully my extensive interview notes, noting anything I missed; discussing and clarifying the clients' needs with me. This empowered me to better determine when Basic TIR, Thematic TIR or Unblocking were best suited. Any questions I had about the Rules of Facilitation were addressed and explained. My case plans were extensively reviewed and where appropriate, changes made. We discussed those changes and why they were best suited in each case. Sometimes the TD suggested I give more information before proceeding with my case plan. Explaining to me when a client showed signs of not quite being ready for TIR (sensitive client). Feedback after each session was equally important. I recapped the session in detail and received guidance, direction and encouragement.

There was only one client I had to refer out, because of my lack of experience. That was a difficult situation for me. I was just beginning facilitating sessions and the client was more complicated than I could handle. The TD was right there, with referral information, help and encouragement. The TD made sure I was okay with the situation. And it was okay; it turned out fine. I went on to succeed and the client did too. The patience and encouragement I received during the internship was of great value, especially when I wanted to "run before I could walk." I couldn't wait for the next workshop to expand my knowledge and to be able to do more for clients.

The assistance I received through my internship for certification in TIR has proven invaluable. I was motivated by each phone call, ever learning new insights from an experienced TD, and new ways of looking at clients and trauma. As I adhered closely to the Rules of Facilitation and the council by TD gave, my anxiety vanished with each session. By the time the TD came for a TIR session I no longer felt intimidated and I knew how to handle a TIR and Unblocking session with ease and confidence.

Barbara Dutton

May 19, 2003