An Introduction to Working with Childfree, Questioning & Ambivalent Clients
LEVEL
Professional Development
AWARD
PCI College Certificate of Attendance
COURSE STATUS
Closed for Applications
DURATION
1
day(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
TBD
LOCATIONS
Online
Deciding whether to become a parent is one of the most socially charged and significant choices an adult can make. Yet, it is a topic often clouded by societal pressure and “pronatalist” assumptions.
This groundbreaking PCI College CPD workshop provides a vital, objective space for practitioners to explore the complexities of this decision-making process. By participating, you will gain the competence and ethical framework to support clients, regardless of their gender or sexuality, as they navigate their own unique path toward parenthood or a childfree life, free from external judgment.
Who is this course for?
This workshop is designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, and helping professionals who work with individuals navigating the decision-making process around having children.Â
- Counsellors & Psychotherapists:Â Enhance your clinical toolkit to work ethically and objectively with a diverse range of client choices.Â
- Helping Professionals: Social workers, healthcare providers, and support workers can better facilitate client-led decision-making.Â
- Students in Training:Â Gain early exposure to this specialized area to build an inclusive and non-judgmental practice from the outset.Â
- Specialist Practitioners: If you work with individuals facing anxiety or stigma regarding societal expectations, this course provides essential context.Â
What are the benefits of doing this course?
This training helps practitioners move beyond personal biases and societal norms, fostering a truly client-centred environment where difficult decisions can be explored safely.Â
- Ethical Neutrality:Â Develop the ability to hold a non-judgmental space, ensuring your own values or societal pressure do not influence the client.Â
- Understanding Pronatalism:Â Gain insight into how societal expectations of parenthood impact both the client and your own therapeutic perspective.Â
- Confidence in Practice:Â Move from feeling unsure about how to navigate these conversations to feeling equipped and ethically grounded.Â
- Inclusive Approach:Â Learn to support clients of any gender or sexuality in reaching a decision that is authentic to them.Â
What will you learn?
The curriculum is designed to balance theoretical understanding of social pressures with practical, sensitive therapeutic tools.Â
- The Context of Choice:Â An exploration of the factors influencing the decision to have children, including societal, personal, and life circumstances.Â
- Pronatalism & Stigma: Identifying the role of “pronatalism” in society and how it creates stigma for those who are childfree or questioning.Â
- Decision-Making Dynamics:Â Understanding the psychology of decision-making, including the role of social safety and biological/psychological factors.Â
- Therapeutic Techniques: Practical, objective tools to facilitate exploration for clients who may be stuck in anxious ambivalence.Â
- Ethical Framework: Ensuring your practice remains ethical, objective, and supportive when navigating one of life’s most personal choices.Â
Syllabus
- Language and terminology used in this area
- Pronatalism – what it is and its far-reaching impact
- The types of decision-making processes your client may be going through around becoming a parent or not
- The many factors which can influence the client’s individual circumstances and feelings about the decision
- Common fears and blocks around choosing yes and no to becoming a parent
- The role of the brain and social safety concerns
- When the answer is no – dealing with stigma and social pressure
- Tools and exercises to support your clients at the various stages of their decision-making process.
Timetable
DURATION: 1 Day
TIME: from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
This course has a duration of six hours, which is equivalent to six CPD points.
Eligibility
This is a CPD workshop specifically designed for Counsellors & Psychotherapists or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training. BSc Counselling & Psychotherapy students in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 of their studies are all invited to apply for this CPD workshop.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Northern Ireland
Course Total