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a reconstructed definition of CCI 2008
CCI is a planet-wide association of individuals and local networks committed to affirm a core discipline of co-counselling while encouraging, on an international and co-operative basis, the advancement of sound theory, effective practice, network development and planetary transformation.
Local networks of co-counsellors within CCI are independent, self-governing peer organizations, exploring ways of being effective social structures while avoiding all forms of authoritarian control.
Any person and network is a member of CCI if:
* they understand and apply the principles of co-counselling
given below
* they have had at least 40 hours training from a member of
CCI
* they grasp, in theory and practice, the interdependence of
the six ways of working (see below), grounded in a compe-
tence within the way of regression.
the principles of co-counselling
1. Co-counselling is usually practised in pairs: one person takes a turn as the client, the other as the counsellor, then they reverse these roles. In every session each person spends the same time in each role. A session is usually on the same occasion, although sometimes people may take turns as client and counsellor on different occasions.
* When co-clients work in groups of three or more, members
take an equal time as client, each client either choosing
one other person as counsellor, or working in a self-directing
way with the silent, supportive attention of the group. For cer-
tain purposes, the client may request co-operative interven-
tions by two or more counsellors.
2. Co-counsellors work with the dynamic ground of liberating creativity deep within each person, facilitated by the living presence between clients and counsellors and by their participation in the free attention of the universe. This threefold account of human spirituality, and all the other principles included in this CCI definition, are subject to revision by co-counselling practice itself, where every session is a collaborative experiential inquiry into the belief-system on which it is based.
3. The client is in charge of their session in these respects:
* trusting and following the dynamic process of liberation
emerging within
* keeping engaged with the living presence between them and
their counsellor
* opening to the free attention of the universe
* choosing at the start of the session from the four contracts
given below
* choosing within a free attention or normal contract what to
work on and how
* being free to change the contract during their session
* having a right to accept or disregard interventions made by
the counsellor
* being responsible for working in a way that does not harm
themselves, the counsellor, other people, or the environment.
4. The client's process may include, but is not restricted to,
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working creatively both within and between these six ways:
* discharge, transmutation and re-evaluation for healing the
memories of personal distress and cultural oppression (the
way of regression)
* creative thinking at the frontiers of personal belief (the way of
new belief)
* visualizing future personal and cultural states for goal-setting
and action-planning (the way of action)
* opening to the spiritual and subtle dimensions of experience
(the way of opening)
* celebration of self, others, nature and culture (the way of
celebration)
* self-discovery by creative expression in line, colour, sound,
movement (the way of art)
CCI takes the view that the first of these is a secure foundation for the other five; and that all six call for their balanced, interdependent and mutually supportive use.
5. The role of the counsellor is to:
* give full, supportive attention to the client at all times
* intervene as a facilitator only if this is in accordance with the
contract chosen by the client
* interact as a co-creative participant with the client only if the
client has chosen the fourth contract (see 10 below)
* inform the client about time at the end of the session and
whenever the client requests
* end the session immediately if the client becomes irresponsi-
bly harmful to themselves, the counsellor, other people, or
the environment,
6. The counsellor's intervention is a behaviour that enhances the client's work. It may be verbal, and/or nonverbal through eye contact, facial expression, gesture, posture or touch.
7. A verbal intervention is a practical suggestion about what the client may say or do to develop their working process, either within one of the six ways, or in moving from one way to another. It is not a stated interpretation or analysis and does not give advice. It is not driven by counsellor distress and is not harmful or invasive. It liberates client autonomy and self-esteem.
8. The main use of nonverbal intervention is to give sustained, supportive and distress-free attention, in the context of universal free attention, in a way that opens up a presence between counsellor and client, a presence that empowers the client's full emergence. This is the foundation of all four contracts given below. Nonverbal interventions can also be used to elaborate verbal interventions; or to work on their own in conveying a practical suggestion; or, in the case of touch, to release discharge on the way of regression through appropriate kinds of pressure, applied movement or massage. continue
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