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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,


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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