Live
Workshop Policies and Procedures
Video and Audio Recording Releases
Many
of our live workshops are video and audio recorded so that
they can later be converted into home study continuing
education programs to inform and update members of the
Academy community.
Workshop participants are asked to sign a Video and Audio
Recording Release granting permission to the Academy to
record, post-produce, market, and distribute recordings
that may include their participation in the workshop
activities.
Obviously, highly sensitive, personal, or inappropriate
material would not be distributed and participants may
withdraw consent at any time during the workshop.
Cancellations and Refunds:
As is the case with most educational institutions, once you
register for a course or workshop, no refunds or credits
are granted if you cancel, withdraw, or fail to
satisfactorily complete all requirements.
For live courses, AGI recognizes that "things happen" and
when they do, AGI will attempt to fill your spot with
another student. If we can, you will receive a tuition
refund less a $100 processing fee. If AGI cannot fill your
spot (which is quite possible due to the longer planning
needs of most professionals), no refunds or credits will be
granted.
Informed
Consent, Waivers, Releases, and Safety Considerations
AGI was created to provide training to health professionals
in the clinical and educational uses of guided imagery.
These trainings include not only didactic information, but
large and small group experiential exercises, as well as
the opportunity for participants to focus on their own
personal issues, if they so choose, during the practice.
Many participants find these opportunities extremely
valuable in their own personal growth, development, and
therapeutic work.
When working with guided imagery, either on your own
issues, in "role plays," or as a guide facilitating the
process of another participant, this experience may access,
elicit, or evoke powerful emotional responses or memories
in you. While this is often therapeutic and useful, it is
possible to uncover issues and emotions which have been
repressed, forgotten, or dissociated.
For this reason, AGI offers the following information,
makes the following disclaimers, and advises the following
safeguards:
(A) AGI is a
California corporation created to train health
professionals and educators to utilize a variety of guided
imagery methods with their clients and/or patients. AGI and
its staff does not offer psychotherapy or related therapy
as part of its workshops or training.
AGI recognizes that the possibility exists during its
trainings for exposure to powerful psychological contents
including memories, fantasies, emotions, and physical
reactions to all the above. AGI provides designated,
skilled facilitators at each training that are available in
case of psychological emergency during the training period.
At the same time, AGI strongly encourages all participants
going through Certification training to have an established
relationship with a competent therapist, preferably one
with knowledge of imagery and symbolic process, who can be
called on in case there is any overwhelming, threatening,
or difficult emergence of material and affect.
(B) In every experiential session, it is
perfectly acceptable when acting as the "client," to not
focus on your own issues. As an alternative, AGI suggests
that you pick a client, present or past, that you'd like to
understand better, and "role play" that client.
Alternatively, you can just "make up" a client and
role-play that. However, not having a specific person to
base your role play on may allow your own issues to come to
the fore more easily than if you began your role play with
someone else in mind.
Be advised that your own issues may intrude even if you
role play, and, in fact, this may occur even if you choose
to merely observe, rather than serve as a "client."
(C) While AGI recommends taking the opportunity to be
a "client" in these settings, since there is much to be
learned from this experience that can improve your ability
to guide effectively, it is also permissible for you to
choose not to be a "client," if you are feeling too
vulnerable or do not feel safe doing so in this setting.
AGI respects this, and any AGI staff member can help
arrange an observing position for you if you prefer.
Please let a staff member know your choice before the
beginning of any exercise so that this can be arranged.
As the "client," it is perfectly acceptable for you to stop
the process at any time if you are feeling uncomfortable,
or for any reason, prefer not to continue with the
exercise. All you need to do is open your eyes and let the
guide know that you prefer to stop the process where it is,
or that you'd like to stop the process and be guided to a
place where you feel safer and more centered, etc.
As the guide, however, it is your professional
responsibility to stay with the "client" in their process
until it reaches an acceptable place or conclusion.
(D) As a workshop, seminar, conference, Preceptorship, or
Certification student involved in AGI training, you must
understand the above cautions and precautions, and you
agree to release and indemnify the Academy for Guided
Imagery, Inc., its shareholders, directors, officers,
employees, consultants, successors and assigns, for any
physical or psychological symptoms, damages or other
manifestations that may arise as a result of your voluntary
participation in these professional training programs.
Next, complete the
Workshop Registration Form by clicking
here.