Exploring the Sibling Matrix

Schedule

Sat Jun 27 2026 at 09:30 am to 03:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Willows Counselling Service | Swindon, EN

Advertisement
How siblings shape our lives
About this Event

About the course:

Siblings have been curiously neglected in psychotherapy teaching and practice, and yet they have a huge impact on all our lives. In this workshop, Val Parker will share ideas developed in her book on siblings - A Group-Analytic Exploration of the Sibling Matrix: How Siblings Shape our Lives (Routledge, 2020).

The day will be both informative and interactive, giving you an opportunity to reflect on the influence of sibling relationships on your own life and to consider how to work more deeply and effectively with sibling issues in the consulting room and with the groups, teams, and organisations in which you work.

About the speaker:

Val Parker is a psychodynamic psychotherapist, group analyst, supervisor and writer working in private practice in West Oxfordshire. She is an experienced teacher and trainer and currently lectures on the Oxford Foundation Course in Group Analysis, the Turvey Diploma in Group Analysis and at the Department of Psychodynamic Studies at the University of Oxford. Her book A Group Analytic Exploration of the Sibling Matrix: How Siblings Shape our Lives, published in 2020, was received with widespread critical acclaim:

"… an important contribution to our thinking about sibling relationships, clearly and engagingly written, succinct and persuasive." - Christine Thornton, Group Analysis: The International Journal of Group-Analytic Psychotherapy

"This is a gem of a book…Parker’s handy little volume will need to be put on every reading list of every psychodynamically and psychoanalytically orientated training course in the country, indeed on the reading list of every psychotherapy or psychology training course, whatever its denomination. This is essential reading." - Amélie Noack, Psychodynamic Practice

"One of the great pleasures in reading this book was the many sibling memories it evoked in me. [T]he ...achievement of the book is bringing the sibling matrix to our attention in a lively, well-written and skilfully presented way." - Sue Einhorn, British Journal of Psychotherapy

Practicalities:

Breaks - There will be one short refreshments break and a lunch break. Free tea & coffee will be available on site, and there are a number of shops and cafes locally that delegates may wish to use during lunch.

Parking - Limited free parking is available on site on a first come first served basis. There are a number of pay as you go car parks locally. The closest is on Prospect Place (51 Prospect Place, SN1 3LJ) 1 minute walk away.

Train/Bus - Willows Training is accessible by local bus routes. The main Swindon bus and rail stations are approx 20 minutes walk away.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop has been designed as a source of Continued Professional Development (CPD) for Counsellors, Psychotherapists, other mental health professionals, and students undertaking counsellor/psychotherapy training. It may also be helpful for anyone working in a caring, helping or pastoral profession, including Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Youth Workers and Social Workers.

About Willows Counselling and Training Service

Willows is a registered charity offering Counselling and Counsellor Training in Swindon, Wiltshire. With more than 30 years' experience, Willows is well established in both knowledge and reputation in the local area and beyond.

Willows offers the full suite of qualifying courses for counsellors: CPCAB Levels 2, 3 and Level 4 Diploma. For qualified therapists, they run a Post-Qualifying Diploma in Trauma (Level 6 equivalent), an NCPS Advanced Specialist course, as well as a programme of one-day CPD workshops and training conferences.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Willows Counselling Service, 11 Prospect Place, Swindon, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 49.46 to GBP 81.96

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Willows Counselling

Host or Publisher Willows Counselling

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Swindon

The Swindon Shuffle Music Quiz at The Hop Inn
Sun, 28 Jun at 05:30 pm The Swindon Shuffle Music Quiz at The Hop Inn

The Hop Inn

CONTESTS NONPROFIT
Divine Feminine Reset Healing Bath - June (THIRD EYE CHAKRA)
Mon, 29 Jun at 07:00 pm Divine Feminine Reset Healing Bath - June (THIRD EYE CHAKRA)

1st & 2nd Floor, 27 High Street , Royal Wootton Bassett , SN4 7AF Swindon, United Kingdom

HEALTH-WELLNESS SPIRITUAL
30th June \u2013 Mike Gayle & Bobby Palmer
Tue, 30 Jun at 07:00 pm 30th June – Mike Gayle & Bobby Palmer

54 Godwin Court, SN1 4BB Swindon, United Kingdom

ART LITERARY-ART
The South West Expo (Swindon)
Thu, 02 Jul at 10:00 am The South West Expo (Swindon)

The Steam Museum (Great Western Hall)

BUSINESS EXHIBITIONS
Mosaic Art Workshop in Swindon
Sun, 11 May at 10:30 am Mosaic Art Workshop in Swindon

Central Community Centre

WORKSHOPS KIDS
Startup Intro to VC: Guide for Swindon Founders
Sat, 31 May at 07:00 pm Startup Intro to VC: Guide for Swindon Founders

Swindon

BUSINESS
Speed Dating Event Tricks: Guide for Swindon Singles
Wed, 04 Jun at 06:00 pm Speed Dating Event Tricks: Guide for Swindon Singles

Swindon

MEETUPS WORKSHOPS
Copy of Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day) Swindon
Wed, 21 Jan at 09:00 am Copy of Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day) Swindon

Holiday Inn Express Swindon West by IHG

WORKSHOPS
Ink Art
Mon, 26 Jan at 06:00 am Ink Art

The Hutti, Changing Suits

ART
Curry Night
Tue, 24 Feb at 07:00 pm Curry Night

The Lalbagh

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
Creation Station Craft and Sip
Tue, 24 Feb at 07:00 pm Creation Station Craft and Sip

The Sun Inn, Coate

Moving & Handling Train The Trainer
Wed, 25 Feb at 09:30 am Moving & Handling Train The Trainer

Home Instead Swindon

WORKSHOPS
Basic Bike maintenance course - Ladies only
Wed, 25 Feb at 11:30 am Basic Bike maintenance course - Ladies only

Moredon Sporting Hub

WORKSHOPS
Citizen's Advice Drop-in Session
Wed, 25 Feb at 02:00 pm Citizen's Advice Drop-in Session

West Swindon Library, Link Centre, Whitehill Way, SN5 7DL, UK

SHOPPING
Introduction to Counselling and Listening Skills
Wed, 25 Feb at 06:00 pm Introduction to Counselling and Listening Skills

Willows Counselling Service

WORKSHOPS
Paint Parisian Stroll in Kempsford at The George
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:00 pm Paint Parisian Stroll in Kempsford at The George

The George, Kempsford

ART FINE-ARTS
\ud83c\udfa8Join Brush Party with Samantha to paint "Spring King" in Swindon!\ud83e\udd42
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:00 pm 🎨Join Brush Party with Samantha to paint "Spring King" in Swindon!🥂

Rat Trap

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Swindon Business Expo - 26th February 2026, DoubleTree by Hilton
Thu, 26 Feb at 10:00 am Swindon Business Expo - 26th February 2026, DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton

BUSINESS EXHIBITIONS
Learn about  Acorn Community Bank
Thu, 26 Feb at 12:30 pm Learn about Acorn Community Bank

Pilgrim Centre

SpaMedica Swindon CPD Evening
Thu, 26 Feb at 06:00 pm SpaMedica Swindon CPD Evening

SpaMedica

What's Happening Next in Swindon?

Discover Swindon Events