Exploring the Sibling Matrix
Schedule
Sat Jun 27 2026 at 09:30 am to 03:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Willows Counselling Service | Swindon, EN
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.
Where is it happening?
Willows Counselling Service, 11 Prospect Place, Swindon, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 49.46 to GBP 81.96
