Mental Health Seminars

The Mental Health Seminars is a long-established, three-year programme offering a deep, holistic, anthroposophic approach to mental health, psychological wellbeing, and human development.

With mental health crises increasingly impacting all areas of life and work, this training supports participants in developing an empathic, experience-based understanding of the human being, placing equal value on psychological, somatic, social and spiritual perspectives.

Across twelve immersive modules, the programme blends lectures, artistic practice, therapeutic methodologies, small-group processes and guided reflection. Confidential interpersonal sharing gives the Seminar a retreat-like atmosphere, supporting both personal and professional growth.

This programme is designed for:

• Counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers and mental health professionals
• Practitioners in Health & Social Care
• Teachers, therapists and educators
• Individuals supporting adolescents or adults in difficulty
• Anyone committed to deepening an anthroposophic and contemporary understanding of mental health
• A basic interest in human development and psychology from an anthroposophic perspective is assumed.

Participants will develop:

• A grounded understanding of mental health and mental illness
• Experience-based insight into psychological and developmental processes
• Skills in self-reflective practice and intervision
• Personal and social competencies for working meaningfully with psychological challenges
• Confidence in interdisciplinary group work
• Capacity to integrate anthroposophic and contemporary psychotherapeutic perspectives
• The programme emphasises experiential learning and inner development as pathways to professional competence. 

Twelve modules over three years, each running Wednesday 4pm - Sunday 12:30pm. 

Module Themes 

Module 1: Core Psychological Themes 

Cosmology, anthroposophic and mainstream psychology, body–soul–spirit morphology, human vs animal gesture. 

Module 2: Childhood Development (0–7 years) 

Embodiment, sensory development, trauma, attachment, organ studies (brain & spleen). 

Module 3: Childhood Development (7–14 years) 

Rhythm, habits, wellbeing, the 9-year Rubicon, heart–lung–rhythmic system, senses and life processes. 

Module 4: Adolescence (14–21 years) 

Identity, sexuality & gender, self-harm, family dynamics, eating disorders (part 1), organ studies. 

Module 5: Anxiety & Trauma 

Phenomenology of anxiety, trauma & adrenal system, separation & loss, awakening the witnessing “I”. 

Module 6: Depression & Bipolar Phenomena 

Somatic & psychospiritual perspectives, grief, suicidal ideation, psychotic threshold experiences. 

Module 7: Obsessive & Compulsive Behaviours 

Addiction, eating disorders (part 2), ego defences, mid-life crises, rehabilitation & community support. 

Module 8: Personality Structure I 
11 - 15 Novemebr 2026 

Zodiacal twelvefoldness, planes of space, mask-work, narcissistic, avoidant, paranoid & histrionic types. 

Module 9:  Personality Structure II 
10 - 14 March 2027

Obsessive, antisocial, dissociative & borderline structures, mentalisation, differentiation from psychosis. 

Module 10:  Personality Structure III 
16 - 20 June 2027

Schizoid, schizotypal & dependent structures, codependency, Steiner’s 12 worldviews, hero’s journey. 

Module 11: The Question of Evil 
13 - 17 October 2027

Distortion, doubles, fear, hatred, doubt, discernment through the seven life processes. 

Module 12: Conflict & Community Building
2 - 6 February 2028

Organisational conflict, mediation, biography, collective responsibility, change, endings and beginnings. 

 

Course leaders

• Mike Chase
• Dr James Dyson
• Dr Michael Evans
• Jane Chase

• Professional experience in a caring, therapeutic, educational or community role is welcomed
• Interest in anthroposophic psychology and human development
• Preparedness for experiential, reflective and artistic learning
• Willingness to engage in group processes and confidential sharing

Option 1 - Full Payment: £5,300 on acceptance

Option 2 - Instalments: £500 deposit on acceptance, £1,670 per year (due 1 Feb 2025, 1 Feb 2026, 1 Feb 2027) Total: £5,510

Bursaries

A small number of bursaries are available. Please submit a Bursary Application Form with your main application or contact registrar@emerson.org.uk for guidance.

Applications for the Mental Health Seminars are open to practising therapists, educators, healthcare professionals and individuals engaged in therapeutic or development work.

To apply, please complete the online application form and upload the following supporting documents:

• A short personal statement outlining your interest in the seminars and your current professional context.
• Evidence of prior learning, such as completion of Level 2 or equivalent training in a relevant field (e.g. counselling skills, theraputic practice, psychology, education, social care)
• A current CV summarising your professional background and experience.
• One reference, ideally from a professional background and experience.
• Once submitted, our admissions team will review your application and contact you with next steps. Early application is recommended, as places are limited.

Once your application is received, our Education department will contact you to arrange an informal interview. For questions or support with your application, please contact registrar@emerson.org.uk

Graduates deepen their ability to work therapeutically or supportively with children, adolescents and adults. Skills gained may enhance roles in:

• Counselling & psychotherapy
• Health & Social Care
• Education and pastoral care
• Therapeutic communities
• Community development
• Anthroposophic therapeutic practice
• Many participants also pursue further anthroposophic or integrative therapeutic training