The course is divided into 6 blocks of learning. Basics 1-3 and Advanced 1-3. Each block takes 4 months to complete. Each block builds on the last. I don’t recommend you ‘cram’ any of the blocks or jump ahead prematurely. The time allotted for each block is to allow the practice to sink in. You head may grasp the concepts but it takes longer for your palpatory skills
to grow.
On the other hand don’t spend longer than 4 months on any block. Self doubt is something most cranio sacral students grapple with. There can be a temptation to not move on because you feel like you haven’t mastered a particular block. If this happens talk it out with your mentor. If they say you are ready then you are.
The majority of your learning is self directed, meaning you direct how much study and practice you engage in. To become competent I recommends you set aside 15 to 20 hours a week for your Cranio
Sacral learning.
I suggest you divide up the four months of each block as follows:
Month 1
Go over all the training materials in the given block in the first week.
Practice all the techniques for a day or so then go and have some directional assessment with your mentor to ensure you are doing everything correctly. Contine to practice and study for the rest of the month.
Month 2
Begin the month with a directional assessment with your mentor to ensure you are doing everything correctly.
Month 3
In the second week of the month have a directional assessment with your mentor to ensure you are doing everything correctly.
At the end of the month complete the directional written assessments for the block.
Month 4
End the month with a competence assessment with your mentor and complete the competence written assessments.
Each learning block has a set of learning outcomes. When you are competent in all the learning outcomes for a block you are competent in that block. When you are competent in all the blocks you are a competent cranio sacral therapist.
Assessment “Oh no, an exam!!”
Assessment doesn’t mean examination. A written assessment isn’t an ‘exam’.
There are 2 types of assessment.
Directional Assessment: This is assessment designed to keep you on the right track. It is assessment built into the learning. It is intended to help you avoid getting into bad habits by practicing a technique incorrectly or labouring under an incorrect understanding of a concept.
Competence assessment: This is assessment used towards the end of a block to assess your competence in the material covered.
There are only two results that can come from a competence assessment. Competent or Not Yet Competent. There is no passing or failing. One person is not deemed more competent
than another. If you are not yet competent in a technique it does not mean you cannot continue in your training, it just means you need to be assessed in this technique again when you have followed the action plan that the assessor lays out for you.
Practical Assessment
For this assessment you will need to bring a patient. The assessor will ask you to preform different techniques. As you preform the techniques the assessor will tune in to your patient. The assessor may talk to you as you are working. At the end of the assessment the assessor will review what has been done and develop an action plan to assist you in the areas you are not yet competent in.
Written Assessment
There are 2 written assessments on the material covered in each block.
Closed Book: This is an assessment of knowledge and covers the fundamentals of what has been covered. The things you should know without having to refer to a text book. The things you use during treatment.
Open Book: During this assessment you can refer to any text book or reference material you wish. It is an assessment of your understanding.
