FALL 2013 TRAINING SCHEDULE
Fall training will begin in September 2013 and be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:30-9:30pm), with an introductory and final session held on Saturdays.

If travel time or an inflexible schedule is a problem, ask us about ONLINE TRAINING options!

You don't need to have a qualifications or experience in counseling to be a caring listener. TELL's comprehensive training program makes sure all our volunteers are skilled and ready. Most importantly we are looking for people that are:

> Interested in supporting people in need in their community
> Willing to understand another person's point of view
> Willing to respect others and not judge
> In touch with and able to cope with their own feelings
> Interested in learning and personal growth

The Q&A section below provides details on the training course, but feel free to contact us to discuss if Life Line Telephone Counselor is the role for you.
Jason Chare, Life Line Director: lifeline1@telljp.com
Vickie Skorji, Assistant Life Line Director: lls.assist@telljp.com

“Listening to someone who is depressed, worried, or frightened and doesn’t know where to turn, is perhaps the most valuable thing we can do for a fellow human being.” --Life Line Telephone Counselor

What is involved in the training

The basic 66 hour training program is held over 12 weeks and is run twice a year:

Spring Training
Mid-February – early May: mostly Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:30-12:30

Fall Training
Mid-September-early December: mostly Tuesday and Thursday evenings 18:30-21:30

The training course is based on the principles of Carl Rogers and covers a wide range of counseling-related topics. A combination of lectures, small group work and role plays teach specific counseling skills, allows for in-depth discussion and feedback, and provides ample time to practice and polish skills.

Trainees that successfully complete the course are offered an apprenticeship on the Life Line, involving a minimum 24 hours of supervised work (broken down into 4-hour shifts). Only trainees that successfully complete the training and demonstrate competence under supervision, are offered a place on the Life Line.

TELL’s Life Line has gained a reputation for quality training in client-centered counseling that can be as useful in everyday life as it is in counseling. The training program is a tremendous opportunity for self-exploration and growth, as well as a chance to meet a great group of like-minded friends. Graduates of the program go on to provide emotional support to people in need in our own community. The Life Line is a rare volunteer opportunity that allows us to directly help those in need.

Is there a cost?

The extensive nature and scope of the course means that we have to charge for the training course. The course fee is 35,000 yen . Please note that this is a subsidized fee which does not cover the full cost of the course. The fee covers:

- A 12-week telephone counselor training course

- A training manual and workbook

However, if cost is an issue, please speak to us as we are able to provide a small number of scholarships for each training.

Is there an assessment process?

All TELL telephone counselors face a rigorous selection and training program to maintain our professional telephone service. Responding to people in need is one of the most challenging tasks you could ever do, but it is also one of the most rewarding. On the successful completion of training, protocols and supervised shifts, volunteer telephone counselors are awarded a level 1 certificate of accreditation.

Are there any requirements?

Successful applicants must be 21 years of age and have a current visa or residency status for Japan; we are not able to sponsor any individuals. Applicant must also be able to speak English confidently as we are an English-speaking Life Line. No prior counseling experience is required as all counseling requirements will be covered in the training.

What commitments are involved?

At the end of the training we are seeking a 12 month commitment to the Life Line of 10 hours a month. This is roughly performing a regular fortnightly shift of 4 hours and amounts to 100 hours a year. Additionally, volunteer telephone counselors must also attend monthly group supervision sessions of 2 hours and attend at least one ongoing educational session per year. Initial level 1 accreditation is awarded after the completion of the training and apprenticeship.

Training and beyond

Once a counselor is qualified to provide telephone counseling and has competed 12 months of shifts on the Life Line, they are eligible to take advantage of several advanced accreditation opportunities. Experienced telephone counseling experience can go on to become trainers to assist with the training of new phone counselors, and experienced trainers can go on to train as supervisors or pregnancy option counselors.

Career development

Life Line training also offers excellent opportunities to develop your interpersonal skills in a professional work environment. Experience with Life Line counseling is often used by social workers, psychologists and counselors in training to gain real-life experience that can complement academic studies and assist in gaining employment or entry into competitive post-graduate courses. Counselors have reported that Life Line training has provided them with strong communication skills and professional boundaries that significantly improve their personal life and help them in their chosen career.

When is the next training?

Trainings begin in late February and mid-September each year. Application forms need to be submitted at least 2 weeks before training begins. Please check our web site for updates on the next upcoming training. Once application forms are received, an interview will be offered to suitable candidates in order to discuss the training in further detail.

Download an application form (pdf)

Download an application form (word)

For more details, contact Life Line Assistant Director, Vickie Skorji