Treating depression can be tough.
Your client is struggling desperately through their life, hour by agonising hour.
As a practitioner, you understand how they feel and you desperately want to help them. It can feel like you’re caught in a crushing vice between their pain and your own empathy.
And it gets worse…
Depression warps people’s world view, and the natural response to that is to unload all that pain. On you.
Their depressed world view rains down on you, waterlogging your most upbeat efforts and dampening your therapeutic spirits.
Now of course we’re trained to deal with this, but even the most experienced practitioner can find it hard to resist the onslaught of depressive thoughts and life-sapping perspectives that come forth from the depressed mind.
At first, you manage to remain positive and maybe even get some gains with your depressed client, but soon enough, you find yourself floundering in a seemingly endless sea of impossible-to-solve problems.
Worst of all, you might find yourself becoming a little depressed too. And that’s no help to anyone.
So what can you do?
There are two things you as a practitioner need:
- A clear understanding of what is happening with a depressed person. In other words, why they are depressed.
- A simple framework for treatment that will keep you on track and protect you from the overwhelming detail and depressive perspectives that the depressed client often swamps you with.
And what your depressed client needs is:
New knowledge: Depressed people need a clear, easy-to-understand model of how depression works and why it is so awful. We call this the cycle of depression. We teach it to clients in the very first session and it almost always blows them away. I’ve seen depressed people laugh out loud with joy at the release this gives them, when they understand how simple and normal depression is. I’ll show you exactly how to do this on the course.
- A break from the stress: Depression is always accompanied by anxiety and this drives depressive symptoms and creates a highly stressed brain. Without relieving this stress, little progress can be made. You’ll discover how to do this quickly and easily, and give them the tools to do the same.
- Problem solving and emotional resilience skills: Many areas of life contribute to depression. Until your client learns new skills to navigate their problem areas more effectively the risk will always be there. We cover every area of life and give you clear instructions for teaching the essential life skills for each, including simple thinking (cognitive) skills that take the power out of depressive thoughts.
- New experiences: To be effective, therapy needs to take root outside the therapy room. Small tasks, carefully introduced can help re-establish a sense of competence and confidence.
They need all this (and more) embedded in a setting of calm understanding from a practitioner who knows that they can help. This sense of confidence alone can do so much for someone who has given up hope of ever feeling well again.
Why do I want this for you?
Well, because in my 20+ years of training therapists, I have seen again and again just how many people fail to get the help they need, when they need it, with disastrous consequences.
I have seen caring, capable therapists give up their practices because they weren’t making the difference they had hoped, or just couldn’t make ends meet.
And because I know how it feels to face a hopeless, distressed person and not be able to help.
Are you a helper? Or a marketer? Or a business person?
It’s not easy being a lone practitioner. Trying to stay in touch with the reasons you first started helping others is difficult while dealing with the day to day pressures of marketing, running your business, and the isolation that can bring.
I know because I’ve been there. For years I had the long hard slog of trying to build up my practice. And that slog was made all the harder by the depressed clients I was seeing who I knew I could do more for.
When I finally made the breakthrough of how to treat depression quickly, so much changed.
- My clients started getting better right from the first session.
- I started looking forward to seeing my depressed clients.
- My depressed clients started telling their doctors and other caregivers.
- And my word of mouth referrals just took off.
Why should being good at treating depression make such a difference to my business?
For a long time I wondered why. Why should it make such a difference when I helped depressed people, compared to all the other problems I treated? Then I realised: Because no-one else could do it. Or at least, very few people could. And doctors had been seeing these poor people for years – coming back to their surgeries again and again, and they felt just as helpless as the patients themselves.
So when someone came along who could make a clear and lasting difference, they really took notice. And so the referrals rolled in.
But what was I doing that was so different?
If you’ve seen the videos I sent you over the last week or so, you’ve heard a lot about this approach. And it might seem complicated, but I promise you it’s not. In fact, complication is the last thing a depressed person needs. They are already confused and scared about what is happening to them.
The Course – How to Lift Depression Fast
After learning this approach (more years ago than I care to remember!), I started training therapists in it with my company Uncommon Knowledge. We did this for ten years on our year long practitioner diploma course. Hundreds of therapists from that course are now making a real difference to thousands of depressed people’s lives.
Then in 2007 we put How to Lift Depression Fast online, and continued the training to practitioners worldwide, all the time refining and improving the training material to make it simpler and easier to use. Since that time, thousands of practitioners have taken this course (you’ll see some of their testimonials further down the page).
Join a community of like-minded people
Throughout the course you’ll be able to converse with your fellow students, discuss cases with them or myself, review and repeat any material as you feel necessary, and ask questions in the comments section in Uncommon U or save them up for the monthly live Q&A calls.
We guarantee the course’s effectiveness
When I’m talking about this course, I find it hard to get across just how much I believe in it without shouting and waving my arms around. And I believe that once you’ve completed the course, you’ll feel exactly the same.
There’s nothing like the feeling you get from truly helping a depressed person to get you all worked up!
But I understand that this is a serious investment, and you need to know that it is going to be worth it, so the only thing I can really do to take the pressure off you is give you this guarantee: 
I promise you will find treating your next 3 depressed clients an enjoyable and uplifting experience after completing the course. And that they will feel much better after the first session, and feel the best they have felt in years after 6 (if you need that many).
And you are the judge. If you don’t agree this is the case, simply ask and I’ll refund you. You see, I really want as many practitioners to know this approach as possible.
I believe depression is robbing our families and communities of so much human potential, and we can do something about it. I hope this gives you the peace of mind you need to go ahead and book your place now.
What’s included in the ‘How To Lift Depression Fast’ course?
- Instant access to Uncommon U – our user-friendly online learning platform available through your browser or our dedicated app. Read, listen to, or download course materials, watch videos and gain access to the private commenting areas where you can discuss the course, clients and ideas with Mark and other course delegates.
- Comprehensive course notes – 123 pages in PDF book format.
- Depression Treatment Video – watch me treat a depressed man using the Uncommon approach.
- Client Audio Sessions – be a fly on the wall, listening to 3 live therapy sessions with myself. You’ll see all the techniques come together.
- Monthly Live Question & Answer Session – join your fellow students from this and our other courses to ask me questions about the course and any therapy-related queries you have. You can ask your questions live on the call or submit them beforehand and if you can’t make the live calls, they’ll be available to download the following day (in mp3 format).
- 4 Free ‘Peaceful Moments’ relaxation downloads (value $35) – mp3 downloads that you can share with your clients.
- Step-by-step depression session guide including depression teaching aids for your clients, such as the Primal Needs Checklist and Action Plan.
- Full access to the archive of previous live interactions between myself and previous students on treating depression. That’s more than 10 hours of detailed discussion on topics such as interventions for specific clients therapists are working with, comment on approaches and depression treatment ideas not in our course, and more.
- 2 video assignment sessions – videos from myself on key topics, with supporting materials to embed your learning.
- Self test quizzes to embed your knowledge.
- Dedicated course support – Kirstin, head of our Uncommon Care Team, will be on hand to answer any queries you might have, either in Uncommon U, by email or by telephone.
- Certificate of completion – on successful completion of the course, you will receive a personalized certificate.
- Confirmation of 21 hours/points for your Continuing Professional Development.
- Access to the Uncommon Practitioners Private Facebook Group where you can chat with like-minded practitioners, get support, discuss cases or just share your latest beautiful photo.
Plus
- ‘The Natural Depression Treatment Program‘ (value $195) a self-help program for depression sufferers and includes 17 deeply relaxing audio sessions and a 200-page workbook (all as downloads).
- ‘The Learning Path’ eBook – a 100 page eBook that you can print and share with your clients, to help them understand how depression works and how to beat it.
- Reframing Training (value US $60) containing role plays on how to change depressed people’s minds about themselves (a tricky skill we think you’ll agree!) Available as mp3 downloads.
PLUS:
- Client Attractor Pack read on to find out more about this valuable resource…
So you’ve done the course, treated a few clients and been amazed at how much better they are feeling very quickly. You’re very excited about how many people’s lives you can change, but…
How do you tell the world, or at least your community, about your new depression-beating skills?
Well we’re here to help.
Depressed Client Attractor Pack
Ready made marketing materials to bring clients into your practice
We know how difficult marketing can be. According to the surveys we’ve done and the discussions we’ve had with our therapist friends, that’s one area that people said they had particular trouble with. We’ve heard time and time again that they’d prefer to focus on their clients, not on continually drumming up business.
But once you get the resources you need from the Client Attractor Pack, you’ll be able to boost the numbers of clients coming through your door.
The Client Attractor Pack contains:
- Postcard layout
- Business card layout
- Phone script to convert enquirers to buyers
- Content for your website
- Attract, convince and convert clients better than any depression treatment practitioner in your area.
You can start the course as soon as you get your log in details for Uncommon U, and you have access to it for as long as you need so you can work through it at your own pace.
This course will be open soon. Click here to register to be notified.
Testimonials from our previous students
If there was one practical step that you could implement... Read More
If there was one practical step that you could implement that enables your clients to fix themselves: this is the course for you. You not only get one practical step, you get a multiplicity of practical therapeutic interventions that work. Mark and Roger have honed their craft from years of working with clients. Take this course now; your clients will thank you and you will know that your work makes a difference. No mumbo jumbo, just stuff that works.
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- Aidan Noone, Hypnotherapist and Coach, Ireland.
- Aidan Noone, Hypnotherapist and Coach, Ireland.
If you want to understand depression and help yourself or... Read More
If you want to understand depression and help yourself or others experiencing it, then this is the course for you. A refreshing look at the subject which draws upon evidence-based practice and robust research with well-produced and up-to-date resources/PDFs.
I’m able to help my clients understand the cycle of depression and where antidepressants fit within a treatment plan (or not as in many of my clients’ experiences). Providing information about the purpose of sleeping and dreaming and REM sleep has helped clients recognise why they feel the way they feel, particularly showing that I understand their complete exhaustion in the morning. They feel so relieved that I ‘get it’ where they have not felt understood or listened to by their GP or MH professional.
I’ve had some great feedback from clients who report that their sleep has improved and they have more energy to do the things they used to enjoy. Also, quite a few have demanded a meds review from their GP (some have never had one in over 20 years of taking the same antidepressant – and they are still depressed!). When I see clients for a follow up session, they say how ‘it all makes sense now’ which I feel very privileged to have helped them gain this understanding.
Practical, sensitive, and friendly – you won’t be disappointed! Loved every second of the course and found the customer service excellent.
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- Deborah Simpson, Holistic Wellbeing Coach and Therapist, UK.
- Deborah Simpson, Holistic Wellbeing Coach and Therapist, UK.
I looked forward to each Session and find I’m able... Read More
I looked forward to each Session and find I’m able to use the material in my practice daily. The course has been an invaluable addition to me as a practitioner – filling gaps in my knowledge (lots of ‘yes, that makes sense!’ moments), providing an evidence-based framework for treatment, and sparking the enthusiasm to take it out there and make a real difference. Mark and Roger have done a very good job indeed – as have the many of you involved in the course production and delivery.
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- Emma Hockley, Counsellor of Psychological Support & Interventions, New Zealand.
- Emma Hockley, Counsellor of Psychological Support & Interventions, New Zealand.
Having finished the course I refocused on what I wanted... Read More
Having finished the course I refocused on what I wanted to specialize in and now work exclusively on delivering How to Lift Depression Fast and The Rewind Technique, especially useful with anxiety, over-thinking, etc.
The results have been nothing short of outstanding and I am now something of a go-to person in our small community.
I have even worked with a very intelligent guy diagnosed with bipolar. When I asked him how long he had been living this way, he said it felt like forever, but when we did some work, he had only ever overheard it in a conversation between his mum and a consultant. It was only a possibility, but he adopted the identity and lived much of his life in this way. Once he found out about the cycle of depression, the joy on his face was incredible. He is finally off medication and has decided to keep on seeing me occasionally. Apparently he had been taking these meds for years over nothing more than a conversation with no necessity for it, how totally incredible is his story!
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- Carole Randell.
I not long ago completed the Lifting Depression Fast course.... Read More
I not long ago completed the Lifting Depression Fast course. So far I have used the program officially once for Depression and had resounding results. My client was an 85 year old woman. Her daughter brought her to see me for severe insomnia whilst she was visiting her. It ended up being depression. After one session she understood what was happening to her. Within a week her sleeping, eating, exercise, self talk improved.
The second week she was reconnecting with old friends. Basic Human Needs. She was starting to request more attention from family, e.g. meals, taking her out to the farm, dropping in for more than 10 minutes, etc. She became more relaxed and more confident to the point where she could walk without fear of falling over and making decisions. She started to read again too.
Her inner strength came back which made her more resilient when her brother had passed away after the 2nd week of treatment.
Her doctor took her off blood pressure tablets after two weeks as she didn’t need to be on medication as it had reduced to normal! She found hard to as she was so attached to the medication she had taken for over 40 years and did a little reframing and she seems to be ok. She has returned to her home town where she lives so she only had two sessions.
Interestingly, this darling woman did not want to be hypnotised at all, so we just labelled it ‘relaxation’ and she was ok with that. There’s always a way to get around those pre-conceived myths! :-) I also gave her one of my own recorded hypnosis MP3s and some relaxation tracks. This helped her a lot. I doubt whether she has filled in her goal setting sheets (basic needs); however, she started addressing those needs that weren’t being met in her own way.
I have another few clients Ill be seeing over the next two weeks for the depression program so I have no doubt it will help them too.
I have used other parts of the program for other issues to help with goal setting – primal human needs etc, self talk, explanatory styles etc.
I loved this course and learnt a lot!
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- Annie Walker, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner, Bathurst Hypnotherapy, Bathurst NSW, Australia.
- Annie Walker, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner, Bathurst Hypnotherapy, Bathurst NSW, Australia.
I just would like to thank you for the Lift... Read More
I just would like to thank you for the Lift Depression course I’ve just successfully completed. I enjoyed the structure immensely and liked the way it built in detail and complexity as the different modules were revealed, that and how the quiz at the end of each section carried questions on from previous sections.
I also appreciate that I’ve fair bit more to study with all the recommended reading, and to get to know the materials a lot better than I do right now before I would feel comfortable seeing someone coping with depression. That said…I can’t wait! (is it wrong to be excited about the chance to work with someone with depression?)
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- Martin Daubney, NLP Master Coach, Basel, Switzerland.
- Martin Daubney, NLP Master Coach, Basel, Switzerland.
This course is enjoyable and easily accessible. Useful when one's... Read More
This course is enjoyable and easily accessible. Useful when one’s computer skills are limited. It is also easy to access help if required. What I found most useful was that all the different pieces of information that I have learned and picked up over the years was put into a coherent whole. Also structure was given on how to use this knowledge with the client in the counselling room.
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- Deborah Summerton, Counsellor, Manchester, England.
- Deborah Summerton, Counsellor, Manchester, England.
This course isn't cheap but it is very comprehensive, covering... Read More
This course isn’t cheap but it is very comprehensive, covering every area of depression and enabling the therapist to have a real handle on depression. The course has given me confidence that I really can make a difference to depressed or anxious clients.
Your customer service is excellent. Uncommon U is a great resource. Even though I have never met Mark I feel as though he is a wise and helpful friend, like my supervisor, whom I do meet, of course; I hold them both in high esteem.
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- Joan Anderton, Counsellor, Burton on Trent, England.
- Joan Anderton, Counsellor, Burton on Trent, England.
These aren't just courses for counsellors and therapists - I... Read More
These aren’t just courses for counsellors and therapists – I feel I have an amazing, creative team around me supporting my practice in the most informative, engaging, and accessible way.
The course is easily accessible whenever I need it. The client sessions are invaluable in helping me to develop confidence in using the approach. The contact with other practitioners from so many disciplines is helpful as well as listening to the session reviews afterwards. The tests with audio and written material is so helpful. You keep it up to date and relevant and the courses are brilliant. Office staff are great. Just about everything you guys do is fantastic and you have become a part if my everyday life.
Thank you for providing the professional guidance that I was looking for. Thank you.
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- Carolyn Heap, Social worker, Hypnotherapist, and Counsellor, Berkshire, UK.
- Carolyn Heap, Social worker, Hypnotherapist, and Counsellor, Berkshire, UK.
I've seen too many clients on medication that remain depressed.... Read More
I’ve seen too many clients on medication that remain depressed. Your course gives them new hope.
There is more useful information about depression in this course than I learned in any at university! It is practical, sensible, and works!
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- Anonymous.
How to Lift Depression Fast was one on the best... Read More
How to Lift Depression Fast was one on the best courses I have ever done. It really provides a practical approach to working with clients experiencing the symptoms of depression. I would recommend this course to any professional who is working with this client base. The course provides a wealth of materials. I particularly found the recordings of the live monthly Q&A helpful. As a Counsellor who’s passionate about suicide prevention and supporting clients to move toward a full and rewarding life, I have found everything in this course to be extremely useful.
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- Louise Evans, Counsellor, Sydney, Australia.
- Louise Evans, Counsellor, Sydney, Australia.
I have clients who have, and are, improving their level... Read More
I have clients who have, and are, improving their level of functioning following the course, How to Lift Depression Fast; but had not experienced a dramatic change in anyone, as much as my own improvement. After losing close family members this winter following the collapse of my husband’s business, and subsequent fallout, I noticed I was experiencing many signs of depression for the first time in my life. I not only feel more like my ‘old self’ again, but have a deeper understanding of what many of my clients live on a daily basis; often over a period of months, years, and even decades.
I was surprised to learn many of the teachings from grad school and post graduate learning were outdated and/or incorrect. I also love the simplicity of the course…it makes sense…it’s easy to follow…and the multi-sensory learning is great. I have the option of reading/reviewing the information using my preferred learning style (visual), listening to the educational audios in my “University on Wheels”, and listening to the hypnotherapy audios as I unwind in the evening.
I have begun spending time educating clients regarding the cycle of depression, the influence of dreaming on energy, the importance of meeting our primal needs (remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs), and the power of hypnotherapy, among other pertinent information. I have never used hypnotherapy for depression as much as I have since completing this course.
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- Charla Chenoweth-Swift, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, LCAC, Behavioral Health Psychotherapist, Colorado, USA.
- Charla Chenoweth-Swift, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, LCAC, Behavioral Health Psychotherapist, Colorado, USA.
Learning the "How to Lift Depression Fast" was an eye... Read More
Learning the “How to Lift Depression Fast” was an eye opener for me. It provides me with a clearer picture of depression and how we can help those in depression to come out of it faster compared to conventional psychotherapeutic approaches. And the information in the course can be easily relayed to depressed clients in non-technical terms so that helps in getting the message across too.
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- Eric Yap, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Eric Yap, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nothing that I learned from my masters degree course gave... Read More
Nothing that I learned from my masters degree course gave me so much confidence as to how to help the clients who are suffering greatly from depression.
One of my clients suffered panic attacks during online meetings. She looked so relieved when I talked to her about how her response is like the car alarm metaphor mentioned in the course. She had been questioning herself: “What is wrong with me?” Knowing that it is not her and it is something that we can change gave her a great sense of relief.
The information and the skills provided in the course are extremely helpful for the client to understand their condition and how to get better.
I don’t know about other counseling programs, but when I was doing my masters program, I learned all the different theories from Freudian to CBT to existentialism. Never have I ever come across something like this that is so applicable.
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- Huey, Counsellor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Huey, Counsellor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A very accessible course, with lots of information we can... Read More
A very accessible course, with lots of information we can work through in our own time. I particularly liked the practical exercises, which have helped me deal with my own anxiety and depression. I feel like I have ‘walked the talk’ and can now move on to help others. The self-hypnosis MP3s are truly excellent and of a massive help in my daily life (I use them daily). Very supportive course and community, thank you. :)
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- Kitty Schwichiski, Trainee Psychotherapist/Clinical Hypnotherapist, UK.
- Kitty Schwichiski, Trainee Psychotherapist/Clinical Hypnotherapist, UK.
I have found your course exceptionally good. I have undertaken... Read More
I have found your course exceptionally good. I have undertaken a number of different trainings and feel I have a good toolkit (NLP, Hypnosis, CBT, SFT, EFT) and what I have really found useful with your depression course is that it has provided me with a really great structure and greater confidence and clarity in pulling it all together. Thanks for the course – it is really making a difference!
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- Sarah Humphrey, Occupational Therapist, Newcastle, UK.
- Sarah Humphrey, Occupational Therapist, Newcastle, UK.
In comparison to the current view of mainstream medicine this... Read More
In comparison to the current view of mainstream medicine this approach to depression is much more sound and convincing to me.
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- Dr Peter Ulle, Dentist, Graz, Austria.
- Dr Peter Ulle, Dentist, Graz, Austria.
The course content is excellent. Everything is brought together in... Read More
The course content is excellent. Everything is brought together in a clear and immediately applicable format. Understanding the Cycle of Depression is important for any hypnotherapist and I continue to find some of the key concepts essential, not only in working with my clients with depression but also in other areas such as anxiety, panic and migraine. A vital component of any therapist’s toolkit!
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- Sophie Nicholls, Hypnotherapist, York, UK.
- Sophie Nicholls, Hypnotherapist, York, UK.
What I particularly liked was the availability of the recordings... Read More
What I particularly liked was the availability of the recordings so I could listen and re-listen as often as I wished, gleaning more from them each time. I also thought that the support material was of a very high standard, broadening and consolidating the learning from the calls. I found the content to be invaluable. It gave me a fresh perspective on depression and tools I can use with confidence with my clients. Thank you.
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- Maria Doherty, Psychotherapist and Life Coach, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
- Maria Doherty, Psychotherapist and Life Coach, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
[The Trainers] were wonderful of course, and professional and approachable... Read More
[The Trainers] were wonderful of course, and professional and approachable at the same time–tricky combination as I’m sure you know! I learned so much and I hardly noticed. Thanks for so many skills and techniques and ideas. Best of luck to all at Uncommon Knowledge–I will spread the word as much as I am able!
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- Bill Frazier, Hypnotic Skills for Positive Change, Maryland, USA.
- Bill Frazier, Hypnotic Skills for Positive Change, Maryland, USA.
I liked the build up of the course and the... Read More
I liked the build up of the course and the weeks focus, topics and practicality. I liked the interactive parts where [the trainers] got us to “think aloud” – some good ideas came up. The Depression-Program is great resource of knowledge and ideas that I already use with clients with success, so I probably will come back to it for more ideas in the future. All in all it is a great value course and got me to deepen my understanding and show me how much I already know and can use with clients.
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- Etai Gilad, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Etai Gilad, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
I liked the way the ‘Lift Depression Quickly’ course was... Read More
I liked the way the ‘Lift Depression Quickly’ course was presented step-by-step with the assessments available to view right from the outset, so that one has a well rounded and big picture view of what is required. It enables one to see where it is going. Thank you, this was a fabulous course and it came just at the right time for me on a personal level because I have had three operations in the last two years to cure cancer, one of which thrust me into a surgically induced menopause and I truly needed (I didn’t think I did at the time) to clear out my mind. This course helped me to rid myself of some of those ‘silly little niggling thoughts’ and I am now not only mentally healthy and balanced but also mentally strong again, which in turn has had a big impact on my physical fitness! THANK YOU for returning me to being MAXINE!!
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- Maxine Hamilton, Master Practitioner in NLP and Hypnotherapy, Horley, UK.
- Maxine Hamilton, Master Practitioner in NLP and Hypnotherapy, Horley, UK.
It is hard to be specific as there is such... Read More
It is hard to be specific as there is such a wealth of great information in this course. I know I will be referring back to it all as standard reference material for a long time to come (maybe forever) as it is all bountifully rich in knowledge and helping tools. It’s awesome to have The Depression Learning Path and Ebook too. I feel so much wiser for having everything at my fingertips and being able to really get a handle on what depression is and how to help someone in a positive way. Thank-you so much [The Trainers] :-)
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- Rose Morgan, Hypnotherapist, Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Rose Morgan, Hypnotherapist, Christchurch, New Zealand.
This course will be open soon. Click here to register to be notified.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is this an in-person course?
In short, no. We trained people face-to-face for a decade while we ran our diploma course at Brighton University, in the south of England. When we moved our training online in 2008 in order to reach a worldwide audience, we were a little sceptical.
We assumed people wouldn’t learn so well online; that live training had to be more effective than online training. But, as it turns out, we were wrong. In traditional face-to-face training, you see the demonstrations only once and hear the presentations only once. And, inevitably, when you go away and try to implement your new skills, questions come up.
But, of course, the training has finished, so you can’t ask them. With an online course, you can try things out, then come back to the group to ask any questions you have, review the relevant part of the training, and then go back and give it another shot. We’ve found people who learn online learn more deeply and thoroughly, which is why we now train people internationally. The process of learning, trying something out, then coming back with questions and reflections seems to work incredibly well when learning new therapy skills.
I'm not good with computers, is this online course for me?
We have made it as easy as possible for you to take the course. Many of our delegates are novices with computers yet perfectly comfortable within our online training area Uncommon U.
Once you’ve enrolled on the course, you will be able to say Hi! to Mark and your fellow delegates in the introduction thread and then progress with the course at your own pace.
At the end of each session, there is a short multiple choice test which you take to progress through the course, with a final test at the end if you’d like to earn a completion certificate. We recommend you do, because it helps you ‘know what you know’ and so improves confidence.
Then, once a month, we’ll let you know about Mark’s Q&A call where you can ask questions, just listen in, or download the next day if you’re unable to attend live.
And the Uncommon Care team will be on hand in case you have any questions.
What is Uncommon U?
Uncommon U is our user-friendly online learning platform designed to make learning with us seamless and enjoyable. From the moment you receive your login details, you’ll have instant access to a variety of resources, including video and audio lessons, articles and other study materials, along with private discussion areas. These features allow you to work through our courses at your own pace, engage with fellow course delegates, and ask questions along the way.
Whether you’re tech-savvy or new to online learning, Uncommon U (accessible through your normal browser or through the free Uncommon U app that you can use on your smartphone or tablet) provides a supportive, accessible space where you can deepen your knowledge, share ideas, and grow in a collaborative community. And you’ll continue to have access to the platform and all its materials even after you’ve finished the course, ensuring you can revisit and refine your skills anytime.
When does the course start?
The course starts as soon as you enroll and get your login details! You take the course at your own pace (there is no fixed end date).
Is there a time limit to finish the course?
No. Your learning is self-directed but we do encourage you to continue with the course until you’ve completed it. We do love it when practitioners get their certificates!
Will my access to the course be cut off after a certain amount of time?
No, you’ll have access to the course for as long as you need, so even after completion, you can come back and review the content again and again should you need to.
Is there a certificate provided upon completion of the course?
Yes. When you pass the final multiple choice test for the course, we’ll email you a certificate of completion.
Are there any testimonials from previous students I can read?
Yes, there are many testimonials from previous students on this course information page. These testimonials provide insights into the experiences and outcomes of past learners.
What if I have questions during the course?
You can participate in the monthly live Q&A session with Mark, ask Mark a question in the comments sections in the course, get in touch with our fantastic Uncommon Care support team, or post your questions in the Uncommon Practitioners Private Facebook Group for peer support.
What is the benefit of joining the Uncommon Practitioners Private Facebook Group?
By joining the Uncommon Practitioners Private Facebook Group, you can connect with other practitioners, share experiences, learn from others and offer help.
Will this course qualify me to practice?
In short, no. We no longer qualify anyone to practice because (as all our training is remote now) we don’t get to actually see our students practice what we are teaching them. So our training is really for practitioners who want to improve their therapeutic skills or for interested lay people.
Who is this course intended for?
This course is designed for therapists, counsellors, psychologists, coaches and other practitioners who wish to grow their abilities to help clients with depression. Past students have also included parents, teachers, nurses, and the generally interested!
Does this course have CPD/CEU?
On passing the final multiple choice test, we’ll email you a certificate of completion along with confirmation of 21 CPD/CEU points earned.
Please note that because we have worldwide students and there are so many different organizations that they are members of, unfortunately it’s not practical for us to apply to every organization to have our courses approved for CPD/CEU hours. So, the usual way practitioners do this is to contact the association or organization themselves to see if they will accept the course for CPD/CEU and if your organization needs more information, just let us know what they need and we’ll be happy to help.
What materials are included in the course?
- Comprehensive course notes – 123 pages in PDF book format.
- Depression Treatment Video – watch me treat a depressed man using the Uncommon approach.
- Client Audio Sessions – be a fly on the wall, listening to 3 live therapy sessions with Mark. You’ll see all the techniques come together.
- Presentation by Mark from the Change Phenomena Conference in London – just under an hour long, summarizing the Uncommon Knowledge approach to depression.
- 3 bonus therapy training videos – these short instructional videos were shot with actors to ensure clear communication of the skills being taught.
- Monthly Live Question & Answer Session – join your fellow students from this and our other courses to ask me questions about the course and any therapy-related queries you have. You can ask your questions live on the call or submit them beforehand and if you can’t make the live calls, they’ll be available to download the following day (in mp3 format).
- 4 ‘Peaceful Moments’ relaxation downloads (value US $35) – free mp3 downloads that you can share with your clients.
- Step-by-step depression session guide including depression teaching aids for your clients, such as the Primal Needs Checklist and Action Plan.
- 2 video assignment sessions – videos from myself on key topics, with supporting materials to embed your learning.
- Monthly Live Question & Answer Session with Mark – join your fellow students from this and our other courses to ask Mark questions about the course and any therapy-related queries you have. You can ask your questions live on the call or submit them beforehand and if you can’t make the live calls, they’ll be available to download the following day (in mp3 format).
- Self test quizzes to embed your knowledge.
- Certificate of completion – on successful completion of the course, you will receive a personalized certificate.
- Confirmation of 21 hours/points for your Continuing Professional Development.
- Access to the Uncommon Practitioners Private Facebook Group where you can chat with like-minded practitioners, get support, discuss cases or just share your latest beautiful photo.
- The Natural Depression Treatment Program (value US $195) – a self-help program for depression sufferers; includes 17 deeply relaxing audio sessions and a 200-page workbook (all as downloads).
- Depression Learning Path eBook – a 100 page eBook that you can print and share with your clients, to help them understand how depression works and how to beat it.
- Reframing Training audio (value US $60) containing role plays on how to change depressed people’s minds about themselves (a tricky skill we think you’ll agree!) Available as mp3 downloads.
- Client Attractor Pack – Ready made marketing materials to bring clients into your practice.
What will I learn in each session of the course?
Session 1 – The cycle of depression: Understand the true nature of depression – In this session, we’ll look at some of the reasons for the tenfold increase in depression since World War II. You will learn about the sufferer’s experience, study the ‘cycle of depression’, and see how, in most cases, depression is not due to a chemical imbalance or genetic factors but to anxiety and rumination.
This knowledge will give you a clear understanding of the process that causes depression. You will be able to distinguish between the types of therapeutic interventions that can help or harm a depressed person (vital in ensuring that the depression does not worsen) and explain what is causing their distressing symptoms, which will reassure them.
Session 2 – Emotional trance states: How negatively focused attention and the REM state can contribute to depression – When your client locks their attention on negative expectations or past events, they will become anxious. Anything that arouses emotionality forces the brain into black-and-white thinking, hijacks the neocortex, and suspends the higher functions of the brain.
You will learn that to be able to lift depression, a therapist needs to help the person to relax and see outside the immediate perceived problems. Spotting unhelpful emotional trance states and changing the client’s focus will help to break the depressed state.
Session 3 – Calming down a depressed person’s brain: The most effective way to help a depressed person feel instant relief – To help a depressed person get better, you have to calm down their brain. In this session, you will learn four ways to relax your client.
You will be able to use the four proven techniques on your client immediately. Calming down your client’s brain will play an important part in their recovery.
Session 4 – Explanatory thinking styles: Identify and change the thinking styles that fuel depression – The way people attribute meaning to events or other people dictates their emotional responses. This Session enables you to understand and practice skills in spotting thinking styles that can lead to depression.
You will build your ability to identify and change the thinking styles that fuel depression, and be able to explain and demonstrate this to your client so they can do it themselves. This gives them invaluable self-assessment checks to use outside the therapy room. Once in place, this skill will nip in the bud the unhelpful thoughts that lead to excessive rumination.
Session 5 – Inoculate your client against future depression through knowledge of basic needs and nutrition – We are all born into the world with innate needs and if these needs are not met in a healthy way, then our inner drives can force us to pathways of thinking and action that can cause emotional and physical instability. Getting these needs met can be the first steps to problem solving – action, not thinking!
Nutrition can be a deciding factor in a depressed person’s recovery; learn how to advise them on how to eat to lift anxiety and bring increased energy.
Many clients need help in solving issues that cause them to worry; here we give tips on how to do this from real client session examples.
Helping your clients to get their primal human needs met in a healthy way and by guiding them to make small changes in their diet will immediately increase their energy and bring down anxiety. Also, ensuring that your client knows what to do to help stop thinking about a real problem and solve it will stop the need for introspection on the issue.
Session 6 – Rapport and Reframing: Subtle therapeutic interventions – Whether you are with a friend or client, it can often be tempting to try to ‘correct’ what you see as a self-defeating frame of reference as soon as you spot it. But, as with many things, timing and approach are crucial.
You will learn fast ways to build rapport with your client. This increases your chance of helping your client reframe unhelpful ways of explaining their world.
By reframing your client’s limiting outlook, you can demolish the viewpoint and high emotion that hold their depression and anxiety in place. Helping them to hold multiple interpretations of events and people opens the gate to experiencing life in a more optimistic and comfortable way.
You will also understand how to use task setting and scaling to break down the emotionally driven black-and-white thinking that drives depression.
Session 7 – How to structure your session for clear outcomes and the language of change – Learn the RIGAAR model for structuring a session and see how this can bring together the understanding and techniques that you have learnt and apply them for a wide variety of anxiety-related disorders.
I've got more questions about this course, how do I contact you?
Contact us by email here.
We’ll do our very best to get back to you within 24 hours and we manage this over 95% of the time. When you submit your query, we’ll send you an automatic response confirming that we’ve got it. If you don’t see this email in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folder.
In the unlikely event that you do not hear back from us within 48 hours, you can assume something has gone wrong between you sending the email and us receiving it. In this case, please contact us again, making sure your contact email address is entered correctly.
Here’s the detail on how it works:
- Complete the payment process, you’ll be emailed your log in details and then you will get access to the course materials in Uncommon U, including a welcome video from Mark, and access to the comments section where you can introduce yourself to your fellow students.
- You can begin Session 1 immediately, during which you learn about the Cycle of Depression via your free Depression Learning Path eBook. You listen to the audio lecture and/or read the transcript for the session and read, watch or listen to the supporting materials.
- You move on to Session 2, after which there is a short test. Once that is complete, you move on to Session 3, and so on through all 7 Sessions.
- As you go along, you ask any questions you have in the comments boxes you’ll find on every page, or save them up for the monthly live Q&A calls.
- You continue through the course in this fashion until you have completed all Session tests.
- You receive your certificate of completion and confirmation of 21 CPD hours/points earned.
