Bit of a zoom therapy training epiphany for me last couple of days attending remote OMC mindfulness workshop. We don’t just need to mitigate loss of face to face - there are some genuine advantages to interactivity zoom can bring.

However it requires resource - more trainers per workshop and a zoom tech co-ordinator really help. My new intention: resist urge to move to more didactic magesterial dialogue that zoom can induce and embrace the breakout room!

Well I defer to omc who have thought loads about this. But in terms of resource for workshop for 60 people, 2 lead trainers and 4 other people moving between break out rooms to support. Mixture of small group exercises and pairs exercises.

Tech coordinator seamlessly managing movement between rooms - required trainers to be tight with timings (so I’ll need to adapt my flexi approach).

Skilful mix of chat and shout out during feedback discussion. Careful thought about breaks and time zone differences. Possibility to drop into pairs exercises with video and mic off to be less invasive observer.

Lead trainers doing skilful work to build sense of community in virtual group through verbal means and also poll at beginning to get sense of international community. End with collective goodbye

Exercises all modelled before hand (watch one, practice one, small group reflection and feedback). Needed this extra structure to feel held. Needed to be spacious with timings for this

Those dropping into pairs and group exercises can help ‘read the mood’ and share with lead trainers. Then feels less like speaking to void with no feedback

Trainers and helpers coming together in break out rooms regularly to reflect, share observations, to allow adaptation when required on fly

As less time in workshop for didactic, clear expectation delegates had read some stuff before coming (and they had!). Super clear joining instructions. Chat used as record of questions to answer at end

It’s a gift to be asked to be a helper on a workshop like this (see how others train with skill, very interesting space for reflection as you go on own training)i was a helper and learnt loads.

This might be way to make model affordable (ie helpers have free space on workshop and get personal development out of it - are not paid!)

Need to attend to process in attendees even more so than in face to face(eg fear of getting it wrong, therapist self critic). anticipate possible reactivity in attendees. Set up exercises as safe space to experiment and play, give guidance on kind peer feedback and model this

If you are a trainer, do join someone else’s training on zoom. Forget about content and focus on process of remote delivery. Omc workshops for me were exemplar quality.

What tips would others add (Shirley Reynolds?)

One other comment. If attendees do react/struggle/get upset, can get one of training team to drop into a one to one break out room with them . This contains all and means you are safe to try ‘meaty’ exercises