CFT & Acting Workshop

Workshop outline:

In this innovative 2-day experiential workshop, facilitated by Dr Korina Ioannou (Clinical Psychologist) and Gareth Kennerley (professional actor and director), we introduce various acting techniques to help participants develop and embody different 'versions of themselves', with an emphasis on creating and enacting a 'compassionate self', in line with Compassion Focused Therapy.

The workshop is aimed at individuals who, as part of their professional roles and/or in their self development pursuits, are familiar with Compassion Focused Therapy, and have an interest in exploring and practising alternative ways of cultivating and embodying compassion.

Participants will be guided through a series of physical and vocal warm up exercises to prepare the body, release tension, and find a point of neutrality. We will build blocks of character creation by learning to observe and tune into another person's physicality, through a series of exercises. This will lead to an exploration of how different emotion systems might translate in a language of physicality. We will then delve deeper into character creation to understand and embody versions of compassionate characters. This work will involve guided visualisations, emotional memory exercises, physical embodiment, role play, and self-discovery, both individually and in groups.

About Gareth Kennerley:

Gareth has been a professional actor and teacher since 2005, having trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has appeared in several short films, commercials and theatre plays in London’s West End and the National Theatre, and many other regional theatres in the UK and Europe.

Gareth has regularly been involved in research and development for new work at varied venues and was the recipient of the Michael Bryant verse speaking award, Judged at the National Theatre in 2005. He is also artistic and company director of Scaffold State – a theatre production company seeking to find new forms of story telling with a focus on physicality and interaction with music. As a drama teacher and acting coach, Gareth has worked with students of all ages and runs acting training and master classes for adults with different levels of acting experience. In all of these capacities Gareth draws on a range of methodologies and personal experience of the industry.

He is a friendly and dynamic teacher focusing in particular on the physicality, voice work, clarity of communication and imaginative engagement of his students. He is thrilled to be working on this project – and sees a real potential in the mutual learning process that will take place as a result of his involvement with CFT.

About Dr Korina Ioannou:

Dr Korina Ioannou is a Clinical Psychologist who, for many years, has used CFT with clients presenting with a variety of severe and enduring mental health problems. She currently works at St Ann’s NHS Eating Disorder Service, and is co-director of Balanced Minds, a Compassion Focused Therapy private practice based in London. Korina has worked with Gareth for the past three years, and has benefited personally and professionally from his guidance as an acting teacher. Together, they have been interested in more in-depth links between acting techniques and the development of the ‘compassionate self’.

Who this Workshop is for:

It is desirable that participants are familiar with Compassion Focused Therapy, either through professional training and/or personal experience of the model.

As this is an experiential workshop, involving exploratory work and improvisation, we expect that you will be able to bring an open-mind and a readiness to experiment with different ‘parts’ of you, in a safe and respectful environment. A willingness to ‘play’ and have fun is an absolute requirement!

What is included in the Workshop fee:

We will provide hot beverages throughout the two days. Lunch is not provided. Delegates will have several choices in nearby cafes and restaurants.

If, for any unforseen circumstances, this workshop needs to be cancelled, paid tickets will be refunded. We regret that we will be unable to cover any accommodation or travel costs on such occasion