Policies for Participants in Workshops & Trainings

General

I believe that everyone has their own unique inner wisdom. The goal of my work is to support you in accessing and living from this wisdom, so that you can heal and grow into greater authenticity, creativity, vitality, and compassion for yourself and others.

Focusing is a process of allowing what is true for us, at levels deeper than what might immediately bubble up into conscious awareness. Through Focusing we become aware of our bodies – of the wisdom, or truth that is literally embodied within us. Awareness, acceptance, compassion, and empowerment are the cornerstones of this approach.

The intention of these policies is to provide support, clarity, and structure within which your learning, healing, and personal growth is enhanced.

Registration & Deposits

A deposit of at least 50%, or a minimum of $75 (whichever is more) of the total fee is required to hold your space and to register for courses or workshops. Any balance is due prior to the first class session.

Fees

Fees may be paid via Zelle, Wise or Paypal in either US dollars or Israeli shekels. Note that Zelle is available for free for students with US bank accounts. Wise is the optimal choice for students outside the US who wish to make a direct transfer from your bank. Paypal is most convenient but also has higher service fees.

Late Fees:

Payment Plans: Payment plans are available for all trainings. Please contact Ruth for more information.

Withdrawals & Refunds

Workshop and Course withdrawals may be made in writing by email. You will receive a full refund minus a $75 administrative fee for withdrawals up to three weeks (21 days) prior to the first class date. If you withdraw after having the one-one guided Focusing session that is a part of the Focusing Basics Program, an additional $145 will be subtracted from your refund. Due to the small size of classes, if you withdraw less than three full weeks before the class start date date, your deposit will be non-refundable and you will be responsible for paying the entire balance due. For withdrawals up to two weeks prior to the start of the course or workshop you will be welcome to apply the fee to another training or workshop.

Course Cancellation or Postponement

Should it be necessary to postpone or cancel a workshop or course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, you’ll be notified by email as soon as possible. In this case, if you’ve not yet had the initial one-one guided Focusing session, you will receive your choice of a full refund or credit for your choice of another course or one-to-one session(s) as well as a sincere apology for whatever disappointment and/or inconvenience that this might cause you. If you’ve had the guided session, $135 will be subtracted from your refund/credit.

Intellectual Property

The Training Manuals are the culmination of many years of teaching, reflection, and personal and professional experience with Focusing. Please honor the care and attention that went into creating the manuals and handouts by not distributing or sharing the PDFs or the content they contain. Should you wish to share with others, additional “copies” of the Manual are available to current students for $18 each.

Discounted Program Fees

Register for both Focusing Basics and Focusing Advanced Programs at the same time and receive a 10% discount on both Programs.

Trainer Support Outside of Class Time

Discounted One-to-One Sessions

Because Guided one-to-one Focusing sessions can greatly enhance and support learning, these sessions are discounted for participants in courses and training programs from the time of registration until one week following the end of the course or program. The fee for these sessions is $135 for a single session, and $125/session when purchased in advance in packages of three. Please note that sessions purchased as a package may be scheduled up to six months after purchase. Fees for one-to-one sessions are non-refundable. Additional information for clients of these sessions is available in the document, “Policies for Focusing, Therapy, & Consultation Clients.”

Online Support

There are two options for online support. The first is a private Facebook group that is open only to current and former students and trainees of Ruth. This group is intended to be a forum to support you in your learning both during and after the course. You may use the forum to find a one-time or ongoing Focusing partner, as well as to pose questions that will be answered by the trainer.

For those uncomfortable with Facebook, questions can also be asked via email. In most cases, questions asked by email will be answered in class anonymously so that everyone might benefit.

Trainer / Trainee Agreement

The Trainee acknowledges that all services are for educational purposes only, that the Trainer is not diagnosing, prescribing, or treating physical or mental ailments or conditions and the Trainee does not hold the Trainer responsible for them. The Trainee agrees to communicate as honestly as possible with the Trainer regarding feelings and needs that arise in the course of or as a result of sessions.

Occasionally this work may result in a sense of feeling worse before feeling better. This is generally the result of having challenged long-held assumptions and/or coping mechanisms, and is often a positive reflection of progress being made. It is useful to consider in advance how such results will be handled.

All information disclosed within sessions is confidential. Your active participation is essential for optimal results.

Please indicate your agreement with these policies, and/or any questions that you might have regarding them by sending an email to ruth@ruthhirsch.com.

I look forward to our work together.

Ruth