Frequently Asked Questions
"I am a person thinking of learning to be certified as a Happy Hour Practitioner"
It was set up by Benjamin Fry in January 2007.
What qualifications do I need to be a Happy Hour Practitioner?
Some experience working one-to-one with individuals and to pass the certification course.
How long does it take to train to be a Happy Hour Practitioner?
3 days plus follow up work and a bonus day at the end of the next training course.
When does the next training course start?
Many more teaching programmes are scheduled for 2008.
How much does it cost to train to be a Happy Hour Practitioner?
£2,125 plus vat.
Go to our book now page where you can register online and pay the £500 deposit plus vat. If you need any help booking or paying for your course, or if you don't have a credit card, please call 0845 299 0 299 or contact us asap to make alternative arrangements.
Do I have to pay all the fees in one go or can I pay by instalments?
You pay a deposit when you book and the balance before the course begins.
How many Practitioners do you hope to have?
Over 100 throughout the UK by 2010.
Is this course standalone or part of a series of courses?
The three day course is standalone and leads to certification. This also requires a practice session and essay to be completed in the student’s own time after the taught days of the course.
What follow up and professional development is available after the training?
There will be a private web forum for on-going dialogue and supervision. Several events will be run during the year for certified Practitioners to meet and develop their network and skills. Certified Practitioners may also come back and “audit” future courses (depending on availability) to improve their understanding of the theory and practice.
How are you marketing Happy Hour coaching?
We use Google Ads and a PR company to target specific consumers on the internet and the general public through the media
How will you help me find clients if I become a Happy Hour coach?
Our website is advertised for everyone. Your presence on the website will ensure that you get the right clients for you.
Do I have to see clients on my own premises?
You can see clients wherever you like. We encourage professional consulting rooms where possible.
Do I have to advertise locally or are enquiries passed on through the website?
You should be prepared to do whatever you can to generate business on your own, particularly locally.
Why should a professional like me do this course?
The course will introduce you to a new way of working with concepts which might be familiar, but not used in this highly efficient effective way.
Will I get referrals as a result of completing this course?
All referrals are through the website. People visit the website because of our advertising, PR and Benjamin's profile generally in the media.
Can I link my website to the Happy Hour website in order to encourage patients to see me?
Yes once you are a certified Happy Hour Practitioner.
Are there any fees to pay other than the course fees, example for ongoing advertising?
No. Your training fees include ongoing support for both your practice and marketing your business.
Would I need supervision when working with clients and would I need to pay for this myself?
Group and peer supervision is given via a website forum which you will have access to once you have attended the 3-day course.
Who is the course accredited by?
The course is not accredited yet but the Director of Training is looking into this as a possibility for the next year. It is intended that all courses would be retrospectively accredited if this happens.
Is the course nationally recognised within the UK education system?
No.
I am a Level 3 Counsellor. Do I need to have fully completed my Counselling course in order to undertake your training?
Anyone at any level can undertake the training so long as they can demonstrate some experience or valid enthusiasm for working with clients one-to-one and. If you have no relevant experience then you will need to talk to Benjamin before joining the course to see if it is right for you.
I am a Samaritan working on a telephone support basis and sometimes face to face with clients. Am I eligible to do the training?
Yes.
How does the course enable someone to become a practitioner in such a short space of time when other counselling/therapy courses take as long as three years to complete?
This is very particular technique and way of working with clients. It is aimed at the general population who are currently coping with life but want to improve some aspect of it. This is not a practice for helping the mentally ill.
Do I need to take out special insurance if I work as a Happy Hour coach?
All Practitioners's are self-employed and strongly encouraged to purchase PI insurance. Typical costs are about £100 a year.
I am currently training to be a psychotherapist and I am in the 2nd year of training working in a doctors surgery. Please can I check if this would be sufficient experience to do the course?
Anyone at any level can undertake the training so long as they can demonstrate some experience or valid enthusiasm for working with clients one-to-one and. If you have no relevant experience then you will need to talk to Benjamin before joining the course to see if it is right for you.
Do I have to have an interview to be accepted on the course?
Anyone at any level can undertake the training so long as they can demonstrate some experience or valid enthusiasm for working with clients one-to-one and. If you have no relevant experience then you will need to talk to Benjamin before joining the course to see if it is right for you.
do you do any discounts for people on the courses?
No.
My role is working with young people who are displaying signs of anti social or offending behaviour and implementing positive reinforcement. Much of the role is offering parenting advice and support too. Is this course relevant to my working practice?
This course will help anyone who wishes to help individuals to understand their circumstance and their behaviour better. It also helps generates strategies for real change.
How many people are on each course?
Ideally 12-16.
How much time does Benjamin personally spend teaching over the three days?
Benjamin teaches throughout the whole course as well as supervising practice sessions and attending group sessions.
I just wondered who actually delivers the Happy Hour trainings? Is it Benjamin himself or someone else?
Benjamin and the Director of Training deliver the training course, with additional help for practice sessions and group process.
Could you please tell me what the prospects for work are after completing the course? i.e. is there a referral system where clients are assigned to me? Or do I simply wait until a potential client spots my profile on the website?
The website is Happy Hour's principal marketing tool and all referrals will come from there.
Also, how much would I charge for my services and how much time would I be expected to dedicate to clients?
Fees are set by you, but typically range from 20 - 100 pounds per hour. Your first session would be 2-hours long and subsequent follow-up sessions are 1-hour.
I'm a trained Person-Cantered counsellor with 8 years experience. I'm really interested in training, but will I be going over much of what I already know?
You will revisit some of the basics, but the technique and it's application will be new to you, and hopefully a welcome surprise.
Post successful completion of the training what is the flow of client queries/referrals in London?
This depends on local and national advertising and press activity. No referrals can be guaranteed.
What is the final qualification?
You will be a certified Happy Hour Practitioner and have your profile live on the Happy Hour website.
Do you have a question which is not featured here which you would like answered? Visit our contact page and fill in our quick and easy form and we will reply to you as soon as we can.