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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions. If you have further queries, please do not hesitate to call us: 0044 1892 655 195 or email: info@wealdeninstitute.co.uk 

Where is 'Le Sarment'?
'Le Sarment' is in a hamlet called 'Grand Robert' close to the village of Escassefort, near the town of Marmande in the Lot et Garonne department. Marmande has a range of hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as a direct train link to Bordeaux.

How do you get there?
There is easy access from the UK by air:
To Bordeaux from Gatwick and Heathrow. The airport is about 1½ hours from 'Le Sarment'.

Flights to Bergerac leave from Stansted, and Bergerac airport is about 45 minutes by car from 'Le Sarment'.

There is a fast train to Marmande from Paris. About 4/5 hours with a change in Bordeaux.

The roads from Eurotunnel are excellent. It is about a day?s journey from the south of England and is a feasible drive, especially if it is possible to share the driving.

How can I get around when I get there?
We can usually lend you a vehicle or a bicycle, or the local village of Escassefort is within walking distance, and has a shop, a bar and restaurant. Local taxis are reasonably priced. Here are a few taxi companies in the vicinity:
- Jean François Pagès 06 17 18 79 61
- Allo Taxi: 05 53 64 22 50 or 06 16 47 13 45
- Jean Claude André: 05 53 20 76 76
- Michel Ducan: 05 53 20 05 44
- Pierre Jamme: 05 53 89 17 80

Where can I stay?
You are welcome to stay in the Centre free of charge, but that means sleeping in a teaching or consulting room, without any luxuries. We also have a list of Gîtes in the area, click here to open the file.
Here is a list of some of the Hotels in the local towns:
Marmande:
- Auberge du Lion d'Or (Marmande): www.leliondor.fr
- Hôtel Le Capricorne (Marmande): www.lecapricorne-hotel.com
- Europ Hôtel (Marmande): www.europ-hotel-marmande.com
Allemans du Dropt (30 mins drive ? excellent cuisine):
- L'Etape Gasconne (Allemans du Dropt, 30 mins drive ? excellent cuisine): www.letapegasconne-hotel.com
Duras:
- Hostellerie des Ducs Quality hotel and restaurant (Duras, 30 mins drive)
www.hostellerieducs-duras.com
Logis de France hotel chain:
The English page of the 'Logis de France' chain: www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/index.htm

A practical guide to the region is available by (clicking here).

Do I need to book my own accommodation?
Yes, because we do not have a Tour Operator's licence, and so are prevented by European legislation from doing it for you. Please try to book your own, but phone John on 0044 77 95 49 89 93 if you have a communication or other problem.

What other attractions are nearby?
For those interested in history, the Centre is near to the ancient pilgrim route to Santiago di Compostella in Northern Spain. The area is steeped in history. It is surrounded by such medieval towns as St Emilion, with its tiny, winding streets, its fascinating little restaurants, bars, and of course its world famous wine.
For those interested in nature and wildlife, the Centre is set in 12 acres of unspoilt land, inhabited by innumerable birds, frogs, lizards, and other fascinating wild creatures.
For those with gastronomic interests, we could not be better placed for visits to excellent local restaurants, bars, and world-famous, vineyards, who usually let you taste their spectacular wines in situ.

Are there sporting and leisure activities nearby?
There is a horse trekking centre very close to the centre, and the local town of Marmande has a swimming pool, gym, dance hall, golf course, a tennis facility, a museum and more.
The town of Marmande has its own tourism agency with a web site in English :
www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/marmande.htm

Can you provide an interpreter for me?
We can translate into French on any course, and with some notice, into Spanish and German and Romanian, all without extra cost. We can also arrange Italian and other languages, but will have to pay the interpreter, so there would be an extra cost.
We are planning courses in other languages in the future, so do contact us with your particular requests.

How do I pay?
You may pay in Pounds Sterling or in Euros. You may telephone the Institute in England on 0044 1892 655 195, and give credit card details, or send a cheque (made out to ?Wealden Institute?) to:
The Admissions Secretary,
Wealden Institute,
2, Quarry View,
Whitehill Road,
Crowborough - East Sussex,
TN6 1JT - UK

What does the Course fee cover?
The course fee covers the cost of the course itself, including any handouts that are provided. We also provide teas, coffees etc during break times, and a simple lunch, of for example, soup, bread, local cheese and fruit.
An evening meal is not provided.

Do I have to pay at the time of booking?
For courses of up to three days, we ask for the full fee, but for courses of longer duration it is possible to reserve a place by sending a deposit of £100, or 150 ?, and to send the rest two weeks before the course starts.

Do you accept instalments?
Unfortunately we are not permitted under the law to accept instalments, but it is possible to arrange to pay over time using Paypall (click here to make arrangements - not yet active).

Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, just telephone John or Chris at the Wealden Institute during the morning or early afternoon, on 0044 1892 655 195.

Are your courses fully accredited?
All our TA and Gestalt courses are internationally recognised, and form part of advanced training towards qualification as a psychotherapist. Individual experiential workshops are run by a number of professionals who are qualified at various levels, and carry different levels of recognition.

Will the accreditation be recognised in my country?
Most countries accept the qualifications in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy without a requirement for additional training or qualifications to be held, but there are some exceptions. Anyone holding the Certified Transactional Analyst Qualification or who is a qualified Gestalt psychotherapist is entitled to obtain the European Certificate for Psychotherapy, which is recognised by all the national awarding associations of the European Association for Psychotherapy. For those outside Europe, the Global TA commission of certification has agreed to mutual recognition with Europe.

What does the TA psychotherapy training involve?
We offer four 5-day workshops per year, which are run from Monday late morning to Friday early afternoon. These consist of an in-depth exploration of one TA topic. They comprise 30 hours of advanced TA training, and are suitable for anyone who has completed a TA101 course. They are multi-level, and participants are encouraged to share and exchange their knowledge skills and experience in a mutually enriching way. Everyone brings a unique richness of experience to offer, however much TA training they have already. Each course consists of approximately one-third theory teaching, one- third experiential exercises, and one- third skills training.

Each workshop also functions as a stand-alone event for people who are interested in just furthering their knowledge of that topic.

What is entailed in Qualifying as a Transactional Analyst?
The European Association for Transactional Analysis has set out a number of criteria for qualification as a Transactional Analyst. Full details may be downloaded by (clicking here), but in broad terms these are:
   - The completion of an Introductory level course.
   - 600 hours of professional training, of which 300 must be in TA.
   - 150 hours of supervision, of which 150 must be with a TSTA or PTSTA, including - 40 with their Principal Supervisor.
   - 750 hours of client contact, of which 500 hours must be TA.
   - 500 hours of additional professional development.
   - To have fulfilled the relevant requirements for certification of psychotherapists   in their country.
   - To have passed an open-book written examination.
   - To have passed the oral examination.

Please note that countries differ in their national requirements. In the UK trainees must personal therapy throughout their training, at the rate of at least 40 hours per year.

How long does it take to qualify?
People have different budgets and time available. People also vary in terms of whether they see clients as part of their existing work, or have to accumulate their hours of practice while employed in an unrelated field. Historically, some people qualified in the US by studying TA full time for two years, some people have taken six years or more. These days, most people take about four years to complete their studies and accumulate their hours of client work. They may then spend some further months, or even a year or more to prepare for the examination.