Tabor Institute, Mullingar

childsplay

Hey All,
My friend has recently applied to the Tabor Institute in Mullingar for a course in humanistic and integrative psychotherapy. I Googled the place and found some pretty disturbing stuff about the centre on the Internet. Apparently 60 students left last summer over issues with the tutor. I have even read that the Sunday Times are being pursued by the centre over libel claims. My friend seems set on this course despite these issues. She says that the owner is lovely and the course is fabulous. I am really worried as there can't be all that smoke without a fire. Does anyone know what's happening and is my friend wrong to be pursuing this course?

hotspur

How anyone who has read what has come out over the past couple of years (particularly on the Dialogue Ireland site) about Tabor could wish to go there is baffling. Has the person, or you, really read everything that there is to read about the place?

childsplay

I can't say that my friend has read everything for sure. I have though and I don't like the idea one bit. I have read the dialogue ireland pages and it is truly terrifying stuff. My friend has had a tough time in the past and is a very vulnerable person. She has a good heart and will make a great therapist if she finds a good course that is. I read that the owner, Jeanette Rigney, is apparently very convincing and able to get people to follow her. That's why I am so worried. I am just trying to get a feel for how true these stories are, if you know what I mean.

Counselling supervisor

You sound like a true friend. It worries me that you say that your friend is already a vulnerable person, and that she has fallen for the charm of Ms. Jeanette Rigney already. In almost all cases, the students of Tabor were already known to Ms Rigney before applying for the Tabor Course, and most had the same feeling as your friend for this person. Don't you think it is rather strange or unusual for an academic place of learning to know most of the applicants before registration. The fact that most students already had a prior relationship where they knew and liked this lady before the course begun is very odd indeed. The blog speaks about that very fact, about the prior grooming that went on by the Director of Tabor through her workshops, her Maynooth Introductory Counselling Courses, or personal therapy etc.

All you can do is to warn your friend, and point her to what the students of Tabor had to say on Dialogue Ireland. From what you say, you have already done that. It sounds as if your poor friend has already been groomed, if so, you probably won't convince her otherwise. She could be one of the ones that does alright in the end, but as you say, about 60 students lost out.

One thing that everybody should consider before signing up for any psychotherapy course, is to check first that the course of their choice has been fully accredited with either of the 2 Irish Governing Boards (IACP & IAHIP), this is vital. Becoming a psychotherapist is a very expensive business both time wise and money wise, so it is 100% more sensible to go for an accredited course. Only those students that attend Recognised Courses will be assured that the course is sufficient for entry as a Student Member with the Boards. If in any doubt about Tabor, check it out with the Boards first......just ask them if Tabor Psychotherapy Course is accredited. Actually you can see a list of all accredited coursed if you go onto IACP website
http://www.irish-counselling.ie/index.php/recognised-training-courses

I just took a quick look and could not see Tabor on there list. It is madness to-day to enlist on any course that is not approved, not even if you are told that they are in the process of applying for that accreditation. Many courses do not get passed. As for the Tabor Course, it has been in operation for about 8 years now, one should ask why do they not have their course accredited by now, unless they have already been refused ........... which they have.

lovely99

Hi all,

Please please please..... don't go on this course.. I am one of the students who left and you will just lose lots of money and have no recognised qualification at the end...

She will tell you, we are all wrong but students, staff and the course extern which amounts to about 50 people all left.. ask yourself the question why? and do the research for yourself

look for one which is recognised by IACP or IAHIP which are the two governing bodies and best of luck with your studies....

childsplay

Thankfully my friend has seen the light. She did her homework and realised that this wasn't the best move in the world. Even if she did qualify, she realised that no therapy centre worth it's salt would employ her as everyone surely knows that this cloud hangs over tabor and its students. I really would hope that the aggrieved students get heard and that they get answers, one way or the other. This Ms. Rigney surely owes them that if nothing else. Thanks to all for their help in this situation.:)

t_rahilly

http://iahip.org/membership/withdrawal-of-membership