Coram Deo

03/04/2026

An Easter message.
Wishing everyone in our community, alumni, and public a happy and meaningful Easter.

These four days, Thursday to Sunday is why we exist as Coram Deo: Where the story turns from shame, dispair, fear, confusion, hopelessness, to where the door of hope is swung wide open on the alternative Story. In this, hope turns from an abstract noun to a verb, and for Coram Deo, to hope-collaboration.

You will see. The story (and your story) is not over. It has only begun!

On behalf of Coram Deo, a community of Hope.

Elmo Pienaar

20/03/2026

Herewith the blog post of last Saturday's community workshop on Dodging the Blame Game. Process slides included - presented by Karen Levy Strauss.

Community workshops are:
- Open days - interested students
- Counselling network gatherings
- Opportunities for communities to learn and grow

Dodging the blame game in high conflict relationships ‘Dodging the Blame Game in High-Conflict Relationships’ the topic of our recent facilitated workshop. This workshop is presented as…

19/03/2026

"I ask the questions that make space for your voice to grow"
Do yourself a favour and listen to the two songs included on this course page.

One of our current students in the first year programme creates songs of various classes about narrative ideas, sometimes including her own experiences and also phrases from the class.

With this short course we also invite more participants into our programme. Join the current class via this short course. You are not going to regret joining this particular group.

http://coramdeo.co.za/narrative-therapy-introduction-courses/

19/03/2026

What a lovely Community Connect event last Saturday.
Topic: The Blame Game in High-Conflict Relationships, facilitated by Karen Levy Strauss

Setting up the blog post with slides and more photos to be shared tomorrow - don't miss it.

- Our Community Connect events are FREE. It is...
Always also an Open Day for interested community members (and as such we focus on relevant topics)

- A space where Coram Deo, as community, can connect across different year groups.

- An opportunity where current Supervision students or Alumni can share what's on their heart.

- Valuable experiences where our helping professions colleagues and our own Counsellors and Pastoral Network members can be encouraged and network.

DON"T MISS OUT / upcoming opportunities:

* 17-18 April: Online introduction to Narrative Therapy (Fri/Sat)
http://coramdeo.co.za/narrative-therapy-introduction-courses/

* Community connect: Saturday morning, 25 April

* Funky Doors craft experience (inviting all nearby communities for picnic) and creatively reflecting on our life experiences: 2 May

* Community connect: Saturday morning, 6 June
* Community connect: Saturday morning, 22 August

19/03/2026

Received a donation during the week of soft toys, educational material, puzzles and more - one box of five (relevant to supporting and caring for children). Given to us by 'Helping Hand's' Social Services Network.

Here Vanessa Crous involved in Teen/Child counselling and training and, and Dr Elmo Pienaar Managing Director.

18/03/2026

Working together at Coram Deo today. Maybe join us some mornings? Nadia, Elmo, Mario, McCayla (while second year students start with their module covering Abuse).

16/03/2026

If you have been trained as a narrative therapist or want to learn about narrative therapy, this is for you.

We use this short course not only to INTRODUCE people to narrative therapy, but to...

1. CELEBRATE and recommit to narrative ideas in all narrative communities
-- Share your experiences leading up to the event - to circulate what is meaningful to you and how it changes the way you see and experience the world (practice stories are welcome)

2. RECAP to current first-years who started their journey in February (based on this recap, newcomers can join the existing group)

Not ready yet? Follow our event Meeting Narrative Therapy (an introduction) MNT26

MORE
University-affiliated short course
Supplemented by our online participatory learning platform
Join others in the standard programme after the short course (newcomers)
http://coramdeo.co.za/narrative-therapy-introduction-courses/

13/03/2026

The tactics of blame are very cunning. It chips away at the foundation of what we hold dear.

Just dodge this entire strategy of blame to reclaim what is special to you.

NO COST, but let us know you will be joining tomorrow (09:30-12:00).
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/RSVP-LBC-14-March

Especially for:
- For meeting Coram Deo (open day friendly)
- Our counsellor network and want-to-be affiliates
- Our Practitioner Supervision community/students (in pastoral narrative therapy)

With Karen Levy Strauss

04/03/2026

This weekend we are discussing neurodiversity and the positive roles narrative practitioners can play. Come and join us! We are learning from true insiders.

04/03/2026

Please read and join us this weekend!

02/03/2026

Neurodiversity special
We invite parents of neurodiverse children or neurodiverse adults themselves to enroll at the promotional fee specified on the webpage here. We hope this makes it possible to extend your care/support network, learn, and also bring your valuable experience to the conversation.

http://coramdeo.co.za/medical-and-psychological-discourses-in-narrative-therapy-course/

Registration is now open for our Neurodiversity CPD short course (6-7 March, next weekend)

TOPIC / AUDIENCE
Neurodiversity / Parent Support / Adult Neurodiversity
(University of Pretoria affiliated)

Presented under our series:
Pastoral-Narrative Intersections with Medical-Psychological Discourses

Real stories, authentic support

PRESENTER
Dr Jo Viljoen, Narrative Therapist

SCHEDULE
Friday: 13:30 check in, sessions 14:00–17:00 and 17:30–20:30
Saturday: 08:30 check in, sessions 09:00–12:00 and 12:30–15:30

VENUE
Zoom (Link emailed two days before event)

FEES & INFO
http://coramdeo.co.za/medical-and-psychological-discourses-in-narrative-therapy-course/

ALSO COMING UP:
17-18 April (Narrative Therapy Introduction Course / Online) - http://coramdeo.co.za/narrative-therapy-introduction-courses/

26/02/2026

Registration is now open for our Neurodiversity CPD short course (6-7 March, next weekend)

TOPIC / AUDIENCE
Neurodiversity / Parent Support / Adult Neurodiversity
(University of Pretoria affiliated)

Presented under our series:
Pastoral-Narrative Intersections with Medical-Psychological Discourses

Real stories, authentic support

PRESENTER
Dr Jo Viljoen, Narrative Therapist

SCHEDULE
Friday: 13:30 check in, sessions 14:00–17:00 and 17:30–20:30
Saturday: 08:30 check in, sessions 09:00–12:00 and 12:30–15:30

VENUE
Zoom (Link emailed two days before event)

FEES & INFO
http://coramdeo.co.za/medical-and-psychological-discourses-in-narrative-therapy-course/

ALSO COMING UP:
17-18 April (Narrative Therapy Introduction Course / Online) - http://coramdeo.co.za/narrative-therapy-introduction-courses/