blts bereavement and loss, training and support
36 Hillcroft Avenue, Pinner, Middlx. HA5 5AR
Tel 020 8930 7375
Email: Info@bereavementandloss.co.uk

Dr Patrick Dixon
4th May 2010

Dear Dr Dixon

As counsellors and visitors we are aware of the problems when couples separate or divorce and have been asked to consider this as a subject for our next conference. We wondered if you would be interested to speak at our 15th Annual Conference on Wednesday 23rd February 2011 here in Harrow on the subject of ‘Grief caused by partner separation, its long term effects and what we know about predicting long term stability and happiness’? We usually have about 80 – 100 people attend.

We run training sessions, courses and workshops for community organisations and bereavement networks. We organise a conference each year for church/synagogue and secular bereavement visitors and counsellors whom we have trained to support the bereaved in their own communities.

I am a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care. Together with my husband we are Marriage Preparation Providers and we usually run between three and six Marriage Preparation days each year in London and Brussels. Marriage Care ran a workshop at the conference this year on Infidelity.

The blts conference is about helping bereavement visitors being confident listening to all issues raised by people who have been bereaved. We have been very fortunate that Dr Colin Murray Parkes speaking on ‘Relationships, Love and Loss’ in 2009, and The Rev. Professor Stephen Wright speaking on ‘The Nature of Healing Relationships’ 2010, have been able to attend.

The keynote talk can be divided into two parts. (One before coffee and the other after coffee.) If you agreed we would ask you to do the first and opening talk. Should you feel that one hour would not be sufficient you could continue with your talk after the coffee break for a further hour. We would normally allow for questions from the floor after the talk. I will send you flyers and outlines for the past two years conferences if you are interested, which will give you an idea of what happens on the day. We usually ask Cruse to provide a bookstall and would be pleased to have your books for sale and information about your organisation at the conference.

We would be grateful if you would indicate your fee. We work with volunteer bereavement visitors and counsellors who are self funding for training, and we try to keep the conference fee affordable as we want as many visitors and trainee counsellors to be able to attend.

Should you wish to discuss this further please telephone me on 020 8930 7374 or 7375. My colleague Judy Duncan and I would be pleased to meet with you at a convenient time.

Yours sincerely

Eileen Steinitz
Dip.Couns. Mem.BACP (Accred) UKRCP