Like a Pro:
The Wheel of Consent for Professionals

BIPOC-only edition

Atlanta GA

April 15-19, 2024

Like a Pro brings the transformative model of the Wheel of Consent to professionals working with topics of consent, boundaries, relational intimacy, body sovereignty, trauma recovery, sexuality, communication, and touch. Originally developed for touch practitioners, we have gradually expanded - by popular request - to include non-touch professionals as well. We welcome massage therapists, psychotherapists, physicians, tantra practitioners, sexuality guides, escorts, counselors, bodyworkers of all stripes, teachers, coaches, and just about anybody working with people.

So - why a BIPOC-only version?

Because sometimes it's useful and nourishing to be in a space with a group you are part of, whether that's based on gender, sexuality, race, culture or other things. Because sometimes it allows questions and discussions to arise that otherwise would not.

The Wheel of Consent was developed by a particular person with her own blind spots. Some of those are related to culture, background, education, gender, and race, among other things. I have been asked how the Wheel of Consent relates to social justice and liberation, and I have some ideas about that, but I sure don’t have it all figured out. At a recent Like a Pro, someone brought up the idea of having a Like a Pro that focused specifically on cultural liberation, which sounds great! Maybe we’ll come back to that next year.

Though we have been thinking of it for a while, what spurred this one was a request, by a few people. And we said Yes!

Well, then, why am I (Betty, a white person) one of the teachers? Two reasons. One is that the people who requested this event requested it, because they wanted to study with the originator of the Wheel of Consent. The other reason is that our teachers and trainers of color are not yet quite trained-up enough to lead it themselves. We’re working on it! We are working on training a number of people to teach Like a Pro. I will be ready to step out of the room at any time it’s useful.

The teaching staff:

Betty Martin, Max Pearl, and Carmen Leilani

Will the course content differ from the usual Like a Pro?

The Wheel of Consent remains the same and the basic course content remains the same. At every Like a Pro we adapt to whoever is in the room, and whatever questions they bring, and that will remain the same. I imagine that some dynamics and feelings may arise that otherwise would not, and if so, we will honor and follow those as needed.

How do we register?

The same way as usual - by reading the group agreements, filling out the application, and having a conversation to be sure we are a good fit. Max and Carmen will be offering those conversations.

Are there scholarships?

This course is offered at a sliding scale. In the rare instance that that is not enough, talk to your interviewer about what you need and they will set you up.

For more:

Here's an article written by a woman of color, that goes more deeply into this question. https://arrow-journal.org/why-people-of-color-need-spaces-without-white-people/

Two Parts

Like a Pro is offered in 2 parts.

Part 1: Foundations

In Foundations, we take you through experiences in which you gain a feel for each of the quadrants of the Wheel of Consent. The somatic experiences are the most important part of the training. The rest of it makes little sense without them.

Part 2: Working with Clients or Groups

After Foundations, we can then build the professional skills for working with clients and students.

Online: You have the choice of 2 tracks. You may choose either. (You can choose both for an additional fee.)

Track 1: Working with Clients: How to apply the Wheel in your client sessions, including assessment tools, session structure, and understanding the different needs of Treatment versus Coaching/Education environments.
Track 2: Working with Groups: Group facilitation tools for live, online and touch-based events and how to apply the principles of the Wheel to group situations

In-person: The 5 day training includes Foundations and Working with Clients. Working with Groups can be taken later, online.

Cost

NEW STUDENTS

Application fee of $50, then:
Sliding scale of $900 to $2200 USD
Work-study (Helping with set up and clean up. You won't miss any class time.) $200 off

RETURNING STUDENTS (already taken Like a Pro):

$900.

Purchase of Betty's book, The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent, is recommended. $24 US to be purchased on your own.

Life happens! Cancellation policy here.

Apply

New students:

1) Read about the course format, what we'll cover, and our Covid protocols

2) Read the group guidelines for the workshop space.

3) Fill out an application.

4) Have a conversation with us to make sure we are a good fit.

5) If we are a good fit, you're in and we'll give you the link to make your payment.

6) If we are full, you'll be added to a wait list.

APPLY HERE.

Returning students:

We have room for 3 half-cost returning students in each class.

However some courses are full for this discount. Please ask! [email protected]

Like a Pro: The Wheel of Consent for Professionals