Do you want a
transformative immersion experience in community that combines the inner
work of the heart with outer service in the world?
Do you want a transformative immersion experience in community that combines the inner work of the heart with outer service in the world?
Apply today for our Professional Immersion and Facilitator Certification Training!
• Deepen your personal inner journey, including healing from past traumas, and foster healthier and more loving relationships in your life.
• Train to become a certified facilitator in this global movement helping to transform gender injustice into beloved community.
Guided by the twin powers of truth and love, and supported by skillful facilitation, the GERI process creates safe forums to unravel and transmute gender and sexual conditioning with alchemical depth and acumen, which in turn initiates a whole new culture of gender relations and beloved community. This opens not only the possibility of healing the past, but also beginning to re-write the future of gender relations in the human family. Join us!
The Gender Equity and Reconciliation International Immersion & Facilitator Training is appropriate for therapists, health care professionals, NGO leaders, spiritual and religious leaders, seekers, activists, and students. Adults of all faiths, sexual orientations, gender, race, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply.
• Learn from our dynamic & diverse team of international trainers
• Enter into this engaging, intimate, and inspired journey of individual and collective transformation and learning
• Join other leaders like yourself in this cutting-edge training that transforms gender oppression into beloved community.
In-Person Training Dates
South Africa, held in Cape Town
Module 1: February 23 – 28, 2025
Module 2: June 22 – 27, 2025
Module 3: October 12 – 17, 2025
Module 4: December 7 – 12, 2025
Training Information
Desireé English
GERI Director of Training
Desireé is Chair of the Board of GenderWorks, GERI’s affiliate in South Africa. Desireé is a practitioner of Integrative Trauma Healing, and senior Trainer of Trauma Release Exercises (TRE).
Phil Vivirito
Senior GERI Trainer
Phil Vivirito is a Senior GERI Trainer and consultant with extensive leadership development experience in the corporate world. He is also a lead facilitator for ManKind Project (MKP) primary integration training and has staffed MKP’s weekend trainings since 2005.
Silvia-Araya Fischer, Psy
GERI Trainer and Latin America Lead
Silvia earned her degree in Clinical Psychology from Universidad Fidélitas in Costa Rica, and practices as a holistic practitioner specializing in anxiety and panic attacks.
William Diplock, M Soc Sc (Couns)
GERI Trainer based in Brisbane, Australia
William is a counselor in private practice, with a background in individual, couples and family therapy and clinical supervision. He is also a teaching elder in Men’s Rites of Passage.
Esther Diplock, M Couns
GERI Trainer based in Brisbane, Australia
Esther is an individual and couples’ therapist in private practice, and an educator and supervisor, with a specialization in Body Psychotherapy and trauma informed practice.
Karambu Ringera, PhD
GERI Trainer and East Africa Lead
Recipient of numerous awards for her work in peacebuilding, Karambu founded International Peace Initiatives & Tiriji Foundation in Meru, Kenya, which empower vulnerable community members via education, advocacy, and leadership development.
Garrett Evans
GERI International Program Officer, Associate Curriculum Developer, and Trainer
Garrett holds a BS in Conflict Resolution and has a background in Zen, silent meditation & contemplative spirituality, restorative practices for youth, & conflict resolution practice.
Lucille Meyer, Ed.D
GERI Trainer and consultant based in Cape Town, South Africa
Lucille holds an Ed.D from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and is CEO of Chrysalis Academy, where she has implemented GERI extensively with young people.
Julien Devereux, PhD
Senior GERI Trainer
Julien is a Integrative Breathwork facilitator, and clinical counselor with extensive management experience. He is former Chair of the ManKind Project (MKP-USA). He has served GERI domestically and internationally in multiple capacities since 2002.
Rev. Laurie Gaum
GERI Trainer and Consultant
Rev. Laurie Gaum is GERI Trainer, Activist Theologian, focusing on gender and sexual diversity freedom, and a Minister in Dutch Reform Church of South Africa.
Jorge Rico
GERI Trainer and Latin America Co-Lead
Jorge Rico is a GERI Trainer, and coleads the implementation of GERI in Latin America. Originally from Bolivia, he has 25+ years experience in Human Resources in the USA & Latin America, and developed & led numerous Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.
Tristan Johannes
GERI Trainer and LGBTIQ+ Lead
Tristan Johannes is a GERI Trainer, and an administrator and experiential education trainer at Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town, South Africa. He studied Adult Education at the University of Cape Town.
Myra Kinds
GERI Trainer and BIPOC Lead
Minister Myra Kinds is a GERI Trainer and the BIPOC and Inclusion Lead. She is an American Baptist Minister and has many years of experience in youth and family ministry, and consults with faith-based groups around women in ministry, youth, & gender-based violence.
Ansar Anwar
GERI Trainer and India Lead
Ansar is a GERI Trainer and Program Coordinator in India, organizing and delivering GERI programs for youth and young adults. Based in Bangalore, he is also the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Dream a Dream, a youth training organization, with 15 years of experience in training and mentoring young people.
Michele Breene, MA
GERI Trainer and GERI Christian Lead
Michele Breene is a GERI Trainer with 25 years experience in leadership development, team building, and executive coaching in the UK, USA, and globally. She is a mentor, facilitator, coach, and spiritual director in leadership development relating to spiritual formation, mentoring and gender equity.
Hugo Sanchez
GERI Trainer and Latin America C0-Lead
Hugo serves as a GERI Trainer and co-leader of the GERI Spanish speaking Program.. He is an experienced Yoga Teacher as well as a facilitator of the New Warrior Training Adventure for The ManKind Project, empowering men to lead lives of integrity, authenticity, and service.
Jabu Mashinini
GERI Trainer and Consultant
Jabu is a Trainer for GERI and GenderWorks, an Executive Coach at Leadership Pathways in Gauteng, South Africa, and a leading consultant in diversity training, counseling, peace studies, and the Alternatives to Violence Project.
Rev. Cynthia Brix, PhD (hon)
GERI Co-Founder
Cynthia is an ordained interfaith minister, with a background in wellness and gerontology. Her books include Divine Duality, Women Healing Women, and Gender Equity and Reconciliation (with 17 co-authors).
William Keepin, PhD
GERI Co-Founder
Will’s background is in mathematical physics, environmental science, mysticism and interspirituality. His books include Divine Duality, Belonging to God, and Gender Equity and Reconciliation (with 17 co-authors).
• Spiritual basis and Principles of Gender Equity & Reconciliation
• Building a beloved community of practice
• Gender and spirituality across the faith traditions
• Advanced & creative group facilitation skills
• Silent meditation, prayer, breathing practices
• Creating safe space & maintaining integrity
• One-on-one and group mentorship
• Working with emotions, trauma, and PTSD
• Lesbian, gay, transgender, non-binary, & queer sensitivities
• Expanding gender landscapes, expressions, and fluidity
• Intimate communication skills and presence
• Sexuality (sacred and profane) and spirituality
• Conflict transformation & collective alchemy
• Grof® Breathwork experience (in-person)
• Tricky and volatile gender issues & pitfalls
• Transmuting shadow aspects & unawareness
• Ceremony & celebration skills in community
• Intersectionalities awareness and sensitivity
- Completion of an in-person or online introductory Gender Equity and Reconciliation training (either the three-day workshop for the in-person training, or online course version for the online training), may be taken as a co-requisite;
- Basic skills in group leadership and facilitation, clinical or pastoral experience, or equivalent. (Skills training may be co-requisite);
- Commitment to a daily contemplative spiritual practice of trainee’s choice.
The GERI Online Immersion and Facilitator Training proceeds in three phases. This training experience is designed to be an engaging, intimate, and an inspired journey of individual and collective transformation and learning. The structure and content of this training is tiered — to enable multiple levels of engagement and trainee commitment. Phase I may be taken on its own, without pursuing further tracks.
Phase I: GERI Immersion & Facilitator Training
The GERI Immersion & Facilitator Training is divided into two parts:
- Part A: The GERI Immersion Experience consists of approximately 32 hours of experiential learning and immersion, designed to create a safe forum to support trainees in diving deeply and unpacking their own experience in relation to gender and sexuality, and also includes teaching and experiential components related to trauma and healing, spirituality, and other topics. This foundational immersion lays the groundwork for the second phase of the training.
- Part B: The GERI Facilitation Training consists of fourteen 3-hour sessions (42 hours total), where trainees gain hands-on facilitation experience with their peers, work together in role-plays, and hone their skills in responding to challenging and sometimes volatile gender situations, while also offering and receiving feedback from their peers and GERI Trainers. This phase also includes additional teaching and experiential components related to ethics, unique challenges of gender-related facilitation, responding to conflicts and crisis, and other topics.
Phase II: GERI Internship Program
This is for those who have completed Phase I and wish to deepen their learning, or work toward becoming facilitators of Gender Equity and Reconciliation International. Interns who are accepted into Phase II gain valuable field experience serving on facilitation teams and helping to organize GERI programs.
Phase III: GERI Facilitation Certification
After successful completion of Phases I & II, a trainee may apply to become a Certified Facilitator of GERI online courses. This is conferred only upon those who fulfill all requirements and review process with GERI training team.
The GERI In-Person Immersion and Facilitator Training proceeds in three phases. This training experience is designed to be an engaging, intimate, and an inspired journey of individual and collective transformation and learning. The structure and content of this training is tiered — to enable multiple levels of engagement and trainee commitment. Phase I may be taken on its own, without pursuing further phases.
Phase I: Gender Equity and Reconciliation Intensive Foundational Training
Phase I consists of four 6-7 day modules of intensive group training, spread over a eight to twelve month period. These modules of highly experiential learning and immersion support trainees in diving deeply and unpacking their own experience in relation to gender and sexuality, and also include teaching and experiential components related to trauma and healing, spirituality, ethics, the unique challenges of gender-related facilitation, responding to conflicts and crisis, and other topics. Training modules also include opportunities for trainees to gain hands-on facilitation experience with their peers, work together in role-plays, and hone their skills in responding to challenging and sometimes volatile gender situations, while also offering and receiving feedback from their peers and GERI Trainers.
Phase II: GERI Internship Program
This is for those who have completed Phase I and wish to deepen their learning, or work toward becoming facilitators of Gender Equity and Reconciliation International. Interns who are accepted into Phase II gain valuable field experience serving on facilitation teams and helping to organize GERI programs.
Phase III: GERI Facilitation Certification
After successful completion of Phases I & II, a trainee may apply to become a Certified Facilitator of GERI in-person programs. This is conferred only upon those who fulfill all requirements and review process with GERI training team.
The full tuition for the GERI Online Facilitator Training is $4450. Included in this tuition are: the 75 hour GERI Immersion and Facilitator Training, training materials, individual mentoring sessions with GERI Trainers, and GERI Facilitation Internship & Coaching (for those who qualify).
The training tuition for the GERI In-Person Facilitator Training varies by global region. For trainings conducted in North America, the training tuition is $7950, including training materials, individual mentoring sessions with GERI Trainers, and GERI Facilitation Internship & Coaching (for those who qualify). Room and board at the training venue is separate, approximately $550-$850 per 6-day module.
Limited scholarships are available for all trainings, and you can request more information on financial assistance on the training application. We keep in mind the economic disparity between regions, and encourage those in need to apply, especially those on a fixed income, or those coming from outside of North America, Europe, or Australia.
Training Application
Please read through the application carefully. Your responses are kept confidential. We appreciate the responses you give as it helps us to get to know you better and understand more fully why you are interested in this training. Answering these questions does not automatically include or exclude an applicant from the GERI Training.
In support of your application, we also ask that you provide recommendations from two professionals who know you; these could be teachers, community leaders, therapists, spiritual or religious mentors, etc. Please have your references include their reflections on your personal character, as well as comments regarding your professional skills and attributes that would support your participation in the Gender Equity and Reconciliation International Training. Please have your references email the recommendation letter to: training@GRworld.org.
Your non-refundable application fee of $50 can be paid online through Paypal when you submit this application, or if preferred you can make a check out to Satyana Institute, our non-profit organization, and mail it to: Satyana Institute, 4730 University Way NE Ste-104 #2175, Seattle, WA 98105. Your application cannot be processed until payment is received. Applicants from Africa, India, and Latin America may request a waiving of the application fee if needed.
We will be in touch after your application is received and reviewed. Please be patient. Upon acceptance, further information will be sent along with additional forms to sign.
Warmly,
The GERI Training Team
Please note that you may not offer Gender Equity and Reconciliation International workshops, courses, or events (online or in-person) or use any GERI materials or activities until you have completed all of the training requirements and have been certified as a Gender Equity and Reconciliation International facilitator by GERI.