About Personal Transformation and Courage Institute:

Each of us is on a journey toward wholeness that presents both opportunities and challenges. It is a path that requires the development of compassion, courage and commitment. While this journey is a solitary one, you are never truly alone. There are spiritual “way stations” where you will find compassionate mentors, like-minded seekers, and insightful tools to assist you on your journey.
The Personal Transformation and Courage Institute (PTCI) is such a place. Since the year 2000, hundreds of people have found life-changing support through PTCI, a non-profit educational organization founded to help people discover and courageously fulfill their potentials. The workshop courses—held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and other locations—give you a direct experience of your true self and the courage you need to take the next step in personal transformation—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
PTCI courses are designed for individuals and groups who seek to move through mental, emotional and physical blocks that stand in the way of the full expression of their gifts and talents. The courses are not therapy, but instead they are a powerful set of exercises and experiences designed to awaken a new sense of who you are and your purpose in life. For course graduates, mentoring is also available to continue to assist you through times where you need a little help to get unstuck—supporting your awareness, well-being and growth toward wholeness.

Based on spiritual philosophies and transformational psychologies of how we all can change and grow, PTCI courses and publications focus on deeper self-awareness and ways of making a connection to courage, creativity, vitality, increased will, and emotional sensitivity. Each course is offered in a safe, confidential, supportive learning environment. Each emphasizes spiritual, non-denominational practices including meditation and setting your highest intentions or ideals as a personal guide along your path. These practices create the foundation for deep, transformational change in your life.
This transformation is a dramatic expansion of your sense of self. It is the awakening of the individuality self – the soul essence of who you are. This process of change is challenging because you have old, unhealthy physical, emotional, and mental patterns that don’t easily surrender their claim to be in charge of you. But unless you are willing to undergo an authentic transformation, something in your soul remains restless and unfulfilled.
PTCI supports your awakening process. We help you develop the courage, compassion and commitment you need to transform the limiting patterns in your life and move forward on your journey to wholeness.

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What Happens at a PTCI Course?

PTCI has three levels of courses, each course deepening your experience of your journey toward wholeness. All Basic and Intermediate level courses are for three days, usually overlapping a weekend. Our Advanced level is a sequence of four courses – each one lasting four days – spread over several months.
Most courses have 8-15 participants, providing ample opportunity for effective small group interactions and individual attention. Each day is a mixture of short conceptual presentations by the leaders, exercises to begin to personally experience the transformative power of those concepts, and processing and integrating the results of those exercises. Course leaders work with participants by listening deeply, creating a safe environment for reflection and sharing, and modeling how to reframe life’s opportunities and challenges in new and productive ways. Meditation, both in traditional practices of silence and innovative forms of active meditation, provide a crucial framework that supports all the activities of every course.
In addition to these three course categories, PTCI also sponsors short introductory programs, topical courses (e.g., women’s spirituality programs, wellness intensives), and age specific programs (e.g., courses for teens and young adults).

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veiw the short Elements of a Course video on our media page
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Testimonials:

PTCI courses have been an experience of a lifetime, giving me back a part of myself that had become lost along the way. My journey back to wholeness, using various exercises, couldn't have been accomplished without the support of like-minded individuals on a similar path. The exercises not only unblocked my past, but continue to help me transform each day into a brighter future. (B.B., Virginia Beach)

I have spent much of my life working on my spiritual growth in groups and classes. Working in a safe, intimate environment, the PTCI courses have given me the courage to move more deeply and more completely toward my goal of wholeness. I have been able to work through my emotional and mental blocks and use my gifts in support of myself and others. (T.R.,Virginia Beach)

The Vision and Courage course made me feel like I had arrived home -- to aplace where I need to be. When I arrived at the course, both Mark and Mary Elizabeth gently included me in the group, reminding everyone of the multiple levels of transformation process. Mark and Mary Elizabeth then started the round of truly in-depth work with each participant. They were totally in the moment with each course participant, capitalizing on various techniques and drawing the lessons for the entire group. It was amazing to be part of each person's story. Mark's gentleness and creativity and Mary Elizabeth's intuition and excellent mirroring abilities made every moment of the course very fresh and deep.This workshop allowed me to bond with the group and support my fellow peers in their journeys all of which was extremely rewarding since I was not only receiving but also giving. I commend both Mark and Mary Elizabeth on their in-depth knowledge, strong intuition, great modeling of positive roles in terms of masculine and feminine, commitment, passion, wisdom and much more. I know they walk the talk and do this work because they love to help other people in moving towards their ideal. I am very grateful for having this opportunity, and I am thinking of the next time I can attend a workshop with them. In the meantime, I continue on my journey, but I have more courage to really act on what I truly know inside. Thank you. (L.C., New York)

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