CALM-LD: Training for Medical Doctors and Therapists
Multidisciplinary Training in Therapeutic Education and Social Therapy, focusing on Children and Adults with Lifelong Multiple and Profound Learning Disabilities
About the training
In-person (Dornach and the UK) & online | Starts on 30 September 2026
This 2.5‑year international advanced training program supports anthroposophic doctors and therapists in deepening their diagnostic, therapeutic, and relational capacities when working with children, adults, and older adults with complex needs. Those who are working within a therapeutic team and involved in the therapeutic process may also benefit from this training which will enhance their understanding of, and ability to participate in the therapeutic process.
The course integrates an Anthroposophic understanding of human development, therapeutic education, contemplative practice, artistic and movement therapies, and conventional medical insights.
What is CALM-LD
CALM-LD stands for Children & Adults with Lifelong Multiple & Profound Learning Disabilities.
An international, anthroposophic, multidisciplinary initiative in Therapeutic Education and Social Therapy, it is carried by the Medical Section and the Section for Inclusive Social Development at the Goetheanum bringing together research, practice, and collaboration.
Programme Aims
Individuals with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) require care that is attuned to the uniqueness, dignity, and depth of their human experience. Anthroposophic medicine offers a comprehensive and integrative approach. The training is designed to:
- Strengthen practitioners’ capacities in Anthroposophic diagnostic frameworks, including threefold/fourfold perspectives and the twelve senses.
- Integrate conventional medical knowledge with Anthroposophic insight in the care of individuals with PMLD.
- Cultivate sensitive and collaborative approaches through Child and Adult Conference/Study.
- Help participants to understand how to work with the complexity of individuals with overlapping combinations of PMLD, ASD, ADHD, genetic syndromes, and comorbid mental health conditions.
- Develop practical skills in artistic therapies, eurythmy, sensory‑motor approaches, and contemplative methods.
- Explore ageing, palliative care, and end‑of‑life transitions with dignity and humanity.
- Embed good medical practice including research literacy, audits, and high‑quality case documentation.
- Create an international network committed to the advancement of therapeutic education and social therapy.
Who is it for?
- Medical doctors and health professionals with Anthroposophic training
- Anthroposophic art therapists, eurythmy therapists, massage therapists, and other therapeutic practitioners
- Experienced educators, social therapists, and residential practitioners working in Camphill or similar communities
- Professionals with anthroposophic training, or those working in anthroposophic educational, therapeutic, or community settings, supporting children and adults with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes.
- Practitioners seeking to strengthen their diagnostic insight, therapeutic craft, and reflective practice
Entry requires a background in Anthroposophic medical or therapeutic training, or a current work placement in an Anthroposophic setting.
The Program
This program is structured into six in-person modules held at the Goetheanum Campus (Dornach, Switzerland) and the United Kingdom, complemented by a series of inter-module online seminars.
Check the full program details and dates below.
General Info
Cost of Training
Total cost 3500 CHF (Standard Fee)
Early bird 3200 CHF (Special price to be paid in full amount until 31st May 2026)
Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.
Application
Applications can be made at any time by filling the form on this website.
Language
English
Certificate
Certification will be awarded in collaboration with the Medical Section and the Section for Inclusive Social Development at the Goetheanum, ensuring international recognition within Anthroposophic professional circles.
Contact the CALM-LD Team
The Sections
The Medical Section at the Goetheanum is internationally and interprofessionally engaged in the further development of anthroposophic medicine. The section provides training and further education, therapeutic applications and concepts, salutogenesis and prevention and make specialist information available.
The Section for Inclusive Social Development acts in the context of the interdisciplinary field of supportive education and inclusive social development, encompassing special needs education, early intervention, inclusive education, social work, social therapy, social pedagogy, inclusive community building and related disciplines oriented towards supports for persons with disabilities or otherwise at risk of marginalization.
Faculty & Team
Jan Göschel
Head of the Section for Inclusive Social Development. President of the Camphill Academy, the professional and higher education organization or Camphill in the USA and Canada. Before shifting his work primarily to training, he was a high school teacher at The Camphill School in Pennsylvania, where he still maintains a home. Studied psychology at the University of Edinburgh and later qualified as a special education teacher in the US, with a Masters degree in education. Completed a Ph.D. at the University of Cologne, with a dissertation on child study in anthroposophic curative education. Jan also holds certificates in Waldorf education, anthroposophical curative education and Spacial Dynamics.
Karin Michael
Co-leader of the Medical Section at the Goetheanum and experienced paediatrician. Former senior physician in the paediatric outpatient clinic at Herdecke Community Hospital and school doctor at a Rudolf Steiner School. Co-author of the 'Guide to Child Health' and founder of the von Tessin Center for Health and Pedagogy at the Freie Hochschule Stuttgart.
Sonja Zausch
Eurythmist in adult education and member of the leadership team for the Section for Inclusive Social Development. Experienced in developing Anthroposophically oriented educational programmes and curricula in social assistance and curative education.
Marga van den Eijnden
Consultative Anthroposophic doctor with over 30 years of experience as a GP in Scotland and the Netherlands. Specialises in the Anthroposophic treatment of autism, ADHD, and genetic syndromes, drawing on decades of work in residential schools and nursing homes. Renowned international lecturer and author of the books Autism: A Holistic Approach and Living with Genetic Syndromes Associated with Intellectual Disability.
Maria van den Berg
Anthroposophic doctor with decades of clinical experience living and working within Camphill communities in the Netherlands and Ireland, including serving as the peripatetic doctor for the Irish Camphill communities. Brings extensive international experience teaching in the Camphill Seminar for Curative Education and Social Therapy, Waldorf schools, and medical training programmes worldwide.
Walther Dahlhaus
Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy with a background as a special education teacher. Former lead physician at the Friedrich-Husemann-Klinik for psychiatry. Brings over 20 years of experience in private practice dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities. Active lecturer and teacher in the field.
Simon van Lieshout
UK-trained General Practitioner and Anthroposophic physician with the Camphill Wellbeing Trust since 2012. Extensive experience caring for Camphill community residents with ASD, ADHD, PMLD, and complex trauma. Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and active mentor for practitioners of Anthroposophic and Integrative medicine.
Katie Francis
Registered Paediatric Nurse with over 25 years of experience in the SEND sector. Clinical expert in complex needs, epilepsy management, and first aid training within independent specialist education settings. Co-founder of an integrated Anthroposophic clinic in 2020, bringing together therapeutic, clinical, and holistic approaches to support children and young people.
Dr. Farah Hussain
MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFSRH, DMCC
GP and Anthroposophic doctor with ten years’ experience in residential and community settings for people with PMLD. Anthroposophic doctor at William Blake House, The Sheiling Ringwood, and The Mount Camphill. Associate faculty member on the English Training in Anthroposophic Medicineat Emerson College. Co-organiser of the present training, responsible for curriculum design and programme oversight.
Dr. Gabriele Förster
GAÄD, DO DAAO, EROP™
Anthroposophic GP at Camphill Community Lehenhof (Germany) and Camphill Ireland. Integrates Anthroposophic medicine with Osteopathy in General Practice and addiction rehabilitation settings. Her work includes the medical and psychiatric care of individuals with special needs, providing lifelong support from youth through to geriatric and palliative care.As a co-organiser of the present training, she brings extensive experience of teaching, including work in the Camphill Seminar and the Emerson College Mental Health Seminar. She also brings lived experience as a mother of a daughter with Down's syndrome.
Karin Gaiser
Project Administration
Karin Gaiser manages the section’s office. She is responsible for the administrative processes, especially in the areas of communication, financial administration, human resources, conference organisation, project management and administration of the journal ‘Anthroposophic Perspectives in Inclusive Social Development’.
Sarmad Hasan
Administrative Support
Supported Dr Farah Hussain and Dr Gabriele Förster in launching this training programme, assisting with its development from drafting the technical and financial proposals. He is a Project manager with eight years of experience in strategic communications and administration. Holds an MSc in Political Science from SOAS, University of London.