The Developmental Model Training Program

The integration of attachment theory, differentiation theory, and neuroscience has proven to be compatible with approaches used by therapists who trained throughout the United States and in more than 69 countries worldwide.

Our training receives consistent and enthusiastic feedback that it enhances and supports other approaches of working with couples. You can watch what two training graduate says about integrating The Developmental Model with other models here:  Nancy and Jeremiah.

This model is compatible with Gottman, RLT, Imago, PACT, IFS, and more. In surveying existing members, 95% of therapists say it’s easy to integrate with what they already know.

While the training program gives you the deepest understanding of the Developmental Model , here are three resources we recommend for learning more about it:

1. Get our free Starter Series here.
2. “In Quest of the Mythical Mate” Book here.
3. “In Quest of the Mythical Mate” Kit here.

The program begins when you sign up. You will receive a welcome email, an email about your first lesson, and one with your login credentials.

When you first log in, you'll find Lesson 1 waiting for you. The other lessons will follow, one every two weeks.

Yes, this is a self-paced course for 12 months. Written lessons are delivered every two weeks.

The live clinical calls for the next few months are scheduled, and there are replays to all of the calls.

After years of surveying new members, we have found that  Monday and Fridays between 9am – 1pm Pacific Time tend to be the best for most people in the different time zones.

The training can benefit a wide variety of professionals who work with individuals in relationships or with couples. Past participants have included Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Marriage Counselors, Clergy, Mental Health Counselors, Relationship Coaches, and more.

Agency discounts are available for 3 or more people. Please email ruth@couplesinstitute.com for more information.

If you currently work mainly with individuals, you will learn a lot that will influence how you approach your individual clients who are depressed, angry, or stuck due to their relationship issues.

There is a special training section to show you how to apply the Developmental Model to individual clients and their relationship issues.

Also, watch how two training graduates applied the Developmental Model to their individual practice (and then incorporated their knowledge to increase their work with couples and even later specialize in couples): Sue and Janae.

Likely not. Over the years, the therapists who have gone through the training program typically include novices through seasoned therapists. The feedback we get is that therapists on all levels appreciate the understandable ways our strategies and interventions can be immediately applied to their own practice.

If you work mainly with individuals, you will learn a lot that will influence how you approach your individual clients who are depressed, angry, or stuck due to their relationship problems. There is a special training section to show you how to apply the Developmental Model to individual clients and their relationship issues. 95% of our members say it also helps them with individual couples.

You can watch how two therapists started working with only individuals here: Janae and Sue.

Not unless you have done extensive training with Ellyn in the Developmental Model already.

The consistent feedback we get, even from therapists who have been in long-term practice, is how valuable these concepts are along with the opportunity to get feedback as you integrate them with your actual clients. 96% of our therapists said it gave them a roadmap for couples work.

You can watch what experience therapists had to say here: Glen and Lori.

The truth is you need two things to be successful – not just with couples, but also in almost any area of your life. The first is knowledge of how to achieve success. The second is the dedication to acquire and apply that knowledge.

It only takes a few weeks to understand the basic stages of the model, but because it’s so robust, it can grow with you through the length of your career.

We’ve created an intentional, effective program that is generous in resources and committed to excellence.

In 12 weeks or less you will have a completely different mindset when facing tough situations!

In 12 months, you’ll be rock steady confident because you’ve steeped yourself in diagnostics, interventions, and solutions that you can’t get in regular CE courses.

Until September 8, you get everything for less than $5 a day if you join at the yearly plan.

It's $189/month for 12 months. If you pay for the whole year in advance it costs $1,668, saving you $600.

If you're joining from September 4 – 8, you have until October 8 at 11:59pm Pacific to receive a full refund. Just email ruth@couplesinstitute.com to request a refund, we will refund your fee.

You have unlimited access to the training site during your year of training (with an extra few weeks at the end). During this time you are free to download any lessons, handouts, and training calls.

There are 3 options for continuing training after year 1 depending on your situation:

1. Level 1 Community (no CE's)
2. Advanced/Level 2 (with 27 CE's for the first two  years)
3. Mentor Program (opens each January for one year, no CE's)

You can learn more about these programs here or contact ruth@couplesinstitute.com.

In many jurisdictions the program is tax deductible, including the U.S. Please consult with your tax professional.

On occasion we will consider scholarships. Please reach out to ruth@couplesinstitute.com with more information about your situation.

You can ask questions throughout the training program on the website.

1. Ellyn and/or teaching assistants will answer questions during the live calls and stay on to answer questions afterwards.
2. We have drop-in calls and new Practicum groups lead by the teaching assistants, where questions are welcome.
3. The team and other trainees monitor the posts around the clock so you get your questions answered in a timely manner.

With many online courses there is no interaction with the instructors. You can’t ask questions about a specific case you’re working with. You can’t get elaborations on especially relevant interventions. There is no way to ask, “Now what?”

Our training is different. We look forward to talking with you and answering your questions about clients you’re working with and interventions that we’ve seen successful. Therapists who have gone through our program also share they enjoy the support they receive from peers in our online community.

At a workshop or conference, you generally will not get your specific questions answered completely. It isn’t the environment where you can continue to ask deeper and deeper questions until they are answered.

You can’t, generally, have conversations with the presenter as they have too much material to cover and too many people who want their attention. You cannot even call the instructor after the workshop and say, “Wow, what you taught was really great, now how can I apply the interventions to my particular case?” A workshop is not designed to be comprehensive.

However, our program is designed to be comprehensive. This is what makes us so different. Our training includes all of this and much more!

There are 3 ways you can access therapists who are in the program:

1. In the training site click on Members List where you can search by Name, City, State or Country (access for this is only for trainees)
2. Go to growmyrelationship.com/featured-therapists. Therapists on this website have graduated from Level 1 and/or Level 2/Advanced Developmental Model Training.
3. Email ruth@couplesinstitute.com for therapists in your potential client's area.

You may download all of the written lessons.

For the training calls, due to the private nature of the clinical cases presented, you can download the audio versions of these calls, along with the supporting slides and handouts, but you cannot download the videos.

You can play the training call videos for as long as you are in the training program.

Log into the website. Click on Monthly Training Calls, Bonus Calls, or Special Training Sessions, depending on what type of call you want to download.

Find the call you’re interested in and download the audio version.

Yes, there are a few ways that you can get feedback on your cases.

1. There is a section in the training site for Members Cases where you can post your case and get feedback from others in the community.
2. If you want to present a clinical case on an upcoming clinical call, you can email ruth@couplesinstitute.com for more information.

Absolutely not! Case presentations are not required. There are many many presentations in the training that you can learn from on various couples and situations.

We typically open the program only once or twice per year.

Occasionally we will open training to the waiting list. You can get on the wait list here.

Video recordings are not required for the case presentations.

Written transcripts (via audio recording) are the way Ellyn does the consults and the names of the people are removed from the transcript when you present a case.

Are you a therapist who wants to…

• Make lasting impact and transformation with your couples?
• Feel confident in how you address difficult situations without feeling burnt out?
• Be supported by expert trainers and like-minded peers so you’re not going it alone?
• Access endless resources with interventions and solutions for every situation?
• Become grounded as a leader and guide instead of subconsciously siding with one partner?
• Enjoy your sessions instead of guessing how you’re going to uncover root issues?
• Advance your practice to include ideal clients and a waiting list?

We have all the answers. We know that’s a bold promise.

If you'd like to see what other therapists and coaches have to say, you can do so here.

Many therapists – Ellyn included – feel some anxiety about using technology. She has worked hard to be sure that our materials are very user-friendly. And our team is patient with beginners. So don’t let it scare you; jump right in!

1. Contact ruth@couplesinstitute.com and she will arrange to help you 1:1.
2. Twice per month Tech Talks with Tauseef will be online via Zoom to help you with any issues you have around Zoom and the training site. Simply check the calendar once you are logged in to the site.

Here's what people are saying about the Tech Talks:

“Tauseef is such a gem! Never did I have to worry about getting stuck with the technical side of zoom or anything else of technical nature during our course. He also helped me thru some technical challenges after I fractured my wrist and couldn’t take notes. Tauseef is always there to save the day! “

– Lori Keegan, MS, MSW, Topeka, KS

– Elaine Wells, LMHP, Omaha, NE.

There are 3 ways you can access therapists who are in the program:
1. In the training site click on Members List where you can search by Name, City, State or Country (access for this is only for trainees)
2. Go to Grow My Relationship. Therapists on this website have graduated from Level 1 and/or Level 2/Advanced Developmental Model Training.
3. Email ruth@couplesinstitute.com for therapists in your potential client's area.”