Become a Recognized Smart Stepfamily Therapy Provider, receive 12 CEs, and receive a lifetime referral listing on RonDeal.org and SmartStepfamilies.com. This is the only Christian network of clinicians in the world who have equipped themselves with Smart Stepfamily principles to help couples. We receive multiple requests for referral every week; you can be on our referral list (view here).

This virtual training (Zoom) consists of two days (12-hours) of live presentation from Ron Deal (with handout), large and small group interaction, and case study discussion. A post-training recommended reading list will be shared. 

12 CEs approved. Smart Stepfamily Therapy has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Smart Stepfamilies is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-4483.

The training is designed for therapists, but is open to non-licensed family educators, ministry leaders, pastoral counselors, and therapy students. You can be listed on the provider listing but it will clear that you are not a licensed therapist. 

Register through Eventbrite  |  Space is limited 

Description: Smart Stepfamily Therapy Training

The stepcouple divorce rate remains alarming. Therapists often feel overwhelmed when treating blended families given their complexity and relational dynamics. This two-day workshop specifically designed for therapists who espouse a Christian worldview will explore key relational challenges leading to stepcouple and stepfamily distress and how therapists can effectively treat the expanded stepfamily system including children and former spouses. Biblical and pastoral considerations for working with Christian clients will be included. Clinical applications of family system theory, Restoration Therapy, and of the psychoeducational principles from Ron's Smart Stepfamily Series of books will be discussed (clients are often familiar with these and look for therapists who can articulate them as well). In addition, data from the National Survey of Stepfamilies (over 50,000 couples surveyed by Ron Deal and David Olson) will be presented and implications shared for preventing divorce and strengthening the entire stepfamily unit.

Learning Objectives: Participants will:

1. List family process dynamics that are different in stepfamilies than in biological families
2. Describe how attachment, loss, and loyalty issues create competing attachments and barriers to family integration
3. Learn an overall developmental model for understanding family integration
4. Identify practical therapeutic procedures in working with remarried couples and stepfamilies and learn how to discern traditional therapeutic interventions not suited for stepfamilies
5. Describe the differing roles of biological parents and stepparents as they relate to raising children in stepfamilies and marital cohesion
6. Share and discuss case studies
7. Evaluate their current practice model and talk through how to integrate stepfamily therapy strategies with both children and adults

One-time cost for the 12-hour virtual training and lifetime listing as a Recognized Smart Stepfamily Therapy Provider: $375 for professionals (comparable 2-day training costs $425 or more with no referral network listing); $200 student rate; $100 rate for Townsend Institute students. 

Register through Eventbrite  |  Space is limited