MML Training is available across the United States. See the Events button at the top of the page for scheduled trainings.

These trainings center around Mastering the Mysteries of Love RE, Mastering the Magic of Love RE, Love’s Cradle RE, or Ready for Love RE. However, if you are authorized to teach ANY of the MML programs, you are authorized to teach all of them.

In areas where MML is already being offered, this is the sequence of training new leaders:

A potential leader attends an MML class with someone with whom he/she has a real relationship.

The potential leader practices the skills until they are a part of daily interactions.

The potential leader assists with an MML class, usually helping couples as they dialogue and receives extra training in person, via bridgeline call, or by video to become really good at his/her own dialogue skills and at assisting others.

The potential leader attends a 2 day leadership training.

The new leader works with others already doing MML in the community to co-lead and/or teach an initial class.

The new leader receives feedback, matching skills with an Educator Competency Checklist during initial classes.

Once reviewed by IDEALS staff or local MML coordinators, the new leader is recognized as “Proficient.”

Proficient leaders who wish to become a Trainer of Leaders (TOL) may apply to IDEALS. The process for becoming a Trainer of Leaders is described below.

MML Training in Communities New to RE

If MML or RE is not part of marriage education offered in your community, the VERY BEST OPTION is for someone to attend a 3 day training at Smart Marriages or IDEALS Kentucky to both learn the skills and how to teach them. Then THAT person, with direct telephone and video support from IDEALS, goes back to the community to teach MML to others–until there are a dozen or so people who have had the MML class and who now want to teach it to others.

At that point a Trainer of Leaders from IDEALS or other communities can come to your town to provide leadership training. From that point, the work proceeds as outlined before–assisting with each other’s classes, co-leading, then teaching. The difference would be that the support would come from IDEALS via bridgeline discussion, unless there is someone in your community who is in the process of becoming a Trainer of Leaders.

If this is not possible or you believe having a local training is the best option, your work can begin with a 3 day MML training. In this training participants learn both the skills and the basics of how to teach them. Then those attending the training meet together as a group for peer coaching/feedback during the initial phases of starting classes until a review by an established TOL establishes proficiency.

Becoming a Leader

1. Proficient MML Leaders submit a video to IDEALS that includes presentation of each skill, working with couples who are dialogueing, processing participant practice, and setting up activities. This video is reviewed by an established MML Supervisor and you receive feedback, usually in 6-8 weekly phone calls.

2. It may be necessary to submit portions of video a second time, incorporating feedback received.

3. In phone consults, other topics are discussed, such as DV protocols, referral criteria, marketing and organizing MML programs, and other practical matters to make MML work successful.

4. As the video is approved, the Trainer-of-Leaders-to-Be becomes part of a bridgeline network which meets monthly. During these monthly meetings, Trainers of Leader share successes and questions. Each month a topic related to Training Leaders is developed.

5. Each person then develops a personal plan and time table. This plan always includes co-leading a training with Mary Ortwein or other IDEALS training staff. You set up this training in your community.

6. The plan might include a second co-led training with IDEALS staff, a co-led training with another TOL, or an independent training which is video-taped. During these two trainings the TOL should conduct each part of the TOL curriculum.

7. Upon successful completion of Step 6, TOL status is official. At this point the TOL is able to provide training independently anywhere.

8. TOLs remain connected to IDEALS with regular email and AFREM support (AFREM is a membership organization of people who know and love RE who work and play as a community.) However, becoming a TOL is not like getting a franchise. Once TOL status is achieved, it is maintained–so long as you continue to teach MML as it is presented by IDEALS and as long as you purchase IDEALS materials.

Costs

Smart Marriages fees are posted on the Smart Marriages Website www.smartmarriages.com

IDEALS trainings are typically $325 for 3 days.

Typically a local 2 day training is $3000; a 3 day training is $4500, plus travel expenses.

Post-training support for attendees is included in the training fee.

Cost for the individual supervision necessary to become a TOL is

$1500 for the initial review of work as a Leader; (approximately 30 hr of individual video review, group, and individual consulting)

$3000 (2 day) or $4500 (3 day) workshop leader fee includes supervision for a co-led training–no additional cost;

$1500 for the individual supervision of the independent training.

NOTE: See the One-in-a-Million section for discussion of options for communities who have more passion for the work than funds to finance it