IDEALS of Kentucky offers Externships to local graduate students and MFTAs leading to certification as a provider of RE Educational Programs, RE Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and/or Filial Therapy. Each Externship includes (1) going through the program as a participant (2) professional training workshops, (3) an individual learning contract, (4) hands-on work with education groups or therapy clients, (5) supervision, and (6) demonstrated proficiency. Students should expect an externship to last from 6 months to 2 years.

Certification Areas

Relationship Enhancement Educational Programs. Learn to present Mastering the Magic of Love, Love’s Cradle, the standard RE program, and/or the Pre-marriage Program. Each of these programs targets couples and teaches the Relationship Enhancement skills. Certification requires 4 ½ days of professional training, coaching at two IDEALS sponsored couple workshops, co-leading two workshops, and conducting one workshop on your own along with 26 hours of supervision.

Relationship Enhancement Therapy. Learn to use RE therapy with couples and families using crisis, time-designated, and experiential formats. Certification requires 7 ½ days of professional training, coaching at two IDEALS sponsored workshops, and using RE therapy with at least two couples or families with 26 hours of supervision.

Child-Centered Play Therapy. Learn to use Axline’s child-centered play methods with children aged 3-12. Certification requires 4 days of professional training, coaching at two IDEALS sponsored workshops, and using Child-Centered Play Therapy with at least two children with 26 hours of supervision.

Filial Therapy. Learn how to become co-therapists with parents to enhance relationships and create change in children and families. Certification requires 5 days of professional training, coaching one Mastering the Magic of Play workshop, co-leading a Mastering the Magic of Play program (Saturday workshop and 4 evening sessions), and using Filial with at least one family individually with 26 hours of supervision.

Program Requirements

Participation as a Participant. Externships begin by attending a Mastering the Magic of Love or Mastering the Magic of Play Saturday workshop as a participant. This provides you the opportunity to experience the programs for yourself to see if they are a good fit. Please bring your partner or a good friend for Mastering the Magic of Love.

Training. Several days of professional training are required in each area. Some professional training days meet the requirements for more than one certification area. The training requirements for each area are listed on the chart on page 4. Training is usually provided at our Frankfort office at 306 West Main Street.

Individual Learning Contract. We work out an individual learning contract to respect the individual interests and learning needs of each Extern. The learning contract will include goals, assessment of interests and current skills, and a plan. The plan will include background reading, relevant supplemental learning opportunities (such as learning how to use a pre-marriage inventory or gaining experience working with a special population), structure for hands-on work, a timeline, and “work-study” or payment arrangements.

Hands On Work with Education Groups or Therapy Clients. Each certification requires that you coach at some of our Mastering the Magic workshops, then lead groups and work individually with your own clients. It is in this supervised hands-on practice that you gain skill and comfort with Relationship Enhancement methods. Students are expected to work with therapy clients in their own settings. IDEALS can usually provide workshop opportunities for program practice.

Supervision. Each certification area requires 26 hours of supervision which centers on live observation or video/audio tapes. Most professional training days include 1-2 hours of supervision as part of the training. You receive some supervision credit for coaching. All time spent co-leading counts as supervision. The remainder of supervision will center around preparation for or review of group coaching or co-leading or will be based on live observation, audio, or video tapes.

Demonstrated Proficiency. Actual certification is “by invitation only”. It requires demonstrated skill in the certification area. Skill reference sheets are provided as part of your individual contract to help you identify strengths and areas for growth. While we expect each person to easily demonstrate a high skill level by 26 hours of supervision, IDEALS reserves the right to require additional work before granting a certification.

Costs: Work-Study

Students pay at the student rate for their initial Mastering the Magic workshop. After the workshop you can enroll as an Extern. Once enrolled, all training in your certification area is free. You may attend other training at IDEALS Kentucky at the student rate. You agree to work for IDEALS for 52 hours in exchange for your supervision. This may include leading additional workshops, seeing clients, work on grant applications, marketing, materials development, or other agreed-upon tasks. The type of task you prefer will be part of your individual learning contract. Students may accept or reject any particular work-study project.

Questions

Who can become an Extern?

IDEALS Externships are open to area students. RE Program Externships are open to both undergraduates and graduate students from a variety of majors. RE Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and Filial Therapy Externships are open only to graduate students enrolled in an accredited therapy training program.

Why an Externship?

We believe an Externship provides a greater learning opportunity than training, practice, or supervision alone might provide. Each learning format complements the others. Instead of tasting of a program or therapy method, you have the opportunity to drink deeply - learning thoroughly in the process. You also become part of a learning community - with fellow externs, other professionals who attend IDEALS workshops, and the larger Relationship Enhancement and Marriage Initiative communities.

Can you work on more than one certification at a time?

Yes. Your individual learning contract would reflect your diverse interests. Some workshops can count for double, but an hour of supervision can only be counted toward one certification.

Do supervision hours count toward school or licensure requirements?

Mary Ortwein, supervisor, is a Kentucky licensed Marriage and Family Therapist eligible to provide supervision toward licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Kentucky. She is also an AAMFT Supervisor-in-Training. Whether supervision hours would count toward school requirements would be up to a particular program.

What if I want to attend trainings or get supervision without becoming an Extern?

Students may attend professional trainings or receive supervision without becoming an Extern. They would pay at the student rate.

How long will a certification take?

While technically you could finish a certification in six months, because of the scheduling of workshops, expect the process to take about a year.

What if I graduate or move away before I finish?

Supervision can be continued through telephone and video. Training by other RE trainers may substitute for IDEALS workshops.