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 a 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.
During the summer of 2010, IDEALS will also offer a series of workshops and events aimed at student mental health professionals and mental health professionals not yet licensed. For detailed information about these trainings (almost free to students, affordable to others) see Summer Training Institutes.
Certification Areas
Relationship Enhancement Educational Programs. Learn to present Mastering the Mysteries of Love, Love’s Cradle, and/or Ready for Love. Each of these programs 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. Some of the supervision is provided as you coach the workshops.
Relationship Enhancement Therapy. Learn to use RE therapy with couples and families using crisis, time-designated, and experiential formats. Certification requires 4 ½ or 5 1/2 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. Some of the supervision is provided as you coach the workshops.
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. Some of the supervision is provided as you coach the workshops.
Filial Therapy. Learn how to become co-therapists with parents to enhance relationships and create change in children and families. Certification requires 2-4 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. Some of the supervision is provided as you coach the workshops.
Program Requirements
Participation as a Participant. Externships begin by attending Mastering the Mysteries of Love, Ready for Love, or Mastering the Magic of Play Saturday workshops 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 Mysteries of Love. See Calendar on the Home Page for dates.
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 below. Training is usually provided at our Frankfort office at 306 West Main Street or on campus at the University of Kentucky.
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 Mysteries of Love or Mastering the Magic of Play 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 as you coach. 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
Students pay at the student rate for their initial Mastering the Mysteries of Love workshop or Magic of Play workshop ($25 for each of 2 workshops). After the first workshop you can enroll as an Extern. To be certified in an area, you attend the professional training (which is free), coach one or more Saturday workshop for us each semester (which you do free for us, but which gives you valuable experience), and receive supervision in your chosen certification area according to your individual learning contract (usually 8-10 hours a semester).
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 or to Associates working on licensure.
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?
It is possible, but not recommended. Start with one. As you near completion, begin a second.
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. The Kentucky Professional Counselor licensure board also accepts her supervision toward licensure as a Professional Counselor. She is also an AAMFT Supervisor-in-Training. Until she has full Supervisor status, therapy supervision does not count for graduation or AAMFT requirements. She is not a Registered Play Therapist, but IDEALS trainings in play therapy count toward APT registered play therapy requirements.
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. Student rate is half the standard rate for any workshop. They need to pre-register.
How long will a certification take?
Expect the process to take one to two years. Required workshops are offered at least once each year in Central Kentucky.
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.
| Extern Certification Program Outlines | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs | RE Educational Programs | RE Therapy | Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) | Filial Therapy |
| Prerequisites | Mastering the Mysteries of Love Workshop for Couples | Mastering the Mysteries of Love Workshop for Couples | Mastering the Magic of Play Workshop for Parents | Demonstrated expertise in Child-Centered Play or 2 day Child-Centered Play training |
| Required Professional Workshop |
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| Optional Professional Workshops | Pick one not required by your certification or attend a any special topic workshop | Pick one not required by your certification or attend a special topic workshop | Pick one not required by your certification or attend one special topic workshop | |
| Hands-on work | Coach 2 MMLs Co-lead 2 MMLs or RFLsLead own MML or RFL grp in your own setting |
Coach 2 MMLs Work with at least 2 couples |
Coach 2 MMPs Work with at least 2 children |
Coach 1 MMP Co-lead 1 MMP Work with at least 1 Filial family |
| Supervision | 26 hr | 26 hr | 26 hr | 26 hr |
| Common Supplemental Learning | REP, MML, LC RFL Leader’s guides, Guerney book Smart Marriages newslist, conference Local Marriage Initiative Activities |
Scuka’s RE Therapy book RE Therapist Man Selected Guerney readings Ginsberg book |
Axline Magic of Play-Ortwein Selected Guerney readings Parenting-Guerney Single Par-Ginsberg |
Magic of Play-Ortwein Selected Guerney readings VanFleet-Filial Parenting-Guerney |