Couples therapy Training

This training is for you, if…

You didn’t get good couples therapy training in your graduate program

You want to go deeper with one model

You feel caught in power struggles with your clients in relationship therapy

You need a map for treatment so each session doesn’t feel like improvising

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At the end of this training you will…

Know the basics of The Developmental Model™

Be well-practiced in using the model’s core interventions

Have handouts and resources to help provide structure to your sessions

Be connected to an intimate cohort of facilitators and colleagues

Earn 9 CEs (CE approval pending from NASW-MA)

Please note: participation in this training does not result in certification (see couplesinstitute.com for level 1 training program information to learn how to become certified)

Reserve your spot

What is The Developmental Model™?

The Developmental Model™ created by Bader and Pearson in the 1980s, blends the concepts of differentiation, attachment, and neuroscience. Its comprehensive nature is demonstrated by a developmental perspective with a theory of relationship stages adapted from Margaret Mahler’s developmental theory. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, a developmental model therapist guides clients toward unique tasks specific to their respective stages within their relationships.

Differentiation, a concept at the core of this model, comes from Bowen Family Systems. Murray Bowen defined differentiation as the ability to separate emotion and reasoning in one’s own mind, hold onto one’s identity, and thus have a better grasp on balancing the needs of togetherness and separateness in the face of relational conflict. Learning to balance the tension of what I want with what you want, and doing this together could be a good summary of the most common challenge in relationship conflicts.

The Developmental Model™ supports the skills of differentiating by providing the following: structure to meaningful and challenging conversations; skills to regulate the nervous system; and maps to gain insight to the barriers (past and present) that get in the way of connecting in differentiated ways.

When, Where and How?

Begins Thursday January 14th 2027 at 10 am - 11:30am EST

6 online sessions over 3 months (Dates: 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25)

All sessions will be conducted on Zoom and recorded. Recordings will only be made available to participants of the course on a password protected site. Recordings will be available to view for a limited time.

$480 for all six sessions ($80 per session). A commitment to all 6 sessions is required. If you sign up by October 31, 2026 you can receive an early bird rate of $390 for all six sessions ($65 per session).

What can I Expect?

  • Synchronous & Online

  • Small group training (capped at 15)

  • Attendance of all sessions required for CEs

  • Queer, Polyamory/ENM, and Kink/BDSM informed

The Developmental Model™ is an approach that can be used for all relationship types. The facilitators are queer and non-monogamous themselves and maintain a caseload of mostly queer and non-monogamous clients. Because of this, the training will more often than not center these kinds of relationships. Clinicians who do not typically work with queer and non-monogamous clients should not be discouraged from joining. All are welcome regardless of what types of relationships you work with.

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Who are the Facilitators?

Meet Becs

Hello. I’m Becs. Im an Advanced Level Developmental Model couples and relationship therapist and educator and I really love working with partnered people in all sorts of relationship structures! But it didn’t always feel this good….

When I started working with couples, I realized my MSW program failed to give me a theoretical framework and structure to support intimate relational work. I felt lost and frustrated in sessions. To get my footing I started learning various models of couples therapy, but struggled to find one that had both a sturdy structure to build sessions from and the flexibility to adapt to fit many different types of relationships and unique partners, until found The Developmental Model™.

It is my deepest hope that this training will give you the same relief, passion and focus that I got when I first started with this model. In my role as facilitator, I aim to create an informative, nuturing, and curious-forward training and educational space. I hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about me, the training or The Developmental Model™, please feel free email me: becs@thisspacebetween.com

Meet Jimmy

Hi folks! I am also a graduate of The Developmental Model™ advanced level training. Since the beginning of my clinical career in 2016, I have been drawn to the work of relationship therapy. I have also had the privilege of supervising and teaching. For the last 5 years I have taught couples and sex therapy, along with running clinical group supervision for students in their clinical year in the MFT program at National University. Teaching and supervising is a great passion of mine. I love to provide my fellow colleagues access to resources that will in turn help them help others.

The most important things I gained from The Developmental Model™ was structure and consistency in treatment, along with tools to cater toward the uniqueness in each relationship. I want as many therapists as possible to know about The Developmental Model™. My own clinical work has improved so much because of it. And I have seen how the model continues to invite me to be a better person, partner, and parent. I hope to see you soon!

If you have any other questions about me, our services, or this trianing, don’t hesitate to reach out to me: jimmy@thisspacebetween.com

Reserve your spot

  • Becs is a deeply kind and dedicated therapist. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a safe and accepting space for healing, guidance, growth, and insight.

    Dr. Rebecca Y., PsyD

  • Jimmy is an incredible therapist/supervisor who is well-versed in couples/queer/poly/men's issues. He is collaborative and compassionate and a joy to work with. Highly recommend.

    Nikki L., MA, LMFT, R-DMT

  • Jimmy and Becs’ presentation on Polyamory provided an excellent clinical foundation to supporting people who are polyamorous, engaging in polyamory, or poly curious. Their presentation style was cogent, theory-based, and provided opportunities to reflect and apply the material in a way that will directly benefit my clinical practice and the clients that I serve. I would highly recommend anyone interested in learning more about polyamory to train with Jimmy and Becs.

    Jess F., LMSW

  • This was by far the best course experience I've had. The video feedback, the intentional direction and support were important contributing factors. Because of my experience and excitement around the content, I considered changing my specialization.

    National University Student in MFT Couples and Sex Therapy

  • It was really informative and helpful to understand this topic that I haven't had much exposure to yet.

    Therapist at CCC-CMFT

  • I greatly enjoyed Jimmy and Becs' presentation on Polyamorous relationships...

    I appreciated the opportunity to have a safe and informative space to learn about Polyamory that felt educational and open to a variety of perspectives, allowing participants to make mistakes and learn together in community. Jimmy and Becs both displayed an in-depth understanding of the material and their theoretical orientation was evident in their ability to engage with live questions and model clinical language with ease and clarity.

    Emi B., LCSW

  • I enjoyed this class. I think it was informative, in-depth, and provided legitimately applicable information. I appreciate Jimmy as well. He was a great professor with useful feedback and helpful insight. Thank you!

    National University Student in MFT Couples and Sex Therapy

  • Becs is kindness and empathy personified. Their gentle approach and expansive knowledge bring transformative insight and guidance to all they work with. I happily and confidently recommend to Becs to anyone seeking a supportive environment to flourish from.

    Elise R., LCSW, LICSW, CCATP, CSTIP

  • Dr. Bridges was exceptionally well-prepared and well-organized.

    Therapist at CCC-MFT

  • I thought the training was excellent. Becs and Jimmy tied the content to familiar relevant theory and provided very good content and activities/discussion on concepts unique to polyamorous relationships. I also appreciated that they were encouraging about expanding existing practice to include work with individuals exploring polyamory and to include polyamorous relationship counseling.

    Cynthia J., LCSW, LMSW

  • I feel that my depth of understanding around a systemic approach when working with couples has developed profoundly. I also feel that the depth of knowledge I gained can be applied with my work with families or individuals. I particularly appreciated feedback given and feel I was able to apply it to future work which I feel was seen in my assignments…The way Professor Bridges arranged the class, the style of his feedback, and his depth of knowledge shared beyond the class materials, made this the best course I have had at National thus far.

    National University Student in MFT Couples and Sex Therapy