Become a Facilitator – Building a Lasting Connection

You can help couples prevent problems and secure their connection.

The Building A Lasting Connection® workshops are unique. Whether you want to reach premarital & newlywed couples, or couples a bit later in their relationship journey, our workshops focus on the heart and soul of emotional connection.

During the workshop, couples are guided through exercises and interactional activities to help them learn how to find emotional safety and clarity in the communication process and learn how to navigate past conflict in a collaborative manner. Couples learn how to incorporate a healthy view of physical intimacy, to recognize and explore potential barriers that can interfere with a healthy sexual relationship within a newly developing marital or committed partnership. Finally, couples learn about the importance of uncovering and integrating shared goals and visions of their future together through new couple and family rituals and traditions.

The Lasting Connection® workshop is structured around our relationship pyramid that has five sections; attachment, communication, managing differences, physical connection, and goals. Each section builds upon the last, so the couple is able to conceptualize their relationship as a process of building, growing, evolving, developing and rising up in a collaborative manner. In the program couples are first be given an overview of the nature of love and relationship development as well as the core components of attachment. As the workshop proceeds, attachment remains interlaced with each concept to reinforce how essential bonding and connection is to preserve and sustain the couple relationship.

The workshop is typically presented in a 2-day format and must be led by a trained facilitator. Ideally, the facilitator will have one or two assistants as helpers to work with couples during exercises. The format of the program involves the following:

Short presentations and discussions lead by a trained facilitator.
Brief interactive exercises that allow couples to experience, practice and learn together.
A short period of regrouping in order to process what was experienced in the exercises.
Discussion of homework and optional activities between sessions.
Attendee evaluations specific to each session.

Training Description

The training is a high-quality program that involves dynamic lectures, multi-media presentations, interactive experiential exercises, discussions, and breakout groups.

Participants are immersed in two days of research-based training that is designed to mentor participants on how to use the materials & tools to be prepared to provide interactive exercises and engagement when facilitating the workshop.

Participants will be introduced to presentation skills and techniques, based on experiential learning theory, to enhance their ability to capture and engage couples within the workshop experience.

Following the 2-day training participants will be equipped to facilitate Building A Lasting Connection® workshops.

What Will You Learn In the Facilitator Training?

On day one of the training you will learn:

The basics of Attachment Theory applied to adult, romantic relationships and why it is such an essential aspect of the program.
The basics of Experiential Learning Theory to amplify the learning experience.
How to pre-screen potential participants.
How to administer the pre- and post- assessment instruments.
The information presented in the workshop during Modules 1 and 2.
How to explain and facilitate the break-out exercises.

On day two of the training you will learn:

The information presented in the workshop during Modules 3-5.
How to work with difficult group dynamics.
How to present material in a compelling way to retain participant interest and engagement.
How to lead group discussions to engage participants on a deeper level.
How to market and promote your workshops.

Who Is Eligible to Become A Facilitator?

The training to become a Lasting Connection® Facilitator is available to professionals and community leaders interested in working with couples and individuals who are entering relationships and want more security in their committed relationships. While you are not required to be a licensed professional, those who have specific training in working with couples and relationships in general will be more prepared to ease into becoming a certified facilitator. The following will benefit from the training process to become facilitators:

Therapists
Social Workers
Clergy
Pastoral Counselors
Life Coaches
Educators
Professors
Community Leaders

What is Included in the Price ?

Once you have completed the 2-day training you will receive an official Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator certificate, seal, and access to our online Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator Community. Included in the registration price is the Facilitator Guide and the Lasting Connection® Materials Set, which contains the core items facilitators need to present an engaging and productive workshop. The Lasting Connection® Materials Set serves as course materials for the workshops and includes interactive exercises, the Connection System, and PowerPoint presentation slides in electronic form. You will also be authorized to purchase additional Lasting Connection Systems® and workshop materials to enhance your facilitator experience.

Building A Lasting Connection®

Facilitator Materials Set

Training Objectives

As a result of this training you will be able to:

Gain an in-depth understanding of Attachment Theory and how safe emotional connection with others empowers the individual to develop a positive sense of self. The result is maximal flexibility and adaptability in relationships, and also promotes resilience in the midst of stress and trauma.
Gain an in-depth understanding of Experiential Learning Theory and how learning results from synergistic transactions between the person and their environment. In accordance with the positive aspects of experiential learning, couples benefit from being taught the foundational principles of relationship development in a group setting.
Learn how to guide couples in experiential exercises and how to process their experiences on a deeper level so they retain more learning.
Know how to support and encourage participants in learning, exploring and sharing vulnerable feelings.
Know how to process discussion topics to achieve a deeper emotional experience.
Develop skills to handle difficult situations in a group setting.
Learn how to use the Lasting Connection System® to improve communication and how to educate couples to use the Lasting Connection System® on their own.
Gain practical skills for presenting the Lasting Connection® Workshop including self-awareness as a presenter, speaking skills, ways to engage an audience, and other strategies related to public speaking and workshop presentations in general.
Know how to plan, organize and market the Lasting Connection® Workshop.
Learn how to market yourself as a Lasting Connection® Workshop Facilitator.

Training Requirements

All participants must attend the full 2-day training in order to receive the official designation as a Lasting Connection® Workshop Facilitator and to be listed on the Building A Lasting Connection® International Website.
All participants must sign the Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator Agreement Form.

What Can A Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator Do Upon Successful Completion of Training?

Training authorizes the Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator to:

Independently teach and facilitate the Lasting Connection® Workshop
Use and promote the materials and content of the Lasting Connection® Workshop
Be listed as a Lasting Connection® Facilitator on the Building A Lasting Connection® International Website
Purchase additional Connection Systems® and supplies at a discount.

Are There Limitations to What I Can Do with the Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator Title?

Yes, as a Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator, it is not acceptable to:

Present oneself as a mental health professional if the facilitator is not a graduate of a masters or doctoral level program and is not licensed within their resident state.
Present oneself as an employee, agent, or other representative of the Building A Lasting Connection® Program or Workshops. Exceptions to this are made for those hired as Master Trainers or Consultants to the Building A Lasting Connection® Program.
Present oneself as a Building A Lasting Connection® therapist or counselor to market or publicize the Lasting Connection® Workshop as couples therapy. This distinction requires a separate state “licensure” program. Note: You may list yourself with the letters BLCF to indicate your certification in the program.
Present oneself as a couples’ therapist or market and publicize the Lasting Connection® Workshop as couples’ therapy. The Lasting Connection® Workshop is relationship education and enrichment.
Offer independent training or licensure on behalf of Building A Lasting Connection®. For more information about how to become an approved, recognized Building A Lasting Connection® Training Specialist please contact us.
Offer or present Building A Lasting Connection® training workshops for other professionals, unless said professionals attend as couples experiencing the Lasting Connection® Workshop. However, once the professionals have completed their experience in the workshop, they are not authorized to present themselves as Lasting Connection® Facilitators. They must attend the formal official training offered by Building A Lasting Connection® Master Trainers.
Offer or present formal seminars or presentations on the Lasting Connection® Workshop to academic audiences. However, it is permissible and encouraged for Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitators to give informational seminars or informal talks in the community as a means of marketing or publicizing workshops.

How Can Potential Workshop Participants Know I am Approved by Building A Lasting Connection®?

Website Posting: At the completion of the training, the Lasting Connection® Facilitator’s name, organization, city, and state of residence will be posted in the directory of the Building A Lasting Connection® website. This will allow couples to know that they are taking the workshop from an endorsed, reputable facilitator. It is requested that Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitators keep us informed of any address or workshop changes. Additionally, workshops provided by trained facilitators will be listed on the Building A Lasting Connection® website.

Confirmation of Status: The BLC staff are happy to provide documentation or verbal confirmation of any Building A Lasting Connection® Facilitator’s status. Please have interested parties contact us.

What If I Haven’t Been Trained in Working with Couples?

While this training does not replace training in how to work with couples as a licensed professional, the training offers facilitators the concepts and skills needed to help couples understand the principles of attachment and healthy communication.

Licensed or pre-licensed professionals interested in further training or supervision are encouraged to contact us.

What is the Cancellation Policy?

All registrations are final. If you are unable to attend the training, you may transfer your funds and registration status to another trainee or to a future training event. To obtain a transfer please notify us at least 2 weeks before the training. Transfers will expire one year from the date of the notification.

Presenters: Dr. Debi Gilmore and Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen

Facilitator Training

Home Study Course

September 2023, Live on Zoom

October 2023, Live on Zoom for the Orthodox Jewish Community

Pricing: Includes instruction fee and workshop materials.

Early Bird – $595
Full Fee – $650

Personalized Payment Plans are also available. Email us from the Contact Page.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE FACILITATOR TRAINING SO YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR OWN LASTING CONNECTION® WORKSHOPS