Become a Facilitator – Building a Lasting Connection

You can help couples prevent problems as well as restore and repair their connection.

The Building A Lasting Connection workshops are unique. Whether you want to reach premarital & newlywed couples, or couples 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 through conflict in a collaborative manner. Couples learn how to incorporate a healthy view of physical intimacy and sexual relations and explore the many barriers that can interfere with a healthy sexual relationship within the marital 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 Building a Lasting Connection Program is structured around a relationship pyramid that has five sections including attachment, communication, managing conflict, physical intimacy, and shared dreams. 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 will first be given an overview of the nature of love, and the core concepts of attachment. As the workshop proceeds, attachment remains interlaced with each concept to reinforce the foundational principle of attachment throughout the life of the marital relationship.

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

Short didactic presentations and discussions lead by a therapist facilitator.
Brief interactive exercises that allow the couples to experience and practice principles.
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 so you can provide interactive exercises and engage your participants with the workshop content.

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

Following the 2-day training you will be equipped to immediately facilitate your own Building A Lasting Connection workshops.

What Will You Learn?

On day one of the training you will learn:

The basics of Attachment Theory and why it is such an essential aspect of the program
The basics of Experiential Learning Theory
How to pre-screen potential participants
How to administer the pre- and post- assessment using the RDAS
The information presented in the workshop slides (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 slides (Modules 3-5)
How to work with difficult group dynamics
How to present in a compelling way to retain participant interest and engagement
How to process group discussions to engage them on a deeper level
How to market and promote your workshops

Who Is Eligible to Become A Facilitator?

The training to become a Building A Lasting Connection Facilitator is available to professionals and community leaders interested in working with couples and individuals who are entering 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 a tremendous benefit in the facilitator training. The following will benefit from the training process:

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 Resource Library. Included in the registration price is the Building A Lasting Connection Facilitator Guide and the Building A Lasting Connection Materials Set, which contains the core items facilitators need to present an engaging and productive workshop. The Building A Lasting Connection Materials Set serves as course materials for the workshops including interactive exercises, workshop mats, and PowerPoint presentation slides in electronic form. You will also be authorized to purchase additional mats 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 connections 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 marriage in a group setting.
Learn how to guide couples in experiential exercises and how to process the experience on a deeper level.
Know how to support and encourage participants in learning and exploring 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 Building A Lasting Connection Mat System and how to educate the couples as to how to use the system on their own.
Gain practical skills for presenting the Building A Lasting Connection Program including self-awareness as a presenter, speaking skills, ways to engage an audience, and other strategies related to public speaking and slide presentations in general.
Know how to plan, budget, market and organize your Building A Lasting Connection Program.
Learn how to market yourself as a Building A Lasting Connection Facilitator.

Training Requirements

All participants must attend the full 2-day training in order to receive the official designation as a Building A Lasting Connection 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 Building A Lasting Connection Workshop
Use and promote the materials and content of the Building A Lasting Connection Workshop
Be listed as a Building A Lasting Connection Facilitator on the Building A Lasting Connection International Website
Purchase additional workshop mats and supplies for use.

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 the Excellence in Relationship Education Institute. Exceptions to this are made for those hired as Master Trainers or Consultants to the Building A Lasting Connections Program.
Present oneself as a Building A Lasting Connection therapist or counselor to market or publicize the Building A Lasting Connection Program 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 Building A Lasting Connection Program as couples’ therapy. This distinction requires a separate state “licensure” program.
Offer independent training or licensure on behalf of the Building A Lasting Connection Program. For more information about how to become an approved, recognized Building A Lasting Connection Program 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 Building A Lasting Connection Workshop. However, once the professionals have completed their experience in the workshop, they are not authorized to present themselves as Building A Lasting Connection Facilitators. They must attend the formal official training offered by Master Trainers.
Offer or present formal seminars or presentations on the Building A Lasting Connection Program 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 Couples Know I am Approved by the Building A Lasting Connection Program and the Excellence in Relationship Education Institute?

Website Posting: At the completion of the training, the Building A Lasting Connection Facilitator’s name, name of organization, city, and state of residence will be posted in the directory of the Building A Lasting Connection Program and Excellence in Relationship Education Institute 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 the Excellence in Relationship Education Institute informed of any address or program changes.

Confirmation of Status: The BLC and EREI 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

Upcoming Trainings: Salt Lake City, Feb, 2020 & San Diego, Sept. 2020

Pricing: Includes instruction fee and workshop materials.

Extra Early Bird – $500.
Early Bird – $600
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