9-Week DNMS Hybrid Training full text

9-Week Hybrid Training

Combines the flexibility and economy of a self-study webinar with the the nurturing support of a small interactive class. Two-hour classes meet for 9 weeks to practice lessons learned in the 16-hour on-demand webinar. It's a step towards completing the Basic DNMS Training for The DNMS Institute.

New Class Is Starting on May 3rd

ARE YOU READY FOR BETTER OUTCOMES WHEN WORKING WITH TRAUMA AND ATTACHMENT ISSUES?

You are in the right place if you want to...

Better serve your clients by learning the therapeutic process that experienced trauma therapists call "The Missing Piece."

Be on the cutting edge of mental health modalities and hone in on a skill set that very few mental health professionals currently possess.

Learn and grow professionally in an environment where it is safe and comfortable to make mistakes.

Develop the understanding and the skills to help the clients who have challenging protective/defensive behaviors.

Guide the healing of attachment wounds without fostering dependency on the therapist.

OVERVIEW: WHAT IS THE DNMS HYBRID TRAINING

The DNMS is a state-of-the-art treatment for adult clients suffering the effects of childhood wounding - the kind that leads to dissociated child parts stuck in a painful past. These easily-triggered child parts drive many of the unwanted behaviors, beliefs, emotions, and urges clients seek therapy to treat. The DNMS focuses on healing the attachment wounds at the root of these symptoms by connecting wounded child parts to inner attachment-figure Resources. As child parts form a secure attachment to these nurturing Resources they feel seen, heard, understood, valued, and loved - often for the first time. As more and more child parts heal this way, clients become more stable and better able to regulate emotions. The more symptom relief they report. The DNMS is helpful for all therapists who work with adults wounded in childhood, but it is especially helpful for EMDR therapists who struggle to prepare dissociative, attachment-wounded clients for trauma processing.

DNMS treatment unfolds in three Phases. Phase 1 stabilizes wounded parts, Phase 2 silences the mental recordings of wounding messages, and Phase 3 gets wounded parts completely unstuck with comprehensive needs meeting. Phase 1 - the most important one - is a series of stand alone interventions that can provide profound healing even if Phases 2 and 3 are never applied.

This 9-week DNMS Hybrid Training teaches the Phase 1 interventions - getting a history, mobilizing Resources, establishing a Special Safe Place, stabilizing wounded parts, and more. There's a lot to learn and master in Phase 1. The Advanced DNMS Training (when ready) will focus on interventions from Phases 2 and 3. Shirley Jean Schmidt plans to have the Advanced Training ready in 2025.

Click Here to Read What Clinicians Have to Say About the DNMS

DETAILS: The 9-Week Hybrid Training

This training combines the flexibility and economy of a self-study webinar with the nurturing intimacy of a small, interactive class focused on practice. Class size is limited to 20. And because it is fully online, you can do it all from the comfort of your home or office.

Here's How It Works:

Self Study Lesson: Each week you'll watch a weekly lesson from either of two 16-Hour DNMS On-Demand Webinars: 1. How to Stabilize Dissociative, Attachment-Wounded Clients OR 2. How to Prepare Dissociative, Attachment-Wounded Clients for EMDR. (You choose the webinar that is right for your practice and purchase it separately for $365 through the DNMS Institute). Some weeks will have an additional reading assignment. To prepare for the class discussions, you'll answer a list of case vignette questions. Then the day before class you'll submit answers to a short quiz, along with questions you would like answered in class. It can take 3-4 hours each week to complete the lesson, practice prep, and homework.

The Weekly Lessons:

Interactive Online Classes: Classes will meet for 2 hours once a week on Zoom, for 9 weeks. Each class is structured around three main tasks specifically about the weekly lesson content, including: (1) a brief review of the lesson, (2) a question and answer period, and (3) a discussion of practice case vignettes. You'll also be invited to briefly share how the DNMS is going in your practice, so we can provide any helpful encouragement and support you might need.

Practice by Case Vignette: While it's easy to watch a lesson and understand a concept, it's harder to put it into practice. Over the 9 weeks, this class will challenge you with dozens of case vignettes on multiple topics - like how to conceptualize a case, how to talk to child parts, how to mobilize Resources, how to set an effective therapy goal, how to stabilize wounded child parts, how to handle enmeshment, how to engage oppositional parts with radical acceptance, how to detect and clear blocks, how to stay attuned, and more. Each practice is focused on a small piece of a larger intervention. As each small piece is mastered, skill with the whole intervention grows. When you thoughtfully work through the case vignette questions before class, you're prepared to join a rich group discussion in class. Our aim is not to tach the one right answer for each vignette, because there can be many good answers. Our aim is to helpl you develop critical thinking skills to flexibly navigate case complexity with confidence.

Why Not Practice Dyads? Many trauma-treatment trainings pair classmates in practice dyads to treat each other's traumas - with or without a facilitator checking in. While that can sometimes work well, there's always a risk that the "therapist" classmate will be completely unprepared to guide a "client" classmate with a complex trauma history, through an unfamiliar protocol. To eliminate that risk, this hybrid training tests your application skills with multiple case vignettes covering a wide variety of clients and presenting issues. This is a very safe way to make mistakes, learn, and grow - building skill and confidence quickly and effectively. Those who also want a practice dyad experince are encouraged to pair up with another classmate to practice on each other between classes - with or without the support of a skilled facilitator.

Benefits of the Training

Therapists skillful in working with dissociative clients are in high demand. This training provides an excellent foundation for treating dissociative, attachment-wounded clients by teaching therapists how to navigate the complex landscape of parts-work.

Here is what course graduates have had to say...

Basic DNMS Training Completion

To fulfill all the requirements of the Basic DNMS Training you'll need to complete the 9-week Hybrid Class plus participate in 12 hours of consultation. At least 6 hours must be individual consultation with an approved DNMS consultant. The remainder can be in group consultation, provided you bring a case or question to the group.

When you complete week 9 of the Hybrid Class you'll be added to a DNMS Consultation Group Listserv that's just for class graduates. This will keep you notified of upcoming online consultation group meetings. Once you complete all 12 hours of consultation, The DNMS Institute will add you to the DNMS website Find-a-Therapist-Page with the designation "Completed Basic DNMS Training."

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to...

1. Explain the significance of a client's foundational stability.

2. Explain the significance of differentiating trauma and attachment wounding.

3. Describe the steps for getting an attachment history.

4. Describe 3 interventions that prepare clients for stabilizing wounded parts.

5. Describe 3 interventions for stabilizing wounded parts.

6. Describe 2 interventions for overcoming processing blocks.

7. Describe 2 concepts relevant to staying attuned while working with wounded parts.

Training Instructors

The class agenda and materials have been developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt. This class will be taught by DNMS approved consultant and trainer, Amy Blake, LCSW.

Target Audience

This training contains beginning, intermediate and advanced level content. It's designed for licensed mental health professionals, including those on a path to becoming licensed, who work with adults wounded in childhood - especially those with attachment wounds and dissociative disorders.

How to Enroll

Because this is a hybrid training, enrollment requires two separate transactions. You will subscribe to a self-study webinar (one of the 16-Hour On-Demand Webinars) and you will register for the class. If you already have a subscription for the on-demand 16-hour webinar, you'll just need to register for the class. If you have a subscription to the (recently-retired) 10-hour DNMS webinar, then you will need to upgrade to the new 16-hour version. The DNMS Institute will deduct whatever you paid for the 10-hour webinar from the cost of the 16-hour webinar. Contact The DNMS Institute to find out what that deduction will be and to get a coupon code.

Subscribe to a Self-Study Webinar: If you don't yet have the 16-hour, on-demand webinar, you'll need to get one. Select one of two almost identical webinars. If you frequently use EMDR or need EMDRIA credits, you'll probably want the one titled How to Prepare Dissociative, Attachment-Wounded Clients for EMDR. Otherwise, select the one titled How to Stabilize Dissociative Attachment-Wounded Clients. Click on the title you want and it will take you to the full webinar description and a link to subscribe. Each webinars cost $365 USD. You may subscribe right away and start watching your webinar anytime.
Register for the Live, Online Class: Amy Blake, LCSW will be teaching a series of Friday classes from 12:00pm - 2:00pm US Eastern Time. The 9 classes will span 11 weeks due to major US Holidays. The class will meet May 3, 10, 17, 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28, and July 12. There will be no class on May 24the or July 5th. This cohort will be limited to 20 students. There are 2 payment options: You can pay in full $1,080. Or, you can pay in three equal payments of $395 for a total of $1185. Click on the payment type you prefer to register today.

Pay in Full: REGISTER HERE

3-Payment Option: REGISTER HERE

Getting the DNMS Book

Because some of the lessons include a reading assignment, you'll get access to an online PDF version of the book when you pay for the class and subscribe to your choice of the 16-hour webinar. The PDF has some limitations. It's not downloadable and it's only viewable online. It's easy to read on a laptop or tablet, but not on a phone. Because of these limitations, you may want to get a print copy or Kindle version. You can order the paperback from The DNMS Institute or from your local Amazon Marketplace. Amazon will print the book in your country, and mail it from your country. The Kindle version is also available at Amazon and it is downloadable and easily readable on any device without an internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay for the class in multiple payments?

Yes, you have the option to make 3 payments of $395 which will occur upon registration, after class 3 and after class 6.

How much class participation is expected?

Students are expected to make every effort to attend each class and actively participate. The goal is for everyone to have plenty of opportunity to participate. You are asked to keep your camera on during class time.

How much time should I set aside each week for class?

Expect to spend 3-4 hours each week, watching the lesson, completing the homework and answering the case vignette questions.

I'm not sure I'll have 3-4 hours each week for self-study. What are my options?

Register early so you have time to watch the full 16-hour webinar. Then each week, you can do a quick review and refresh your memory by reading the applicable section of the webinar handout. That will prepare you to submit the weekly homework and answer the case-vignette questions.

What if I have to miss a class?

If you must miss a class due to a pre-planned event or an emergency, you will still need to complete the self-study assignment and submit homework. In addition, you will get access to a recording of the class with quiz questions about the class discussion. Correct answers to the quiz will serve as verification you watched the recording. This verification is required to complete the training and get CEs for the whole class.

How many classes can I miss?

No more than two. Missing more than two classes puts your participation status in review and you will need to work with your instructor to create a plan for fulfilling the course requirements.

When is the class homework due?

Homework is due at least 24 hours before the class. Along with your homework, you will submit questions you want answered. Questions that get submitted late may not get answered in class.

Can I get case consultation in class?

Each week the instructor will answer questions about the weekly lesson. If a simple case consultation question is relevant to the current lesson, then yes. There may not be enough time in class to dive into complicated cases.

May I share class materials or recordings with others?

No, sharing class recordings or class materials (like practice prep questions and answers) is not permitted without written permission from your Instructor and the DNMS Institute.

Continuing Education Credit

When you complete the Hybrid Training, you'll get two Certificates of Completion - one from the DNMS Institute for the self-study webinar and one from the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) for the interactive online class. Most US therapists can get 16 CEs for the self-study webinar and 18 CEs for the interactive class. Check below and check with your licensing board to verify if you are covered.

No EMDRIA Credits for the Class

You can get 16 EMDRIA credits upon completion of the 16-hour self-study EMDR preparation webinar, but there are no EMDRIA credits for the 9-week interactive class.

Professional CEs for the Class are CURRENTLY PENDING, BUT EXPECTED

This online interactive class is going to be cosponsored by the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), based in San Diego, CA.

Psychologists (except for New York): The Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Psychologists will receive 18 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program.

California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): now accepts American Psychological Association continuing education credits for license renewal. LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs will receive 18 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program.

Counselors: LPCs, LCPCs, MHCs, and LMHCs will receive 18 CEs in states where any scope-of- practice continuing education is accepted, or where continuing education credits approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) are accepted. Policies vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year. Please check your state's licensing board rules to determine if you're covered.

Marriage & Family Therapists: LMFTs will receive 18 CEs in states where any scope-of-practice continuing education is accepted, or where continuing education credits approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) are accepted. Policies vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year. Please check your state's licensing board rules to determine if you're covered.

Social Workers: Social Workers will receive 18 CEs in states where any scope-of-practice continuing education is accepted, or where continuing education credits approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) are accepted. Policies vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year. Please check your state's licensing board rules to determine if you're covered.

Nurses (except for Iowa): IVAT is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses to offer continuing education for California nurses (CEP#13737). As an approved provider of American Psychological CEs, IVAT programs are accepted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Nurses will receive 18 hours of continuing educatoin credit upon completing this program.

Unanswered Questions?

If you have any questions about this hybrid training in general, contact Shirley Jean Schmidt at sjs@dnmsinstitute.com. If you have concerns abut the 9-week class, call or email Amy Blake, LCSW at 207-557-5739 or amy@amyblakelcsw.com.

Grievance Policy

Amy Blake will make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Participants who are unhappy about the content of the class, have technical issues joining the class, or have any other grievances, should call or email Amy Blake, LCSW at 207-557-5739 or amy@amyblakelcsw.com.

Accommodations for People with Disabilities

Access and inclusion are a high priority. If you need special accommodations to participate in the DNMS 9-Week Hybrid Training please call or email Amy Blake, LCSW at 207-557-5739 or amy@amyblakelcsw.com

There is no known commercial support nor conflict of interest for this program.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Hi! My name is Amy Blake. I am an approved DNMS consultant and trainer. I have been using the DNMS in my practice since 2013 and training other clinicians in the DNMS since 2020.

I have over 35 years of experience as a psychotherapist. My training in trauma work includes DNMS, EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), The Flash Technique, Grove Metaphor Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis.

My training in relationship therapy includes Imago Relationship Therapy, Encounter Centered Couples Transformation, The Gottman Method Level 1 and The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy.

Trauma and the impact of unmet childhood needs are so prevalent in our work with individuals and couples. I am excited to bring you this training in The Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy which I have found to be the most profound healing approach to childhood trauma and attachment wounds.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

The DNMS finally gave me the depth and breadth in resourcing clients I’d been searching for, as well as working with wounded parts in an attuned reparative way. Amy Blake, LCSW as my trainer and group consultant has been invaluable. Highly seasoned, she breaks down and clearly explains information, astutely and empathically responds to clinical questions. In short, both the DNMS and Amy are outstanding.

Elizabeth Lehmann, M.A, LCSW, trauma-focused since 1995.

Developer of “Restoring Connection With Life & Thriving”.