Profectum DIR® Level 1 Certificate Course (CL1)

Certificate Level 1 is the first level of Profectum’s professional certification courses. This online course introduces DIR®, explores how it works within an interdisciplinary team, and covers how to guide assessment and intervention. The DIR® model builds upon establishing relationships and engagement at any point in development, respecting individual differences from the perspective of occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, mental health, and education.
Dates will be announced soon. Submit your application and join our waitlist to receive updates and early access when the next offering is available.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

Clinicians, educators and providers who want integrate a developmental, relationship-based approach into their work

STARTING DATE AND TIME

Start date and time to be announced soon

LENGTH OF COURSE

12 months

Format

Instructor led - live online via Zoom

CERTIFICATE

Profectum DIR® Level 1 Professional

Payment options
Pay in full: $3,000
($425 non-refundable deposit)
Payment plan: 5 monthly payments of $515.
Initial payment: $940 ($425 non-refundable deposit + first $515 payment).

IMPORTANT: Please read the "Payment, Withdrawal and Refund Policy" in the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Special one time Offer
Organizations registering three or more participants from the same organization are eligible for a 10% discount on tuition for each participant. This offer is designed to support collaborative learning within teams and departments.
Bespoke team training
For customized, team-focused training for groups of eight or more, please contact us at training@profectum.org. We’d be happy to discuss tailored options to meet your organization’s learning goals.

Course overview

The goal of this course is to provide participants with initial expertise in working with children who have challenges in relating, communicating, and thinking while honoring individual differences utilizing a developmental, relationship-based approach.

Topics include:

  • Introduction to the DIR® model
  • Basic principles of the DIR® model
  • Introduction to the Functional Emotional Developmental Levels (FEDLs)
  • Understanding the child’s individual profile: sensory processing, motor development, language development
  • Mental health for non-mental practitioners in working with families
  • Assessment through DIR® model interactions
  • Definition and demonstration of the FEDLs
  • Becoming conversant in the DIR® model
  • Working with an interdisciplinary team
  • Applying the DIR® model principles within the discipline of occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, mental health and education
  • Using the DIR® model to build treatment plans with sample treatment plans for occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, mental health and education
  • Prioritizing goals

Learning objectives

As a result of this course, participants will:

  • Identify and discuss individual differences and their impact on development
  • Define the Functional Emotional Developmental Levels (FEDLs), including identifying each one within case examples
  • Converse in basic principles and terminology of the DIR® model
  • Provide assessment of DIRFloortime® interactions
  • Develop treatment plans using the DIR® model within discipline

Format

The Certificate Level 1 course is broken down into four units of instruction.

Unit 1 consists of webcast lectures and live online classes including: one to two 1+ hour webcast lectures, to be viewed independently, per week and approximately two 2-hour live online classes per month.

Units 2 and 3 consist of webcast lectures, live online classes, and live online small group tutoring sessions including: one to two 1+ hour webcast lectures, to be viewed independently, per week, approximately two 2-hour live online classes per month and approximately 1.5 to 2-hours live online tutoring sessions per month.

Unit 4 consists of approximately one 2-hour live online class, two 1.5 to 2 hour tutoring sessions; approximately three 2.5 to 3-hour live final vignette case presentation sessions; and a 20-minute live online individual feedback session.

Criteria to take the course

  • Be a working professional in any discipline who wants to integrate the DIR® model into your practice. Professional parents may take the course but will not be permitted to use his or her own child to show their work.
  • Have a Bachelor's degree or higher.
  • Have access to a minimum of three cases with the ability to video your work with children or adults with a developmental disability throughout the course. Videos must be from a work setting.
course instructor

Kassie Allison, OTR/L

 Kassi'e sbio here. 

What participants are saying

Change approach for the better

"This was such a great course that has changed my approach as a therapist for the better! The tutoring part of this course made me able to really internalize and integrate the material."

Help children make progress

"I would definitely recommend this course to others since I gained tremendously in my understanding of how to help children grow and make progress through a developmental approach."

Learn from one another

"I loved the small class and interactive approach in group sessions, I felt it was so beneficial to learn from each other."

Frequently asked questions

How much time will I need to spend on the course

The Certificate Level 1 course is broken down into four units of instruction.

  • Unit 1 consists of webcast lectures and live online classes including: one to two 1+ hour webcast lectures, to be viewed independently, per week and approximately two 2-hour live online classes per month.
  • Units 2 and 3 consist of webcast lectures, live online classes, and live online small group tutoring sessions including: one to two 1+ hour webcast lectures, to be viewed independently, per week, approximately two 2-hour live online classes per month and approximately 1.5 to 2-hours live online tutoring sessions per month.
  • Unit 4 consists of approximately one 2-hour live online class, two 1.5 to 2 hour tutoring sessions; approximately three 2.5 to 3-hour live final vignette case presentation sessions; and a 20-minute live online individual feedback session.

How will this knowledge help me in my practice

This course will help you apply a developmental, relationship-based framework to your everyday work with children and families. Through an introduction to the DIR® model, you will strengthen your ability to observe and understand individual differences, assess functional emotional development, and design meaningful, interdisciplinary intervention plans. The knowledge gained in Certificate Level 1 supports more intentional engagement, clearer goal-setting, and more responsive practice across disciplines (education, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, mental health) and settings.

What are the requirements to receive a certificate

In addition to meeting the criteria to take this course, the following criteria must be met in order to receive a certificate at the end of this course. These criteria should be monitored throughout the course.

  • Attendance: No more than two absences to the online classes during the course. Each missed online class is expected to be viewed via Zoom recording, and impressions/comments shared with the instructor in writing to be considered a "make up" of the content missed. No more than two absences to the online tutoring sessions during the course.
  • Contribute to online class discussions
  • Use technology as required by instructors: Camera is on for class, use the Learning Management System (LMS)
  • Present of a minimum of 3 children over the course of the year: 2+ in tutoring and 1 for the final vignette
  • Complete the collaborative feedback form


IMPORTANT NOTE: Certification does not imply endorsement of clinical competency. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession’s standards.

Payment, withdrawal and refund policy

Tuition for the CL1 Certificate Course is $3,000.

Payment can be made in full before the course begins (which includes a $425 non-refundable deposit) or monthly in five payments of $515, the initial payment is $940 (a $425 non-refundable deposit and the first month payment of $515). Payment is due before the course begins.

There will be a 5-day grace period for failed or declined credit card payments. After five days, the participant will not have access to the learning management system (LMS) until payment is successfully made.

If you submit payment and withdraw from this course at least 15 working days (Mon-Fri) BEFORE the start date of the course, you will receive a refund minus a cancelation fee of $75. If requests to withdraw are received after this time, no refund is given and you are responsible for full payment of the course. Requests to withdraw must be sent via email to training@profectum.org.

Under certain circumstances, you may be able to begin training again with a group scheduled at a later date, but the course payment is still due as scheduled for the initial group registration.

In the event that a course group is canceled, you will be notified immediately via email and a credit will be issued toward a rescheduled course group or the entire submitted fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of the organizer.

If you have questions, contact training@profectum.org.

Cancellation policy

We strive to accommodate start times and international time zones for our participants and, therefore, reserve the right to adjust course start dates and times as needed. A minimum number of participants are required to run each course group. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone a scheduled group if the required number of participants is not achieved.

Contact training@profectum.org if you have questions.In the event that a course group is canceled, you will be notified immediately via email and a credit will be issued toward a rescheduled course group or the entire submitted fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of the organizer.

If you have questions, contact training@profectum.org.

Technology requirements

Profectum uses video streaming and video conferencing as our standard technology tools. The course relies on you watching webcasts on your own and joining live online class discussions using Zoom.

A computer with a monitor, keyboard, and a mouse or a laptop.Speakers, either built into your computer or external (plugged into your computer).

Camera, either built into your computer or external (plugged into your computer).

An internet connection, either wired or wireless, DSL or better.

The Zoom application.

A PDF viewer, such as Adobe.

A printer or access to a printer (to print materials, if desired).

Special accommodations

If you require ADA accommodations or have a special needs request, please email training@profectum.org at least two weeks before the program start date so arrangements can be made.