Foundations of DIR® Theory

Foundations of DIR Theory is an intensive, small-group training for licensed professionals seeking the DIR Foundations Certificate. This course provides the theoretical grounding that allows you to begin using DIR confidently in homes, clinics, and classrooms - with clarity, depth and intention. You will deepen your understanding of the key components of the DIR model:  developmental capacities, individual differences, and relationship-based work. This rich learning opportunity will accelerate your journey to becoming a developmentally minded, reflective, relationship-centered practitioner and provide new ways to effectively support children and families.
Apply first, and please do not register until your application has been accepted.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

Licensed/credentialed professionals and educators working with individuals with developmental and learning differences.

STARTING DATE AND TIME

Monday, Sept 14, 2026 | 8:00 - 10:00 pm eastern time

LENGTH OF COURSE

15 2-hour sessions meeting once per week

Format

Instructor led - live online via Zoom

CERTIFICATE

Certificate of Completion: Foundations of DIR Theory

Payment options
Pay in full: $1250 or 2 monthly payments of $625 each

IMPORTANT: Please read the "Payment, Withdrawal and Refund Policy" in the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Special 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 instructor

Rosemary White, OTR/L

Rosemary White has been an occupational therapist since 1972 and brings a wealth of clinical experience to every workshop she teaches throughout the United States and internationally in Canada, Europe, South Africa, Uganda and Australia. Rosemary is a true clinician’s clinician!

Read more

Rosemary received her neurodevelopmental therapy training in London with the Bobaths, her sensory integrative therapy training in Los Angeles with Dr. A Jean Ayres and her training in the DIRFloortime® model with Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, PhD and the Faculty of ICDL.

She currently owns and operates Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy Services in Seattle, Washington. Rosemary has her certificate in the DIR® model and has been senior faculty on the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disabilities (ICDL) chaired by Stanley Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, PhD, since 2002. Rosemary is on the clinical faculty at the University of Washington in the School of Nursing Infant Mental Health Certificate Program. Rosemary is also faculty in the ICDL Graduate School in the PhD in infant and early childhood mental health and developmental disorders. This is an on-line PhD program providing education to professionals throughout the world. Rosemary is also Profectum Senior Faculty.

Course overview

Engage with foundational DIR concepts to learn crucial skills:

  • Build better partnerships with clients and families through understanding foundational concepts of relationship-based work
  • Foster alliances with other developmental professionals by learning in a small community to understanding foundational concepts of relationship-based work
  • Tailor intervention with precision to maximize outcomes by engaging a nuanced conceptualization of development
  • Sharpen your observational skills and refine your ability to make hypotheses about a child’s relative strengths and challenges using case-based learning
  • Advocate for clients and families more impactfully with a broad, developmental perspective


This in-depth course offers an opportunity to come together with a small group of professionals guided by a member of Profectum’s expert Faculty to gain a solid theoretical grounding in the DIR model. Prior to this course, you were introduced to the “magic of DIR.” In this course, you will learn the method to that magic by focusing on the integration of foundational DIR concepts including: principles of DIR, elements of relationship-centered work, the Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities, and understanding individual differences in sensory processing, motor planning, emotional regulation, social engagement, communication, and thinking. Active learning opportunities will extend and reinforce knowledge as you progress through the course. These experiences will allow you a much deeper understanding of how DIR is used to support children and families across settings, needs, and developmental domains.

In weekly live classes, you will participate with a community of learners in a combination of lecture, discussion, case-based learning, video analysis, and practice activities to learn the foundational elements of DIR. At home, you will continue learning through video presentations by over two dozen expert Faculty members, available exclusively to participants in the course. Practice activities, discussion boards, and reflective prompts will bring concepts to life and support the process of internalizing the model.

As you finish “Foundations of DIR Theory,” you will be ready to turn your knowledge into practice. This course paves the way for the final course required in the DIR Foundations Certificate learning pathway: “Foundations of DIR Practice,” where you will have an opportunity to apply concepts in real world cases and receive feedback from colleagues and Profectum Faculty.

Topics

  • Elements of the child-caregiver relationship that form the foundation of development
  • The development and use of play in interventionIn-depth exploration of Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities
  • The individual profile across domains (sensory processing, motor planning, communication, social and emotional development, cognitive development)
  • The role of regulation and arousal in developmental progression
  • Cultural, familial, and ecological influences on developmen
  • Case-based learning in DIR
  • Integrating Developmental, Individual Differences, and Relationship-based elements in forming a deeper understanding of the child and family

Learning objectives

As a result of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the importance of emotional safety, attunement, and responsive caregiving in relationship-based intervention.
  • Identify and describe Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities and recognize their hallmarks in observation and play.
  • Explain how individual differences in regulation, sensory, motor, communication, social-emotional, and cognitive systems shape interaction between children and caregivers.
  • Apply developmental, relational, and individual-differences perspectives through reflective and case-based learning.

Criteria to take the course

  • Completion of the Introduction to the DIR Model course within the last 6-months
  • Clinical or educational licenses or credentials are required
  • Have a Bachelor's degree or higher

What participants are saying

Improved my understanding  of children

"This course helped me analyze each child’s FEDL level and structure play accordingly. It has greatly improved my interactions and understanding of the children I work with."

Strengthened my relationships with clients

"The course gave me in-depth ways to apply DIR and use the FEDL charts to meet clients at their level. It strengthened my relationships with clients and increased my confidence in my work."

Made my work easier and more effective

"I’ve brought more empathy into my floortime sessions, which has made my work easier and more effective. This course was a valuable and enjoyable experience."

Frequently asked questions

How much time will I need to spend on the course

Foundations of DIR Theory meets for fifteen 2-hour live sessions once per week. Participants should expect to spend about 1-2 hours per week outside of class time watching brief video presentations, engaging with at home study activities, and practicing DIR techniques.  

How will this knowledge help me

You will be able to:

  • Understand foundational concepts of relationship-based work, enabling you to build stronger partnerships with clients and families.
  • Gain exposure to new interdisciplinary perspectives, supporting you in fostering alliances with other developmental professionals.
  • Develop a more nuanced understanding of development, allowing you to tailor interventions with precision to maximize outcomes.
  • Engage in case-based learning to sharpen your observational skills and refine your ability to generate hypotheses about a child’s relative strengths and challenges.
  • Apply a broad, developmental perspective to advocate for clients and families in a more holistic way.

What are the requirements to complete the course

You will receive a certificate of completion upon meeting the course requirements. 

Certificates for professionals are available upon completion of the Profectum DIR Foundations Certificate Program. All three courses in that program must be completed within 6 months of one another. 

Course requirements:

  • Attend all online classes, with no more than two absences. Any missed class must be viewed via Zoom recording within 2 weeks and all self study assignments must be completed.
  • 100% completion of all self study assignments are submitted
  • Successfully complete the course assessment with a score of 80% or higher.
  • Actively participate in online class discussions and the class discussion board
  • Use required technology as instructed: keep camera on during class and use the Learning Management System (LMS).

What is the attendance policy

Attend all online classes, with no more than two absences. Any missed class must be viewed via Zoom recording within 2 weeks and all self study assignments must be completed.

What is the payment, withdrawal and refund policy

The fee for the Introduction to the DIR Model Course is $1250. 

Full payment ($1250) or the first of two payments ($625 x 2) must be made in before the course begins.

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 course scheduled at a later date, but the full course payment is still due as scheduled for the initial course registration.

In the event that a course 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.

What is the 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 scheduled course offering. 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.

What are the technology requirements

Participants are required to have reliable access to a device and internet connection that support full participation in all course activities. This includes the ability to:

  • Access and navigate the Learning Management System (LMS)
  • Download and view PDFs and other course materials
  • Watch streaming video content
  • Complete and submit online forms and assignments
  • Participate in live Zoom sessions with camera and audio enabled


The course is supported on the most recent versions of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge. Please note that the course is incompatible with Internet Explorer 8 or earlier. 

A printer or access to a printer to print resources and materials, if desired is advisable.

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.