Many male clinicians I train are deeply committed to not repeating patriarchal harm. That commitment matters. And—over time—it can also lead to hesitation, over-monitoring, or pulling back precisely when clarity, structure, and leadership are needed most.

This retreat exists because avoiding power does not help clients grow—and neither does using it unconsciously.

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This in-person Developmental Model retreat is intentionally designed for clinicians who identify as male and want support in developing clear, ethical, differentiated leadership in their clinical work with couples. Learning alongside other male clinicians allows space to name shared experiences, explore how gendered projections show up in the therapy room, and practice using their clinical presence in service of growth.

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The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy offers a structure that many male clinicians find deeply stabilizing: it clarifies when to lead, how to challenge, and why differentiation—not neutrality—is what helps relationships move forward. In this retreat, the material is taught live, experientially, and with direct application to real clinical cases.

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This training is about developing capacity while acknowledging your positionality as a male clinician—so you can support your clients responsibly, with skill, while leaving you with the tools you can use immediately in your work with couples and relational systems.

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Dates: 

Thursday April 30th - Sunday May 3rd 2026

 

Includes: 

Introductory Developmental Model Training

Course Materials and access to the training hub

Case Consultation

18 hours of Continuing Education Credits 

 

*may be eligible to count 18 hours towards supervision for WA licensure

Morning beverages and lunch are provided each day

Optional DM therapist networking event one evening after the training

 

Cost: $2900 private room $2200 shared room

$100 discount if paid in full

Scholarships Available

3 and 6 month Payment plans available​

 

Other helpful information: 

Fiona has been working with relational clients for fifteen years and knows first-hand that working with couples can be incredibly rewarding and also some of the most challenging work for therapists. Before being introduced to the Developmental Model, it was common for Fiona to feel overworked while constantly questioning their own clinical abilities. 

 

The Developmental Model, founded by Dr. Ellyn Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson, has fundamentally changed the way Fiona and hundreds of other relational therapists work with their clients.

 

This training is for you if: 

 

• You like to learn in person

• You gain insights from sharing in discussions with other clinicians

• You have signed up for online training in the past but have difficulty finding the time to watch everything or finish the training

• You have current cases where you are feeling stuck and may benefit from consultation

• You prefer to immerse yourself in the material in a focused flow state

• You work with relational cases that do not always fit cisheteronormative ideals 

• You can attend the full retreat (Thursday - Sunday)

 

This training is NOT for you if:

 

• You prefer to learn virtually

• You are a good self-directed learner and like to learn a little bit at a time

• You can sustain your attention over a long period of time and have no problem finished online courses

• You are well-organized and have time to integrate and organize material and concepts

• You feel confident in all your current cases and clinical skills

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