LI Certification

During the LI certification process clinicians acquire an in-depth understanding of Lifespan Integration therapy, including how to make individualized LI treatment plans and how to most effectively use all LI protocols. The certification process requires candidates to undergo their own LI therapy to enhance their overall coherence and their ability to regulate their own emotions. When therapists have met the requirements for certification, they will be listed as certified on the official LI website, and can also advertise themselves as certified in LI. Certified LI therapists can, and are encouraged to offer LI treatment to clinicians going through the LI certification process.

Therapists who have completed Levels 1 and 2 of the LI training who wish to become certified in LI are encouraged to choose:

1. A certified LI therapist with whom they will do their personal LI therapy,
2. One of the LI trainers (who agrees to be their primary consultant), and
3. A second LI consultant.

Once these relationships are established, the candidate should express their intent to go through the LI certification process by filling out the submissible form “Application for Certification” which can be found by scrolling down and clicking on “Application Form”.

As part of filling out the application for certification, the candidate gives permission for the two chosen consultants and the candidate’s certified LI therapist to discuss the candidate’s readiness for certification. The details of the candidate’s personal LI sessions remain confidential and are not part of this discussion.

Candidates for LI certification will receive their own LI therapy from a certified LI therapist:

• The Certified LI therapist working with the candidate makes an initial assessment and begins with a treatment plan tailored to the candidate. After the first few sessions of LI, the candidate’s therapist will adjust the treatment plan as needed and will review with the candidate the proposed LI treatment plan and approximate timescale.
• The LI treatment plan for candidates for LI certification will involve working through all of Stage I and Stage II until the criteria are met for moving to Stage III. These criteria are detailed in “LI Treatment Planning” found in the Level 2, 3 and 4 manuals. These criteria are further explained in “Theory of Core Self” in the Level 2 manual.
• The candidate will then experience any applicable Stage III Protocols. “Finishing” or experiencing every PVAR stage or every Expanded Plus category in Stage III is not required for certification completion.

NOTE: When establishing a relationship with a certified LI therapist, candidates for LI certification should request that they receive pure LI protocols within an LI treatment plan. Be aware that sessions that are not LI protocols will not count toward LI certification. If a certified LI therapist starts doing sessions other than the LI protocols learned in LI trainings, then the candidate for LI certification is encouraged to seek another certified LI therapist for their certification process.

Candidates for certification in LI must:

1. Complete all four levels of LI training.
2. Receive regular consultation throughout the certification process. The consultation should be from two LI consultants, one of whom is a US LI Trainer. The Trainer is designated as “primary” consultant and manages the candidate’s certification process, answering any questions as they arise. Working with two different consultants exposes the candidate to more than one point of view regarding LI treatment planning and how to use the various LI protocols. Over the course of their work toward LI certification, candidates are required to participate in a minimum of 10 individual consultation sessions with their primary consultant or 10 consultations as part of a dyad if their primary consultant offers this option. In addition they must participate in a minimum of 6 individual or group consultation sessions with their secondary consultant.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of LI treatment planning through discussing several clinical cases with each of their consultants. Certification candidates discuss these cases in their consultation sessions, explaining their treatment planning strategies and therapeutic progress as they work with various clients over time. To be eligible for certification, candidates must demonstrate that they have successfully worked with bringing at least two clients into stage III of therapy. Consultation continues until both consultants agree that the candidate has met the requirements for certification. Requirements for certification must be met within two years of application, unless granted an extension from the candidate’s primary consultant/trainer.
4. Participate actively in a counseling practice, using LI regularly with at least five clients on their caseload. The candidate must have been using LI with their clients for a minimum of one year after taking the Level 4 training.
5. Demonstrate that they understand and can use all current LI protocols.

When the candidate has met the above criteria (including the criteria for their own LI therapy), the candidate’s LI therapist and both consultants meet online to discuss the candidate’s readiness for certification. If all three agree that the candidate has met the requirements for certification, the primary consultant schedules a final review with the candidate to assess the candidate’s understanding of all current LI protocols, LI assessment, and LI treatment planning. If the review shows that the candidate understands LI sufficiently to be certified, the candidate is congratulated and their listing in the LI website directory is changed to indicate that they are certified. If any significant gaps in understanding are identified during the final review, the candidate must follow the recommendations of the primary consultant to fill the learning gaps before scheduling another review.

Certified LI therapists have the option to work toward becoming LI consultants and/or facilitators at LI trainings. LI Trainers are chosen from the group of experienced LI therapists who have facilitated at LI trainings.

LI certified therapists are required to renew their certification every two years. The first renewal period will be September 30^th, 2024, and then every two years after that on September 30th. This will help to ensure that all certified therapists remain up to date with current LI theory and practice.

To remain certified in LI, therapists will:

• Per renewal year (October to September) participate in a minimum of 3 individual or group consultations with a Lifespan Integration trainer or repeat any Level of an LI training. LI trainers will offer consultation groups for certified therapists and/or will be available to offer individual consultation. LI trainings can be repeated at the reduced repeat rate. Thus, per renewal period certified therapists will have met with a LI instructor a minimum of 6 times (individual or group consultation) and/or repeated at least two LI trainings.
• Receive any updates regarding any changes to LI. This could include experiencing any LI protocols currently being taught which have not previously been experienced.
• Maintain an active counseling practice, using LI with a minimum of 5 clients per week.

Please contact a Lifespan Integration trainer if you have any questions.