Incredible Years® Certification
To maximize the quality of group leader performance and maintain program fidelity, trained group leaders can obtain Incredible Years certification/accreditation.
Why Is Certification Beneficial?
- Maximized Quality: It maximizes the quality of group leader performance and program delivery fidelity.
- Helpful Feedback: Leaders will receive extensive feedback and support from authorized and accredited Incredible Years Trainers on their group leadership.
- Career Progression: Certification grants eligibility for an invitation to continue training to become an Incredible Years Certified Peer Coach and/or Mentor of group leaders in selected programs.
Watch teacher program participants discuss the importance of certification:
Incredible Years Group Leader Certification Process Steps
1. Record and share session video for IY trainer review
Begin video review
The first step in the certification process is to record a session of your group to share with an Incredible Years® Certified Trainer for review.
The Incredible Years Trainer will use the program Collaborative Process Checklist to guide the video review.
To submit a video session, you have two options:
- Schedule a live video review with us (recommended)
- Contact us to schedule a live video review session over Zoom.
- Download helpful tips for preparing for live video review here.
OR
- Send your recorded session to us.
Contact us for more information and tips on preparing & sharing your video for review.
2. Pass video review & submit paperwork
Pass video review & submit application paperwork
- Session checklists for complete program
- Weekly and final participant evaluations of the sessions
- Attendance lists for each of the two groups
- Peer-evaluation and self-evaluation forms
3. Maintain ongoing fidelity
Maintain ongoing fidelity
- Accredited group leaders should lead at least one group every 18 months
- Accredited group leaders should participate in a fidelity check every 18 months: this could be a coaching session with an accredited Peer Coach, a video review of a group by a Mentor or Trainer from the Incredible Years office, an in-person consultation day, or Skype consultation calls with a certified Mentor.
- Accredited group leaders may consider learning more about Peer Coach Certification.
Certification Progression
The main benefit of pursuing the training and certification progression is that it promotes the sustainability of Incredible Years' high-quality implementation year over year.
The following is a progressive list of Incredible Years leadership roles offered.
1. Group Leader
The Incredible Years Group Leader is a professional who has received specialized training to facilitate and lead the Incredible Years programs.
2. Certified Group Leader
An Incredible Years Certified Group Leader has received the training to facilitate and lead the programs and has completed additional steps that involve session evaluation, peer review, etc. (see steps listed in the section above)
3. Certified Peer Coach
An Incredible Years Peer Coach is a certified IY group leader who has demonstrated competency as a peer coach using the IY coaching methods and processes.
A peer coach has:
- Led 6 complete IY groups using the
recommended session protocols. - Participated in the Incredible Years peer coaching workshop with trainers and has supervision from mentors or trainers.
- Received positive evaluations of coaching received from group leaders, and trainer evaluations of video reviews of coaching provided.
4. Certified Mentor
A mentor is someone who has been certified as an Incredible Years Group Leader and Peer Coach, and has been nominated by an existing Incredible Years mentor or trainer. A mentor provides authorized Incredible Years training workshops in his or her agency as well as ongoing mentoring & supervision to group leaders whom s/he has trained.
A certified Incredible Years Mentor has:
- Led numerous (approx 8+) IY groups with fidelity & continues to deliver groups and participate in peer review.
- Obtained ongoing consultation from IY trainers for groups and supervision from mentors, including additional video reviews.
- Been trained to deliver authorized workshops using standard protocols.
- Observed mentors & trainers giving supervision and conducting workshops.
- Mentored new group leaders by co-leading groups with them and providing video feedback.
- Received positive trainer, mentor, and group leader evaluations
5. Certified Trainer
The Incredible Years Trainer level is by executive appointment. The Incredible Years trainer has completed certification as a group leader, peer coach, and mentor.
Additionally, the IY Trainer:
- Possesses extensive experience with delivering the IY program and mentoring other therapists.
- Has broad IY supervision experience.
- Has extensive knowledge of the IY research, and other research regarding evidence-based mental health programs for children.
Certified Provider Locations
Are you interested in participating in an Incredible Years® Parent or Teacher Group, or in having your child participate in an Incredible Years Child Group? Check out our map of certified Incredible Years provider locations below.
Certified providers have passed an advanced accreditation process in order to delivery the program with maximized fidelity.
Contact us and let us know. We'll get in touch!