The certification process, called the Practicum, is for professionals who want to develop their practice to become a Practitioner in DDP.
There is also a certification process to become a Consultant and a Trainer in DDP, and for Organisations.
Below you’ll find brief introductions to each certification in DDP and links to detailed information about each Practicum.
On this page:
Certification Standards Notice
DDPI Worldwide Certification and Practicum requirements are governed by the DDPI Worldwide Regulations Governing the Use of DDPI Worldwide Certification Marks (Certification Rules). Where any summary information on this website differs from the formal Certification Rules, the Certification Rules prevail. Any approved amendments to practicum structures or certification requirements are implemented in accordance with the Certification Rules.
The next planned updates to practicum structures are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. Until that date, current published requirements remain in force. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Practitioner Certification in DDP
The certification process to become a Practitioner in DDP, called the Practicum, is a supervised skills-based process that evaluates your DDP practice. It is open to clinicians who aim to practice DDP as part of their day-to-day work.
If you would like to apply to start the DDP Practitioner practium, you need to have:
- completed DDP Level One training
- completed DDP Level Two training
- receive(d) DDP supervision (where appropriate)
- have the appropriate qualifications, professional registration and/or licensing in order to practice, you can find out more information in the Practitioner Certification section.
In order to apply you will need to contact a DDP Consultant to be your Primary Consultant for the practicum. All DDP Consultants can be found by searching on our Find a Practitioner page.
To find out more about the practicum and what is involved please see:
Practitioner Certification in DDP
As a clinician who has started the Practicum you can describe yourself as a:
“DDP Practitioner in Training”
Completing the practicum
When you complete the practicum as set out in our Practitioner Certification in DDP section, you can say you are a:
“Certified DDP Practitioner” or “Certified Practitioner in DDP”
Renewal of Practitioner Certification
Renewal of Certification is required every 4 years and includes these three elements:
- DDPI Worldwide Membership
- Submission of the signed DDPI Worldwide Attestation form
- Clinical supervision
Certified DDP Practitioners are required to be members in good standing of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute and abide by the DDPI Worldwide Code of Conduct. Failure to meet membership criteria will result in the loss of Certified status and profile removal from this website.
Membership in DDPI Worldwide requires:
- Timely payment of the annual DDPI Worldwide membership fee
- Maintaining professional indemnity insurance and
- Maintaining registration or licensing with your professional body
More detailed information can be found on our Renewal of Practitioner Certification page.
Extended break from active clinical practice
Certified Practitioners, Consultants and Trainers may request an extended break from active DDP practice, supervision, consulting or training. To find out more about this process and how to return to active certification, please get in touch using our contact form.
Becoming an Experienced Practitioner
DDP Practitioners can go on to become an Experienced Practitioner. Experienced Practitioners provide supervision to people who have completed DDP Level One or Level Two training. There are a number of required conditions which can be found on the Experienced Practitioners and Supervision page.
Consultant Certification in DDP
Becoming a DDP Consultant
To become a DDP Consultant you will need to be certified as Practitioner in DDP for one year and meet the requirements listed on the What is required before starting the Consultant Practicum? page.
It is a supervised skills-based process that requires applicants to demonstrate the core skills required to supervise and certify practitioners and organisations in DDP.
In order to apply you will need to contact a DDP Consultant to be your Primary Consultant for the practicum. All DDP Consultants can be found by searching on our Find a Practitioner page.
Please see the Consultant Certification section for more information:
Consultant Certification in DDP
Trainer Certification in DDP
Becoming a DDP Trainer
To become a DDP Trainer you will need to be certified as a Consultant in DDP and meet the requirements listed on the What is required before starting the Trainer Practicum? page.
It is a supervised skills-based process that requires applicants to demonstrate the core skills required to train practitioners and organisations in all aspects of DDP.
Please see the Trainer Certification section for more information, and if you’d like to find out more please contact a DDP Trainer to be your Primary Trainer for the practicum. All DDP Trainers can be found by searching on our Find a Practitioner page.
Organisation Certification in DDP
Embedding DDP Practice within your organisation
DDP Organisations have embedded all forms of Dyadic Developmental Practice, provided by regular and ongoing DDP Consultancy and training in DDP Practice for all staff members.
The Organisation practicum is a robust process designed to lead an organisation to transform its culture and philosophy of care to embody the principles, values and skills of the DDP approach. This process is for private or independent residential homes or schools as well as adoption and fostering agencies for example.
Please see the Organisation Certification section for more information, and if you’d like to find out more please get in touch using our Contact page.
Organisation Certification in DDP
Partnership Organisations (UK)
The Partner Organisation process recognises and validates statutory services or teams who work closely with DDP Trainers and Consultants to implement a DDP-informed practice model.
The process is open to UK statutory services, such as Local Authorities and NHS Trusts, and run by DDP Connects UK.
