The Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy/Practice (DDP) journey takes you through DDP training, supervision and certification.
Getting started can be exciting and overwhelming and so this page sets out the process, how to progress, what you can say about yourself and what is required for each stage.
By starting your DDP journey you become part of our DDP community. You can remain on any of the stages of the journey that feels best for you.
On this page:
The DDP journey stages
The journey starts with either a DDP Level One. Some people continue onto DDP Level Two, they may then receive DDP supervision, and if appropriate apply to start the DDP Practitioner Certification practicum in order become a Practitioner certified in DDP.
1
DDP Level One
DDP Level One is an introductory training course in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).
It will equip you to understand the DDP principles and to introduce them within your practice, everyday work and/or with your child. It is open to anyone with experience working with, or looking after, children with developmental trauma that show attachment and relationship difficulties with their primary caregivers.
Find out more about DDP Level One training
This training equips you to understand the DDP principles and to introduce them within your practice, everyday work and/or with your child. You can find all open training in our Training listings:
DDP Level One training with places available
When you have completed DDP Level One you describe yourself as:
“beginning to apply the DDP principles within their practice”
Next Steps
Once people have completed this training they can decide to stop at this stage or continue to DDP Level Two.
2
DDP Level Two
DDP Level Two is an advanced training course in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).
It is open to people who have completed DDP Level One. This training equips you to understand the DDP principles and to develop their use within your practice.
Find out more about DDP Level Two training
You can find all open training in our Training listings:
DDP Level Two training with places available
When you have completed DDP Level Two you describe yourself as:
“developing my use of the DDP principles within my practice”
Next Steps
Once you have completed this training you can decide to stop at this stage and incorporate DDP principles into your practise. If you would like to move further along your DDP journey you may need DDP supervision.
3
DDP Supervision
Optional
DDP Supervision is an optional part of the DDP journey that many practitioners find very helpful.
This supervision could be provided in a peer-supervision group, in group supervision or individual supervision from a Consultant or Practitioner in DDP, or someone experienced in applying DDP principles to their work.
It may be helpful for you to have supervision of your practice before you apply to start the DDP Practitioner practicum.
Find out more about DDP Supervision and support for professionals
If you would like help finding a DDP supervisor, please get in touch using our contact form.
If you have attended DDP Level One and DDP Level Two training, AND are having regular supervision from a certified DDPI-approved Consultant or an experienced certified DDP Practitioner, you can say:
your work is “DDP-informed” or “practising in a way that is informed by the DDP model”
Next Steps
If you do not have the required core training in therapy/psychotherapy this is as far as you will be able to proceed at present.
Depending on your qualifications, professional registration or licensing you may be able to proceed to apply for the DDP Practitioner practicum. See DDP Practitioner Certification Practicum for more information.
4
DDP Practitioner Certification Practicum
The certification process to become a Practitioner in DDP, called the Practicum, is a supervised skills-based process that evaluates your DDP work. 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”
5
Certified DDP Practitioner
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”
To remain a Certified DDP Practitioner, you will need to pay your Annual Membership fee and every four years you will need to renew your certification. More details can be found on our Renewal of Practitioner Certification page.
Next Steps
You may 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.
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.
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.
How to describe yourself on different stages of the DDP journey
| Stage | How you can describe yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Those who have completed DDP Level One | ‘beginning to apply the DDP principles within their/my practice’ |
| 2 | Those who have completed DDP Level Two | ‘developing their/my use of the DDP principles within their/my practice’ |
| 3 | Those who have completed DDP Level One and Two, and are receiving supervision from a certified DDPI-approved Consultant or from an Experienced DDP Practitioner | ‘practising in a way that is informed by the DDP model’ |
| 4 | Clinicians who have started the practicum | ‘DDP Practitioner in Training’ |
| 5 | Practitioners who have successfully completed the practicum | ‘Certified DDP Practitioner’, ‘Certified Practitioner in DDP’ |
DDP PACE training
DDP PACE training provides you with a thorough understanding and experience of PACE embedded within the DDP framework.
PACE stands for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. This training explores the PACE attitude, a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to support the child to feel safe.
We recommend this training to individuals and organisations where DDP Level One training may not be appropriate for their circumstances. It may also be helpful for people before they attend a DDP Level One.
DDP PACE training is open to everyone. It can be especially useful for people working with, or looking after, children with developmental trauma that show attachment and relationship difficulties with their primary caregivers. This includes all professionals, parents and carers.
Find out more about DDP PACE training
You can find all open training in our Training listings:
DDP PACE training with places available
If you have completed a Core DDP PACE training of 2 days or more you can describe yourself as:
‘developing my use of DDP PACE within my practice’
If you would like to find out more about commissioning a DDP PACE training for your colleagues or employees please see our How to commission training section.
FAQs
In order to become certified as a DDP Consultant you must have been a DDP Practitioner for at least one year (amongst other requirements) and have completed the DDP Consultant Certification Practicum.
More information can be found in our Consultant Certification in DDP section. If you have any questions about the Consultant practicum please get in touch with your renewal Consultant as a first point of contact.
In order to become certified as a DDP Trainer you must be a DDP Consultant, have been nominated by a DDPI Board member (amongst other requirements) and have completed the DDP Trainer Certification Practicum.
More information can be found in our Trainer Certification in DDP section. If you have any questions about the Trainer practicum please get in touch with your renewal Consultant as a first point of contact.
If you have a question about the DDP journey please search this website to see if has already been answered. If you then need to get in touch please use our contact form.
Only Certified Practitioners in DDP can say that they do DDP therapy. To find out how you can describe your experience in DDP please see the table above.
If you would like to find out more about commissioning a DDP Level One, DDP Level Two or DDP PACE training for your colleagues or employees please see our How to commission training section.
