FAQ

With either ESD or TESD professional certification, you can bring these programs back to your local community. Professional opportunities have increased as Empowerment Self-Defense gains recognition and momentum around the world. People qualified to offer ESD are employed by colleges, NGOs, social service organizations, and law enforcement agencies, and increasing requests from schools, colleges, businesses, organizations and individuals are supporting a growing number of ESD contractors and organizations. ESD  is also a great complementary offering for professional educators, guidance counselors, physical education teachers, as well as health, sex and consent educators.

Mental health professionals have the opportunity to add a powerful new modality to their toolbox that has potential to qualify for third-party funding. Vermont currently runs a model program where federal victim assistance funds cover TESD therapy for survivors of sexual assault or other interpersonal violence.

TESD, or Therapeutic Empowerment Self-Defense Certification, is designed specifically to deliver trauma treatment to survivors of sexual assault or other interpersonal violence. TESD training and certification is provided primarily for licensed therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists or other health care providers who would like to offer an extraordinarily effective new modality that promotes especially rapid healing. We also certify people with complementary backgrounds who will work in partnership with a mental health provider to deliver TESD.

We offer a 4 day certification course for ESD, which is designed for health and wellness professionals,  social service staff, human resource professionals, middle school/high school/college educator, guidance counselors, fitness instructors, and martial arts instructors. More information can be found here.

We also offer a 4 day certification program for TESD, which is an integrated mind-body treatment for trauma recovery.  This program is designed for mental health professionals, allied health professionals,  , guidance counselors or other educators who have some background training in trauma and trauma recovery. Continuing education credits are available. Details are here.

Each 4-day certification course includes consultation/mentoring once the course is completed. Total cost for each certification course is $1500 for ESD and $2000 for TESD. Thanks to a generous donation from the Canaday Family Charitable Trust for 2023 and 2024, the cost is significantly reduced for Vermont and out-of-state residents. Space is limited.

Yes.  We want each new instructor to be delivering up to date and effective trainings.

Yes, we actually encourage people to sign up with a professional colleague as it facilitates implementing the programs after the training.  Contact Genie@TheSafetyTeam.Org for current pricing.