All about the Certificate

The Certificate in Processwork at the Process Work Institute is a 200 hour independent learning pathway to explore the concepts, skills and practices of process-oriented psychology for personal and professional growth.

The Certificate is a self-guided learning pathway designed to allow you to meet your learning goals, with the pace, style, and structure that suits your unique, individual needs and tastes. It allows participants to study anywhere in the world, in person or online.

Who is it for?

The Certificate is a great choice for therapists, counselors, coaches, and other practitioners working one-on-one with clients, as well as facilitators and consultants working with teams and organizations.  It is perfect for anyone just beginning to explore Processwork but can also be a satisfying option for more advanced students.

The Certificate provides focus and support to go deeper with the Processwork awareness paradigm for personal growth and professional skill development.

Certificate in Processwork

The Certificate has been offered by the Process Work Institute in Portland, Oregon since 1992 as an opportunity for people interested in deepening their exploration of Processwork.  Hundreds of students have used the Certificate program to expand their interest in and studies of Processwork. The self-guided nature of the program, and the opportunities for creativity and curiosity, have enlivened student interest in the many applications of Processwork.  Each student, in collaboration with their Mentor, designs an individualized learning activity plan tailored to their own individual needs and interests. 

Certificate graduates have subsequently pursued successful further studies toward recognition as a Processwork Diplomate, the highest standard of Processwork practitioner recognition. The Certificate is a highly recommended first step for an early stage learner interested in pursuing the mastery level of Processwork through the Institute’s Self-Guided Diploma Learning Path. 

The Certificate learning experience includes the support of an individual mentor and access to a student learning community.  It can be designed to meet each person’s learning goals with a pace, style, and structure that suits their unique and individual needs and preferences. The Certificate allows participants to study from anywhere in the world, while becoming part of the Process Work Institute’s student learning community.  Certificate learning activity requirements can be met by local or international in person classes and online courses, as offered by the global Processwork community.  

Upon completion of the Certificate learning requirements the Certificate of Processwork is awarded, certifying that the graduate has earned the title of Processwork Associate.  Processwork Associates have explored the fundamentals of Processwork, achieved a solid grasp of Processwork theory and principles, and gained a foundational ability to apply Processwork skills in a variety of settings. 

What is involved?

The Process Work Institute’s Certificate in Processwork is a 200 contact hour independent learning pathway for exploring the fundamentals of Processwork. It offers participants the opportunity to focus on the study of Processwork for personal and professional growth with the support of a Mentor and a commitment to 200 contact hours over a minimum of 12 months. 

Students typically take 1-3 years to complete the Certificate. 

To earn the Certificate in Processwork, students complete a total of 200 direct contact hours with a Processwork Diplomate including 25 Individual Sessions and 175 Training Hours; complete a Certificate Reflections Project;  and complete a minimum of 12 months of Certificate Membership.

Certificate Requirements

• Minimum of 12 months Certificate Membership
• Completed Learning Agreement and Activity Log including the following:
  • 25 Individual Processwork Sessions
  • 175 Processwork Training hours 
  • Certificate Reflections Project

To be awarded the Certificate, students must submit their completed Learning Agreement Plan and Activity Log, plus a declaration from their Mentor with approval for their Certificate Reflections Project.

Certificate Handbook

For detailed information about the Certificate learning pathway download the Certificate Handbook (pdf).

Certificate Membership Benefits

• Opportunity to earn the Certificate in Processwork
• Monthly Online Live Classes
  • Group Case Supervision – Processwork supervisors provide coaching and case supervision in a group setting
  • Theory Talk – Q&A tutorial session about Processwork ideas, concepts, frameworks and language
• Quarterly Online Faculty Hosted Student Community Meetings
  • Regular time and space to connect and support each other
• Private Online Learning Community Space for PWI students only
  • private community space for students to connect, share, and learn together
  • virtual home base with access to learning resources, ask questions anytime 
• Exclusive 50% discount for Processwork Toolkit courses.

Certificate Membership and Training Costs

Certificate Membership for a minimum of 12 months is required to earn the Certificate and is available by monthly or annual subscription.

All other costs associated with the Certificate including the 25 individual Processwork sessions and 175 training hours are in addition to the Membership Plan.  Training and individual session rates vary based on regional contexts and are selected and arranged at the discretion of the student.  

Certificate Membership grants you access to the Certificate Benefits including the private online Student Community Space, available only to PWI Certificate and Diploma students.

Students typically complete their Certificate over 1-3 years. 

• Certificate Membership Plan: $45/month or $495 annual subscription

Partial scholarships are available to support participation equity.  Prospective students from emerging economies or subject to systemic disadvantage are encouraged to choose the Partial Scholarship Equity Plan to support their study.  

• Partial Scholarship Equity Membership Plan (for those from emerging economies or experiencing systemic disadvantage): $30/month

Choose the rate that is fair for you.  

Find an estimated minimum budget for earning the Certificate in the Handbook, including the Membership Plan and all other training costs.

Before enrolling in the Certificate membership, please read all the information on this page and in the Certificate Handbook carefully to decide if this learning pathway is right for you. 

There are no refunds available on Certificate Membership Plans, but you may end your subscription at any time. Membership will expire at the end of the current subscription period.  

Learning Agreement and Activity Log

Upon Enrollment in the Certificate Membership, students receive access to the Certificate Learning Agreement and Activity Log template. Students use the template to prepare their learning agreement with the support of their Mentor. The Activity Log is used to record their learning activities for the Certificate in Processwork and will be submitted to PWI at completion of the requirements. Graduation from the Certificate in Processwork requires submission of the completed Activity Log along with supporting documentation. 

25 hours Individual Processwork Sessions

Individual Processwork sessions with a Processwork Diplomate comprise a core component of the Certificate learning experience.

• 20 sessions must be with the same Processwork Diplomate, who fulfills the role of Certificate Mentor. 
• 5 sessions may be with any other Diplomate(s) of the student’s choosing (these may also be with the Certificate Mentor). 

The role of Certificate Mentor provides one-on-one Processwork sessions to support the student’s emotional, interpersonal, intellectual, professional and spiritual growth. The Certificate Mentor also supports the student in preparing and completing their learning plan, and integrating their learning from the required training hours. The Certificate Mentor approves completion of the Certificate Reflections Project.  Students are encouraged to have sessions with a number of Diplomates before choosing their Mentor (20 of the 25 individual sessions must be with one Mentor) .    

The Mentor may be chosen from the Process Work Institute Faculty or from the international community of International Association of Process Oriented Psychology (IAPOP) recognized Diplomates.   

175 hours Processwork Training

To earn the Certificate in Processwork, students should complete 175 training hours in Processwork across the 6 topic areas listed below. Training must be offered by a Processwork Diplomate recognized by the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology (IAPOP), to be accepted for the Certificate requirements. Training may be completed online or in person. 

Students may choose to specialize in one or more areas, however it is recommended that students seek out exposure to all 6 topics over the course of their Certificate to gain a broad understanding of Processwork applications. 

1. Bodywork: including the dreambody concept, working with acute and chronic symptoms and illness, and movement work
2. Relationships: including couple work, conflict work, family work, own relationship work
3. Inner Work/Individual Work: including dreams and dreaming, creativity, and life myth
4. Group Work: World Work, open forums, conflict facilitation, diversity, deep democracy, leadership, organizational work, team work
5. States of Consciousness: including extreme states of consciousness, addictions, trauma and abuse, coma work, palliative care, dementia and near death states of consciousness
6. Practitioner Training: including supervision, professional practice ethics and business development, practice labs, conceptual theory courses

Students must record all training in their Learning Activity Log and keep supporting documentation to submit to PWI at completion of the Certificate requirements.  

It is highly recommended that students explore a range of Processwork books, articles and videos to support their Certificate learning experience. Certificate students are encouraged to read and watch widely across Processwork and allied modality publications to support their learning, including books, articles, manuscripts and videos.  The Process Work Institute hosts an online library of unique research manuscripts submitted by Processwork Diploma and other Master’s level graduate students, which provides a valuable entry point into the diversity and depth of possible Processwork applications.  The Institute’s online community space also includes a library of free video recordings which give an opportunity to gain accessible exposure across a range of Processwork topics and applications.  

Certificate Reflections Project

The Certificate Reflections Project provides an opportunity for integration, closure and celebration of the student’s learning experience in the Certificate.  The Project is intended to provide closure and a celebration of the student’s learning experience and demonstrates the student’s understanding of the Processwork paradigm.  Each student designs their own Project that will be submitted and reviewed by the Mentor at the completion of the program.  The Mentor approves the student’s plan for the Project, and provides feedback on its completion. The written component of a Certificate Reflections Project is not expected to be more than 3-5 pages.

Certificate Reflections Project can take the form of a written essay; analysis of supervision practice or video study; an audio-visual presentation of Certificate learnings; a performance piece, or another creative or educational project.

For example: a written essay explaining the student’s learning achievements over the Certificate; a creative, artistic project such as dance, performance, music, or visual art with accompanying written explanation of how the Processwork paradigm contributed to the work; a write-up of a series of supervised practice sessions focused on a specific application of Processwork; curriculum for a workshop or training presenting Processwork ideas or methods; analysis of video recordings of the students’ work using Processwork with individuals or groups.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students may include up to 100 hours of Processwork training completed in the 12 months previous to their enrollment to meet the requirements. These activities should be discussed with their Mentor and included in the Learning Agreement and Activity Log.  

Please note that prior individual sessions cannot be recognized. Twenty-five Mentor sessions must be completed during Certificate Enrollment to complete the requirements.

Leave of Absence

If a student needs to take a break for personal or professional reasons, they can take an interim at any time by informing their Mentor and pausing their membership.   

How to enroll

Students may enroll at any time by becoming a Certificate Member on a monthly or annual subscription.  

Note that all other costs associated with the Certificate including the 25 individual Processwork sessions and 175 training hours are NOT INCLUDED in the Membership Plan. Training and individual session rates vary based on regional contexts and are selected and arranged at the discretion of the student.  Find estimated minimum costs of earning the Certificate in the Handbook.

Partial scholarships for Certificate Membership are available to support participation equity.  Prospective students from emerging economies or subject to systemic disadvantage are encouraged to choose the Partial Scholarship Equity Plan to support their Certificate study. 

Certificate Membership Plan (monthly or annual)

Partial Scholarship Equity Membership Plan (monthly)

Before enrolling in a Certificate membership plan, please read all the information on this page and in the Certificate Handbook carefully to decide if this learning pathway is right for you. 

There are no refunds available on Certificate Membership Plans, but you may end your subscription at any time. Membership will expire at the end of the current subscription period.  

Disclaimer

The Certificate is an entry level certification that enables students to deepen their understanding of Processwork.  It does not on its own prepare people for practice in mental health, coaching, or organizational work. Students should have other qualifications such as advanced degrees to practice in their domain of expertise.

Students are cautioned that the Certificate is not recognized by any license granting agency as a basis for licensure or professional membership as a licensed mental health practitioner in Oregon.  Students are responsible to research their domain of expertise and practice in the state or country where they live and work.

PWI expects graduates of all our programs to work collaboratively with other professions and abide by relevant regional requirements.