VTI Courses

Education

Validation Training Course Menu

Starters

Non-certification training that vary from a few hours to a few days; these can be tailored to your specific needs. For presentation and workshop availability contact a Certified Validation Teacher in your area. The following basic courses integrate a person-centered approach and give basic skills to improve communication with older adults with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. They range from 2-6 days depending on the teacher or AVO offering this training.

Beginning Validation

Beginning Validation

This exclusive VTI online course is great for on-the-job training. The 17 lessons can be completed at your leisure. It includes videos, text with narration, interactive quizzes and ends with a completion certificate.   

This online training will give you a good foundation in the theory of Validation and descriptions of Validation techniques. It will not teach you everything about Validation, but will give you enough to open up a whole new way of being with disoriented older adults. After you have completed Beginning Validation, we encourage you to participate in a Validation Worker course.   

If you are interested in purchasing this course for your students, colleagues or staff, you can purchase 5 for the price of 4 = $100  or 10 for the price of 8 = $200.
Please email  for more information.

Beginning Validation Course
The Skill Building Blocks

The Skill Building Blocks

6 online, on-demand training blocks that deliver basic Validation techniques that help you better communicate with aging parents and older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. In just 30 minutes you will learn an important communication skill. Each block has three parts which you can complete at your own pace.

  • Lesson 1 describes the skill and shows you why it is important to learn.
  • Lesson 2 is an exercise that helps you practice the skill.
  • Lesson 3 shows you the skill in practice and gives specific suggestions on how you can embed it into your life.
Skill Building Course

Save 10%

Purchase all 6 Blocks together and save 10%
Family Caregiver Course

Family Caregiver Course

Time to change the way you interact, communicate, and maintain a loving relationship with a person living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias? The Family Caregiver Course is a unique online course that provides family caregivers with new ideas, practical skills and techniques. Learn to use your eyes, your voice and your posture to connect. Find new ways to resolve difficult situations with love. Learn verbal and non-verbal techniques that help you interact.  Practice and anchor these skills in your daily life. Find more joy.
Quality training and all online!

This training is delivered by a certified Validation Teacher with experience in online learning.

“I believe if someone has limited time and the temperament to only learn one approach to being a better caregiver, THIS would be it.”

– 2019 Family Caregiver Course Participant

Family Caregiver Course
Practical Validation Training

Practical Validation Training

For people who want to communicate better with older adults living with dementia.
Learn how to use empathy and Validation techniques to enter the world of the disoriented very old person.

There will be five interactive Zoom sessions, each 4-hours long, which will help you: 

This training is delivered by a certified Validation Teacher with experience in online learning.

Practical Validation Training with Eric Portnoff
Validation Memory Care​

Validation Memory Care

The National Certification Council of Activity Professionals has partnered with the Validation Training Institute to create a curriculum for caregiving professionals across all care settings.

Validation Memory Care is designed as a thorough introduction in caring, interacting and communicating with those living with dementia. This interactive course is delivered over 11 weeks and includes live webinars, course work and practice with certified NCCAP and Validation Instructors.

At the end of this course, you will possess the knowledge and skills to communicate and be genuinely present with older adults experiencing age-related cognitive decline. You will learn practical ways to work that help reduce stress, enhance the dignity and increase happiness in yourself and those you serve.

Price: $200
What Is Next For Validation?

Mains

Certification training combines hands-on practice with class training, creating a thorough yet flexible communication tool for caregiving.  

Internet Supported Worker Course

Internet Supported Worker Course

This 40 week certification course combines online learning, practical work with older adults and in-person intensive training. It is a perfect solution for people interested in being trained as a Validation Worker but do not live close to a training center. Instead of 5 in-person meetings, this course meets in-person only two times and the rest of the training is online.

Course Format
Internet Supported Worker Course - Validation Training
Modular Learning Curriculum for Care Community Administrators and Validation Teachers

Modular Learning Curriculum

This unique course was developed for on-the-job training that combines flexibility and the opportunity to certify caregivers in a care community. The Modular Learning Curriculum combines learning with practice, integrating new behaviors and skills with a holistic view of aging and aged. It is possible for the modules to be spread out over budget years making training an entire staff more affordable.

Course Format
There are four modules. Each 2-day module is self-contained, meaning participants gain new skills with each module and could possibly stop after each one. If participants complete all modules successfully , they are eligible for level 1 Worker certification.
Modular Learning Curriculum Course
Course Benefits
Care Communities build a ‘person-centered’ culture where residents feel respected and at home while staff take greater joy in their work. Caregivers feel more competent to handle difficult situations, express more fulfillment at work, demonstrate a basic, empathetic attitude and have the skills to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with older adults. Older Adults with Alzheimer-type dementia communicate more, feel accepted and so express less anxiety and stress; there is less need for psychopharmacologic and sedative medication.
Certification Courses Offered by AVOs

Certification Courses Offered by AVOs

Level 1 Validation Worker

Courses consist of five, 2-day blocks of training (10 days) spaced over 9 months. Participants practice their Validation skills for a total of 26 weeks with older adults in all four phases of resolution in between lesson blocks.

Level 2 Validation Group Leader

Courses consist of three, 2-day blocks of training (6 days) spaced over 6-9 months. Level I certification is a prerequisite for this course. Participants practice their Group Validation skills in between lesson blocks for a total of 26 weeks. Supervision days are organized between each lesson block.

Level 3 Validation Teacher

Courses consist of two blocks of training. 3 days + 2 days. Level I and Level II certification are prerequisites for this course. Each participant creates his or her own personalized program for development of needed skills with the guidance from the course teacher. This course ends with a Presenter certificate. Presenters offer workshops, presentations, basic courses and supervision.

Level 4 Validation Teacher

Co-training a Level 1 course with an experienced teacher is required to deepen the special pedagogic skills necessary for teaching Validation and put theoretical knowledge into practice. The Validation Teacher certificate is awarded at the successful conclusion of the co-training.

Level 5 Validation Master

Certification is applied for after at least 3 years of teaching experience of all certification levels, mentoring by a current Master and making a significant contribution to the development of Validation theory and practice. These role models form the VTI Education Committee and guide the future development of the Validation method.

Desserts

Post-training, ongoing support, we help you to make the most of what you’ve learned and connect you to the Validation peer network.  

How to Teach Validation Online

How to Teach Validation Online

How to Teach Validation Online for Validation Presenters and Teachers

Learn from experts in online teaching and an experienced Validation Teacher:

  • What can be done effectively online and what can’t?
  • Learn how to create a “community of inquiry”

The maximum number of participants is 25

VTI Zoom
Coaching for Online Presenters & Teachers

Coaching for Online Presenters & Teachers

Want to gain more confidence in your online teaching skills? Develop skill in using various online tools and platforms in a personal way with either one on one or small (2 person) classes.

The goal of tutoring is to deepen skills and confidence in Zoom and Google suite.
The goal of coaching sessions is to translate specific Validation exercises to online courses and presentations.

Tutoring and coaching is offered by experienced Validation Teachers with strong online skills.

Tutoring Sessions For Teaching Online
Online Support

Online Support

VTI offers three online Support Groups:

  1. Talk & Techniques: for people who have attended a Validation workshop, read a one of Naomi’s books or taken the online “Beginning Validation” course. These lively discussions are led by a certified Presenter or Teacher.
  2. “Teacher” Meetings: for Certified Presenters, Teachers and Masters. There are opportunities for continuing education, skill-building, marketing strategies and networking.
  3. AVO Meetings: for Authorized Validation Organizations. These meetings explore problems, exchange solutions and offer opportunities to connect with AVOs around the world.

    There’s support for everyone in our community.
online supervision
Continuing Education

Continuing Education

Continuing Education days on specific themes for certified individuals is offered by Authorized Validation Organizations.  This is an ideal way to maintain your quality and sharpen your skills. 

Validation Training Institute | Testimonials | What People Are Saying
Validation Certificate of Quality

Validation Certificate of Quality

Available to care communities that wish to become known as “Validation homes”. This is an ideal way to integrate a person-centered environment from top management to housekeeping. Contact Vicki de Klerk for more information.

VTI seniors
online supervision
Online Supervision

VTI offers two monthly online meetings for support, encouragement and networking. Certified Validation Presenters or Teachers lead the lively discussion. Sometimes Naomi Feil makes a guest appearance! 

Validation Training Institute | Testimonials | What People Are Saying
Continuing Education

Continuing Education days on specific themes for certified individuals is offered by Authorized Validation Organizations.  This is an ideal way to maintain your quality and sharpen your skills. 

VTI seniors
Validation Certificate of Quality 

Available to care communities that wish to become known as “Validation homes”. This is an ideal way to integrate a person-centered environment from top management to housekeeping. Contact Vicki de Klerk for more information.