Our certification training program emphasizes mastering of practical cognitive-behavioral interventions and focuses on individual, group, family, and social counseling, as well as teaching self-help skills patients and their support persons can use to resolve problems in all areas of their lives effectively. All intervention techniques and therapeutic concepts are presented in a way that participants can immediately apply them in practice and gain operational experience during the retreat.

The training experience is enriching for therapists of different orientations and can easily be applied in counseling for any group of people facing problems of life-threatening proportions.

The training program is structured around six-day residential retreats with patients and families under the leadership of Beat the Odds certified supervisors and trainers. Recently, due to growing demand and in exceptional cases, we have also expanded training to the more frequently offered ten-week course consisting of weekly two-and-a-half-hour classes. Also, training may be offered during Beat the Odds urban retreats (two weekends that include Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday). The content of the retreats and the ten-week course is the same, but the format and, therefore, experience are different. Each format has its particular advantages. We require, however, that each trainee completes at least one six-day residential retreat because of its unique features and to take the most advantage from the training perspective.

In our experience, the six-day residential session offers the best training and supervision opportunities. We encourage all trainees to participate in at least one of them and to stay on the retreat grounds rather than choose the commuter option. Some classes and sessions are only offered during the six-day residential session (see schedule example ).

Since the Spring of 2020, all the training has been happening online via zoom. 

Our training program is the only of its kind that is organized around actual therapy with real patients and their family members.

At first, trainees learn to apply all the same skills to themselves and experience the therapy as patients and their families do. It allows for a more profound understanding of the therapeutic process when they are actually engaging in a therapeutic way and eventually providing the interventions themselves.

Particularly valuable and unique is the opportunity that the trainees have to process their own emotions, beliefs and attitudes in the face of such fundamental issues as meaning and purpose of life; own mortality and vulnerability; barriers to a joyful and fulfilling life; as well as other existential and personally philosophical questions. They can address these issues and questions with experienced trainers and supervisors utilizing the Beat the Odds insights and techniques. Also, the singular characteristic of our training program is its inherent professional burn-out prevention, improved resilience and balancing of professional and personal purpose, values and goals.

Trainees are able to see the effects of the concepts and skills that are taught and are immediately practiced. They can participate in impromptu therapy sessions, get involved in resolving crises and have a real-life, unscripted therapy experience with all of its uncertainties and depth. This helps to quickly build proficiency and competence as well as trust in the techniques the program offers.

Training is competency-based, meaning that certification is obtained by demonstrating the skills learned through practical application, as well as in the performance and delivery of the therapy program.

Training is offered for both helping professionals (e.g., physicians, psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, MFTs, LPCCs, etc.) and nonprofessionals.

FOR HELPING PROFESSIONALS, there are three certification levels:

I – Beat the Odds® Certified Therapist
Becoming a Beat the Odds® Certified therapist requires successful completion of three six-day residential retreat patient sessions (alternatively, a ten-week course or urban retreat). During the second and third courses, the trainee will be responsible for one or two patients under supervision. The trainee is expected to master all the techniques and show skill in the presentation of basic topics and concepts in feed-forward sessions.

The trainee also needs to complete basic training in Rational Behavior Therapy (e.g., a three-day level I workshop) and continue to work with patients using the Beat the Odds techniques under supervision.

Prior to the first course, the trainee is expected to complete Beat the Odds® Facilitator introductory training. This one-day interactive workshop focuses on acquiring practical skills in the Beat the Odds small (breakout) group process, engagement of participants, ability to explain fundamental concepts, and the Beat the Odds philosophy.

We also recommend participation in a free 3-hour workshop: “Have the Conversation” – Addressing End-of-Life Decisions that is offered quarterly at the Todd Cancer Institute.

II – Beat the Odds® Certified Supervisor
This certification is for those who are already certified as Beat the Odds therapist. To become a Beat the Odds certified supervisor, there is an additional requirement of successful completion of three six-day retreat patient sessions as a supervisor.

In addition, proficiency in the six modules of Boost the Odds Lifestyle Modification Interventions is required. This includes Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep and Rest, Laughter and Play, Creative Expression, and Connection with Nature.

III – Beat the Odds® Certified Trainer
This certification is for those who are already certified as a Beat the Odds supervisor and entails an additional requirement of successful completion of three six-day retreat patient sessions as a teaching therapist.

FOR Nonprofessionals:

At the present time, training is offered at one certification level:

Beat the Odds® Certified Mind-Body Medicine Coach

This certification requires the successful completion of three six-day retreat patient sessions. During the second and third sessions, the trainee will be responsible for one or two patients under supervision.

Also, the trainee needs to complete basic training in Rational Behavior Therapy (e.g., a three-day level I workshop) and continue to work with people utilizing the Beat the Odds techniques under supervision.

In addition, proficiency in the six modules of Boost the Odds Lifestyle Modification Interventions is required. This includes Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep and Rest, Laughter and Play, Creative Expression, and Connection with Nature.

In addition to participation in these sessions, there is the requirement of participating in the supervision between the six-day retreat patient sessions and additional requirements may be formulated in the process of supervision.
Motivated nonprofessionals may seek further training corresponding to professional certifications like Beat the Odds Certified Mind-Body Medicine Coach Supervisor and Beat the Odds Certified Mind-Body Medicine Coach Trainer.

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275, phone: (310) 377-4867, fax: (310) 541-1176. While the Mary & Joseph Retreat Center is rooted in the Catholic faith, they invite people of all religions and traditions. Conscious effort is made to make everybody feel welcome. Upon arrival, please let us know what we can do to make you feel more comfortable.

Residential 6-day BTO training retreat with supervision – $2,500.00 (excluding room and board).
The early bird special before September 10, 2018, is $2300.00. Substantial discounts are available for the 2nd and 3rd participation in the residential retreat.

For this retreat, we offer a 10%  discounted training fee (-$250) for 3 City of Hope employees and a  15% discounted training fee (-$375) for 4 or more COH  employees. Please choose the participant type marked with “COH 1 of 3 discount” or “COH 1 of 4+ discount,” respectively.

We offer special discounts to MemorialCare employees. Please call us at (562) 427-3897 for more information.

Early bird specials cannot be combined with any other discounts.
No discounts for registrations after September 10th, 2018.

Room and Board at the 6-day residential retreat (as of October 28-November 2, 2018):

• Per Person/Double for 5 nights with 14 meals: $599.00 (2 or more people per room)
• Per Person/Single for 5 nights with 14 meals $784.00 (1 person per room)
• Commuter rate (with lunch and dinner): $475 Per Person (includes continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks & refreshments)

For more info about all the fees. Please see: Training Fee Structure

To register, email office@wellness-psychiatry.com or call(562) 427-3897.

Maximum of 40.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ Click here for details
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Legal Disclaimer
The Beat the Odds® certification process is not a substitute for obtaining or maintaining professional licensure as required by local, State, and Federal authorities and by applicable laws and regulations. Also, the certification does not assume any expressed or implied liability of the Beat the Odds® program for certified individuals.