RDI® Professional Training Part I | Mindful Guide Consulting
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Now enrolling • Fall 2026 cohort

RDI® Professional Training

Part I

Learn the theoretical foundations of Dynamic Intelligence — and join a global community of RDI consultants.

Register now Download the training outline

The only RDI official training centre in Canada · Class sizes are limited

Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026Part I begins
Wednesdays, 5:00 – 7:30 pm ESTWeekly live sessions
Online via ZoomFormat
$2,835 USDTuition · plans available
Relationship Development Intervention

The only RDI® official training centre in Canada — training professionals internationally

A parent and child connecting
What it is

A career path for people who want to change lives.

The RDIconnect® Training Program is a unique educational program available for adults with credentials in a broad range of professional backgrounds. Certification allows you to work with families using the Relationship Development Intervention Program.

Consulting training covers ethics and managing the Certification Process, productive client communication, developing responsibility contracts, sensitive clinical interviewing, and avoiding the “instant expert” trap.

We are proud to be the only RDI official training centre in Canada — and we offer training internationally as well.

The curriculum

What you’ll cover

  • Neural developmentHow the developing brain builds — and rebuilds — the capacity for flexible thinking.
  • Dynamic IntelligenceThe theoretical foundations behind the core principles and goals of the programs.
  • CommunicationProductive client communication, and sensitive clinical interviewing.
  • Early childhood developmentTypical development as the reference point for guiding growth.
  • Etiology & pathogenesisMyths vs. science — what the research actually supports.
  • Professional practiceEthics, managing the Certification Process, responsibility contracts, and avoiding the “instant expert” trap.
Working with a family
Three foundations

What Part I builds

01

Develop Intrinsic Motivation

Classes prepare professionals to work with individuals with special needs — building the motivation that drives real, durable growth.

02

Train in Relationship Development

Lectures, small‑group discussion, live parent training sessions, video review and case studies equip you to empower parents through meaningful engagement.

03

Build Dynamic Intelligence

Learn the theoretical foundations behind the core principles and goals of the programs — and how they apply in real family life.

18months or less to certify, typically
14supervision projects
1–2hours of homework a week
10–20families in an average caseload
The pathway

From Part I to certified consultant

1

Part I

Weekly online training

Sept 30 – Dec 16, 2026. Lectures, small‑group discussion, live parent training sessions, video review and case studies — Wednesday evenings on Zoom.

2

Part II

Supervision

Fourteen supervision projects with families you recruit yourself. Realistically 7–9 months, though it can take longer — you do not want to rush it.

3

Certified

RDI® consultant

The entire process is typically complete in less than 18 months, depending on when you attend the trainings.

4

Practice

Your own caseload

You set your own fees. Certified rates vary between $100–$200 per hour, with an average caseload of 10–20 families.

Case study
From a non‑communicative 3.5‑year‑old to a happy, healthy young adult.

Katie’s story is the clearest picture of what this work makes possible — and of what you’ll be trained to guide families toward.

Katie case study
A family at home together
Why clients are loving us

The families behind the training

This is the work you’ll be trained to do — in the words of the families who lived it.

“

Probably more accurately, after doing RDI for a few years, we felt we seemed to just “get it”, more importantly “get” Liam and incorporate all that we learned just naturally into our everyday lives. I suppose that’s the beauty of RDI.

F.I. and E.R. · Elora, Ontario
“

I just had to email you and share …this morning my jaw dropped and my heart flipped when saying goodbye to my daughter, she stopped eating her breakfast, looked up at me – I mean truly looked at me – and said “I love you too!” This was a first and I attributed it all to the communication changes and recommendations you have given us. Thank you Lisa!

G.W. · Kitchener, Ontario
“

We truly feel that under the guidance of our consultant, Lisa Palasti, we have created for Jack and our family a true quality of life. Update: Jack is doing very well! It’s amazing to see how able he is to self‑regulate in comparison to where he was when we started RDI.

Andrea and Marc · Toronto, Ontario
“

She had a deep knowing of how to adjust herself to help him feel at ease, to allow him to feel the joy of connecting and interacting which ultimately led to an explosion of learning in all facets of life.

Carol
“

Lisa was also tremendously helpful in helping us teach Felix’s teachers not only how to help him but how to enjoy having him in their class.

Sue and Andre · Ottawa, Ontario
“

Thanks for all you have done for our family! We are very grateful to have chosen RDI and to have worked with you.

Jane M. · Guelph, Ontario
Investment

Two ways to start Part I

Both begin Wednesday, September 30 and run in the same room, at the same time, with the same instructor. The difference is how much of Part I you’re signing up for today.

Option 1

RDI® Professional Training — Part I

$2,835USD
The full Part I term · Wednesdays, Sept 30 – Dec 16, 2026 · 5:00–7:30 pm EST · live on Zoom

The first term of the full RDI® Professional Certification pathway — for professionals who want to work with families as a certified RDI® consultant.

  • Several payment plans available — completed before the course begins, and outlined during registration.
  • Scholarships, when available, are awarded on a first come, first serve basis upon request.
  • Applications take 2–3 business days to process. Class sizes are limited — apply at least one month before the first class.
Register now

Questions about tuition? Book a time to chat with the director.

Option 2New

RDI® Associate Training — Part I

$1,250
The first 7 classes of Part I · Wednesdays from Sept 30, 2026 · 5:00–7:30 pm EST · live on Zoom

We’ve heard from so many of you who want the RDI® framework in your practice but aren’t ready to commit to the full certification pathway. So we’ve opened the first part of Part I as a standalone step.

RDI® Associate Training gives you the theoretical foundations of Dynamic Intelligence: how the guiding relationship is restored, why dynamic thinking matters more than compliance, and how to see a child’s development through a completely different lens. You sit in the same classes as our certification candidates — you’re simply not signing up for the whole road at once.

Complete these classes and you’ll hold the RDI® Associate designation. If it lights you up — and it usually does — you can carry your credit straight into the full certification pathway. No repeating, no starting over. You just keep going.
Register now

Continue from where you left off.

Questions

Everything you’re wondering

The training

What’s included in the training?
Training includes learning the theoretical foundations behind the core principles and goals of our programs as they apply to neural development, Dynamic Intelligence, communication, early childhood development, etiology and pathogenesis and myths vs. science.
Is the training in person or online?
A combination of lectures, small group discussions, actual parent training sessions, video reviews and case studies will equip trainees to empower parents through meaningful engagements. We meet each Wednesday evening virtually.
How much homework is involved?
Each week through part 1 a & b, trainees will be given a homework assignment which will take 1–2 hours to complete. Self‑paced learning is also provided for trainees to expand their learning at their own pace.
Are there other RDI training options?
We are proud to be the only RDI official training centre in Canada and we offer training internationally as well.
Is RDI evidence‑based?
RDI was developed based on the latest cutting‑edge research. Founder, Dr. Steven Gutstein has spent well over 30 years continually engaging in a meta study of the best consensual research in the field of neuroscience, typical development and Autism. He has developed the clinical practice of RDI™ to deliver a clinically sound program based on progressive research. Additionally, there is a great deal of research supporting all aspects of RDI theory and this can be found on the RDI‑LS and is cited in “The RDI Book”. More RDI research.

Applying

My degree is not in Psychology — can I apply?
RDI™ consultants come from all kinds of educational / experiential backgrounds and a wide range of disciplines. All are welcome to apply as long as you meet the pre‑requisites. Some exceptions may apply. If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out.
When should I apply?
Class sizes are limited and occasionally fill up; therefore, it is best to give yourself plenty of time to apply — ideally at least one month prior to the date of the first class.
When will I hear back about my application?
Applications typically take 2–3 business days to process.
I have a child on the spectrum — why must I work with a consultant first?
Because our programs rely on rebuilding the early‑guided relationship between parent and child, it is imperative that there is an outside perspective to guide you in this process. The assessment from a third party gives clues to obstacles that are not readily apparent to parents and can provide a roadmap to moving forward. No matter what level of education or professional accomplishments a parent might have, things change when it is your own child who needs help. Additionally, it is important that parents and their children be afforded the opportunity to focus on developing their guiding relationship first and foremost.

Cost & funding

How much does it cost?
The training course is $2,835 USD. We offer several payment plans that must be complete before the start of the course — they are outlined during the registration process. If scholarships for the Professional Training Course Part I become available, they are awarded on a first come, first serve basis upon request.
How can I fund my training?
Entering the RDI® Professional Certification Program represents a significant financial commitment, similar to other educational endeavors. Though RDIconnect® is not set up to receive any type of government financial aid for our programs, there are many ways to creatively secure the necessary finances. Many trainees have secured funding via grants and/or fellowships through private and governmental agencies and professional organizations. Some trainees make arrangements with their employers, who view helping cover costs as an investment in the future of their business. Still others look to small business or personal loans to seed their new career path. If trainees are located in Canada, BC, Alberta, and Ontario provide funding for families to implement RDI programs. The supervision portion (Part 2) requires that trainees work with a supervision family through a series of projects — parents pay for this service, which can also help offset the cost of training. Payment plans can also be made available. Please feel free to book a time to chat with the director should you have questions about tuition.

Certification & practice

How long does it take to become certified?
Typically, the entire process can be completed in less than 18 months, depending on when you attend the trainings. Getting through the 14 supervision projects can realistically be done in 7–9 months, but it can also take much longer. Even if you are highly motivated, there are other factors at play including the commitment level of your families and their grasp of the material. You do not want to rush the process. If you feel like things are lagging, be sure and chat with your supervisor about this.
How do I find a supervision family?
RDIconnect® does not assign these families to you; it is the trainee’s responsibility to recruit them. A few ideas: ask a consultant for a referral — many have a heavy workload and are happy to refer; find and build relationships with potential clients where families with autism gather in your community, and connect with other professionals who support them; create flyers or marketing materials; and pop into the discussion boards and ask other RDI® consultants for help. Many more ideas are shared during training, along with tips to help build your caseload.
Can I charge my supervision family?
As a Consultant‑in‑Training you are functioning as an RDI® professional and we expect that you will receive professional fees for your services, which are real and valuable. It is typical that trainees charge a slightly reduced fee, but as a professional going into private practice, you will set your own fees — now is the time to begin thinking about this. Don’t hesitate to ask our community of consultants, or Lisa, for advice about these practical matters.
Can I work with more than two families?
Once you get through the first few projects with your supervision and case study families and begin to gain comfort with the curriculum, you are welcome and encouraged to add more families to your practice. Any additional families will not undergo supervision, though as a trainee you will continue to be supported.
What is the average caseload?
Your business will be what you make of it. You can decide how busy you want to be and how many clients you will serve at one time — an average caseload would be anywhere between 10–20 families. Some consultants have developed creative ways to provide more services to groups of families at once.
How much does an RDI consultant generally charge?
That will depend on each consultant, supply and demand and their disciplines. Once certified, rates can vary between $100–$200 per hour. Many consultants also use packaged rates, which can be beneficial in managing caseloads and ensuring that parents are committed to the process.
Can I work with clients at a distance?
RDI is a parent coaching model which works beautifully for virtual work. While we prefer face to face sessions, we have worked successfully with clients using video conferencing platforms. Lisa has worked successfully with clients from all over the world for well over a decade. Online distance work has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career — the ability to support and serve families that may not otherwise be able to access the very best guidance in helping their children achieve their greatest potential.
A family together at home
Begins Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Start the training that changes
how families connect.

Register now Download the RDI Professional Training Outline
Mindful Guide Consulting

Building minds. Empowering parents. Transforming families.

RDI® and RDIconnect® are registered trademarks. Mindful Guide Consulting is the only RDI official training centre in Canada.