Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and Special Populations
A 10-month professional training for yoga teachers preparing to elevate mental health and promote human flourishing!
Learn to apply yoga therapy tools for conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction while gaining skills to support adolescents, seniors, caregivers, and clients in clinical and community settings
Begins January 17, 2026
• 125 or 172 hours
• One weekend per month
• 100% Virtual + Optional In-Studio Hybrid
• Tuition includes studio membership
Ready to Become a Joyologist?
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Are you a yoga teacher who feels called to mental health work and wants to understand how yoga can support sustained joy, resilience, and healing across all stages of life?
If you are ready to deepen your skills and learn how to apply yoga therapy tools for conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction — while also learning to work confidently with diverse populations — we invite you to join us for Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and Special Populations, beginning January 17, 2026.
This comprehensive course explores the mental and emotional body through a yoga therapy lens, examining the multidimensional nature of the human mind. You will learn to assess underlying patterns, correlating factors, and common side effects of mental health conditions, and how to skillfully apply yogic practices to support healing, regulation, and resilience.
In addition to mental health foundations, this course prepares you to work with special populations, including adolescents, clients with disabilities, geriatric clients, active seniors, caregivers, family members, and those receiving hospice care. The training also includes a 6-week Yoga Therapy + Lifestyle Medicine program focused on preventing and treating chronic disease, designed for implementation in hospitals, wellness centers, and community settings.
Trainees will also complete an asynchronous Yoga Therapy Business Practices and Professional Development course during June and July, supporting sustainable and ethical integration of yoga therapy into professional settings.
What You’ll Learn
• Assess the mental and emotional body using yoga therapy frameworks
• Understand correlating factors and side effects of mental health conditions
• Apply yogic tools for depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction
• Support nervous system regulation and resilience
• Work skillfully with special populations including adolescents, seniors, caregivers, and hospice clients
• Design therapeutic group and individual sessions
• Integrate Yoga Therapy + Lifestyle Medicine into clinical and community settings
Program Details
• Dates: January 17, 2026 – November 7, 2026
• Format: One full weekend per month
• Delivery: 100% Virtual with optional In-Studio Hybrid
• Total Hours: 125 or 172
Course Tuition
• $500 one-time registration fee
• $325/month for 8 months
• Total tuition: $3,100
• Tuition includes Be The Change Yoga studio membership
Is This Training Right for You?
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This course is ideal for yoga teachers and wellness professionals who feel called to mental health work and want a structured, ethical, and supportive pathway into yoga therapy. If you haven’t taken a 300hr YTT yet are are looking to become a Yoga Therapist, take time to meditate upon your 825hr Path Options.
We offer two options for this course:
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If you’re a yoga teacher looking to layer on a therapeutic lens, join us for Option #1 where you take the coursework. If you are on the path to becoming a yoga therapist, join us for Option #2 to receive the practicum prep component.
OPTION #1 COURSEWORK
If you are a yoga teacher who would like understand basic yoga therapy practices for mental health conditions and learn how to work with specific populations, we invite you to join us for this module.
- Course meets one weekend per month for 10 months
- 100% Virtual with In-Studio Hybrid option
- One full weekend per month
- Monthly auto-pay program ($325/mo for 8 months)
- One-time $500 Registration Fee
- Total Tuition: $3100
- Total Hours: 125 hours
Start date: January 17, 2026 – November 7, 2026
Click To View Syllabus
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Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and Special Populations w/o Practicum Prep
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Directors: Katie Allen and Megan McCarver
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Practicum Directors: Katie Allen and Megan McCarver
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YTMH1: January 17-18, 2026
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| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Introduction to the Manomaya and Vijnanamaya Koshas, Overview and Assessment – Robert Birnberg Katie 12:30-1:00, Robert 1:00-5:30PM | |
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Ayurveda: Aligning the Mind and Habits with the Rhythms of Nature – Arun Deva | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | |
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YTMH2: February 14-15, 2026
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| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Boundaries and Ethics of Being a Yoga Therapist – Megan McCarver | |
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy Applications for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Conditions – Megan McCarver | |
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Anxiety – Megan McCarver | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan McCarver | |
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YTMH3: March 14-15, 2026
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| Asynchronous | 4 | To be completed before Saturday | Application of Yoga Therapy for Grief and Loss – Cheri Dostal Ryba | |
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy as Lifestyle Medicine – Katie Allen | |
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for all Populations Living with Anxiety and Depression – Megan McCarver | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan | |
| YTMH4: April 18-19, 2026 | ||||
| Asynchronous | 3 | To be completed on / before Saturday morning | Application of Guided Imagery Tools for Mental Health Conditions – Amy Harper | |
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Manomaya Integration and Professional Practices – Eden Goldman | |
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy Tools: Meditation – Megan McCarver | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | |
| YTMH5: May 16-17, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Introduction to the Anandamaya Kosha – Megan McCarver | |
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Addiction, Working with Groups – Kelsey Delane Troup | |
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Chronic Pain – Megan McCarver | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan McCarver | |
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YTMH6: June and July, 2025
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13 | Asynchronous Business Module – Katie Allen | ||
| YTMH7: August 8-9, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy Applications for Women’s Health (Fertility + Menopause) – Dhurga Reddy | |
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | The Heart Centered Practice of Yoga and Cancer Care – Katie Allen | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | |
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YTMH8: September 12-13, 2026
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| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm |
Annamaya Integration + Yoga Therapy for Clients with Disabilities, Family Members / Care Takers, Children with Special Needs – Tess and Megan
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| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | End of Life Care and Yoga Therapy in Hospice – Andrea Deerheart | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Tess O’Hern | |
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YTMH9: November 7-8, 2026
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| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Working with an Integrative Healthcare Team – Tess O’Hern | |
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Summary of Yoga Therapy Course Planning for Mental / Emotional / Energetic Bodies Monday – Megan McCarver | |
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Integration of Mental / Emotional / Energetic Bodies Through Observation – Megan McCarver and Katie Allen | |
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan (relating to assessment) | |
| YTMH Synchronous Hours: | 89 | |||
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YTMH Asynchronous Hours:
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36 | |||
| Total YTMH Hours: | 125 | |||
OPTION #2 WITH PRACTICUM PREP
You are on the path to becoming a Yoga Therapist, you have completed the previous two modules and are ready to start your practicum hours.
- Course meets for 10 weekends over 16 months
- 100% Virtual with In-Studio Hybrid option
- One full weekend per month + one mid-month 3-hour review + integration class
- Monthly auto-pay program ($325/mo for 12 months)
- One-time $400 Registration Fee
- Total Tuition: $4300
- Total Hours: 172 hours
Start date: December 8th, 2025 – March 29, 2026
Click To View Syllabus
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Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and Special Populations with Practicum Prep
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Directors: Katie Allen and Megan McCarver
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Practicum Directors: Katie Allen and Megan McCarver
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Practicum Orientation: December 7, 2025
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| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 8:30 – 11:30am | Intro to Practicum and Clinic – Katie and Megan | ||
| Zoom | 2 | Sunday 12:30 – 2:30pm | Intro to Mental Health and Practicum Applications – Megan McCarver | ||
| Zoom | 2 | Sunday 3:00 – 5:00pm | Practicum Review and Integration of Annamaya and Pranamaya – Tess O’Hern | ||
| 16 | YTMH1: January 17-18, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Introduction to the Manomaya and Vijnanamaya Koshas, Overview and Assessment – Robert Birnberg Katie 12:30-1:00, Robert 1:00-5:30PM | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Ayurveda: Aligning the Mind and Habits with the Rhythms of Nature – Arun Deva | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | ||
| February 1, 2026 | |||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm |
(12) February 1, 2026 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Integration, Practicum Preparation and Mentorship – Megan McCarver
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| 17 | YTMH2: February 14-15, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Boundaries and Ethics of Being a Yoga Therapist – Megan McCarver | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy Applications for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Conditions – Megan McCarver | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Anxiety – Megan McCarver | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan McCarver | ||
| 18 | YTMH3: March 14-15, 2026 | ||||
| Asynchronous | 4 | To be completed before Saturday | Application of Yoga Therapy for Grief and Loss – Cheri Dostal Ryba | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy as Lifestyle Medicine – Katie Allen | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for all Populations Living with Anxiety and Depression – Megan McCarver | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan | ||
| 19 | YTMH4: April 18-19, 2026 | ||||
| Asynchronous | 3 | To be completed on / before Saturday morning | Application of Guided Imagery Tools for Mental Health Conditions – Amy Harper | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Manomaya Integration and Professional Practices – Eden Goldman | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy Tools: Meditation – Megan McCarver | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | ||
| May 3, 2026 | |||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (13) May 3, 2026 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Integration, Practicum Preparation and Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 20 | YTMH5: May 16-17, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Introduction to the Anandamaya Kosha – Megan McCarver | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Addiction, Working with Groups – Kelsey Delane Troup | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Applications of Yoga Therapy for Chronic Pain – Megan McCarver | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan McCarver | ||
| May 31, 2026 | |||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (14) May 31, 2026 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Integration, Practicum Preparation and Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 21 & 22 | YTMH6: June and July, 2026 | 13 | Asynchronous Business Module – Katie Allen | ||
| 23 | YTMH7: August 8-9, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy Applications for Women’s Health (Fertility + Menopause) – Dhurga Reddy | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | The Heart Centered Practice of Yoga and Cancer Care – Katie Allen | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Katie Allen | ||
| 24 |
YTMH8: September 12-13, 2026
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| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Annamaya Integration – Tess O’Hern | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy for Clients with Disabilities, Family Members / Care Takers, Children with Special Needs – Tess and Megan | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | End of Life Care and Yoga Therapy in Hospice – Andrea Deerheart | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Tess O’Hern | ||
| 25 | October 4, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm |
(15) October 4 2026 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Integration, Practicum Preparation and Mentorship – Megan McCarver
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| 26 | YTMH9: November 7-8, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | Working with an Integrative Healthcare Team – Tess O’Hern | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Summary of Yoga Therapy Course Planning for Mental / Emotional / Energetic Bodies Monday – Megan McCarver | ||
| Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Integration of Mental / Emotional / Energetic Bodies Through Observation – Megan McCarver and Katie Allen | ||
| Asynchronous | 2 | To be completed before Sunday Mentorship | 2 hours asynchronous Online – Megan (relating to assessment) | ||
| 26 | YTMH10: November 22, 2026 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (16) November 22, 2026 Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Group Practicum Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 28 | YTMH11: January 24, 2027 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (17) January 24, 2027 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Group Practicum Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 29 | YTMH12: February 21, 2027 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (18) February 21, 2027– Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Group Practicum Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 30 | YTMH13: March 21, 2027 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm | (19) March 21, 2027 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Group Practicum Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| 31 | YTMH14: April 10-11, 2027 | ||||
| Zoom | 3 | Saturday 8:30 – 11:30am | (20) April 11, 2027 – Sunday 9:00 – 12:00pm – Integration, Practicum Preparation and Mentorship – Megan McCarver | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Saturday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Yoga Therapy Marketing and Professional Photography – Katie Allen | ||
| IN-STUDIO + Zoom | 5 | Sunday 12:30 – 5:30pm | Trainees Final Presentations | ||
| YTMH Synchronous Hours: | 136 | ||||
| YTMH Asynchronous Hours: | 36 | ||||
| Total YTMH Hours: | 172 |
Apply Now!

Unlimited Yoga Membership
Yoga therapist training students receive a complimentary yoga membership (in-studio + virtual) while enrolled throughout the duration of our training programs.

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the program pre-requisites?
The Applicant must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age;
2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent;
3. Have a 200-hour yoga teaching certificate from a Yoga Alliance registered school;
4. Have at least one (1) year of teaching experience;
5. Have at least one (1) year of personal practice.
To be eligible for enrollment in any of the courses, the Applicant must:
1. Complete the On-line Application;
2. Provide a copy of the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
3. Pay the registration fee for the course
Is there a requirement to be in-studio?
No, there is no requirement where you have to attend classes in-person. You are welcome to take the entire course remotely via Zoom.
What is the time commitment?
If you are enrolled in Option #1 the course meets one weekend per month for 10 months.
If you are enrolled in Option #2 the course meets for 10 weekends over 16 months as well as one mid-month 3-hour review + integration class on a Sunday morning.
What if I miss a Yoga Therapist Training class?
We understand that life happens, and sometimes you may need to miss a class. Below are the options available for making up missed content:
Make-Up Options
Option 1: Asynchronous Completion
Watch the class recording (available in Google Drive) and complete the related quiz or assignment in Google Classroom.
- Trainees may complete up to 40% of the program asynchronously in line with IAYT accreditation standards..
Option 2: Attend with the Next Cohort
You may make up missed lectures the following year with the next class.
Option 3: Private or Group Mentorship
If you would like additional support or in-depth study, you may schedule a make-up session with an instructor.
- $55/hour for an individual session
- $35/hour per person for groups of two or more
Once you’ve completed a Make-Up class, please email
Tiffanie@bethechangeyoga.com
How much does the training cost?
We have developed a monthly auto-pay plan to make tuition more affordable and easier to manage. Tuition includes studio membership at Be The Change Yoga for the duration of the training.
OPTION #1 COURSEWORK
If you are a yoga teacher who would like understand basic yoga therapy practices for mental health conditions and learn how to work with specific populations, we invite you to join us for this module.
- Course meets one weekend per month for 10 months
- 100% Virtual with In-Studio Hybrid option
- One full weekend per month
- Monthly auto-pay program ($325/mo for 8 months)
- One-time $500 Registration Fee
- Total Tuition: $3100
- Total Hours: 125 hours
Start date: January 17, 2026 – November 7, 2026
OPTION #2 WITH PRACTICUM PREP
You are on the path to becoming a Yoga Therapist, you have completed the previous two modules and are ready to start your practicum hours.
- Course meets for 10 weekends over 16 months
- 100% Virtual with In-Studio Hybrid option
- One full weekend per month + one mid-month 3-hour review + integration class
- Monthly auto-pay program ($325/mo for 12 months)
- One-time $400 Registration Fee
- Total Tuition: $4300
- Total Hours: 172 hours
Start date: December 8th, 2025 – March 29, 2027
Click Here to Download 825hr Pathways Document for Students enrolled in our 300hr YTT
Refund Policy
- Our auto-pay program includes a one-time non-refundable registration fee per module and the specified autopay terms for each module.
- Trainee will receive a full refund (minus the registration fee) if they withdraws from the training at least 3 days before taking any classes by notifying AlcheMe Yoga Therapy / Be The Change Yoga in writing.
- If trainee chooses to withdraw from the training after the initial start date, they can cancel the monthly auto-pay program. Any tuition paid once classes have been taken is non-refundable.
- Any unused tuition will remain on trainee’s account for future trainings at then current, a la carte rate, minus a $200 administrative fee.
- If trainee withdraws from the autopay program and seeks to re-enroll for 825hr certification at a later date, a $200 administrative fee will be required. Trainee will resume autopay at the then current price.
- If trainee continues enrollment in the auto-pay program but is unable to attend all courses during the 26-month period; they can complete the 26-month autopay program and apply the funds towards future 825hr YTT classes and complete the coursework at a later date.
- The 825hr Yoga Teacher Training program must be completed within a 4-year period
How do I apply?
If you are interested in taking one course a time, please fill out the application for each module:
- Yoga Therapy for Musculoskeletal Ailments Course
- Yoga Therapy for the Energetic Body & Human Systems Course
- Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and Special Populations Course
- Practicum Supervision and Group Mentorship Course
If you are interested in completing the entire training and becoming a Yoga Therapist:
Please fill out the application form CLICK HERE and email Katie@bethechangeyoga.com after submission.
In addition, submit your two letters of recommendation (1 personal and 1 professional) using the following Letters of Recommendation Link. We will review your materials and reply in 1-2 weeks. Upon acceptance into the program, you can pay the $600 registration fee. Tuition for month 1 will be due on the first day of class, as trainees become enrolled in the monthly autopay program.
