Certification Program for Licensed Clinicians & Coaches

The Stronghold Assessment

A comprehensive relationship assessment system that gives you insight in minutes, not sessions. Built on 35,000+ hours working with couples in crisis. Certification required.

35,000+
Hours Informing Design
9
Assessment Domains
15-20
Minutes to Complete
Since 2007
Clinical Practice Experience

What Is the Stronghold Assessment?

The Stronghold Assessment is a comprehensive relationship evaluation tool designed for professional use with couples and individuals. It synthesizes concepts from established research into a single, actionable assessment that identifies patterns and guides your coaching approach.

Unlike generic questionnaires, the Stronghold Assessment was built from thousands of hours working with real couples in crisis. It captures dynamics that inform your work together and helps clients understand their relationship patterns.

The assessment generates an immediate clinical profile with specific, actionable insights to accelerate the intake and assessment process.

Sample Report Sections

Communication Pattern: Pursue-Withdraw Dynamic
Wife tends to pursue | Husband tends to withdraw
Emotional Awareness:
His self-report: developing | Hers: proficient
Attachment Tendencies:
His pattern: avoidant leaning | Hers: anxious leaning
Areas for Attention: 2 patterns noted
Elevated defensiveness | Boundary concerns present
Family Dynamics: Area of focus
Extended family involvement affecting couple

Nine Assessment Domains

Each domain draws from established research and practical application. The assessment identifies specific patterns within each area and flags concerns requiring attention.

CP

Communication Patterns

Identifies pursue-withdraw dynamics, speaker-listener imbalances, and communication breakdown patterns under stress.

CR

Conflict Resolution

Screens for destructive conflict patterns and identifies repair attempt success rates. Pinpoints specific areas of focus.

EQ

Emotional Intelligence

Measures self-awareness, empathy indicators, and emotional regulation patterns affecting relational connection.

AS

Attachment Styles

Identifies attachment patterns for both partners and maps how styles interact under relational stress.

FP

Financial Partnership

Assesses financial transparency, decision-making patterns, and money-related dynamics in the relationship.

IC

Intimacy & Connection

Evaluates emotional intimacy depth, physical connection satisfaction, and bid-for-connection response patterns.

FB

Family Boundaries

Identifies enmeshment patterns, loyalty conflicts, and extended family dynamics affecting the marriage.

PT

Personality Integration

Maps personality styles and identifies where differences create friction versus complementarity in the relationship.

CF

Clinical Flags

Screens for behavioral patterns that may require additional attention or specialized approaches.

How the Stronghold Assessment Can Help Your Practice

For Your Couples

Pattern Recognition
Couples see their dynamics mapped out clearly, often providing new perspective on recurring conflicts.
Reduced Defensiveness
When a report identifies patterns, neither partner feels singled out. The focus shifts to the dynamic, not the person.
Shared Language
Terms like "pursue-withdraw" give couples vocabulary for what they're experiencing.
Starting Point for Change
Understanding patterns can help couples feel more hopeful about working on their relationship.

For Your Practice

Structured Intake
Gather comprehensive relationship information before the first session to inform your approach.
Treatment Planning
Assessment results can help identify areas to focus on in your work together.
Progress Tracking
Re-administer periodically to track changes in self-reported patterns over time.
Professional Structure
Offer a structured assessment process as part of your intake protocol.

For Your Business

Additional Service Offering
Offer assessment as a standalone service or bundle with intake sessions.
Client Engagement
Pre-session assessment can increase client investment in the process.
Conversation Starter
Assessment insights give clients something concrete to discuss with others considering help.
Practice Differentiation
A structured assessment protocol can distinguish your practice approach.

Informed by Established Research

The Stronghold Assessment draws from established frameworks in couples research and professional practice.

PREPARE/ENRICH Concepts
Draws from relationship assessment methodology developed by Olson and colleagues.
Gottman Research
Incorporates concepts from Gottman's research on relationship dynamics and conflict patterns.
Attachment Theory
Based on Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment framework applied to adult relationships.
EFT Principles
Informed by Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Therapy approach to couples work.

Note: The Stronghold Assessment is a coaching tool developed from practical experience. It is not a diagnostic instrument and has not undergone independent validation studies.

Required for All Practitioners

Stronghold Assessment Certification

The Stronghold Assessment is not a questionnaire you hand out and score. It's a comprehensive framework that requires understanding of the underlying theory, proper administration, accurate interpretation, and effective delivery of results to couples.

Certification ensures you can use the assessment effectively and ethically, maximizing value for your clients while protecting the integrity of the tool.

Certification is required before purchasing assessment licenses.

Certification Includes:

Live Training (8 Hours)

Two half-day sessions covering theoretical foundation, administration protocols, interpretation guidelines, and results delivery

Case Study Practice

Work through real assessment results with supervision before using with your own clients

Training Manual

Comprehensive reference guide with scoring protocols, interpretation frameworks, and coaching recommendations

Consultation Access

90 days of email support for questions on specific cases and interpretation challenges

Certification Credential

Listed in our certified provider directory, authorized to administer and interpret results

Investment

Certification is a one-time investment. Assessment licenses are ongoing based on your practice volume.

Step 1: Get Certified

Stronghold Assessment Certification

$2,497

One-time certification fee

✓ 8 hours live training (virtual or in-person)
✓ Case study practice with supervision
✓ Complete training manual
✓ 90 days consultation access
✓ Certified provider listing
✓ 5 assessment credits included to start
Apply for Certification

Next cohort forming now. Limited to 12 practitioners per training.

Step 2: Assessment Licenses

After certification, choose the license structure that fits your practice volume.

Per-Assessment

$47 / assessment
  • Full 7-domain assessment
  • Detailed assessment report
  • Client-facing summary
  • No minimum commitment
  • Pay as you go
  • Email support

Best for: 1-3 assessments/month

Get Started

Annual License

$997 / year
  • Unlimited assessments
  • Full 7-domain assessment
  • Detailed assessment reports
  • Client-facing summaries
  • Priority email support
  • Quarterly case consultation
  • Early access to updates

Best for: 4+ assessments/month

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Group Practice

Custom
  • Multi-clinician certification
  • Unlimited assessments
  • Practice-wide training
  • Custom onboarding
  • Monthly consultation
  • White-label options
  • Dedicated support

Best for: Group practices, clinics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is certification required?
The Stronghold Assessment reveals sensitive relational dynamics. Misinterpretation or poor delivery of results can harm couples rather than help them. Certification ensures you understand the theoretical framework, can accurately interpret results, and know how to deliver findings in a way that creates insight rather than defensiveness. It also protects the integrity of the tool.
What are the prerequisites for certification?
You must be a licensed mental health professional (LMFT, LPC, LCSW, Psychologist) or a certified coach with documented training in couples work. We review applications to ensure participants have the foundational knowledge to benefit from the training.
How long does certification take?
The core training is 8 hours, typically delivered as two 4-hour sessions over two days. After training, you'll complete supervised case studies before being fully certified. Most practitioners are certified and ready to use the assessment within 2-3 weeks.
Is certification virtual or in-person?
Both options are available. Virtual training is conducted via Zoom with the same curriculum and interaction as in-person. In-person training is held in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Group practice trainings can be arranged at your location.
How do clients complete the assessment?
Clients receive a secure link via email. They complete the assessment online from any device. Results are delivered to you immediately upon completion. Most clients complete it in 15-20 minutes.
Can I use this with individual clients, not just couples?
Yes. The assessment works with individuals exploring relationship patterns, preparing for marriage, or processing relationship history. Individual reports focus on their patterns and tendencies. Interpretation for individuals is covered in certification.
How is this different from PREPARE/ENRICH?
PREPARE/ENRICH is excellent for premarital work and has extensive validation research. The Stronghold Assessment was designed specifically for couples already experiencing distress. It focuses on pursue-withdraw dynamics, family boundary issues, and conflict patterns commonly seen in crisis situations. The certification training covers when each tool might be appropriate.
What if I have questions about a specific case after certification?
Certification includes 90 days of consultation access for case questions. Annual license holders receive ongoing quarterly consultation calls. Complex cases benefit from discussion about what the assessment reveals and how to address it in your work.
Is there a recertification requirement?
Currently, certification does not expire. As the assessment evolves, certified practitioners receive updates and may be offered continuing education opportunities. Major version updates may include optional refresher training.

Ready to Add the Stronghold Assessment to Your Practice?

Schedule a call to learn more about certification, see sample reports, and discuss whether the Stronghold Assessment is right for your practice.

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Next certification cohort forming now. Space is limited to ensure quality training.