What is the Return to Joy Theory Course?

An online course that builds upon the foundational principles of the Life Model and THRIVE Relational Skills Training taught in the Thrive Premier Theory Course 1: Joy and Quiet as well as Thrive Premier Training, Track 1. The course is designed to develop an understanding of how to train the brain to regulate negative emotions. It focuses on the "big 6" distressing emotions—Sadness, Anger, Fear, Shame, Despair, and Disgust—that can cause the brain to go into a state of desynchronization.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is for three primary audiences:
  • Professionals seeking continuing education units (CEUs): This course is a valuable resource for those in the mental and behavioral health fields, as well as educators and other professionals looking to expand their knowledge and earn CEU credits.
  • Individuals interested in personal growth and development: Anyone who wants to better understand the brain science behind topics like joy, peace, emotional regulation, and maturity will find this course beneficial. It offers a solid theoretical foundation for personal growth and understanding the principles taught in THRIVE training.
  • Anyone preparing to attend Track 2 of Thrive Premier Training: This course is the required prep work for the 5-day in-person training. It is designed for those who have completed a year of joy training and are ready to learn how to build a "Resilient Identity" by training their brains to regulate negative emotions.

Course Objectives

This course prepares participants with the basic theory needed to attend Thrive Premier Training Track 2, the in-person “lab” component designed to complement this theory education on Return to Joy. To learn more, visit https://thrivetoday.org/premier-training/.

Upon completion of this course, participants will better understand the following, regardless of whether or not they choose to complete the in-person training:

  • Storytelling components that synchronize the five levels of the brain's processing pathway.
  • Intervention processes when the brain is stuck in complex emotions (is desynchronized).
  • How to Identify attachment styles.
  • How to Identify the six levels of human maturity.
  • What it means to "act like myself" (remain synchronized) during any of the "big 6" negative emotions.

Note: The Thrive Premier Theory Course 2 makes references to the in-person Thrive training designed to complement this course. These references can be disregarded by anyone not planning to attend the in-person training.

Course Topics

This course covers a wide range of topics central to building a resilient identity and returning to joy, including:

  • Brain synchronization between the left and right hemispheres.
  • Emotional regulation, specifically returning to joy from the "Big 6" negative emotions.
  • Maturity, including identifying the six stages of human maturity in yourself and others.
  • Attachment styles
  • Energy responses, including recognizing high (sympathetic) and low (parasympathetic) energy states.
  • Interventions for when the brain is stuck in complex, desynchronized emotions.

What's Included

The course provides a rich learning experience with the following components:

  • 30 Lessons and 6 hours of video content from Dr. Jim Wilder, including some video content from Chris Coursey.

  • Discussion questions, quizzes, articles, videos, and practical exercises.

  • Instructive reading material (required), including Growing Us: Becoming an Adult, The Pandora Problem, and The General, The Boy and Recapturing Joy.

  • An exercise guide: Mastering Joy and Rest.

Course Curriculum

    1. A Short Welcome from Chris Coursey

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Before We Begin...

    1. Basic Overview

    2. Synchronizing the Brain

    3. RC's and Immanuel

    4. 4+ Stories

    5. 4+ Story from Chris

    6. Immanuel Stories

    1. Stop the Sark

    2. Level 5 Pain

    3. Level 4 Maturity

    4. Belonging and Maturity

    5. Addictions and Malfunctions

    6. Restoring Maturity

    7. The Power of Maturity and Stories

    1. Joy

    2. The Control Center

    3. Level 3 Pain

    4. Return to Joy and Peace

    5. Loss of Control Center Synchronization

    6. Interventions

    7. Acting Like Ourselves

    8. Returning to Joy Challenges

    9. Getting More Freedom and Power

    10. Additional Tools

    11. Managing What We Feel

    1. Brain Synchronization

    2. Level 2 Pain

    3. Level 2 Synchronization

    4. Love and Fear Bonds

    5. Level 2 Doesn't Ask Permission

    1. Belonging and Pain

    2. Healthy Bonds

    3. Level 1 Brain Synchronization

    4. Strategic Interventions

    5. Forming Bonds

    6. Level 1 Creates Our Reality

About this course

  • $299.00
  • 40 lessons
  • 6 hours of video content

Instructor(s)

Ph.D., Neurotheologian Jim Wilder

Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the founder and chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works, a non-profit organization that uses brain science and biblical principles to address solutions for trauma and how to strengthen relationships.

Jim grew up in South America and is fluent in English and Spanish. He is the author of 20 books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. His co-authored book, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, has sold over 100,000 copies and is printed in 14 languages. Jim has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership trainings. He has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere.

President, THRIVEtoday Chris Coursey

For over 25 years, THRIVEtoday president Chris Coursey has been using the Life Model to work with families, communities and individuals with severe trauma. Learning brain science, creating brain-based exercises and working with Dr. Jim Wilder has brought clarity to effectively serve and equip people who are on a journey of growth and recovery.

Chris is passionate about giving support to counselors and teaching people how relational skills can be applied to the important work of walking with people so they reach their God-given potential. Whether you are a licensed counselor, coach, pastor, or lay minister, there are exciting implications for how we can more effectively use relational brain skills to help people heal, mature and grow.

Course Permissions

Pricing of this course is for individual use only and does not include permission to share the material with others.

If you are attending a Premier Training and your partner is a family member in the same household, you can email [email protected] for a partner discount.

Course Access

You will have access to the course for 5 years starting on the date you purchase. If your course expires and you're still using the content, please email us to extend your access.

FAQs

Visit: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com and scroll down. Still have questions? Email [email protected]