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9 - Week DNMS Hybrid Training Program

A Masterclass in Treating Dissociative, Attachment-Wounded Adults

New Class Taught by Amy Blake, LCSW - Date/Time TBD

The 9 Week DNMS Hybrid Training Course integrates a
Self Study Webinar and an Online Interactive Class

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16-Hour, Self Study,
On-demand Webinar

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9-Week, Online
Interactive Class

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9-Week Hybrid Training

Combines the flexibility and economy of a self-study webinar with the the nurturing support of a small interactive class. Two-hour classes meet for 9 weeks to practice lessons learned in the 16-hour on-demand webinar. It's a step towards completing the Basic DNMS Training for The DNMS Institute.

Next Class Dates and Times TBD

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Are you ready for better outcomes in your work with trauma and attachment wounds?

You are in the right place if you want to

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Better serve your clients by learning the therapeutic process that experienced trauma therapists call "The Missing Piece."

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Be on the cutting edge of mental health modalities and hone in on a skill set that very few mental health professionals currently possess.

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Learn and grow professionally in an environment where it is safe and comfortable to make mistakes.

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Develop the understanding and the skills to help the clients who have challenging protective/defensive behaviors.

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Guide the healing of attachment wounds without fostering dependency on the therapist.

Register Now

 Online Interactive Class New Dates and Times TBD

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Trainer: Amy Blake, LCSW

Dates:  TBD

Time: TBD

Class Size: Maximum of 20 students

Register Now
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DNMS Overview

The DNMS is a therapy approach developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt. It’s a state-of-the-art treatment for adult clients suffering the effects of childhood wounding — the kind that leads to dissociated child parts stuck in a painful past. These easily triggered child-parts drive many of the unwanted behaviors, beliefs, emotions, and urges clients seek therapy to treat. The DNMS focuses on healing the attachment wounds at the root of these symptoms by connecting wounded child parts to inner attachment-figure Resources. As child parts form a secure attachment to these nurturing Resources, they feel seen, heard, understood, valued, and loved — often for the first time. As more and more child parts heal this way, clients become more stable and better able to regulate emotions, and they report more symptom relief. The DNMS is helpful for all therapists who work with adults wounded in childhood, but it’s especially helpful for EMDR therapists who struggle to prepare dissociative, attachment-wounded clients for trauma processing.

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The 9-Week Hybrid Training

This training, developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt, teaches DNMS interventions for getting a history, mobilizing Resources, establishing a Special Safe Place, stabilizing wounded parts, and more. It combines the flexibility and economy of a self-study webinar with the nurturing intimacy of a small, interactive class focused on practice. And because it’s fully online, you can do it all from the comfort of your home or office.

Here's How It Works

Self-Study Lesson

Each week you’ll watch a weekly lesson from either of two 16-Hour DNMS On-Demand Webinars. (Some weeks there’s a short reading assignment, too.) To prepare for class discussions, you’ll answer a list of case vignette questions. Then the day before class you'll submit answers to a short quiz, along with questions you’d like answered in class. It can take up to 3-4 hours each week to complete all the self-study assignments. Click Here to see each weekly lesson topic.

Interactive Online Classes

Classes meet for 2 hours once a week on Zoom, for 9 weeks.
Each class is structured around 3 tasks:
(1) a brief lesson review
(2) a question and answer period
(3) practice with case vignettes. Time permitting, students can also discuss how their DNMS practice is going.

Practice by Case Vignette

It’s easy to watch a lesson and understand a concept. It’s harder to put it into practice. Over the 9 weeks, you'll be challenged to answer dozens of case vignette questions on multiple topics (like case conceptualization, Resource mobilization, and soothing oppositional parts). Each vignette is focused on a small piece of a larger intervention. As each small piece is mastered, skill with the whole intervention grows. Thoughtfully working through case-vignette questions before class, prepares you for a rich group discussion in class. Our aim is to help you develop critical thinking skills to flexibly navigate case complexity with confidence.

Why Not Practice Dyads?

Many trauma-treatment training pair students in practice dyads to treat each other’s traumas – with or without a facilitator checking in. While that can sometimes work well, there’s always a risk that the student “therapist” will be completely unprepared to guide a fellow student “client” beset with complex childhood wounding, through unfamiliar protocol steps. To eliminate that risk, this hybrid training uses multiple case vignettes, covering a wide variety of clients and presenting issues, to test application skills. This is a very safe way to make mistakes, learn and grow – building skill and confidence quickly and effectively. Students who also want a practice dyad experience are encouraged to pair up with another student to practice on each other between classes – with or without the support of a skilled facilitator.

Read Participant Expectations Here

  • Make every effort to attend all 9 online classes in person.
  • Plan for up to 4 hours a week to complete all self-study lessons, homework, and practice preparation.
  • Actively participate in class discussions.
  • Keep Zoom camera on during class.
  • Submit the weekly homework (5 multiple-choice questions) at least 24 hours prior to class.
  • Participate in all 9 classes and complete homework to get 18 CEs.
  • If all or part of a class is missed, a recording of it will be sent along with quiz questions. Review the recording, answer the quiz questions, and return your answers to your instructor within 7 days to fulfill the class participation requirement.
  • If you will be missing more than 2 classes, you will need to speak to your instructor and have a plan for meeting the training requirements.
  • It is highly recommended you get the self-study webinar at least one week before the first class.
  • Before the first class, you will have an assignment and homework to complete and submit.

Benefits of the Training

Therapists skilled in working with dissociative clients are in high demand. This training provides an excellent foundation for treating dissociative, attachment-wounded clients by teaching therapists how to navigate the complex landscape of parts work.

Read the benefits reported by program graduates below.

Within a few weeks of the training, I was able to begin implementing what I was learning and my clients told me that what we were doing was helping in a new way. The DNMS model has given me a significant reframe of my work and my client’s healing.  Places where I once felt stuck with clients have become portals rather than obstacles as I’ve learned to lean in and be curious.  Even if I’m not working with a client with significant attachment wounding, many of the things I’ve learned from DNMS are now a part of how I do therapy

- Mary Horne, LCSW Owner, TRIBE Psychotherapy, PLLC Little Rock, AR

Learning the DNMS has allowed me to address attachment wounding in a more effective way. As a result of the DNMS training, I conceptualize cases differently. I now am more in tune with "What the client didn't have happen" and not just focus on what did happen.

- Bev Dean, MA NCC LPC CCTP CCATP ACS PMH-C - New Jersey

I have specialized in working with couples, addictions recovery, and sexual issues for over 30 years.  Learning the DNMS has allowed me to offer a more effective process for helping clients heal from childhood emotional wounding.  I had techniques I used but I like the idea of a structured, comprehensive theory to work from. I think this process will be especially helpful for my patients struggling with addictions or sexual acting out.

- Ann Langley, PhD, Redwood City, CA

Learning DNMS Phase 1 has significantly enhanced my ability to assess clients' foundational stability and create tailored treatment plans. I feel more confident in helping clients develop internal resources during EMDR therapy phases 1 and 2, and I'm eager to learn DNMS Phases 2-3 to further refine my trauma reprocessing skills. The most impactful aspect has been the improvement in my skills around working with relational trauma. I now feel better equipped to help clients navigate emotional childhood wounding, including enmeshment issues, while maintaining cultural sensitivity.

If you're considering DNMS training with Amy Blake, I wholeheartedly recommend it! It's the perfect complement to your EMDR practice.

- Patricia Parra Moreno, LICSW, LCSW-C, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia

I highly recommend this training for anyone seeking to find new, innovative ways to work with attachment-wounded clients that actually work!

- Susan Darker-Smith

This is a wonderful class that has made a transformation in my practice

- Allison Hansen, LCSW, Denver, CO

I am quite thankful that I made the choice to take this course. It has been invaluable knowledge to add to my practice and work with clients. I feel like I have much left still to learn but that I am headed in the right direction.

- Erin Joudrey, LCSW

DNMS is the missing puzzle piece! My clients will experience more complete, deep healing with me using this brilliant therapy strategy.

- Stephanie Nickel, LPC, Delta, CO

Founder of Get Grace Counseling

Learning about the DNMS has transformed my practice.  For me, it was like being given a UV light and seeing patterns that had previously been invisible.  Now, I'm looking for what was missing in my clients' childhoods.  I highly recommend learning DNMS.

- Heather Krimsly, LCSW, Corvallis, Oregon

EMDR Certified Therapist

The DNMS has given me exactly what I needed to serve those clients suffering from attachment-related wounds.  This approach has allowed me to directly address and partner with my clients to heal attachment wounds that are preventing their adult-selves from living their best lives

If you are considering training in the DNMS with Amy Blake, I say absolutely go for it!  DNMS is THE missing piece to address attachment wounding.  Every therapist, regardless of what issues they work with, has attachment-wounded clients.  This ego-state therapy will make you a better therapist and you will see results in your clients quickly!

- Jessica Thompson, LCSW, Columbus, GA

Attachment-oriented psychodynamic therapist working with children, adolescents and adults with numerous concerns. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who joyfully provides a safe, validating space for my community in a region of the country where biases still live out loud.

This training was absolutely fantastic. The best learning experience of my career.

- Marlene Furey

My case conceptualization and stabilization intervention skills for the thorough and thoughtful preparation of complex clients for trauma therapy have gotten a major boost, and my confidence for working with the wounded parts of clients' personalities has soared as a result of this training.

- Marlene Furey

I highly recommend this class. Love this model.

- Mary McInerney

This was an excellent class! It was well planned and provided so much information.

- Melissa Finley

I thoroughly enjoyed the hybrid format and felt it met my learning style perfectly.

- CJ DeMarco

I loved everything about this class. I wholeheartedly recommend this course! Taking this 9-week course skyrocketed my learning, boosting my confidence. I've gained valuable insights into effective communication and learned strategies to inspire improvement in the health of my patients.

- Loan Pham

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Basic DNMS Training Completion

To fulfill all the requirements of the Basic DNMS Training you'll need to complete the 9-week Hybrid Class plus participate in 12 hours of consultation. At least 6 hours must be individual consultation with an approved DNMS consultant. The remainder can be in group consultation, provided you bring a case or question to the group.

When you complete week 9 of the Hybrid Class you'll be added to a DNMS Institute Consultation Group Listserv that's just for class graduates. This will keep you notified of upcoming online consultation group meetings. (The cost to attend a 1-hour group is $50 US. Join when you want. Pay as you go.) Class participants will be given the option to pre-purchase 3-hour blocks of individual consultation sessions with Shirley Jean Schmidt at 20% off. Once you complete all 12 hours of consultation, the DNMS Institute will add you to the DNMS website Find-a-Therapist Page with the designation "Completed Basic DNMS Training."

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the significance of a client's foundational stability.
  2. Explain the significance of differentiating trauma and attachment wounding.
  3. Describe the steps for getting an attachment history.
  4. Describe 3 interventions that prepare clients for stabilizing wounded parts.
  5. Describe 3 interventions for stabilizing wounded parts.
  6. Describe 2 interventions for overcoming processing blocks.
  7. Describe 2 concepts relevant to staying attuned while working with wounded parts.

Target Audience

This training contains beginning, intermediate, and advanced level content. It’s for licensed mental health professionals (or those on a path to becoming licensed) who work with adults wounded in childhood -- especially those with attachment wounds and dissociative disorders.

Training Instructor

The class agenda and materials have been developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt.

This class will be taught by DNMS approved consultant and trainer, Amy Blake, LCSW.
 Learn More about Amy Blake, LCSW.

How to Enroll in Amy Blake's Class

Enrollment is a two-step process. Step 1, register for the live online class, and Step 2, subscribe to a self-study webinar on the DNMS website. Before registering, please read the Participant Expectations section above.

Step 1: Register for the live, Online Class

Amy's next class is scheduled to start January 29, 2026 and will meet for 9 consecutive Thursdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm Eastern.  The registration fee is $1080 when you pay in full. There is also 3-payment option.  Classes are limited to 20 students. This is a very popular class. Register early to save your place. Be sure to read the Participant Expectations section above.

Register Now

Step 2: Select and Subscribe to a Self-Study Webinar

After registering for the 9-Week DNMS Hybrid Training, you will receive a coupon code for a $100 discount on your purchase of the 16-hour DNMS webinar of your choice.

Click on a link below to read a full webinar description and subscribe. If EMDR is important to you, select Webinar Option 1, otherwise select the Webinar Option 2.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have the (recently-retired) 10-hour DNMS webinar before 2023, you'll need to upgrade to their new 16-hour version. They'll deduct what you paid for the 10-hour webinar from the cost the newer one. ">Email them @ for a coupon code.

Webinar Option 1:
How to Prepare Dissociative,
Attached Wounded Clients for EMDR

Read More & Subscribe

Webinar Option 2:
How to Stabilize Dissociative,
Attached Wounded Clients

Read More & Subscribe

Read what Amy's students have to say

Jessica Thompson

I found Amy Blake, LCSW to be patient, kind, calm, knowledgeable and inclusive. These skills made the learning space feel safe and relaxing so that I could focus on absorbing the information fully each session.
Training in the DNMS with Amy Blake, LCSW has improved my practice by giving me an evidence-based intervention that directly addresses attachment wounding.  So many clients are living with attachment wounds and have a number of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, poor boundaries, bipolar and personality disorders as a result.  Amy has helped me make connections and identify attachment wounds in these clients so I can confidently propose the DNMS as a targeted treatment option.

Jessica Thompson, LCSW, Columbus, GA

I am an attachment-oriented psychodynamic therapist that works with children, adolescents and adults with numerous concerns. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and joyfully provide a safe, validating space for my community in a region of the country where biases still live out loud.
Mary Horne

I highly recommend taking this training in person.  The material can be learned on one’s own, but it was Amy’s modeling of the DNMS approach through each step of the training that helped me fully understand and embody this approach.  She conveyed the warmth, respect, curiosity, and openness that is integral to DNMS each step of the way.

- Mary Horne, LCSW Owner, TRIBE Psychotherapy, PLLC Little Rock, AR

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Amy Blake is a gifted teacher and clinician. She is by far one of the best instructors I have had in my long career as a psychotherapist and director. Her clear, insightful style of teaching is delivered with warmth and compassion, making it a safe learning environment.

- Leigh Bryant, LICSW

Amy is a clear, thoughtful and deeply attuned clinician. Her low-key style creates a lot of room for her deeply attuned communications that feel nothing short of genuine and growth-promoting. 

- Deborah Cassidy-Charron, PhD

I have found Amy Blake, LCSW to be very helpful and I have shared the DNMS info with many colleagues.

- Bev Dean, MA NCC LPC CCTP CCATP ACS PMH-C, New Jersey

I found Amy Blake to be a skilled teacher as well as a well-trained therapist.  This is a rare quality in a teacher/therapist.  She is knowledgeable regarding a complex process involving many complicated steps and language with which I was not familiar. She was helpful integrating these practices and procedures into work that most of us in the class had been doing for some time.

- Ann Langley, PhD, Redwood City, CA

Patricia Parra Moreno

I am so glad I trusted my gut and went with Amy as a teacher. She is knowledgeable about the DNMS and also flexible enough to account for the complexities of our individual clients. I enjoyed her "person in environment" lens and her attention to cultural sensitivity. She normalized confusions and created an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions.

- Patricia Parra Moreno, LICSW, LCSW-C, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia

Carolyn Daitch, PHD

I found Amy Blake, LCSW, to be a kind, sensitive clinician and a gifted instructor. She is a patient and clear communicator.

The DNMS is an excellent adjunct to any approach to psychotherapy.  In addition, Amy models the qualities we strive for as we treat our clients. I give Amy and her class my highest recommendation.

- Carolyn Daitch, Ph.D., West Bloomfield, Michigan and Naples, Florida

Elected Fellow: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and Michigan Psychological Association, Author: The Affect Regulation Toolbox; Anxiety Disorders: Go-to Guide; Anxious in Love; and The Road to Calm Workbook, Director: The Center for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

I learned so much from this process and really appreciate the warmth and competence from which Amy presented.

- Dr. Melissa Jinariu

Amy Blake was an absolutely phenomenal facilitator, teacher and guide. She is clearly so knowledgeable about the work. She also has a kind and gentle approach to her interactions with me and fellow attendees.

- Erin Joudrey, LCSW

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Amy is an exceptional trainer.  She is a knowledgeable, skilled, and very experienced therapist.  I've found her support in learning the DNMS to be invaluable. 

- Heather Krimsly, LCSW, Corvallis, Oregon

EMDR Certified Therapist
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Amy Blake is a skilled teacher, very clear with her explanations and highly recommended!

- Toby Kantor, LCSW

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Getting the DNMS Book

Some lesson assignments require reading passages in the 2020 DNMS book. Once you’ve registered for the class and have subscribed to the 16-hour webinar, the DNMS Institute will give you access to a PDF copy of the 2020 DNMS book. The PDF is not downloadable. It is only viewable online. You can order the Amazon Kindle version, which is downloadable, in color, and easy to read on any device without an internet connection. Or you can order the paperback version from Amazon. If you are not in the US, it’s best to order it from your local Amazon Marketplace. Amazon will print the book in your country and mail it to you.

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Continuing Education Credit

When you complete the Hybrid Training, you'll receive two Certificates of Completion: one from the DNMS Institute for the self-study webinar and one from the instructor for the interactive online class. Most U.S. therapists can earn 16 CEs for the self-study webinar and 18 CEs for the interactive class. Hover here or click here to verify you’re covered.

Cancelation Policy

If you need to cancel, email

Cancellations made by 11:59pm Eastern January 8, 2026 will be refunded minus a $100 administrative fee.

There will be no refunds after January 8, 2026. You will have the option of moving your payment to a future training.

Unanswered Questions?

If you have any questions about this hybrid training in general, contact Shirley Jean Schmidt at . If you have questions about a specific 9-week class, contact Amy Blake at .

Having a Problem?

For problems related to the webinar or DNMS website, contact the Institute at

For problems related to the class, like technical issues with Zoom, or scheduling issues, contact Amy Blake at  

Grievance Policy

Amy Blake will make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Participants who are unhappy about the content of the class, have technical issues joining the class, or have any other grievances, can email .

Accommodations for People with Disabilities

Access and inclusion are a high priority. If you need special accommodations to participate in this DNMS 9-Week Hybrid Training, you can email .

There is no known commercial support nor conflict of interest for this program.

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About Your Instructor

Hi! My name is Amy Blake. I am an approved DNMS consultant and trainer. I have been using the DNMS in my practice since 2013 and training other clinicians in the DNMS since 2020.

I have over 3 decades of experience as a psychotherapist specializing in trauma transformation and healthy relationship development. My training in trauma work in includes DNMS, EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), The Flash Technique, Grove Metaphor Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis.

I am also a transformational coach, helping individuals cultivate their speaking voice and overcoming inner barriers to success. I've worked in various settings including a psychiatric hospital, LGBTQIA+ community center, family service, foster care, hospice, a family medicine department and I have taught undergraduate level sociology and graduate level social work courses.

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Wait List

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If the available class date doesn't work for you or the class is full, sign up to be notified when the next DNMS class is available. And feel free to email to request specific time/dates for a future class.

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