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SELF-REG FOUNDATIONS
Level 1 Certificate Program
$1,695 CAD Full Program or $500 CAD/Course
★★★★★ Based on 175+ Reviews
Why This Program Matters: In today’s fast-paced and high-stress world, understanding the roots of behaviour and stress has never been more critical. Whether you’re a teacher managing a classroom of diverse needs, a parent navigating your child’s emotional highs and lows, or a professional juggling competing demands, the challenges of modern life can leave you feeling overwhelmed and searching for solutions.
The Self-Reg Foundations Certificate is here to change that. This program equips you with the tools and knowledge to address the underlying causes of stress and behaviour, not just the symptoms. Imagine being able to:
- Reframe challenging behaviours to see them as opportunities for growth.
- Recognize hidden stressors that disrupt focus, mood, and relationships.
- Respond with strategies that build calm, resilience, and connection—whether at home, in the classroom, or at work.
This is more than just professional development—it’s a transformative journey to help you thrive in your role and create environments where others can do the same. You’ll walk away with a new lens for understanding behaviour, practical strategies you can apply immediately, and a deeper sense of confidence in tackling the daily stresses of life.
The Self-Reg Foundations Certificate Program is your key to unlocking meaningful change—for yourself, your family, and your community.
Join us for the next cohort starting:
For individual course purchase, please click HERE
About the Program
The Self-Reg Foundations Certificate is a four-course, online program designed and delivered by Stuart Shanker and Susan Hopkins on our eSchool. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate identifying you have completed the Self-Reg Foundations Certificate Program. We refer to the alumni of all of our Self-Reg education programs as Self-Reg Champions, in recognition of the time they have spent learning with us.
But, is it for me? If you’re interested in learning the basic underpinnings of Shanker Self-Reg®, then yes – this course is for you.
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- Four separate courses
- Each of the courses takes six weeks to complete
- A new module opens each week and learners have one week to complete it
- Approximately 4 – 6 hours per week
- Short videos from Dr. Shanker and Susan Hopkins with “bite-sized” chunks of information
- Questions designed to support understanding, reflection and application of Self-Reg learning
- Interactive responding to comments of other learners online
- No tests, quizzes or exams in this program, rather this offering is for educational purposes where we interact and learn alongside fellow learners
- Course facilitation from various TMC Self-Reg Specialists
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Course Calendar
We run new cohorts of our Self-Reg Foundations Certificate Program throughout the year. Pick the start date that is best for you and your team. Check out all of our program start, specific module and end dates in our annual Course Calendar here.
FOUNDATIONS 1: The Bio Domain: The Brain, Stress and Self-Regulation
Understanding Stress and Behaviour: This foundational course introduces the neuroscience of stress and behaviour, focusing on the biological domain. You’ll explore how stress impacts the brain and body, the role of the startle response, and the profound effects of relationships in regulating stress. With Dr. Stuart Shanker’s insights, you’ll begin to distinguish between misbehaviour and stress behaviour, discovering how this distinction can transform your understanding of children and teens. This is the first step in a hopeful journey that redefines how we see and support others.
Module 1: The Dawning of Relationships
Module 2: The Nature of Stress
Module 3: The Problem of Excessive Stress
Module 4: The Cascading Effects of Excessive Stress
Module 5: The Brain’s Reward System
Module 6: Self-Reg Method Step 1: Reframing the Behaviour
FOUNDATIONS 2: Self-Reg and Emotional, Social, Cognitive and Pro-Social Well-Being
The Five Domains of Self-Reg: Building on the biological domain, this course explores the emotional, cognitive, social, and prosocial domains. You’ll delve into how emotions are shaped by development and experience, how stress impairs attention and learning, and how social connections can both soothe and escalate stress. Grounded in neuroscience, this course highlights the intricate interplay between brain function and human interaction. It equips you with a deeper appreciation of the unexpected ways stress can manifest—and the tools to address it with compassion and insight.
Module 1: Self-Reg in Dynamic Systems and the Bio Domain Foundations
Module 2: Self-Reg in the Emotional Domain
Module 3: Self-Reg in the Cognitive Domain
Module 4: Self-Reg in the Social Domain
Module 5: Self-Reg in the Pro-Social Domain
Module 6: 5 Steps of Shanker Self-Reg Method
FOUNDATIONS 3: Self-Reg and Mental Health Across the Lifespan
Applying Self-Reg: With a focus on practical application, this course takes you deeper into the science of stress in diverse contexts, including autism, anxiety, and adolescence. You’ll learn to reframe behaviours, uncover hidden stressors, and apply Self-Reg strategies to promote resilience across the lifespan. The neuroscience of adolescent brain development and stress reactivity becomes particularly illuminating, providing hope for navigating some of the most challenging periods in development. This course turns theory into actionable solutions for those who care about children and teens.
Module 1: Autism
Module 2: “The Anxiety Epidemic”
Module 3: Self-Reg and Adolescence
Module 4: Self-Reg Across the Lifespan
Module 5: Self-Reg and Mindfulness
Module 6: Self-Regulation vs. Self-Control
FOUNDATIONS 4: The Shanker Self-Reg Method in Context
Integrating Self-Reg: This capstone course brings everything together, guiding you through a reflective and applied learning process. You’ll design and implement a personalised project that integrates Self-Reg principles, supported by a deep understanding of the five steps of Self-Reg. The emphasis on neuroscience and dynamic systems theory ensures that your work is both evidence-based and transformative. By the end of this journey, you’ll have a comprehensive framework to support children and teens in a way that fosters hope, growth, and long-term well-being.
This program offers a deeply hopeful and empowering journey into the neuroscience of stress, helping you see behaviour in a new light and equipping you with strategies to create meaningful, lasting change.
4 Course Stream Options (Offered upon completion of Foundations 1 – 3):
A. Educator’s Stream: Self-Reg as a Universal Platform in Education (early years, K-12, or adult education)
B. Self-Reg Specialists Stream (health practitioners, specialists, counsellors, clinicians): Applying Shanker Self-Reg
C. Early Years / Parent-Stream: Parenting with a Self-Reg Mindset
D. Personal Self-Reg Stream (applies to anyone): My Self-Reg
Foundations Program Reviews
Alumni? Leave Your Review Here
Excellent Course
I was apprehensive about taking this course as the timing wasn’t great but I am glad I did! This course will not only help me in my job as an Educational Assistant but also with raising my children and myself.
Fantastic!
I am very happy with my journey in the self-reg course. I have learned a lot of applicable skills and knowledge and it has also helped me improve my own stress in many ways. Thank you!
My experience with Self Reg
I would recommend Self Reg to my co-workers and my family. I find myself sharing what I have learned so far with the people I work with and care for, my family.
Good introduction to Self Reg and the Body -Brain connection
Pros – excellent facilitator – thank you for your sharing and your guidance
Pros – good introduction to lots of ideas regarding stress and self regulation, lots to think about and transfer to my work with children and my self.
Cons – not enough information shared in each module – although the video interview clips were interesting, the information shared did not always hit all the learning outcomes points for each module – I had to do some of my own research which is fine, but perhaps the content needs to be reviewed and extra readings provided to make sure all points that the course designer wants us to learn are actually covered.
The information shared did not require six week course and could have been condensed into 3 weeks – the cost of the course is high for what you are learning.
Cons – oversimplification of the human experience in the discussion of the Internalizing – Externalizing Pathways wheel chart and the video discussion related to it – more care needs to be taken with this topic.
Fantastic Course
Self-reg foundations course has been a fantastic learning experience that really allows you to reflect and grow as a caregiver. It really allows you to learn the deeper meaning of stress and how to reduce and handle it better.
Still not sure?
See what our learners have to say here or email us at info@self-reg.ca if you have any questions
Group Pricing: 10% off is always available for groups of 6 or more learners, simply use the discount code GROUPDISCOUNT at checkout or email info@self-reg.ca for invoicing.
Equity Pricing: We know that pricing can be a barrier, that’s why we offer a number of equity priced spots for those paying out of pocket with each cohort we offer. Learn more and join the waitlist here.
GST/HST Tax Exempt? Feel free to reach out to us at info@self-reg.ca with your exemption number and we can invoice you