Copy 2 of Learning About CO-OP & Courses

If your goal is to practice CO-OP with clients, then ICAN offers a variety of courses on the CO-OP ApproachTM. The CO-OP course series allows learners to study CO-OP Basics either online or in a workshop environment, then improve and refine their skills through Consolidation and Certification. There are three options leading to the Certification course, Certification is not required for a learner to gain a good understanding of CO-OP, although it is required for those wishing to become a certified CO-OP therapist. If you are interested in hosting a CO-OP workshop, please contact ICAN directly.

Becoming Educated in the CO-OP ApproachTM

If your goal is to KNOW what CO-OP is and for whom it may be appropriate (but not be able to actually DO it), we refer you to the following three opportunities to learn more: 

Introduction to CO-OP

Aim: Provide participants with novice-level knowledge about the basic concepts and methods used in the CO-OP intervention.

Format: In person and/or synchronous online workshops, in a variety of languages by a certified CO-OP Instructor (a list of certified instructors is available here) OR it is available anytime in English online for free. NO certificate of attendance is provided.  

Target: Audience: Recommended for students, clients, family members, or professionals.

At the end of this course: Participants will be able to identify the seven key features of the CO-OP ApproachTM, be aware of theoretical and evidentiary foundations for the CO-OP intervention and distinguish the CO-OP Approach from other intervention approaches.This course does not develop practice competencies and NO certificate is provided.

Prerequisite: None

Cost: Free

Normally the CO-OP Basics and Consolidation are offered together as CO-OP Comprehensive but in some cases you can take only the Basics course and then add Consolidation at a later date.

CO-OP The Basics (Two-day Course Equivalent (CE)

Aim: Provide participants with a fundamental understanding of CO-OP and the practice competencies to apply the approach at a beginner level.

Format: In person and/or synchronous online courses in a variety of languages by a certified CO-OP instructor - see upcoming workshops.

Target Audience: Recommended for professionals who wish to have a working knowledge of the key aspects of the CO-OP intervention, apply it at a basic level, and have an appreciation for the complexities of the approach.

At the End of this Course: Participants will be able to explain the seven key features of the CO-OP ApproachTM, do occupation-based, client-centred goal setting, carry out dynamic performance analysis (DPA), identify potential strategies, frame intervention sessions using cognitive strategies (GPDC), apply guided discovery, incorporate basic enabling principles into their sessions, and apply CO-OP in an evidence-based manner all at a beginner level. A certificate of attendance is provided.

Prerequisites: Recognized healthcare professional or a student healthcare professional

Cost: Online - in person and/or synchronous online workshops - varies by course and location - see link to the in person and/or synchronous online workshops courses above for more information.

CO-OP Consolidation (One day CE – follows on from CO-OP The Basics)

Aim: Build on the knowledge and practice competencies gained in the basics course so participants can go out and apply CO-OP in their practice context at a competent level. Participant must have already taken the CO-OP Basics course.

Format: In person and/or synchronous online workshops in a variety of languages by a certified CO-OP instructor - upcoming workshops OR it is available in English at any time through ICAN – if you wish to take Consolidation online, please contact ICAN and provide your Basics Certificate of Completion and then you will receive a link to the course. A certificate of attendance is provided.

Target Audience: This course is open to health care professionals. The course is taken AFTER participants have completed CO-OP The Basics and have had the opportunity to apply the approach. 

At the End of this Course: Participants will be able to explain the seven key features of the CO-OP Approach, do occupation-based, client-centred goal setting, carry out dynamic performance analysis (DPA), identify potential strategies, frame intervention sessions using cognitive strategies (GPDC), apply guided discovery, incorporate basic enabling principles into their sessions, and apply CO-OP in an evidence-based manner all at a competent level. A certificate of attendance is provided.

Prerequisites: CO-OP The Basics course (online or in-person format)

Cost: Online - $150 Cdn.; in person and/or synchronous online workshops - varies by workshop and location - see link to in person and/or synchronous online workshops above for more information.

CO-OP Comprehensive (CO-OP The Basics plus CO-OP Consolidation) (Three-day CE)

Aim: This comprehensive workshop is offered as a package set of the CO-OP The basics and CO-OP Consolidation. Although, as described above, these workshops can be taken independently, it is strongly recommended that they are taken as a package for those interested in using the CO-OP Approach TM in their practice, at a competent level. 

Format: Provided in person and/or synchronous online workshops in a variety of languages by a certified CO-OP instructor see - upcoming workshops OR it is available in English at any time online through this website.

Target Audience: This workshop is open to health care professionals. The aim of this workshop is to meet the goals of both The Basics and Consolidation courses, in succession, separated by a period of time to allow for the application of learning from The Basics course. 

At the End of this Workshop: Participants will be able to explain the seven key features of the CO-OP ApproachTM, do occupation-based, client-centred goal setting, carry out dynamic performance analysis (DPA), identify potential strategies, frame intervention sessions using cognitive strategies (GPDC), apply guided discovery, incorporate basic enabling principles into their sessions, and apply CO-OP in an evidence-based manner all at a competent level. A certificate of attendance is provided.

Prerequisite: Recognized healthcare professional

Cost: Online - $575; in person and/or synchronous online workshops - varies by course and location - see link to in person and/or synchronous online workshops above for more information.

CO-OP Certification for Therapists

Aim: Provide participants with the practice competencies required to go out and apply CO-OP in their practice setting at a proficient level with high fidelity, as well as adapt the approach to varying contexts, populations, formats, and situations.

Format: Available in English, French and Italian online through this website; upcoming course dates are available here. 

Target Audience: Open to health care professionals who have completed CO-OP Comprehensive, as a package course OR have completed CO-OP The Basics and CO-OP Consolidation, sequentially. 

At the End of this Course: Participants will be able to explain the seven key features of the CO-OP ApproachTM, do occupation-based, client-centred goal setting, carry out dynamic performance analysis (DPA), identify potential strategies, frame intervention sessions using cognitive strategies (GPDC), apply guided discovery, incorporate basic enabling principles into their sessions, and apply CO-OP in an evidence-based manner all at a proficient level. Participants will be able to use the designation Certified CO-OP Therapist.

Prerequisites: CO-OP Consolidation (on its own or as part of the Comprehensive package).

Cost: Online - $300 Cdn.

Note: a minimum of 4 participants need to be registered for the same date before the course can take place. A custom course can be organized for a group of 4-6 persons, simply contact ICAN directly.