Biographical Timeline Facilitators Cohort

Cohort Timeline: Tuesday, September 8th, 2026- Wednesday, May 19th, 2027

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Apply now!

“I joined this program to strengthen my skillset in facilitating and overall knowledge of trauma while helping a team of stakeholders in identifying and linking youth and families up with the most appropriate and effective human centered supports.”

 
 

The Biographical Timeline Facilitators Cohort is an 9-month program that meets virtually and in-person (options in OH and PA) to deepen participants' understanding and practice of using the timeline framework to successfully learn from a person's biography. Training is conducted in 13 sessions on a semi-monthly basis. 

Immerse yourself into the foundational elements of trauma-responsive care, the ways in which trauma impacts the brain, body, and behavioral patterns, and unpacking key insights offered by experts in the field of neuroscience in this interactive program.

 

The learning cohort consists of:

Self-paced online learning modules

3 hours of live virtual discussion each month

3 hours of in-person guided sessions led by SBC facilitators

 
 
 
 

Overview

 

  1. The cohort experience begins with a prerequisite session about trauma and the brain.

  2. Then kicks off with a full day in-person session that helps establish a strong foundation and culture for our learning journey.

  3. The remaining sessions are hosted in a hybrid model, with online learning modules, content discussion sessions delivered virtually, and practice sessions facilitated in-person.

    Participants receive articles, essays, media links, and reflection exercises each month that build on the material from the content and practice sessions.

    View the full cohort overview here.

 
 

Objectives

The cohort is a community of practice dedicated to helping participants develop the skills, knowledge, and empathy to successfully and compassionately facilitate the Biographical Timeline process. The Biographical Timeline is a powerful framework that enables loved ones and care teams to support those impacted by stress and trauma to heal and grow. Participants will learn:

How to prepare yourself, a family and a team for a Biographical Timeline session

The art and practice of Biographical Timeline Facilitation

Best practices for supporting a team in learning from a person’s biography

How to grow resilience within yourself and others

 
 

Time Commitment & Deliverables

One 3-hour Welcome Call and Foundational Module Debrief

One 6-hour in-person kick off gathering

Self-paced online learning modules 

Five 3-hour virtual content discussion sessions

Six 3-hour in-person practice sessions

Access to all workshop materials in a dedicated, evolving learning platform

Cohort Costs

$0 Application Fee

$2,000 | Course Fee

(Early Bird Fee: $1,700 if you apply by July 1, 2026 @11:59PM EST)

The Perks:

Up to 52 Ohio DODD CPD Units or 32.5 CE credits (see FAQs for more information)

Soul Bird Consulting Certificate of Participation

Note: We offer flexible payment plans. Once your application is accepted, we will contact you via email to coordinate payment before the cohort begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. This includes agreeing to any payment plan terms, paying the full fee, or coordinating with an organization or employer responsible for payment.

(also available on CE Broker)

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

APPLY NOW

Application deadline: Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, 11:59pm EST

Applicants will receive an email signaling that we have reviewed your application. Confirmation of your acceptance into the Cohort will occur no later than Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

If you have any accommodation requests, questions, comments or concerns please email us at hello@soulbirdconsulting.info.

Need support on how to discuss the cohort with your employer? We can help! Contact us for more information.

 

  • CE Packet Link

    Up to 52 Ohio DODD Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Units

    • CPD Types Approved: Adult services, County board member, EI developmental specialist/supervisor, EI service coordinator/ supervisor, Investigative agent, Service and support administration, and Superintendent

    Up to 36 Continuing Education Credits for Ohio Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Counselors. (The Ohio CSWMFTB accepts our ASWB ACE provider approval.)

    CE Credit or CPD Units will be offered to those who qualify FREE OF CHARGE.

    Breakdown of credits and units earned per offering:

    • Self Paced Online Course- 18 CE credits or CPD Units

    • In-Person Kick-Off: 3.5 CE credits or 4 CPD Units

    • Welcome & Foundation Module Debrief: 2 CE Credits or 2.5 CPD Units

    • Live Content Discussion Session 1-4: 2.75 CE Credits or 2.5 CPD Units per session

    • Live Content Discussion Session 5- 1.5 CE Credits or 2.5 CPD Units

    • In-Person Practice Sessions 1-6: 2.5 CPD Units per session

    CE Requirements:

    In order to receive CE credit for this course participants must follow sign in and sign out instructions accurately, use all the interactive features of the live virtual sessions, the in-person kick-off, and self-paced learning modules, complete all required assignments, complete each posttest, and complete all evaluation forms (there will be an evaluation form for the kick-off and each live virtual session, the entire online course, and the entire live content portion). Participants will only receive credit for the kick-off and any live virtual session that they attend the entirety of. Participants can re-take the posttest as many times as possible and will only receive credit for a post test score of 80% or higher. The CE administrator and the course instructor will review their post test responses and offer any corrections or insights as needed.

    Certificate Details:

    CE Certificates will be issued within 30 days of course completion. All course requirements must be completed by Friday, June 11th, 2027. Ohio CPD Unit Certificates for live sessions will be issued within 7 days of the session and for the online course will be issued within 30 days of June, 11th, 2027.

    Provider Statement:

     Soul Bird Consulting,  Provider #2151, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/19/2025- 8/19/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 18 general continuing education credits (the “course” portion of this Cohort refers to the self-paced online learning modules). Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 18 continuing education credits (the “conference” portion of this Cohort refers to the kick-off and all of the live virtual sessions).

  • Self-Paced Online Modules Through Sutra

    Reading Materials

    Engaging Videos

    Interactive Reflection Questions

    Community Discussion Board

    3-Hour Live Discussion Q & A Sessions

    In-Person Practice

    *A bibliography can be provided upon request

  • For the live virtual sessions, participants will be asked to have their video on and participate in any small group discussions prompts as directed by the facilitator. Each self paced online module has lessons with required content and the participants must complete each lesson before moving on to the next one. Each lesson will have one or more of the following:

    • Recorded videos created by Sarah Buffie (course instructor)

    • Articles, essays & media links

    • Worksheets, reflective exercises & discussion prompts.

    • Virtual Welcome Call and Foundational Module Debrief: Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Kick-Off for Ohio Participants: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026, 10:00am – 4:00pm EST

    • In-Person Kick-Off for Pennsylvania Participants: October 7th, 2026, 10:00am- 4:00pm EST

    • In-Person Practice Session 1: Tuesday, October 27th, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • Virtual Content Discussion Session 1: Wednesday, November 18th, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Practice Session 2: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • Virtual Content Discussion Session 2: Wednesday, December 16th, 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Practice Session 3: Wednesday, January 13th, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • Virtual Content Discussion Session 3: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Practice Session 4: Wednesday, February 17th, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • Virtual Content Discussion Session 4: Wednesday, March 10th, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Practice Session 5: Wednesday, April 7th, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • Final Virtual Content Discussion Session 5: Wednesday, April 28th, 2027,10:00am – 1:00pm EST

    • In-Person Final Practice Session 6: Wednesday, May 19th, 2027, 10:00am – 1:00pm EST

  • Sarah Buffie, Lead Instructor (Read Sarah’s Bio Here)

    Danae Riggs, Soul Bird Consultant & Trauma Specialist (Read Danae’s Bio Here)

    Kara Michelle Pierson, Facilitator, Founder of Lilac & Indigo (Read Kara’s Bio Here)

  • For Ohio Participants: In-Person Kick-Off will be in Columbus

    For Pennsylvania Participants: In-Person Kick-Off will be in Lancaster

    Address to be sent to registrants.

    Practice Session Locations will be finalized in August. When you receive your acceptance into the program you will also receive your regional assignment. 

    Regional assignments will be determined by the most central location for participants in the counties closest together.

  • The online learning platform is compatible with all browsers, though users should ensure they have the most recent browser installed to avoid any potential issues. Users with older devices may encounter lower loading speeds. Users will need internet access, the ability to use Zoom with the video and audio on, a device that can stream video and audio through YouTube, and the capacity to download PDF files. Email us at hello@soulbirdconsulting.info if you aren’t sure your device is compatible.

  • If you have an accommodation request or questions about available support, our team is happy to help! Reach out to hello@soulbirdconsulting.info for assistance.

  • Soul Bird will not issue returns, exchanges, or refunds for purchased products or courses under any circumstances.

  • What is Sutra?

    Sutra is an online learning platform that helps people create impactful learning experiences

    How will I be using Sutra?

    All Cohort materials will be stored in Sutra! You can access Sutra via web browser or their mobile app.

    How do I download the mobile app?

    If you're on a mobile device, downloading the mobile app for iPhone or Android will give you a better experience. You can find the Sutra Spaces app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store by searching for "Sutra Spaces".

    Note: You can only register for a program via the browser version. After registration, you will be able to access the program on the app. The app is free.

    Where do I go to learn more about Sutra?

    Reference the Sutra Guide for participants.

    Will there be support?

    You will not only have access to the Sutra Support Center for technical challenges or questions about navigating the platform, but you will also have program-specific support provided by Soul Bird Consulting.