Choosing Peace Certified Facilitator
A Teranga Institute Training Program
Website Statement About Certification
Choosing Peace Facilitator Certification
The Choosing Peace curriculum is a structured relationship education and violence prevention program developed by Dr. Gloria Smith Cissé through The Southern Center for Choice Theory.
To ensure the program’s integrity and effectiveness, Choosing Peace is delivered exclusively by Certified Choosing Peace Facilitators.
Certification ensures facilitators are trained to implement the curriculum with fidelity to its theoretical foundations, including Choice Theory, trauma-informed care, and relational skill development. Certified facilitators learn not only the curriculum content but also the philosophy, structure, and facilitation methods that make the program effective.
Through certification, facilitators gain the tools necessary to guide participants toward:
- Increased self-awareness
- Development of empathy and relational responsibility
- Understanding the impact of coercive and violent behaviors
- Building healthy, nonviolent relationships
Certification also ensures facilitators are prepared to support participants in a way that prioritizes safety, accountability, and long-term behavioral change.
Because the field of domestic violence prevention continues to evolve, certified facilitators are invited to participate in periodic refresher trainings and continuing education opportunities to remain aligned with current research and best practices.
The certification process helps ensure that the Choosing Peace curriculum continues to be delivered ethically, responsibly, and effectively in communities across the country.
For More information
Fill Out The Form Below and Our Instructor Will Contact You About This Certification.
Certification Overview
Choosing Peace Facilitator Certification
The Choosing Peace Facilitator Certification prepares professionals to deliver the Choosing Peace curriculum with fidelity, integrity, and effectiveness.
Developed by Dr. Gloria Smith Cissé, the Choosing Peace model integrates:
- Choice Theory
- Trauma-informed practice
- Relational skill development
- Accountability and behavioral change strategies
The certification training equips facilitators with the knowledge and tools necessary to guide participants in developing nonviolent relationship skills and increased relational awareness.
Who Should Attend
The certification is designed for:
- Counselors and therapists
- Social workers
- Probation and court professionals
- Domestic violence advocates
- Community educators and facilitators
- Faith leaders and community leaders working in violence prevention
Certification Training Includes
Participants will learn:
• The theoretical foundations of the Choosing Peace model
• The structure and phases of the Choosing Peace curriculum
• Understanding coercion, power, and relational responsibility
• Facilitating accountability and self-reflection
• Managing group dynamics in intervention settings
• Supporting participants in developing empathy and nonviolent behaviors
• Maintaining program fidelity
Certification Benefits
Certified facilitators receive:
- Official Choosing Peace Facilitator Certification
- Access to facilitator tools and training materials
- Eligibility to deliver the Choosing Peace curriculum
- Opportunities for continuing education and refresher training
- Access to future curriculum updates
Certification helps ensure that the Choosing Peace program continues to be delivered in a way that supports participant growth, promotes accountability, and contributes to safer communities.
Choosing Peace Facilitator Certification
Licensing and Intellectual Property Language
Intellectual Property and Licensing
The Choosing Peace for Men and Choosing Peace for Women curricula are the intellectual property of Dr. Gloria Smith Cissé and The Southern Center for Choice Theory.
All curriculum materials, training content, facilitator guides, and related tools are protected under applicable copyright laws.
Certification grants facilitators permission to deliver the Choosing Peace curriculum, but does not transfer ownership of the materials.
Certified facilitators agree to:
- Deliver the curriculum as designed
- Maintain fidelity to the program structure and philosophy
- Refrain from reproducing, modifying, or redistributing materials without written permission
- Use the Choosing Peace name and materials only within the scope of certification
Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or distribution of the curriculum is strictly prohibited.
This licensing structure helps ensure that the program remains consistent, ethical, and aligned with its intended purpose of promoting nonviolent relationships and preventing harm.
Choosing Peace Participant Learning Tools
The Choosing Peace program is designed as a structured growth process, not simply a class. Participants engage with a guided workbook that supports reflection, skill-building, and accountability throughout the program. In addition, a **Choosing Peace companion app—currently in development—will provide daily prompts and tools to help participants practice the skills they are learning in real-life situations. To ensure the program continues to evolve and remain effective, participants also complete pre- and post-program assessments, allowing facilitators and program leaders to evaluate outcomes and strengthen the model using evidence-informed practices. Together, these tools support deeper learning, personal responsibility, and lasting behavioral change.