The NeuroRelational Framework (NRF) Manual Study & Consultation Groups
Announcing a 2018 Neurorelational (NRF) Study Group for the NRF Manual and NRF Textbook: Infant Mental Health, Early Intervention, and Relationship-Based Therapies: A Neurorelational Framework for Interdisciplinary Practice (2009). This book is a part of W. W. Norton’s “interpersonal neurobiology” series. Dan Siegel was the original series editor; Allan Schore is the current series editor. For a further look at the book go to:
To order the book, please go to and type in the name Connie Lillas in the search box. To have access to the on-line Manual, you can have that through one of two ways: 1) be an official study group member and then you can register to have access to it on-line, 2) you can pay $50 to have access to the Manual if you so choose to on your own without being a study group member.
When: Sunday afternoons from 1 pm to 3 pm (Los Angeles time) that begins in 2018, as soon as our group fills up. All groups are in Pasadena, held in my home. People are welcome to Zoom from all over the world. For those out of state or out of the country, Zoom is used –a web-based server that does not require one owning it. You will be sent a link via your email from me, you accept the link, download an app, and you are automatically placed into the zoom call.
Usually, folks first walk through the NRF study group to get oriented to the theory, the jargon, and the concepts. Following this, folks often join a NRF consultation group where they learn to practice using the NRF for themselves and their clients. The Study Groups and Consultation Groups always occur over the same weekend set of dates. The Consultation groups are on Fridays from 10:30 am to 12:30 p m; Saturdays from 1 to 3 pm; and Sundays from 1 to 3 pm. More information on these is further below.
Unfortunately, due to my speaking engagements, which vary from year to year, the study group dates are not on a set weekend (such as 1st, 2nd or 3rd). Dates for the first six months of 2018 are as follows:
SundayDates,dates for 2018
Jan 14Feb 4
March 4
April 8
May 6 / June to Dec
TBD
Whom: with co-author and author, Connie Lillas
What: the NRF Study Group is a year-long+ course. This requires a one-year commitment to be a part of this 13-month group. Each month one chapter is read ahead of time, and then reviewed, highlighted, and discussed during the group time. There are 13 chapters to the NRF Manual and thus, the 13-month commitment. There is a maximum of 12 members to each study group.
Cost: for this 13-month course, the cost is $1300USD per person. Payment can be made in one lump sum or divided into quarterly payments or monthly payments. The cost is based upon $50 an hour, $100 for the 2-hour group. If one chooses to pay monthly, each month is paid ahead of time. There are no ‘cancellations’ in that if one is unable to attend that month, one still must pay for their slot. The intent is for there to be discussion and to network with other professionals, so a commitment to attendance is strongly advised!
Missed classes: If one is unable to make the study group, a recording of the class will be made. You will be sent a link and have up to three months to watch the recording of the class you missed.
Process: the first 2 chapters are an overview of the framework and the group time is dedicated to reviewing the content of the chapters. Chapter 3 begins the actual use of the framework. In general, there is lecture and discussion built in. As the clinical aspects emerge video clips from case presentations are also included. The case presentation follows the linear unfolding of how to use the framework’s three clinical steps for assessment and intervention treatment strategies.
Opportunity: each group is on a first come, first serve basis. If one is ready to make the commitment, please, first email me at and my assistant at nd then, secondly, send a check for the first group meeting of $100 to secure your slot to Connie Lillas/1411 North Los Robles Ave/Pasadena, CA. 91104.
NRF Consultation: following a year of learning the NRF, a consultation group will be offered on a first come, first serve basis where the focus will be solely on case presentation and personal application of using the NRF. The real opportunity to ‘play’ with the NRF comes from learning the complexity of it and then being able to apply to cases across the lifecycle as well as community systems. The personal/practical application makes this material come alive in new ways!
There are several layers to the practical application of the NRF. First, on a micro level the NRF promotes a better assessment for yourself and for the individuals and dyads you work with on a functional, clinical level across multiple dimensions. Secondly, on a community level, the NRF promotes multiple linkages with other practitioners and can aide a clinic to make better use of surrounding resources. Thirdly, on a macro level, the NRF can provide the framework to create community systems change, where the NRF becomes a guide for assessment and intervention delivery systems of care. The vision for the future of the NRF is to support ‘catalysts’ who are embedded in their community and have the means to work towards creating interdisciplinary collaboration, whether in a personal level for their private practice, on a clinic level, or within a larger community context.
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