Become a Certified ESM Practitioner
Expand your professional practice with a scientifically grounded method that unites therapeutic depth with preventive applicability. Three specialized programs for different professional fields.
Three Pathways. One Goal: Teaching Emotional Self-Competence Professionally.
The ESM Academy offers three certified training programs, each tailored to the specific requirements of your professional field. All programs teach the complete ESM method – with different application focuses.
What all programs have in common:
- Available in German and English
- Comprehensive teaching of ESM theory (Self-Competence Model + Love-Fear Polarity)
- Over 80 field-tested interventions
- 14 live calls with certified ESM trainers
- Extensive course materials (350+ pages)
- Certification as ESM Practitioner for your area
PROGRAMM 1: THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
ESM Practitioner – Application in Therapeutic and Medical Settings
For Whom?
This program is designed for licensed psychotherapists, physicians, and psychologists. The content requires foundational therapeutic knowledge.
Focus Areas
- ESM in psychotherapy (disorder-specific applications)
- Diagnosis and treatment planning with ESM
- Interventions for anxiety disorders, depression, trauma
- Integrating ESM with existing therapeutic approaches (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic therapy)
- Crisis intervention with ESM
- Therapeutic relationship building through the Love-Fear axis
Content (Excerpt from 14 Modules)
Theoretical Foundations:
- Neurobiology of the Love-Fear polarity
- The Self-Competence Model in therapy
- Emotional regulation and dysregulation
Practical Application:
- Over 80 therapeutic interventions
- Case conceptualization with ESM
- Supervision and reflection on own cases
- Integration into therapeutic practice
Specific Disorders:
- Anxiety disorders and panic
- Depressive illnesses
- Trauma-related disorders
- Personality disorders
- Psychosomatic complaints
Scope & Format
- 14 Modules (350+ pages of course material)
- 14 Live Calls (90 minutes each) with Q&A
- 80+ Interventions for direct application
- Case Studies: from clinical practice
- Self-Study + Live Support
Certificate
After successful participation and passing the exam, you will receive the certificate:
ESM Practitioner (Application in Therapeutic and Medical Settings)
Investment: €2,500
Start 03/2026
PROGRAMM 2: PREVENTIVE APPROACH
ESM Practitioner – Application in Prevention and Personal Development
For Whom?
This program is designed for coaches, trainers, consultants, HR and organizational developers, and all who support people in personal development.
Focus Areas
- ESM in coaching and consulting
- Preventive work with emotional self-competence
- Personal development and resilience
- Burnout prevention
- Emotional intelligence in professional contexts
- Self-coaching tools for clients
Content (Excerpt from 14 Modules)
Theoretical Foundations:
- ESM as a preventive approach
- Self-competence in personal development
- Emotional regulation in daily life
Practical Application:
- Over 80 coaching and consulting tools
- Process design with ESM
- Self-reflection and mindfulness
- Goal achievement through emotional competence
Specific Topic Areas:
- Career reorientation
- Work-life balance
- Relationship building (personal & professional)
- Stress management and resilience
- Self-worth development
Scope & Format
- 14 Modules (350+ pages of course material)
- 14 Live Calls (90 minutes each) with Q&A
- 80+ Tools for direct application
- Practice Examples from coaching and consulting
- Self-Study + Live Support
Certificate
After successful participation and passing the exam, you will receive the certificate:
ESM Practitioner (Application in Prevention and Personal Development)
Investment: €2,500
Start 03/2026
PROGRAMM 3: ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACH
ESM Practitioner – Application in Organizational Development and Leadership
For Whom?
This program is designed for HR professionals, leaders, organizational developers, change managers and all, who want to use ESM in organizational contexts.
Focus Areas
- Emotional leadership with ESM
- Team dynamics and team culture
- Change management through emotional competence
- Conflict management in organizations
- Resilience and mental health in the workplace
- ESM as an organizational culture tool
Content (Excerpt from 14 Modules)
Theoretical Foundations:
- ESM in organizations
- Emotional dynamics in teams
- Leadership through the Love-Fear axis
Practical Application:
- Over 80 tools for leadership and HR
- Designing team workshops with ESM
- 1:1 employee conversations with ESM
- Organizational diagnosis through emotional competence
Specific Topic Areas:
- Emotional leadership competence
- Psychological safety in teams
- Supporting change processes
- Feedback and conflict culture
- Promoting employee health
Scope & Format
- 14 Modules (350+ pages of course material)
- 14 Live Calls (90 minutes each) with Q&A
- 80+ Tools for leadership and organization
- Company Examples and best practices
- Self-Study + Live Support
Certificate
After successful participation and passing the exam, you will receive the certificate:
ESM Practitioner (Application in Organizational Development and Leadership)
Investment: € 2.500
As a Certified ESM Practitioner, Many Paths Open to You
For your practice
- Integrate ESM into your existing work with clients/patients
- Offer ESM as a standalone method
- Expand your portfolio with a scientifically grounded method
For Your Visibility:
- Become part of the ESM Practitioner network
- Appear in the official ESM directory (optional)
- Use the ESM seal in your communications
For Your Development:
- Access to exclusive continuing education and updates
- Participation in the ESM Practitioner community
- Optional recertification and supervision
Quality Assurance
Training at the Highest Level
All ESM trainings are conducted by carefully trained, certified ESM trainers. Susanne Salig and Arne Salig, as method developers, focus on training new trainers, research, and further development of the method.
The ESM method is based on:
- Scientific support (handbook published January 2026 by Shaker Verlag)
- Over 1,000 patients in clinical validation
- Neurobiological foundations
FAQ
Can I as a coach take the therapeutic program?
No, the therapeutic program requires therapeutic foundational knowledge and appropriate licensing. As a coach, the preventive program is the right choice.
In which languages are the programs available?
All three programs are available in German and English.
How does certification work?
Certification occurs after complete participation in all 14 modules and 14 live calls. There is no exam, but a reflection assignment at the end.
Can I work with ESM immediately after training?
Yes, after certification you are authorized to use ESM professionally in your specific application area.
Für wen ist das Programm geeigner?
Therapeutic: Exclusively for licensed psychotherapists, physicians, and psychologists
Preventive: For coaches, trainers, consultants, and all working in personal development
Organizational: For HR professionals, leaders, and organizational developers
Ready to Become an ESM Practitioner?
Choose the program that fits your professional field and start your training in the Emotion-Based Self-Competence Method.