How Does CircleTalk Work?

CircleTalk trains professionals, caregivers, and others who are interested in working with older adults to disrupt the loneliness epidemic that contributes to their decline.

Guided by a 13-module field-tested curriculum, these trained leaders facilitate groups in virtual and face-to-face environments of all kinds. Each week, a thought-provoking theme is introduced with carefully selected poems, short stories, symbol cards, and other props, to inspire a lively discussion of shared memories and important life stories.

Join the movement against social isolation! Get trained today and together we can make a difference now.

Register today!

If none of these dates work for you, contact us to be added to the waitlist for upcoming training sessions.
February 21, 2025
March 4, 2025
Virtual Learning – Four Modules, Three 90-Minute Live Coaching Calls – 2-3 Hours/Week – $495 USD/PERSON

As a CircleTalk Leader, you will become trained to implement the CircleTalk Curriculum. This is available as an eBook or printed book, your preference. Our live, scheduled coaching meetings will give you an opportunity to get questions answered and participate in practice activities and view demonstrations of facilitation techniques.

Course Content:

    • Orientation to the CircleTalk Leader Course.
    • Module #1: Why social isolation is a widespread epidemic and how CircleTalk combats social isolation.
    • Module #2: The “Safety Framework” for building healthy groups, both virtual and face to face.
    • Module #3: Understanding leader presence, maximizing participation and engaging adults with mild cognitive challenges. Learn unique strategies for hosting and leading CircleTalk groups on virtual and face-to-face platforms.
    • Module #4: The importance of the CircleTalk Curriculum design in facilitating meaningful conversations and getting circles started.
    • Module #5: Integrate learning and graduation!

What you get as a course participant:

    • Weekly presentations and CircleTalk demonstration videos.
    • Three live coaching calls with CircleTalk Master Trainers for questions, practice and skill development.
    • The CircleTalk Action Guide—an invaluable tool for you far beyond the end of the course—will guide you through course Modules. At the beginning of each module, you will need to download and print the Action Guide for that module to easily follow along with tutorials and videos.
    • The CircleTalk™ Curriculum—the first of three curriculum sets available to trained leaders. Each curriculum set contains 12 chapters with Circle descriptions, non-repeating activities and discussion themes.
    • A Leader “Kit” with supportive materials and activity props.
    • Two 30-minute consulting/coaching meetings – CircleTalk Master Trainers will support you to successfully start and sustain CircleTalk in any setting.
CircleTalk™ Curriculum

The CircleTalkTM Curriculum is field-tested and available in three distinct sections. When you register to become a CircleTalk Leader, a copy of the first section (chapters 1-12) is provided as part of your tuition, which is all you will need to begin conducting your own Circles.

Once you have completed your training, however, sections two (chapters 13-24) and three (chapters 25-36) will become available to you for $135 each should you wish to go deeper and offer your Circles additional weekly themes and activities. Once you get started with a group, they won’t want it to end!

Learn More!

Training FAQs

Is the cost per individual or per group?

Because CircleTalk Leadership follows the individual being trained and they are able to conduct Circles any place they choose (vs. the organization being the “owner”), the cost to become trained is per individual, not per organization; however, we do offer a 20% discount for more than four individuals from the same organization to become trained. For group registration, please contact us.

Once Leaders are trained, they also often enjoy co-facilitating with other Leaders, whether within their organizations or by partnering with others outside of the own organization, but within the same community. There are no CircleTalk limitations that prevent that from happening, as is the case with many other programs.

How long does training take? What is the weekly time commitment?

It only takes 2-3 hours per week for four weeks to complete Leader training. Upon completion, you will have all the tools you need to start holding your own Circles.

What will I learn in the CircleTalk Leader Course?

The CircleTalk™ Leader Course prepares participants to skillfully lead structured and meaningful conversations in any setting where older adults gather. Our virtual training program is interactive with a focus on teaching and strengthening a variety of skills to effectively lead small groups in high engagement discussions so you can:

  • Understand group dynamics best practices to form healthy groups, promote meaningful engagement, and maximize participation.

  • Create a universally accessible environment for full group engagement (i.e., hearing loss, vision loss, and cognitive and memory challenges, etc.).

  • Effectively guide structured conversations that foster a sense of belonging and connection within the group.

  • Create a positive and open environment so that participants can share personal stories, insights, and feelings.

How do I start a Circle after I get trained? Will CircleTalk help me with marketing and support once I start a group?

We provide resources and information to help you get started, conduct outreach, attract participants, and organize your Circles.

Do I have to take the CircleTalk Leader Training to use the curriculum?

Yes. We have invested thousands of man hours creating and field-testing the CircleTalk™ Curriculum and want to be sure you are properly prepared to engage with older adults in their stories and memories. You will receive the first 13 weeks of the CircleTalk™ Curriculum when you complete the CircleTalk Leader Course along with program materials. Two follow-up sets of CircleTalk™ Curriculum are available for purchase.

Can I train my staff to do this?

We offer group discounts to organizations that want to train their staff. Please contact us if you would like to bring CircleTalk to your organization.