Frequently Asked Questions

About I Matter

What is I Matter® Relationship Health Learning?

The I Matter® Framework offers an entry level introduction to the research on adult and child wellbeing drawing attention to the overlooked issue of relationship health.  The ideas are taught through a simple, series of visual posters that gives adults a shared map for understanding the relationships they live and work in, with children, other adults and themselves. It is offered as a step-by-step, self-directed learning programme that supports preparation, prevention and early intervention, helping you strengthen adult–child and adult–adult relationships and build confidence in challenging situations. You can learn it through a self-paced online course, books, and support for schools, health services and organisations.

https://www.imattertraining.com/what-is-imatter

What does “relationship health” mean?

We all know physical health and mental health matter. Relationship health is how well we understand and manage the relationships we live and work in, with children, other adults and ourselves. Dr Cathy Betoin developed I Matter because the skills that support relationship health are often overlooked, yet they are key to wellbeing at home, at work and in the community.

https://www.imattertraining.com/what-is-imatter

Who is I Matter for?

I Matter is for motivated adults: professionals in education, health and community settings, leaders, parents and carers, and anyone who wants to understand their own relationships better. You choose the pathway that fits where you want to apply your learning: professional roles, your family, yourself, or your workplace. The same relationship health foundations sit underneath every pathway.

https://www.imattertraining.com/learn-with-us

Is I Matter evidence-informed?

Yes. The I Matter Framework is grounded in decades of research on attachment, stress, child development, CBT and DBT. It draws together the work of researchers and practitioners such as John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, Dan Siegel, Bruce Perry and the Solihull Approach. What makes I Matter different is how the ideas are presented: as memorable visual graphics that make complex concepts easier to understand and use.

https://www.imattertraining.com/research-influences

Who is Dr Cathy Betoin?

Dr Cathy Betoin is an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist (DClinPsy, University of Birmingham), a former teacher and a parent. She has worked for more than 30 years in NHS child and family services, CAMHS, schools, community settings and primary care. She has been developing the I Matter Framework and the Five Stages of Development of Skills for Relationship Health since 2010, and is the author of the Relationship Health books.

https://www.imattertraining.com/about-cathy

Are there books about relationship health?

Yes.  Cathy first set out her belief that something important was missing in an article published in The Psychologist in 2016
You can see that article here:  Is there a Gap in Practice Models?

It was only in 2020 that Cathy realised that the term Relationship Health had been overlooked.   Dr Cathy Betoin has written three short books: Relationship Health: What’s That?, Relationship Health: The Missing Link and The I Matter Five Steps to Success. Relationship Health: What’s That? is available as a free PDF introduction, and all three come in print, ebook and audio versions read by the author.

https://www.imattertraining.com/the-books-relationship-health

For professionals

Is there online relationship training for teachers, health and community professionals?

Yes. The I Matter Professional pathway is self-paced online learning for people working in education, health, community settings and leadership roles. It helps you understand stress, behaviour and relationships, strengthen your own resilience, and build a shared, practical language with colleagues, parents and carers. Once you complete Level 1–2, there are also resources for schools linking I Matter to PSHE/RSHE and pastoral practice.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-for-professional-roles

Do I get a CPD certificate for I Matter training?

You can receive an I Matter certificate of completion for each level, based on completing 85% of the reflective worksheets. The Level 2 Fundamentals certificate records 12 CPD hours: about 6 hours of video plus about 6 hours of required reflective tasks [confirm hours for Level 1 and Level 3]. You can include these in your own CPD record. The courses are not currently accredited by an external body.

https://www.imattertraining.com/learn-with-us

How much time does the I Matter course take, and is it self-paced?

All I Matter learning is online and self-guided, so you can work at your own pace and revisit it at any time. The free introduction takes about 1 hour, Level 1 Get Started about 2 hours, and Level 2 Fundamentals about 12 hours in total (about 6 hours of video plus about 6 hours of reflection). Most people aim to complete Levels 1 and 2.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-foundations-course

What is I Matter Study Support?

The foundation ofI Matter learning is online and self-guided, so you can work at your own pace and revisit it at any time. It can be supplemented by study support in the form of workshops, forum, group discussion series and 1:1 personalised check in.   We are currently taking expression of interest before relaunching these options.

https://www.imattertraining.com/all-support 

Can I become an accredited I Matter practitioner to support others on the training myself?

We do not currently offer an open accreditation scheme, and completing the online learning does not authorise you to deliver I Matter study support, courses or training. We are inviting expressions of interest from a small number of professionals who have completed Levels 1–2 with study support and are progressing through Level 3, to help us develop and trial structured study support. If that is you, please contact us.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-for-professional-roles

For parents and carers

Can I Matter help me as a parent or carer when things feel difficult at home?

I Matter is designed to help parents and carers make sense of what is happening when relationships feel hard, notice their own patterns under pressure, and feel more confident about what might help next. It will not give you control over other people or guarantee change, but it can give you a clearer map for everyday situations. You can learn on your own, in a group, or alongside an I Matter approved professional who is already supporting your family.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-imatter-for-parents-and-carers

Is I Matter a therapy?

No. I Matter is educational learning about relationship health, and it does not replace any care or treatment you or your family may need. It does not offer clinical advice, therapy, diagnosis or crisis support. Instead, it can complement, or be a foundation for, a wide range of other approaches.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-imatter-for-parents-and-carers

For schools, GP practices and organisations

Can our school, GP practice or council team learn I Matter together?

Yes. Teams can begin with the free introductions, then staff can subscribe to the low-cost, self-guided Relationship Health Foundations Level 1–2 learning, giving everyone a shared language for stress, development and relationships. Study support options for teams are in development, and an Organisation Access Starter Plan includes all the introductions [add price and what the plan includes]. [Add whether live or whole-staff training is available, in person or online.] To talk about your setting, contact Dr Cathy Betoin through the contact page.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-for-organisations

Is I Matter available in Kendal?

Yes. I Matter is based in Kendal, and Kendal PCN is supporting the development of relationship health learning across the wider Kendal locality, with I Matter working alongside GPs, schools and family services. Local opportunities are shared as they become available, and you can contact us to join the Kendal mailing list. The I Matter courses themselves are online and self-paced [confirm whether you welcome online learners from anywhere, and any areas you cover for in-person work beyond Kendal].

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-for-organisations

Getting started and practical questions

Is there a free introduction to I Matter?

Yes. Every adult introduction is free and self-paced, takes about 1 hour plus reflection, and gives you 30 days’ access. There are two routes: one for professional roles and leadership, and one for personal and family relationships. No prior knowledge is needed, and you can decide afterwards whether to continue.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-introductions

How much does I Matter cost?

The introductions are free. Level 1 online Get Started is usually £67 but is currently funded.  After completing an introduction and completing the feedback you can apply for a fully funded place. Levels 1–2 cost £247 for 12 months’ access, with an optional printed workbook (£15) and printed course reference (£35). The extended learning with Level 3 is currently by application and currently also priced at £247 for 12 months access.
Study support can be in varied form and is an extra cost.

https://www.imattertraining.com/i-matter-for-professional-roles

What support is included with the online course?

The I Matter online learning is self-guided, so live study support and individual advice are not included in the course price. You are welcome to submit questions and reflections, which help us build the applications library. Optional live workshops and study support are advertised separately when available.

https://www.imattertraining.com/learn-with-us

How do I contact Dr Cathy Betoin or I Matter Training?

You can send a message through the contact form on our website or email Support@imattertraining.com. We are based at Stramongate House, 53 Stramongate, Kendal, LA9 4BH. [Add usual response time.]

https://www.imattertraining.com/contact-us