Transform Your Practice. Empower Your Clients.
Progressive coursework, immersive workshops, expert mentoring, and a global network — everything you need to become an officially recognized Certified OPT™ Specialist.
Certified OPT™ Specialist
Progressive coursework, immersive workshops, expert mentoring, and a global network — everything you need to become an officially recognized OPT™ Specialist.
Choose the Level That Matches Your Next Step
Each level builds on the last, from foundational coursework to officially recognized Certified OPT™ Specialist status.
- 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™
- OPT Assessment & Program Plan
- 3 months applied practice
- Completion certificates for both required courses
Start with the two foundational courses that fulfill Level 1 requirements, then apply OPT™ techniques with clients or as part of your therapy team.
- 1 qualifying specialty course (12 hrs)
- 3+ additional TalkTools® training hours
- 6 months cumulative applied practice
- Specialty course completion certificate
Broaden your OPT™ foundation with qualifying specialty courses in feeding, sensory, motor speech, or related clinical areas.
- Level 1 and Level 2 requirements completed
- Multi-day workshop + pre-workshop self-study
- Case study review with the Levels™ Instructor
- OPT™ Specialist Certificate & Badge
- Global Therapist Network + mentoring touchpoints
Secure a Level 3 cohort date directly through the course store. After purchase, your materials and workshop details are confirmed.
- Level 3 Certified OPT™ Specialist status
- 2+ years of applied OPT™ experience
- Advanced workshop + pre-workshop self-study
- Participant-provided case discussion
- Advanced Specialist Certificate & Senior Badge
Continue into senior-level collaboration with complex case discussion, advanced clinical reasoning, and expanded specialist recognition.
Meet Your Certified OPT™ Teaching Team
Active clinicians and experienced TalkTools® educators guiding candidates through the Levels pathway.
Clinical educator with experience in sensory integration, childhood apraxia, reflex integration, orofacial myology, and practical OPT™ implementation.
Medical doctor specializing in phoniatrics, communication, and feeding disorders, with international experience supporting advanced OPT™ candidates.
Pediatric clinician and certified orofacial myologist with deep experience in sensory-motor intervention, PROMPT, SOS, and OPT™ training.
Clinician and educator focused on oral placement, feeding, and motor speech assessment, treatment planning, and applied clinical reasoning.
International TalkTools® clinician and educator supporting OPT™ training, specialist development, and practical application across clinical settings.
How Levels Empower Clinicians
Real feedback from SLPs, OTs, and feeding specialists at every level of the program.
"Previously when we hit a clinical roadblock, we'd just get stuck. Since joining the Levels community, we have people who've overcome the exact challenges we're facing. That's an extremely valuable resource."
"The Level 2 specialty courses feel like coming home to a community of colleagues who understand the work. It's inspirational, it's practical, and it's very actionable. The coursework gave us a chance to stop and think deeply about our toughest cases."
"The Level 3 intensive alone paid for the entire program. In 48 hours, I walked away with a completely new framework for complex feeding cases, critical thinking skills I was missing, and a network of specialists I now collaborate with regularly. You can't afford NOT to do it."
Collaborative, Cohort-Led Learning.
Level 3 and Level 4 workshops use an interactive, collaborative format. In Level 3, the instructor provides case studies. In Level 4, the cohort brings their own cases for group discussion — guided by the Levels™ Instructor every step of the way.
"You're in the room working through cases together, with the instructor guiding the clinical reasoning and helping the cohort connect each concept to real practice."
Small, Intentional Cohorts
Intentionally capped so candidates can participate in case discussion, questions, and applied practice.
Mentoring Touchpoints
Guidance from the TalkTools® Teaching Team at Levels 3 and 4 to support clinical reasoning and certification.
Global Therapist Network
Level 3 graduates join a worldwide community of OPT™ Specialists who collaborate, share cases, and grow together.
How Level 3 and 4 Workshops Work
A structured, collaborative format led by the Levels™ Instructor.
- 1Pre-Workshop Self-StudyComplete a training module before the workshop to arrive ready for advanced clinical work.
- 2Case Study ReviewWork through cases — instructor-provided in L3, participant-provided in L4 — as a cohort.
- 3Critical Thinking & EvaluationThe instructor guides OPT™ treatment plans, evaluation strategies, and independent reasoning.
- 4Certification & NetworkEarn your OPT™ Specialist Certificate, join the Global Therapist Network, and begin mentoring touchpoints.
Built for the Entire Speech & Feeding Team
Anyone passionate about expanding OPT™ knowledge, empowering clients, and growing their practice can enroll directly. The Levels program is designed for a multidisciplinary range of professionals.
- Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP)
- Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)
- Behavioral Therapist / BCBA
- Lactation Counselor (CLC / IBCLC)
- Orofacial Myologist / COM
- Pediatric Educator
- Feeding Therapist
- Dietician / Nutritionist
- Swallowing / Dysphagia Specialist
How to Get Started
You may be closer to Level 3 than you think. Enroll directly — no waiting period, no gatekeeping. Levels 1–4 are all available for immediate purchase.
- 1Review the requirements for each Level
- 2Purchase your Level 1 course and start immediately
- 3Complete Level 1 and 2 while applying techniques with clients
- 4Purchase Level 3 to secure your cohort spot
- 5After Level 3, enroll in Level 4 to reach Advanced Specialist status
Everything You Need to Know
Purchase your Level 1 course and start immediately. All four levels are available for direct enrollment — no waiting period or prior approval needed. Start with Level 1 coursework, apply OPT™ techniques with clients for 3 months, then progress to Level 2 and beyond. For Level 3 and 4, your cohort dates will be confirmed after purchase.
Yes — if you've already completed Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and have the required months of applied practice, you can purchase Level 3 directly to secure your cohort spot. Certificates must be valid from the past 3 years. Contact TalkTools® if you need help confirming your eligibility.
A multi-day interactive workshop (virtual Zoom or in-person) with a limited small cohort. Includes a pre-workshop self-study and training module. The cohort works closely with the Levels™ Instructor, who provides case studies and guides candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies, and OPT™ treatment plans. Upon completion, you receive your OPT™ Specialist Certificate and join the Global Therapist Network.
Levels 1 and 2 are fully available online. Level 3 and Level 4 cohorts may be offered virtually or in-person depending on the scheduled workshop date.
No. Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates of Course Completion verify that you have completed those courses and can integrate OPT™ techniques in your practice. However, this does not qualify you to advertise as an officially recognized TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist. Only individuals who have completed at least Level 3 are officially recognized Specialists.
Qualifying specialty courses (all 12 hours) include: Navigating the Feeding Journey (Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach), The Kaleidoscope Model™ for Feeding, The Superpowers of the Sensory System, Childhood Apraxia of Speech™ or Motor Speech Master Series, MYOTools 101™: The Foundations of Orofacial Myology, MYOTools 102: Targeting the Four Myo-Domains of Airway, Structure, Feeding and Speech, Best Practices in Feeding, Speech and Mouth Function™, and Taking Your Client with ASD from Non-Vocal to Verbal.
Level 1 requires 3 months of applied practice, Level 2 adds 3 more (6 cumulative), and Level 4 requires 2+ years. Most therapists complete Levels 1–3 within 12–18 months depending on their pace and clinical caseload.
Anyone interested in expanding OPT™ knowledge can enroll directly. Professionals who benefit include: Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavioral Therapists, Lactation Counselors (CLC/IBCLC), Orofacial Myologists (COM), Feeding Therapists, Dieticians/Nutritionists, Swallowing/Dysphagia Specialists, and Pediatric Educators. Note: Level 3 and 4 require availability to attend in-person or virtual workshops.
Ready to Begin Your Certified OPT™ Path?
Start with the level that matches your completed requirements. Level 3 and Level 4 cohort spots are limited by workshop size.
