Elite Mental Toughness® is a educational training program. This is not therapy, counseling, or clinical treatment. This program is not a substitute for professional mental health services.
Elite Mental Toughness® Virtual Training
Next Workshop Starting Late January 2026
Master your thoughts - Control your emotions - Build unshakeable resilience through research-validated training
Simon, 2019
Struggling to Manage Stress, Anxiety, or Overwhelming Thoughts?
✓ Constantly stressed; struggling to manage daily pressures
✓ Thoughts spiraling—can't shut off your mind
✓ Overwhelmed by emotions you can't control
✓ Worried about burnout or worse
✓ Tried other stress management programs that didn't work
You're not broken. You just haven't learned the right tools yet.
What is Elite Mental Toughness®?
EMT is an 8-session group psychoeducational training program that teaches you "Jedi-level" mental flexibility tools to master your thoughts and emotions so you can respond to life's challenges rather than react to daily stressors.
Unlike generic stress management programs, EMT uses evidence-based educational techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral strategies, acceptance-based approaches, mindfulness practices, and neuroscience research.
Developed through rigorous doctoral research with military populations, EMT is an upstream prevention program that teaches protective skills for managing stress, enhancing resilience, and preventing burnout.
Important: EMT is psychoeducation (skills training), not mental health treatment. This program does not replace professional clinical care.
Training Program Details
⏰ Duration: 8 sessions (9.5 hours total)
📅 Timeline: Complete in 2 weeks
💻 Format: 100% virtual via Zoom
👥 Experience: Interactive small groups with breakout skill practice
📚 Includes: Educational materials, homework practice assignments, certificate of completion
Schedule
January 20, 22, 27, & 29, 2026
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3-5 PM Alaska Time (7-9 PM EST)
Investment: $600
Secure online payment.
Who Is Elite Mental Toughness® For?
This psychoeducational training program is designed for:
✅ Military service members & veterans
✅ First responders (police, fire, EMS, dispatchers)
✅ Healthcare workers facing secondary stress
✅ Athletes & high performers
✅ Business leaders & executives
✅ Mental health professionals managing work-related stress
✅ Anyone in high-stress professions
✅ Individuals seeking enhanced resilience and stress management skills
Important: EMT is educational training, not mental health treatment. Participants can engage in this program while receiving professional clinical care elsewhere. This program does not replace therapy or counseling.
Research-Validated Effectiveness
EMT Rating: 87.5% effective | Standard Training: 64% effective
Statistical Significance: p = .0096 (highly significant)
Effect Size: Cohen's d = 2.53 (very large)
Dr. Curtis's doctoral research involved senior Air Force officers who rated EMT 36% more effective than standard military resilience training for teaching stress management and suicide prevention skills.
Expert Validation
"Elite Mental Toughness moves the needle away from suicidal ideation."
— Senior Military Officer, Expert Panel
"If you can save one life it is worth it, and I feel that your program will save a lot."
— Senior Military Officer, Expert Panel
Note: Research demonstrates EMT's effectiveness as a psychoeducational prevention program. This is not a substitute for clinical intervention when mental health treatment is needed.
What You'll Learn: Eight Skill-Building Components
EMT Rating: 87.5% effective | Standard Training: 64% effective
Statistical Significance: p = .0096 (highly significant)
Effect Size: Cohen's d = 2.53 (very large)
Dr. Curtis's doctoral research involved senior Air Force officers who rated EMT 36% more effective than standard military resilience training for teaching stress management and suicide prevention skills.
Expert Validation
"Elite Mental Toughness moves the needle away from suicidal ideation."
— Senior Military Officer, Expert Panel
"If you can save one life it is worth it, and I feel that your program will save a lot."
— Senior Military Officer, Expert Panel
Note: Research demonstrates EMT's effectiveness as a psychoeducational prevention program. This is not a substitute for clinical intervention when mental health treatment is needed.
What You'll Learn: Eight Skill-Building Components
Lesson 1 (Thought Flexibility)
Learn to detach from unhelpful thoughts and observe them without getting entangled.
Lesson 2 (Emotion Flexibility)
Understand the neurological bases of uncomfortable emotions and practice neurological-based skills to move through emotions without trying to control or avoid them.
Lesson 3 (Self-Perspective Flexibility)
Practice present-moment awareness and observation of thoughts and feelings.
Lesson 4 (Attention Flexibility)
Learn to observe yourself from a greater context as a human being rather than from the content of troubling life experiences, negative thoughts, or difficult feelings.
Lesson 5 (Direction Flexibility)
Identify personal core values and align daily actions and decisions to these values.
Lesson 6 (Action Flexibility)
Take committed steps toward values, adjusting behaviors when obstacles or difficult thoughts show up instead of getting stuck.
Lesson 7 (Relationship Flexibility)
Build healthier relationship interactions at work and home using an accessible, sports-inspired approach. Discover how past emotional "injuries" can trigger present conflicts and gain skills to move past injuries to strengthen relationships.
Lesson 8 (Community Flexibility)
Develop personal crisis response planning and gain knowledge of supportive local and national community resources for mental health support.
100+ Training Sessions Delivered
Successfully Implemented with:
Fairbanks Native Association (indigenous populations)
Eielson Air Force Base (active-duty personnel)
Substance use residential treatment programs (adolescents and adults)
Community mental health settings
Diverse populations: Ages 13-adult, diverse cultural backgrounds, high-risk populations, co-occurring challenges, military and civilian settings.
What Participants Say
"It put in perspective how distracting thoughts and feelings can be. I learned how to acknowledge thoughts but not giving them power."
— Military Participant
"The activities were very helpful and now I am looking at myself from a different perspective."
— Training Program Participant
"The relationship analysis was super helpful for understanding all the reasons for what happens during a negative dialogue in a relationship."
— Program Participant
FAQs
Is Elite Mental Toughness® therapy or counseling??
No. EMT is a psychoeducational training program, not clinical therapy or counseling. You're learning skills through group education, not receiving mental health treatment. This program does not replace professional clinical care.
Do I need to be military/first responder?
No. While EMT was developed with military populations, it's effective for anyone facing high stress or seeking enhanced resilience skills.
What is the Elite Mental Toughness® group like?
Sessions are interactive group training. You'll practice skills with others, but you're never required to share personal information.
Do you offer virtual Elite Mental Toughness® groups?
Yes, we offer a mix of in-person and virtual for optimal group connection.
Can I take this if I'm in therapy?
Yes. EMT is educational skills training that complements (but does not replace) professional mental health care. Consult your provider if you have questions about participation.
Can my organization sponsor multiple employees?
Yes! Contact Dr. Curtis for organizational pricing: traumarecoveryinstitute.org/contact
Ready to Build Elite Mental Toughness®?
"Next group training starting January 20, 2026.
Space is limited to ensure interactive engagement and personalized attention.
Investment: $600
Questions?
Contact Form: traumarecoveryinstitute.org/contact
Email: contact@traumarecoveryinstitute.org
Note: This is a psychoeducational training program, not mental health treatment.
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