Certified Montessori Workshop (CMDCP)
When: February 5, 2026, 11:00AM – 6:30PM EST
Where / Essentials: Students are responsible for additional certification fee ($110) to ICCDP once they’ve completed this course.
Course is offered via ICCDP Zoom Classroom
Why take the Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP) course?
The CMDCP course teaches how to bring the proven, strengths-based philosophy of Maria Montessori into dementia care. Rather than focusing on loss or limitations, this approach emphasizes what a resident can do — fostering independence, dignity, purpose, and a sense of contribution.
By learning CMDCP methods, life-enrichment staff and care providers gain skills to:
- Design meaningful, person-centered activities and environments.
- Use cueing, environmental adaptations, and activity grading to reduce confusion, agitation, or anxiety in residents with dementia.
- View behaviors (e.g., pacing, agitation, withdrawal) as communication — and respond with empathy, purpose, and structure.Improve quality of life for residents, often with measurable outcomes such as increased engagement, reduced behavioral challenges, and fewer medications when appropriate.
Why the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) supports this?
As an organization committed to high-quality life enrichment and person-centered senior care, NAAP values training that elevates our profession beyond traditional activity delivery. The CMDCP certification aligns with NAAP’s mission by equipping staff with the knowledge and competence to meet the emotional, cognitive, and social needs of residents with dementia in a dignified, respectful, and effective manner.
Supporting CMDCP helps ensure that activity professionals are not just offering “busy work,” but delivering meaningful, therapeutic, and dignity-based programming — reinforcing the professionalism, credibility, and value of life-enrichment staff in senior living communities.
What is ICCDP ?— and where to learn more
ICCDP is the International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, the credentialing body that offers CMDCP (as well as other dementia-care certifications). You can explore all details, requirements, and FAQs about CMDCP via their website here: NCCDP.org
What you get if you take the CMDCP course?
By completing the CMDCP certification, you gain:
- A formal credential: CMDCP — recognized globally as a standard of excellence in Montessori-based dementia care.
- Practical skills: ability to design and deliver dementia-appropriate, meaningful activities; to adapt environments; and to use a person-centered approach to reduce challenging behaviors and support resident autonomy.
- Enhanced professional credibility and confidence — among peers, employers, residents, and families — as someone trained in a well-regarded, evidence-informed, person-centered care model.
- Career and organizational benefits: improved job qualifications, potential for leadership roles, and adding value to your community by enhancing the quality of life and satisfaction for residents and families.
- A mindset shift: moving from activity-based schedules to respectful, meaningful engagement that honors the dignity, history, and strengths of each individual — aligning with best practice in dementia and senior care.
About Brenda:
A Montessori-credentialed dementia specialist, Brenda Gurung (she hers), CMDCPT, CMDCP, VDTAT, MIM, brings 16 years of experience in senior living with a focus on behavioral expressions, communication, caregiving and engagement. As National Director of Memory Care for Kisco Senior Living, she oversees the Heirloom Memory Care program across 31 communities in 11 states. Brenda is a passionate educator and advocate, recognized as a Denver7 ABC Everyday Hero, 2025 Memory Care Innovator and longtime Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. She serves on the NAAP Education Council.
Registration form:
