Thrive Today

The relational skills came to fruition in 2001, through the work of Dr. Jim Wilder. Chris Coursey worked closely with Jim Wilder in the testing and creation of the THRIVE Training which was heavily influenced by the research of Dr. Allan Schore of UCLA, Dr. Daniel Siegel (UCLA) and more pioneers. Wilder took the best in brain research to develop exercises that Chris tested in the redemptive community setting where he worked. In 2002, the first in-person THRIVE Training was held. In 2006, the team did a major redesign to include intentional timing for skill practices for each of the 19 skills in every training track. 3 years later, THRIVE Training events go international where they have now been led in the US, Canada, South Korea, Australia, with more on the horizon. For the next 10 years, more resources were published, more trainings were held, and soon THRIVE became known for gathering people to practice skills, build relationships and find interpersonal growth. THRIVE Training was originally a training launched through the organization, Life Model Works. Chris and Jen Coursey soon launched an independent organization known as THRIVEtoday, dedicated to creating training resources and running events focused on the acquisition, strengthening and spreading the 19 relational skills to the world. When COVID-19 disrupted life in 2020, THRIVEtoday had to pivot to create more online learning opportunities for skill training and practice. Through the pandemic, the organization launched shorter training events online, wrote books and developed online courses, and made the skills more accessible than ever before. quick facts