Institute for Relational Development

Co-founded by Dr. Covington and Dr. Anne Dosher in 1994, the Institute for Relational Development seeks to develop caring, compassionate, and empowering environments.

Through consultation and organizational development, the Institute assists in strategic planning, program development and staff training for agencies interested in creative growth and system change. It also provides clinical services to individuals, couples, and families.

Services to Agencies and Organizations

The Institute for Relational Development assists agencies in both the public and private sectors by providing expertise, leadership, technical assistance, and services in the following areas:

  • System analysis: analyzes system readiness for gender-responsive and trauma-informed approaches
  • Policy review and development: reviews existing policies with respect to women and girls and assists in developing gender-responsive and trauma-informed policies
  • Strategic planning: provides facilitation to agencies for short- and long-term planning of gender-responsive approaches to policy and programs
  • Program development: helps to develop gender-reponsive, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive services and programs for women and girls.
  • Training: provides technical assistance and training to administrators and line staff who work with women and girls
  • Assessment: assesses the environment and content of programs in institutional and community-based settings

Consultation

The Institute for Relational Development, in addition to providing clinical services to individuals and families, has assisted agencies with institutional, program, and staff development. The following are among the past and present clients:

  • Betty Ford Treatment Center, Rancho Mirage, California
  • Biola University, La Mirada, California
  • Center for Mental Health Services, Rockville, Maryland
  • Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Rockville, Maryland
  • Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Rockville, Maryland
  • Connecticut Women's Consortium
  • Drug Strategies, Washington, D.C.
  • Department of Mental Health, Guam
  • Edgehill Newport Foundation, Newport, Rhode Island
  • Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Human Services System, Fresno, California
  • McAlister Institute, San Diego, California
  • Mental Health Systems, San Diego, California
  • North Carolina Department of Mental Health
  • Pine Grove Women's Center, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, Rockville, Maryland
  • Women's Alcoholism Center, San Francisco, California
  • Women's Recovery Center, Hanley Treatment Center, West Palm Beach