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CDTC Online Programs

Speaking Up

A court-assignable program that teaches assertive communication: say what you need clearly and respectfully, hold your ground, and handle conflict without blowing up. Three tiers. Your court assigns one. Complete it at your own pace, on any device.

Two men have a calm, direct conversation, the assertive communication taught in the Speaking Up program.

Say what you need — without blowing up, and without backing down.

Most of us were never taught how to speak up the right way. Speaking Up teaches the skill: how to say what you think, feel, and need — clearly and respectfully — even on a hard day, even when the other person is pushing you. There's a middle road between staying silent and running someone over. This program shows you where it is, and trains you to walk it — then earn a certificate the court can verify.

Speaking Up comes from CDTC Online, the online-programs arm of the Court Diagnostic & Treatment Center — a nonprofit and the premier provider of forensic mental health services in Northwest Ohio, serving courts across 13 counties. If your paperwork says a communication skills or conflict resolution class, this is that program.

Is this your program?
Find your tier, then enroll

Tier 1 — Foundation

$49 · one time · per participant
For a 1st offense or low risk for reoffending (low ORAS-CT). 13 sessions, about 8 hours.
Enroll in Tier 1

Tier 2 — Standard

$79 · one time · per participant
For a 2nd offense or moderate risk (moderate ORAS-CT). 27 sessions, about 16 hours.
Enroll in Tier 2

Tier 3 — Intensive

$149 · one time · per participant
For 2nd+ re-offenses or high / very high risk (high/very high ORAS-CT). 53 sessions, about 30 hours.
Enroll in Tier 3

Prices are per participant, paid directly at enrollment. No cost to the court. Not sure of your tier? Check your paperwork or ask your probation officer.

What you'll learn
The real curriculum — built deeper at each tier

The four ways people talk

Passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive — how to spot each in real time, and why only one actually works.

The “I” statement

Say what you need without attacking — and keep it working even when the other person fires back.

Asking for what you need

Make a clear request instead of hinting, hoping, or building up steam until you blow.

Saying no and meaning it

A calm, kind “no” — without the guilt, and without caving the second someone pushes.

Staying steady under pressure

When someone baits or criticizes you, hold your line, cool your body before your words, and leave before it blows.

Listening — and repair after a blow-up

Listen so they hear you back, and when a moment goes wrong, apologize for real and rebuild trust. What you do after matters most.
Common questions
Answers before you enroll
My paperwork says a communication or conflict class — is this it?
Yes. Courts use different names for the same thing. Whether it says communication skills or conflict resolution, Speaking Up covers that ground.
Do I have to finish it all at once?
No. It's self-paced — one session a day, a few a week, or a weekend push. The program saves your progress.
What if I fail a quiz or the final exam?
Knowledge checks help you learn, not trip you up. Review the lesson and try again; you can retake the final exam until you pass.
How does the court know I finished?
When you pass the final exam, you earn a completion certificate the court can verify — proof you completed the program at your assigned tier.

Your safety comes first. If speaking up or setting a limit could put you in danger, assertiveness is not a substitute for a safety plan. The National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233 (or text START to 88788) — is free, confidential, and available any time.

Talk to a real person

Not sure which program or tier is yours? CDTC's Treatment Department can help before you spend a dollar. Call 419.244.8624, option 3.
Call 419.244.8624