Developments in Attachment Theory and Practice: New approaches for complex clinical work
EVENT POSTPONED
Saturday 24 June 2023
A live webinar with Graham Music, Kathy Steele, and Tanya Lecchi
CE Credits: 3 hours
- This event will not be recorded
- Bookings close at 4:00am EDT Wednesday 21 June
‘Attachment trauma’ is now a buzzword in the sociocultural discourse. But what does it really mean in psychotherapy today? How do we conceptualise developmental trauma and work with a person with attachment-related trauma when the work is complex? In this seminar, we will explore what ongoing advances in neurobiology and psychotherapeutic theory mean for effectively working with attachment trauma in the therapy room.
READ MORE...Leading experts will reflect on how our understanding of attachment has been updated in the context of current research, which emphasises the centrality of the ‘right brain’ in the relational development of the self. We will use Polyvagal Theory to understand how people with attachment trauma may be frequently operating from their autonomic nervous system, commonly known as a ‘fight flight or freeze response,’ because they feel threatened or unsafe in relationships and experience internal self-alienation. Using Motivational Systems Theory, participants will learn how activating the brain’s collaborative ‘peer-to-peer system’ as an alternative to the ‘attachment system’ could be the key to establishing a therapeutic alliance with clients who may have a disorganised attachment style. We will explore how to skilfully incorporate non-verbal and embodied ‘right brain’ interventions in the co-created therapeutic process, to promote traumatic recovery and healing. We will also discuss the concept of ‘earned secure attachment’ through intersubjective and intrapsychic processes as an outcome of therapeutic change.
The speakers will draw on their own research, publications, and clinical experience to share a wealth of insight and ideas. You can expect a lively discussion, delivered through thought-provoking individual talks, followed by a panel discussion. You will leave with new ideas on how to think about and work with attachment trauma in practice.
FULL PROGRAMME
09.00 EDT
Introductions
09:10
Graham Music
What does attachment-related trauma really mean?
Attachment is one of the most well-known and accepted psychological theories of the 20th century. But such a ubiquitous concept can lead to confusion about what attachment is and isn’t. In this talk, Dr Music will explore some of the major controversies and critiques of attachment theory, including intercultural perspectives. Graham will help us to deconstruct and clearly redefine what attachment means in relation to trauma, contextualising existing knowledge in in the rapidly evolving theoretical and research landscape.
Learning objectives
- Give examples of attachment related trauma
- Criticise aspects of attachment theory such as of potential cultural bias
- Integrate existing and evolving theoretical perspectives on attachment
10.00
Q&A
10.15
Break
10:35
Kathy Steele
Beyond Attachment: Understanding motivational systems in the treatment of complex trauma and dissociation
Dr Steele will explore several inborn motivational systems that influence how clients with disorganised attachment attempt to relate to others. For example, clients may use control or sexuality as a substitute for attachment, when attachment is perceived as unhelpful or too dysregulating. Therapists will learn how to identify which motivational systems are activated in the client and how to work with them to shift to a more adaptive relational style. We will also pay attention to the motivational systems active in the therapist and how these can either help or hinder therapy.
Learning objectives
- Define motivational systems and identify five social systems in addition to attachment.
- Discuss the impact of disorganized attachment on the use of other social motivational systems instead of attachment.
- Apply specific relational strategies to support clients in shifting to more adaptive relational styles.
11.20
Q&A
11.35
Break
12:00
Tanya Lecchi
The role of therapeutic presence in right brain psychotherapy for attachment trauma
Trauma that occurs early in life can change foundational systems of the growing brain, with enduring effects on the developing mind. In particular, the right brain imprints dysregulated attachment experiences, altering the development of essential right brain functions. Within the psychotherapeutic relationship, right brain intersubjectivity deficits manifest as the inability to nonverbally emotionally communicate and interpersonally synchronize with another brain. Therefore, synchronised rupture and repair of the emotional attachment bond between client and therapist represents a fundamental mechanism of change, rooted in the therapist’s ability to be fully present and receptive, a skill that can be cultivated by practicing mindfulness.
Learning objectives
- Understand the impact of attachment trauma on right brain functions
- Critically evaluate the importance of therapeutic presence in rupture and repair processes
- Explore how to develop therapist’s self-regulation and co-regulation skills.
12.45
Q&A
13.00
Panel Session and Q&A
13.30
End
FEES (USD)
Bookings close at 4:00am EDT Wednesday 21 June
Live Webinar:
$96 (Member $48)
(Click here to become a member)
This does not include a recording of the event.
CE
This event is accredited by:
- ASWB
- NBCC
- NYSED (Psychology)
- NYSED (Psychoanalysis)
- NYSED (Social Workers)
Certificates of attendance for 3 hours will be provided.
To receive the full CE credits, you are required to attend 100% of the live event. No partial credit will be given.
This event is NOT accredited by the following organisations:
Please note, that this event is not being recorded and no CE test post event will be available and so you will need to attend all of the live event to receive the CE certificate.
Please contact events@conferonline.org for any further questions.
Confer, #1813, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Confer maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/19/2022 – 08/19/2023. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits
Confer has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7136. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Confer is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Confer is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0169
Confer Limited is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #P-0059.
Confer Limited is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0729.
VENUE
Live webinar: Zoom
Zoom is free to download and use.
For more information about Zoom click here.
To download Zoom free of charge click here.
For special accommodations for individuals with disabilities see our FAQs.
SCHEDULE
Saturday
09.00 Introductions
09:10 Graham Music
10.00 Q&A
11.15 Break
11.35 Kathy Steele
12.20 Q&A
12.35 Break
13.00 Tanya Lecchi
13.45 Q&A
14.00 Panel Session and Q&A
14.30 End
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learning objectives
- Understand the impact of attachment trauma on right brain functions
- Critically evaluate the importance of therapeutic presence in rupture and repair processes
- Explore how to develop therapist’s self-regulation and co-regulation skills.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Regrettably, refunds cannot be given in any circumstances except as follows:
- You cancel in writing to info@conferonline.org 60 days before the first date of the event you have booked, in which case you will be entitled to a 100% refund.
- You cancel in writing to info@conferonline.org 30 days before the first date of the event you have booked, in which case you will be entitled to a 50% refund.
This does not apply to parts of an event such as a seminar within a series but only to a whole event or complete series. You may give your place to another person if you let us know that person's name at least 24 hours before the event begins.
We reserve the right to change a speaker at one of our conferences without offering a refund. However, if a solo presenter cancels we will offer a full refund OR transfer of your fee to another Confer event. If the entire event is canceled we will offer you a full refund.
We reserve the right to change our prices at any time. Regrettably, discounts offered after you made your booking cannot be claimed or applied retrospectively.