040. Attachment-based Intervention Specialist Training
PRESENTERS
CREDENTIALS
CE CREDITS
LEVEL
Summary
Attachment theory holds tremendous potential in the case of conceptualization and treatment of various forms of psychopathology, including childhood problems, relationship conflicts, chronic depression, anxiety disorders, and more. This intensive will explore the inherent power of the therapeutic relationship to literally change the brain’s chemistry, structure, and function. The role of various neurobiological systems will be identified, including the brainstem and vagal tone, sympathetic-parasympathetic balance, the limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, and septum), the prefrontal cortex, left vs. right hemisphere activation, mirror neurons, neural integration, and relational neuroplasticity. “Secure Base” Psychotherapy offers an attachment-informed system for assessment and treatment through establishing a curative relationship, navigating treatment resistance, and healing attachment wounds. Psychologists and licensed mental health professionals will learn how to accurately assess attachment, along with powerful, evidence-based techniques, for processing strong attachment-related emotions, revising core attachment beliefs, developing emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills, breaking chronic patterns of withdrawal, isolation, hostility, and addictions, and generalizing treatment results to situations and relationships outside of therapy. Role-plays and case studies will be used throughout. Specific attention will be given to Christian integration for Christian clients and pertinent multicultural and ethical guidelines.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Describe foundational principles of attachment theory through the lens of the secure base system, including exploration, threat, attachment emotions (intimacy, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief), proximity seeking, signaling, and the safe haven experience
- Identify the core features of interpersonal neurobiology
- Summarize Siegel’s triangle of well-being (mind, brain, and relationships)
- Outline brain basics and how various neurobiological systems are activated and changed in the context of restorative relationships
- Summarize each attachment style and its development across the lifespan
- Assess how attachment styles influence emotion regulation, self-worth maintenance, resilience, risk, parenting, romantic intimacy, spiritual growth, and risk and resilience to various forms of psychopathology
- Describe the main tenants of “Secure Base” Psychotherapy, an integrated approach for assessing attachment and linking the assessment results to an integrated, attachment-informed case-formulation system
- Critique core therapeutic relationship techniques for skillfully establishing and maintaining a strong, curative secure-base therapy relationship
- Demonstrate crucial skills needed to detect and manage treatment resistance and potential therapy wounds
- Outline six core, evidence-based therapy strategies (including more than a dozen specific techniques) within an attachment-informed perspective to common clinical cases, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and disruptive mood dysregulation
MORE WORKSHOPS
301: Heart to Heart: Difficult Family Conversations with Life-changing Results
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary One of the most challenging relational skills is learning how to effectively engage someone in a difficult and confrontational conversation that identifies the differences between their two perspectives. However, this...
302: The Biology of Sin
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary As both a Christian and a neuroscientist, Dr. Stanford has seen scientific knowledge distorted to justify sinful behavior and, perhaps, even more disturbingly, has witnessed Christians misuse Scripture to demonize and...
306: Riding the Waves of Emotion: Practical Skills for Emotion Regulation Copy
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary Emotion dysregulation is a frequently reported symptom of many psychological disorders. This workshop will explore the nature, function, and neurobiology of emotion regulation, as well as its development through securely...
307: Imposter Syndrome: Timely Insights and Proven Strategies to Address One of the Nation’s Most Overlooked Mental Health Issues
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary Each year, thousands of people seek help from psychologists and licensed mental health professionals for their low self-esteem and confidence. Though not a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, some of the most famous public...
402: Mental and Relational Healthcare for the Church: The Struggle is Real
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary People are hurting today in unprecedented ways and virtually epidemic numbers. A litany of clinically significant mental and relational health problems exists not only in society at large but within the Church. Yet, in most...
403: Healthy People, Healthy Relationships: How Conflict in Relationships Can be the Catalyst for Deeper Healing
PRESENTERSCREDENTIALSCE CREDITSLEVELSummary Couples facing regular conflict and routine marital tension often fail to realize that there tends to be a conflict pattern that comes up repeatedly in their relationship. Interestingly enough, that conflict pattern is...