Full Course Description

Creating Healthy Attachment: A step by step guide to apply proven models in everyday therapy

OUTLINE

Session 1—The Framework of EFT and Attachment – Part 1

Understanding the Logic Behind Love
The “EFT Tango”
Designed for Love
Couples Therapy: A New Era
The Importance of a Secure Emotional Connection
Using EFT to Understand the Nature of Relationships
A New Science of Love

Session 2—The Framework of EFT and Attachment – Part 2

Changing the Responsiveness to Threat with EFT
EFT is Experiential
Primary Affect – Exploring Pivotal Moments
The 6 Core Emotions
Working within the Emotion and Affect Regulation
EFT Core Assumptions
Code of Attachment – Primary Needs
Attachment Theory – Map of the Landscape of Love
EFT Stages & Steps

Session 3—Dyadic Development Psychotherapy – Part 1

Attunement & Rhythmic Expression
The Importance of Intersubjectivity
Using Curiosity to Develop a Perception
Using Attachment to Understand Developmental Trauma
Research Supporting Attachment
Self-Regulation – For the Therapist and for the Child
Discipline in Secure Attachments vs. Insecure Attachments
3 Major Relational Systems in Mammals

Session 4—Dyadic Development Psychotherapy – Part 2

Speaking for the Child: Verbal and Non-Verbal Responses
Using PACE to Stay Open
PACE
- Playful
- Accepting
- Curious
- Empathetic

First Panel Discussion with Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Dan Hughes

How does EFT work with issues of rigid gender views, or a controlling dynamic?
- Creating Safety with Couples
- Creating Safety with Children
What strategy does the therapist use to recognize their emotional response?
How do you deal with dissociation in children?

Session 5—Applying EFT within an Attachment Framework

The “Still Face Experiment”
How Couples React to Emotional Disconnection
EFT Stage1: De-escalation
EFT Stage 2: Restructuring the Bond
EFT Stage 3: Consolidation
Interventions in EFT Through Reflection
The Importance of Validation in Creating Safety
We are Designed to Co-Regulate with Other People
Evocative Responding – Process Enquiries
Heightening, Expanding Awareness

Session 6—Dyadic Development Psychotherapy – Part 3

Attachment is Reciprocal
Using a Storytelling Rhythm to Engage Children with an Affective/Reflective Component
Working with the Parents Before the Session
Understanding the Situation, Bringing the Child In
Protecting the Dialogue
Continuing the Rhythm through the Hard Parts
No Distinction Between Directive and Non-Directive Therapy
Connect – Break – Repair
Non-Verbal Communication
Starting Experiential then Moving into Reflection

Dialogue on Treatment Models with Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Dan Hughes

Dr. Sue: On Leading People into their Story, and Making Sense of it
Dr. Dan: On Validating Both Parties on Having Confidence to go to the Heart of the Matter
Dr. Sue: On Asking “Why”
Dr. Dan: Why He Uses “Why” (within the Context of PACE)
Dr. Sue: Validating the Positive within an Attachment Framework
Dr. Dan: The Validation isn’t just Observational, but Experiential
Dr. Sue: Both Practices Involve Emotional Presence with the Clients
Dr. Sue: Intersubjective Mean both People Are Affected
How do you deal with a parent of teen who puts up a wall?
Dr. Sue: Take Care of the Relationship – The Bond – and the Content will Take Care of Itself

Second Panel Discussion with Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Dan Hughes

How do you work with people where there is basic trust lacking?
How do you work with biological parents who may have caused the trauma?
Interventions take time, how do you manage the pressure to fix things quickly?
How do you deal with labels or diagnoses?
Can you give an example of a disruption or break in connection? What were your repair strategies?

OBJECTIVES

Describe the symptoms, causes and effects of secure and insecure attachment.
Summarize how to foster safety for the child so they can face or resolve past trauma.
Identify the three components of intersubjectivity and their treatment implications.
Describe the PACE method and how it is used in the treatment of traumatized or attachment disordered youth.
List the stages, steps and interventions of EFT.
Describe the key conversations that shape bonding experiences.
Describe strategies to use in order to recognize emotional response.
Identify how to use attachment to understand developmental trauma.
Summarize EFT to understand the nature of relationships.

Program Information

Target Audience

Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Case Managers, Addiction Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Nurses, and other Mental Health Professionals.

Harnessing the Power of Emotion in Couples Therapy

OUTLINE:

Distinguish Between Primary and Secondary Emotion
Use Attachment Theory as a Road Map for Couples Work
Soften Power Struggles and Reestablish Felt Connection
Encourage Vulnerability by Incorporating the 3 S’s-Slow, Soft, Simple-in Your Therapeutic Style
Use Focused Empathic Reflection to Reconnect, Repair and Rebuild their Bonds

OBJECTIVES;

Explain why clients will attain better outcomes in therapy when therapists help them become more comfortable with emotion.
Describe how therapists can work experientially with emotions in therapy.
Discuss how to effectively address clients’ attachment issues in session.

Program Information

Target Audience

Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Case Managers, Addiction Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Nurses, and other Mental Health Professionals