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2. Read/watch articles & videos.
3. Submit evaluation & post-test.
4. Print your certificate.
Course Materials:
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
Among the earliest themes in psychological research regarding human relationships is the study of the child's relationship or attachment to the mother. While there has been a great deal of research on the organized patterns of attachment, disorganized/disoriented patterns have only recently received attention. Disorganized Attachment has gained more focus as a result of its theoretical link with maltreatment and later trauma-related psychopathology. Disorganized Attachment has been associated with dissociation both concurrently and predictively. Furthermore, quality of attachment does not only affect a child emotionally; it can have both positive and negative physiological effects as well. In sum, attachment organization is associated with protective resilience on one end, with secure organized attachment patterns and a vulnerability to psychopathology with infant Insecurity and Disorganization on the other end. Given the impact of attachment across the lifespan, knowledge about attachment theory can be of particular value. Therapists can use attachment theory to gain understanding of clients' issues and how clients relate to significant others in their life. The therapeutic relationship can be utilized to heal unhealthy attachment patterns. How we attach to others affects how we regulate stress and emotions and the toll that takes on our body. A healthy attachment is at the core of our emotional and physical well-being.
In this introductory course, there are nine documents for review. The first article provides a thorough review of the literature on attachment theory and the relationship between trauma and attachment. Included in the review are publications from leading experts, such as Mary Ainsworth, John Bowlby, Elizabeth Carlson, Alan Sroufe, Dante Cicchetti, Mary Main, Erik Hesse, Karlen Lyons-Ruth, Alan Schore, and Dan Seigel. The Powerpoint presentation summarizes the results of a study on Disorganized Attachment in military families. The study explored trauma history, maternal affective communication, narrative errors, dissociation and Disorganized Attachment. These materials are followed by an article that focuses on the diagnostic categories associated with attachment. Next is a set of videos depicting aspects of attachment theory. Finally, Resources, References and Updates are provided for the clinician.
Educational Objectives:
This course will teach psychotherapists to
Summarize Attachment Theory.
Describe measures used to assess infant attachment
Describe patterns of attachment
List the DSM criteria for making the diagnosis of Reactive attachment disorder
Report on the relationship between trauma and attachment.
Review the results of a study on Disorganized Attachment in military families
Course Syllabus:
Overview of Attachment theory
Key figures in development of attachment theory
Types of attachment defined
Secure attachment
Avoidant Attachment
Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment
Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment, Dissociation and Trauma
Behavioral characteristics of Disorganized Attachment in infants
Genetic factors in the prediction of disorganization
The role of trauma in Disorganized Attachment
Psychophysiology of Disorganized Attachment
Etiology of dissociation
Genetic vs. Environmental causes of dissociation
Characteristics of dissociative behavior in children
Assessment of dissociation
The role of dissociation in Psychopathology and Disorganized Attachment
Implications of Disorganized Attachment in Infancy
Attachment and dissociation in Adulthood
Caregiving and Disorganized Attachment
Intergenerational Effects of Trauma
Assessing infant attachment
Ainsworth Strange Situation
Trauma and Attachment
Research findings on Disorganized Attachment in a military sample
Among the earliest themes in psychological research regarding human relationships is the study of the child's relationship or attachment to the mother. While there has been a great deal of research on the organized patterns of attachment, disorganized/disoriented patterns have only recently received attention. Disorganized Attachment has gained more focus as a result of its theoretical link with maltreatment and later trauma-related psychopathology. Disorganized Attachment has been associated with dissociation both concurrently and predictively. Furthermore, quality of attachment does not only affect a child emotionally; it can have both positive and negative physiological effects as well. In sum, attachment organization is associated with protective resilience on one end, with secure organized attachment patterns and a vulnerability to psychopathology with infant Insecurity and Disorganization on the other end. Given the impact of attachment across the lifespan, knowledge about attachment theory can be of particular value. Therapists can use attachment theory to gain understanding of clients' issues and how clients relate to significant others in their life. The therapeutic relationship can be utilized to heal unhealthy attachment patterns. How we attach to others affects how we regulate stress and emotions and the toll that takes on our body. A healthy attachment is at the core of our emotional and physical well-being.
