COURSE OVERVIEW

This course offers attendees a scientifically based understanding of attachment theory and research, and one method for applying this theory in clinical practice. Dr. Carol George, an internationally recognized expert in this field of attachment research, will explain the theory underlying this important new understanding of psychological development. Beginning with the works of Bowlby and Ainsworth, she will cover the most relevant aspects of the research in this field, building a foundation upon which to understand patterns of attachment: secure, dismissing, preoccupied, and unresolved/disorganized. You will be exposed to more recent formulations and research that elaborate and extend earlier work in this field, in particular, attachment disorganization, the importance of personal narrative, and the attachment theory approach to psychological defense. In the latter half of the course, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to the newest developmental assessment of adult attachment,The Adult Attachment Projective. This diagnostic tool was created by Dr. George and and her colleagues, Dr's. Malcolm West and Odette Pettem, in response to the need of clinicians and researchers to have an instrument to assess attachment that can be administered and scored more efficiently than lengthy interview-based measures. The AAP is the only adult attachment assessment that integrates defensive processing and elements of attachment that pertain to development of the self. Initial indications suggest this instrument, in addition to being far more practical in clinical research and practice, is also as robust in terms of reliability and predictive quality. Dr. George will elucidate the features of this assessment methodology as it applies to understanding the organization and disorganization of an individual's attachment status. You will also be introduced to the clinical use of this tool and how it measures attachment in a clinical setting. Please note this training is not sufficient to be able to administer the AAP, rather an important first step in understanding its use and value in clinical practice.

HOME STUDY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

What are the major goals of therapy when attachment theory is integrated into one's approach?
How does a client's attachment status influence approach in treatment?
How does attachment and adult attachment status interface with therapeutic intervention?
How might attachment theory, in particular the AAP, be used in therapy with adults, couples, or parent (in parent-child therapy)?

802287

6 CE Audio Course Taken Online