Training

We do training on attachment and lots of other interesting and relevant subjects. We have courses ready to be delivered and can create bespoke training on request.

Training in the DMM

The Family Relations Institute (FRI) trains and authorises trainers for the developmentally sequenced assessments of attachment tied to the Dynamic Maturational Model (DMM) of Attachment and Adaption. The model is strengths-based and developmental and offers an age-related array of self-protective strategies. It emphasises the functional nature of behaviour and respects the need for survival strategies.

Rebecca Carr-Hopkins is a Board member of FRI and authorised to teach the following assessments:

Infant CARE-Index (ICI)
Infant Strange Situation (SSP)
School-age Assessment of Attachment (SAA) and the Family Drawing
Adult Attachment Interview (AAI)

DMM assessments can be used as standalone assessments, to inform assessments of parenting capacity and risk, or aid treatment planning. All the methods are well tested with a robust evidence base.

With other information, DMM assessments of attachment can be used to:

Provide understanding of problematic behaviour in children and adults;
Develop functional formulations of family problems;
Guide decision-making;
Evaluate children and adults before offering psychological services.

The Infant CARE-Index – online training

9 days

The Infant CARE-Index (ICI, Crittenden, 1981) is the simplest and most versatile of the DMM assessments. It assesses patterns of interaction of infants and their carers from birth to about 15 months of age based on a 3-minute video-recorded play interaction. It does not assess attachment & captures the best of dyad’s functioning (rather than capturing the dyad’s response to stress, i.e., attachment). The ICI has extensive published validating evidence. The course is taught in English.

The Infant Strange Situation (SSP)

12 days

The Infant Strange Situation (SSP) is an instrument for assessing quality of attachment in 11-17-month-old infants.

The School-age Assessment of Attachment – online training

15 days

The School-age Assessment of Attachment (SAA) is a clinical tool that offers reliable and valid assessment of children’s attachment. It is appropriate for children between 6 years of age and puberty. The course is taught in English.

The Adult Attachment Interview – online training

18 days

The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) is a procedure for assessing adults’ strategies for identifying, preventing and protecting the self from perceived dangers, particularly dangers tied to initiate relationships. The course is taught in English.

Advanced Training in the Adult Attachment Interview – online training

8 days: Tuesdays and Fridays for 4 weeks

This is the advanced training course for the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). It teaches discourse analysis for very troubled individuals (in-patient, psychoses, personality disorders, criminality) & builds on the DMM methods taught in the 18-day course. The course is taught in English

Training in Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)

VIG Introductory Training Course – online course

2 days

This introductory course is the essential starting point to training in VIG. It provides the background to VIG, it’s underlying value system and how this affects practice. Participants get the opportunity to practice using the technique in a small group.

Attachment Training

Attachment theory is essential for understanding how human beings function in relationships and how people develop social and psychological difficulties. It is also fundamental for understanding what constitutes psychological wellbeing.

The focus of the training is to translate the theory into principles, tools and practical strategies for working with children and their families. We help participants move from assessment to formulation to planning and intervention. The training is designed to increase the confidence of practitioners to act as change agents and to understand and relate to people in an attuned way.

Introduction to Attachment Theory

2 days

A 2 day introductory course focused on translating attachment theory into principles, tools and practical strategies for working with families.

Attachment Based Practice with Families

6 days

A 3 part modular training programme focused on translating attachment theory into principles, tools and practical strategies for working with families.

Attachment Based Practice with Adults

3 days

A 3 day course for professionals who work with parents or other adults and adolescents, including those who pose a risk to themselves or others.

Attachment for Foster Carers 1 day

1 day

A 1 day course for foster carers focused on how attachment theory can inform understanding of looked after children.

Attachment for Foster Carers 2 day

2 days

A 2 day course for foster carers providing a comprehensive introduction to attachment theory and developmental trauma and its implications for caregiving.

Training for a Social Care and Health Audience

We offer vibrant, interesting and informative training programmes for social work practitioners, their managers and multi-agency partners across the health and social care sector. We provide learning environments that are innovative and fun focussed on helping participants to use their learning to change their practice.