Attachments Patterns: Their Connections to Well-being, Emotional Intelligence, and Stress Regulation: ATFT Module #1
Presented by
Deborah D. Gray, LICSWIn this introductory class Deborah Gray describes patterns of attachment and the belief systems that are formed within early and ongoing relationships. This class covers the essential emotional reactions and behaviors that are core to each attachment pattern.
Overview
ATFT Module #1 3 CEs
These workshops were recorded as part of the ATFT Certificate program, but therapists will find them very useful as stand alone learning sessions.
Attachments to others cause us to experience joy and connection--or pain and disconnection. Interconnected with our emotions, it is through attachment experiences that our brains develop the basic wiring for either coping with stress or emotional dysregulation.
In this introductory class Deborah Gray describes patterns of attachment and the belief systems that are formed within early and ongoing relationships. This class covers the essential emotional reactions and behaviors that are core to each attachment pattern.
When using attachment theory, it helps to hear the voices of the parents who are forming attachments with children who experienced traumas and losses. Michael and Kristin Berry, provide their foster and adoptive parent perspectives in the second part of this video.
Reflection questions and activities
When listening to the descriptions of attachments patterns, notice if you felt vulnerable. What are ways that you can help parents with their vulnerabilities without blaming children. How might you respond to harsh parenting if you experienced insensitive parenting yourself? How do you think attachment patterns will affect children’s relationships to you when they are coming to you for help? How will you plan to handle your corresponding feelings?
Mike and Kristin Berry discussed how their patterns of attachment were challenged when they parented children with attachment losses and trauma. What can you do within your settings to help parents to stay nurturing?
About the Presenter
Deborah D. Gray, LICSW has the honor of helping families to develop close, satisfying relationships after children’s earlier losses, traumas, and/or prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol. In addition to her therapy practice, Deborah is an author and trainer. She developed and taught the post-graduate certificate program, Attachment/Trauma Focused Therapy (ATFT), which is now available remotely and in modules through Cascadia Training. Deborah has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from ATTACh (International Association for Training on Attachment and Trauma in Children). She was a Henry Meier Practitioner in Residence at the U of WA School of Social Work. She was core faculty for the Adoption and Foster Care Therapy Post-Graduate Certificate Program at Portland State University for 19 years, teaching on the topics of trauma, grief, attachment, and child welfare. Deborah served as the attachment consultant for the 5-year Quality Improvement Project for Children’s Administration. She has keynoted numerous State and Non-profit child welfare conference addresses, including the Joint Council of International Children’s Service Conference in Washington DC. She received her MSW from Syracuse University and MPA in Public Administration (Health Care) from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. Deborah is the author of: *Promoting Healthy Attachments; Attaching through Love, Hugs, and Play; Nurturing Adoptions: Creating Resilience after Neglect and Trauma; and Attaching in Adoption. She co-authored Games and Activities for Attaching with Your Child.