December 9 & 13, 2017: Conflict psychology and attachment
This 3-hour workshop is intended for legal, mental health, and parenting professionals, who are interested in understanding how childhood attachment experience impacts patterns of adult thinking and behaving. Attachment theory identifies how many or most people develop a cognitive or affective orientation (or bias) to how they think and behave in the context of subjectively perceived dangerous situations. In terms of activating the attachment system, danger is broadly defined and can include family disputes and problems, and the issues that commonly present during holiday times. We will look at what attachment theory is, and compare the two primary models of attachment, the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM) and the ABC+D model. From an attachment perspective, we will look at how ACES and trauma history can impact reflective function and intensity of attachment patterns. We will briefly review the disorganized category, and its limitations and the problems with its use identified by the developers of the disorganized theory.
Then we will look at 22 facets of the cognitive-affective divide to see how people can process information oppositely, the significance of self vs other, and how emotions and affective displays differ in the two patterns. We will see how adult attachment impacts client decision making and narrative style, and how different types of information can be ignored or excessively relied on. Insight into the cognitive-affective divide enhances many aspects of our work including understanding the client’s story and what information is missing, counseling, patience, and choice of professional approach (or treatment) to the client relationship.
Written materials will be provided including a Cognitive-Affective Characteristics and Differences cheat sheet, the Conflict Model circumplex (an attachment-based graphic describing conflict psychology), and a bibliography. This program is a good introduction to the DMM for people already signed up for Dr. Crittenden’s 3-day training, Attachment, Neurodevelopment, and Psychopathology in Seattle, Jan/Feb, 2017.
Presenter: Mark Baumann is a lawyer who practices family law counseling, litigation, and mediation. He has completed intensive courses in conducting attachment assessments for children and adults, and is a certified coder for the Adult Attachment Interview. He has a graduate credit certificate (LL.M. equivalent) in Interpersonal Neurobiology. Mark is developing the Integrative Client-Centered Model (ICCM) for counselors, which includes the DMM based Conflict Model of personality expression in the course of conflict.
Details
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2017.
Time: 9:00-12:20 (3 hours with two 10 minute breaks)
Location: TBD, greater Seattle metro area
Cost: $75. (Free for anyone signed up for Patricia Crittenden’s 3-day Attachment, Neurodevelopment, and Psychopathology course in Seattle Jan/Feb, 2018.)
Complexity level: advanced*
CLE: 3 credits applied for
CE: (not applied for, but it may be possible to do so if you ask)
Please contact Mark Baumann if you would like to set up this training for your firm or agency or in your local community.
*Advanced level: Prior knowledge about attachment theory is not necessary but would be helpful. Reviewing information on ICC.Institute, especially about the ICCM would be helpful. Attachment terminology will be explained, although in some cases briefly. The material covered can provoke sometimes new thoughts and insights, not only about clients but about yourself and your family members, and attendees should be prepared for an intense personal experience.