Every person carries around deep wounds, behaviors, and beliefs about themselves and others from their earliest attachments that unconsciously direct their lives. Early relationships help shape a person’s adult romantic relationships, how they will parent, and how they’re likely to do in psychotherapy. Attachment research shows that when people fail to make sense of their past, they find themselves reliving and recreating it, essentially re-experiencing old hurts over and over again. This research also demonstrates that making sense of the past is the best predictor of one’s ability to shape their future and that securely attached therapists have the best patient outcomes.

In this illuminating, two-part Webinar, Dr. Lisa Firestone will integrate the latest attachment theory and neurobiological research to help clinicians understand attachment and how it impacts psychotherapy. In two 90-minute sessions (three hours total), this online workshop will focus on how to help patients create coherent narratives, so that they can move from less secure forms of attachment to earned secure attachment and have a deeper sense of inner security. Research in neurobiology shows that when a person writes a coherent narrative, they actually rewire their brain to feel more secure within themselves and their relationships. 

Attachment is one of the most researched theories of psychology. Many psychotherapy outcome research studies are using change in attachment status to earned secure attachment as a measure of successful psychotherapy. The Webinar will provide tools to help clients integrate their emotions, heal insecure attachment, and flourish in all their relationships. It will guide therapists in helping clients resolve old traumas, big and small, so that they no longer intrude on the present. Through guided writing exercises and experiential activities, individuals can get to know themselves better and gain valuable insight.

Learning Objectives:

1. Demonstrate how child attachment patterns continue to affect people throughout their lives. 
2. Describe, using cutting edge neurobiological research, how clients can rewire their brains to feel more secure. 
3. Discuss a framework for helping clients resolve childhood traumas. 
4. Discuss how a patient, through the process of psychotherapy, can develop an earned secure attachment in adulthood.
5. Access step by step guidelines for how to help clients develop a coherent narrative for their life.