IN PERSON WORKSHOP
OVER 2 DAYS
Endorsed by the International Attachment Network
www.ian-attachment.
This course is being arranged by IAN the International Attachment Network.
We are not organising this.
If you have any questions or problems please contact
Nicola Jones nicolajonesgower@googlemail.com Tel: 07963014044
£235.00 until 31st July 2026, then £260
Whether you’re encountering attachment theory for the first time or returning to it with years of practice behind you, this course offers a valuable opportunity to consolidate and deepen your clinical understanding. With the opportunity for meeting and connecting in person with like-minded therapists, counsellors and therapeutic practitioners.
Duration: 2 days
Days: 5th & 6th September 2026 Saturday and Sunday IN-PERSON
Times: 9:45am-5:30pm
Venue: 1 Fairbridge Road, Archway, London
Earlybird: £235 ends on the 31st July 2026
Module 1. Introduction to Attachment Informed Therapy and its Clinical Application
John Bowlby found that our first and most fundamental need is to connect to our parents (primary caregivers) and that this need, also known as the attachment or careseeking system, exists from cradle to grave. The corollary of this is that attachment theory is as applicable to adults generally and particularly in intimate relationships, as it is to children and it is this link which gives the insights into the origins of clients’ personalities enabling more attuned interventions. Overall, this will enhance therapists’ capacity for empathy and the quality of the therapeutic alliance.
TO BOOK GO TO:
Attending this course will entitle you to attend the other modules of the Advanced Certificate in the Clinical Application of Attachment Theory that we are organising
NB: This course is a pre-requisite to Modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
John Bowlby found that our first and most fundamental need is to connect to our parents (primary caregivers) and that this need, also known as the attachment or careseeking system, exists from cradle to grave. The corollary of this is that attachment theory is as applicable to adults generally and particularly in intimate relationships, as it is to children and it is this link which gives the insights into the origins of clients’ personalities enabling more attuned interventions. Overall, this will enhance therapists’ capacity for empathy and the quality of the therapeutic alliance
What you can expect from this workshop is to:
- Learn how personality develops (and one’s attachment style) securely or insecurely, from the quality of the parental caregiving relationship.
- Identify avoidant and preoccupied attachment styles from 3 interlinking perspectives and hypothesise about individuals’ inner worlds corresponding to each style i.e their beliefs about and expectations of self, others and relationships.
- Explore the essential characteristics of each of the basic human needs (motivational systems) of careseeking, caregiving, self defence (fear) and interest sharing. Learn to identify when these systems are underdeveloped or used defensively enabling clearer assessments and more targeted therapeutic interventions.
- Identify various, fearful, ways in which clients come to therapy (seek care) and recognise, and prepare to meet these differing presentations.
- Expand understanding of clients’ resistance to change and associated self- defeating patterns of behaviour.
- Explore the process of change with emphasis on the implicit, non-verbal aspects of the therapeutic relationship.
- Learn various ways to access clients’ attachment histories and identify events which significantly shape family systems and the individual’s place within the system.
- Explore the impact of one’s own attachment style on the therapeutic relationship.
Learning will be through presentation, video clips of relevant research, large and small group discussions using a case study and skills practices. Some pre-course preparation will be given along with handouts and a list of additional resources.
This is part of the Advanced Certificate in the Clinical Application of Attachment Theory.
Who is this workshop for?
Any counsellor or psychotherapist is welcome to join this workshop. Couples therapists will benefit. But since so many therapy clients have relationship issues, we also welcome one-to-one counsellors, psychotherapist and health workers. This workshop is also open to people who are training as a therapist / counsellor.
About the trainer:
Nicola Jones is an experienced relationship therapist and an accomplished trainer and facilitator. She trained with and worked for Relate, trained with The Bowlby Centre for 2 years and is accredited by the National Counselling Society. She has an MA in Gender Studies, SOAS, University of London (2008). Nicola has supervision with those who worked with or were supervised by John Bowlby. She is Vice Chair of the International Attachment Network and works privately in Bristol with individuals, couples and families. Her first career was as a lawyer and family business adviser. Nicola has presented internationally on a range of matters related to social justice.