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Integrating an adult attachment approach to psychotherapy

June 01, 2026


Description: The theory of attachment clearly describes attachment as a lifelong phenomenon. For adults, early attachment experiences continue to impact adult relationships and self-perception. However, most therapy for adults don’t incorporate an understanding of attachment and therapeutic interventions based on attachment principles.

This training will teach you the categories of adult attachment and how to assist your adult clients to progress from being insecurely attached adults to securely attached adults. This training will present a model of therapy that will shift your theoretical framework to attachment-focused therapy. This model will help you assess adult attachment categories, recognize the impact of early childhood attachment experiences on the personality development of your clients, guide your clients through the process of understanding their adult attachment, mourn their losses and longings, and risk change to develop secure/autonomous adult attachments.

As a therapist, you will develop awareness of your own attachment style and its importance in the reparative process of therapy.


"Deepen your therapeutic impact by integrating adult attachment principles into your practice. Learn practical, evidence-based strategies and how an adult attachment lens can transform therapy. Create secure attachment in your clients by building stronger therapeutic alliances and developing understanding and awareness in your clients to create lasting change." - Devra Igra, MSW, RSW.


Learning objectives:

  • Recognize adult attachment categories.
  • Assess adult attachment using patterns of behaviour.
  • Introduction to a modified form of the adult attachment interview.
  • Use attachment as a paradigm for understanding mental health diagnoses.
  • Recognize the adult brain and attachment.
  • Introduction on how to use the model of attachment-focused therapy for adults.
  • Make attachment the paradigm for therapeutic change.

Take your attachment training to the next level! Upon completion of this attachment training, remember to reserve your spot for our Certificate in attachment focused adult psychotherapy: Advanced course  - future dates to be announced. Contact Mary Anne VanRooyen to be placed on our waiting list. 


SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute offers training and education for professionals to advance mental health care – our goal is to improve client outcomes and building capacity, together. Find training to support your professional development at www.sickkidscmhlearning.ca and reserve your spot today! Don't forget to use code OPA20 to save 20% off your registration fees.