Attachment, Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology with Dr. Patricia Crittenden

Attachment, Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology

This course is organized by the Barnard Center for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, as part of the Parent-Child Relationship Programs of the University of Washington. The course will be delivered remotely using Zoom.

This course focuses on the development, prevention and treatment of psychological disorder from infancy to adolescence. It weaves together theory, human development, assessment, case examples and treatment applications to reframe maladaptive behavior in terms of strategies for self-protection. The course emphasizes the process of adaptation and developmental pathways that carry risk for psychopathology. The course is aimed at  professionals who work with troubled families or individuals, including, psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, social workers, teachers and nurses.

The aspects of neural development to be covered are chosen to enhance treatment of psychological maladaptation of adults and children (including families with child maltreatment, psychiatric disorder, and criminality). The course emphasizes adaptation and ways that professionals can change to increase the probability that clients will change. Reorganisation and building resilience are treated as central to successful intervention. General and Family Functional Formulations will be introduced to highlight DMM Integrative Treatment.

The model used is the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM) of Attachment and Adaptation. The DMM is a strength-based model that is relevant to individuals who are at-risk, have been exposed to danger, display disturbed or maladaptive behaviour, or are diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. Emphasis is given to how early and current attachment relationships explain maladaptive behaviour and how these tied to culture and dangerous conditions.

NOTE: The ANP course is a prerequisite to all assessment courses, e.g. the Adult Attachment Interview.

Who is this course for?

The course is aimed at professionals who work with troubled families or individuals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, social workers, teachers, nurses.

Facilitators: Dr. Patricia M. Crittenden, PhD.

Where and when: This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom. Delegates must be available to attend the live sessions, no recordings will be taken.

This course will take place over ten 4-hour online sessions at 9am – 1pm PDT (Seattle time) on the following dates:

• May 6–8, 2024
• May 20–22, 2024

Info and booking: 

Find additional information and the sign up form here. 

Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase the course text: Crittenden, P. M. (2016). Raising Parents: Attachment, Representation, and Treatment. London: Routledge.

With additional readings and written assignments, this course can count towards earning the DMM-informed Mental Health Practitioner Certificate.