Applying Attachment Theory to Clinical Practice
Online via Zoom - 17 March 2025
***See below for Special Offer***
Via ZOOM - 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
If you are waiting on funding approval - we strongly recommend you contact us to pencil book a place - as these workshops do sell out.
The Power of Connection: Applying Attachment Theory to Clinical Practice
Now more than ever, we are seeing that human connection is vital for our thriving not just as individuals but also as a species.
Recently developments in the field of neuroscience and developmental psychology have confirmed that we are all creatures of attachment. Attachment theory helps us understand that human flourishing happens best when secure attachment is present. However, many of our clients are not thriving and may even seem developmentally stuck, due to unresolved attachment injuries or entrenched relational patterns that keep them from connecting deeply and growing in resilience. Instead of asking what is wrong with our clients, we can ask, what happened to them and equally importantly, who was there for them? This re-framing comes from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective.
This training will outline how healthy attachment develops across the lifespan, what happens when insecure attachment forms, and what clients may need to gain ‘earned’ secure attachment to start to flourish again.
Learning Outcomes:
What material does this seminar cover?
An introduction to the latest research on attachment
A presentation of the Attachment-based Developmental paradigm (Gabor Mate and Gordon Neufeld): how healthy attachment development across the lifespan progresses through 6 stages leading to full maturation (or the term self-actualisation used by Maslow and the humanistic psychologists).
With more secure attachment, greater potential for human development occurs. The three processes of maturation (adaptation, integration and emergence) are explored through the lens of ‘what happened’ rather than ‘what’s wrong’ with this client, to impact their functioning?
Other key questions which will be addressed include:
Can our clients be too attached?
What leads to defensive detachment?
What is involved in attachment healing?
How can our clients gain earned secure attachment?
Ruth's presentation includes Māori and Pasifika cultural contexts, and communicates the Te Tiriti o Waitangi values in her teaching approach.
Spaces are limited. Contact us today to make a pencil booking if you are seeking funding approval.
Please Note: this workshop may touch on emotional issues such as grief and/or trauma, and some of the material covered in our workshops may be sensitive or triggering to certain participants. We encourage everyone to practice self-care and either reach out to us, or directly discuss any concerns with our presenter.
What others have said about Ruth’s presentations
“First, a big thank you for the excellent workshop you presented yesterday. I have been a psychologist for almost 30 years (12 years in New Zealand, the rest in USA) and have a very high standard for the word “excellent”. You are most definitely in that category! You are a pleasure to listen to…. your manner of delivering information is one which makes it a pleasure to receive and digest the material! It all made perfect sense to me and increased my understanding of a process that had not yet been understandable to me!!!“ – Psychologist, NZ
"Your presentation was top marks for presentation and delivery. Just loved all the work put into those slides. And I have heard only favourable comments. And so often people refer to your warmth and lovely personality. Can't better that! Thank you again!!!" – Counsellor.
"Your presentation on “Developing resilience in the heart of a leader” was one of the most outstanding presentations I have seen – anywhere! For me it was new material and has given me a new resource to refer to and to contemplate. Thanks for the insights from that workshop". CEO, Australiasia company.
“Your presentations on attachment are easily absorbed and so missing (I have found anyway) where the people who are making the decisions are concerned. Ah...if only we had a sincerity, and passion, such as yours in those organisations.” Social Worker, Auckland.
“I really appreciate your warm open-hearted style, your research and digestible way of offering complex information.” Psychotherapist, Auckland.
“Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge, humour and inspiration with me during your awesome workshop”. Psychotherapist, Wellington.
“I was privileged in attending your seminar. I found the whole presentation flowed and you were wonderful in listening and answering everyone’s questions.” Counsellor, Tauranga.
"Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us at the Professional Development day. The feedback from participants has been SO positive. Everyone thinks you were informative, easy to listen to and they all want you to come back." Organiser of Event in Christchurch for Counsellors.
Who Should Attend:
Mental health professionals, educators (teachers, teacher aides, RTLB’s, school counsellors), social workers, counsellors, Justice Dept staff (Corrections, Police). Those supporting both adults and children who are displaying attachment issues, or developmental trauma.
NOTE - If your organisation is interested in having Ruth present face-face to between 15 - 40 members of your team, please contact Faye Johnson for more information.
Special Offer
Additional Training - Workshops via Zoom
On the Registration form, indicate your interest our additional Training and receive a $25.00 discount off the normal workshop price of $320.00.
The Power of Connection: Attachment-Informed approaches to calming anxiety workshop.
This workshop is the next step for people who have already attended the 1-day Power of Connection: Attachment Theory workshop provided through Grow with Dr Lawson-McConnell. It is for those who want to further develop their understanding of Attachment Theory by looking at it through the lens of how Attachment-informed approaches can calm anxiety and reduce stress in your clients. It will be a deeper dive into the Theory’s practical application.
The Power of Connection: Attachment informed approaches to working with depression workshop
Working with unipolar depression from an attachment and trauma informed perspective. This training examines how our clients may have unresolved attachment injuries, leading to high levels of attachment frustration, and how to help move the client from a victim stance to an empowered one.
The following peak bodies and organisations recognise that the training we offer is of a high quality, evidence based and relevant for their members CPD.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Ruth Lawson-McConnell
Ruth Lawson-McConnell is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (Canada) and a member of the New Zealand Counselling Association and the NZ Psychological Society with nearly 30 years experience. She trained and worked in Scotland and Canada, and has been in New Zealand for the past 14 years. She has an MA (Honours) in Social Anthropology and Psychology (Aberdeen University) and a PhD (Counselling Psychology - Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland).
Ruth specialises in attachment issues both in adults and children. She works with a foster care agency supporting carers looking after children with complex developmental trauma. Ruth also has a private practice where she offers specialist supervision on attachment and trauma with adults, and parent consulting on children’s emotional and behavioural issues. Ruth has specialist training as a neuropsychotherapy practitioner and a trauma specialist working with partners of sex addicts.
ZOOM Date & Details
Monday, 17 March 2025
This workshop will be delivered via ZOOM and you will be sent the login, the Pre-Training Quiz you will need to complete for one of the activities, and the resources prior to the training. There will be group discussions and participants are encouraged to ask questions.
This is an interactive workshop with breakout room activities and we therefore ask all participants to have their own computer / laptop with a working camera and mic as this makes interaction with the breakout room activities and discussions easier and enhances the learning for all.
This training will not be recorded.
Price & Registration Information
Online Workshop
$320.00 inc GST
The price stated is per person.
Contact us for a discount if you're registering more than 5 people.
Payment online is by Debit or Credit Card: VISA, Mastercard or American Express only and there are 3 easy steps to complete the online booking process. Our registration platform is hosted by Lil Regie, our NZ based booking agent.
Upon completing your registration by hitting the blue 'Confirm Booking' button, you will receive an automated email from Lil Regie confirming the booking and amount paid by credit card. This will appear on your statement as from LIL REGIE LTD WELLINGTON.
A GST Tax Invoice showing your payment in full will also be emailed to you.
If you have any issues or questions about your booking, please contact Faye Johnson
Can't pay online and require an invoice?
We work hard to ensure that all workshops are cost effective by automating our systems. If your organisation is unable to use our automated booking system and pay by credit/debit card and therefore require an invoice instead to pay by direct bank credit, there will be a $25.00 inc GST surcharge for this, and you will need to supply the following please:
The full organisation name and postal address required to appear on the invoice.
The contact name and email of the person(s) responsible for authorising this expense and approving payment.
Any purchase order references required on vendor invoices.
Please email this information to Brian - accounts@grow.co.nz and faye@grow.co.nz , and along with the Invoice we will also send you a special booking link which will come up as free of charge. Through this link you will need to complete your registration.
Our workshops fill quickly so if you would like to reserve a place, please contact faye@grow.co.nz
Please note: If you require an Invoice and you are seeking funding approval, please include this surcharge in the price you have on your application.
What happens if you have to cancel?
We know that sometimes your plans can change for many different reasons. Should you be unable to attend, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no extra cost. If a substitute delegate is not available and you need to cancel your registration, please be aware of the following:
Online Events - Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $20.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
Face-Face Events - Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $60.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
If you cancel within 7 days of the event, you are not eligible to receive a refund. Please note: should your registration not be paid by the time of the event, you are still liable to make the payment. Unpaid accounts may be passed over to our debt collection agency and additional costs may be incurred.
All cancellations must be received in writing (email).
Training is cancellable by GROW with 7 days’ notice if a minimum number of attendees is not met and full refunds will be provided.
Delegates are responsible for their own travel/accommodation bookings and no compensation will be made should the event be rescheduled or cancelled.
For more information see our full Terms of Trade.
Further Details
Resources will be emailed to participants prior to the workshop.
For Face-face Events:
Arrival tea & coffee, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included.
Post-Event Takeaway Reference Material
In line with our sustainability objectives, conference presentations will not be distributed in hard copy but will instead be available via a weblink to be advised via email following the conference.
Commitment to Access and Equity
We are committed to access and equity and endeavour to meet the needs of all delegates. Please contact Faye - faye@grow.co.nz / 027 607 3000 if you require special assistance. In order to assist us in understanding delegate needs, please advise your access requirements as early as possible. Request at late notice may not be able to be met.
Want to keep up to date with relevant training?
Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.
Upskill and access our FREE resources and workshops.
Be inspired by our subject matter experts!
CONTACT FAYE
For further details, please contact:
e: faye@grow.co.nz
p: 027 607 3000
Contact Grow
83a Waghorne Street
Ahuriri
Napier 4110
e: info@grow.co.nz
p: 021 751 932
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Your trusted event partner…
Our mission is to transform lives
We do this by
Sharing Knowledge & Skills,
Building Hope &
Championing those who are
Making a Positive Difference
in the Lives of Others.
