The Power of Connection: Attachment informed approaches to calming anxiety
Monday, 19 May 2025
9am - 4pm - Online via Zoom
Pricing is below in the Price & Registration Information section.
This workshop builds on the foundational concepts Ruth presented in the Attachment Theory (link below) online one-day training. Therefore, it is open to all who have completed the first workshop or, who have not attended the previous training but possess foundational knowledge of Attachment Theory.
The Applying Attachment Theory to Clinical Practice workshop website can be viewed here.
The Power of Connection: Attachment-Informed approaches to calming anxiety
You don’t need to look far to see a dramatic increase in anxiety over the past few years. As Gabor Mate has said: ‘safety is not the absence of threat but the presence of connection’. In this seminar we will examine the underlying dynamics behind anxiety, building on Gordon Neufeld’s Attachment-based developmental approach (presented in the first workshop on Attachment Theory). Neufeld’s model of alarm will be presented, examining how anxiety impacts the body, the mind and relationships. The work of trauma theorists (Schore, Porges, Levine) as well as interpersonal neurobiologist, Seigel, will be integrated with the Neufeld material to provide a holistic approach to dealing with anxiety in our clients.
Delivered by Dr. Ruth Lawson-McConnell, this workshop is the next step for people who have already attended the 1-day Power of Connection: Attachment Theory workshop provided through Grow, or who possess foundational knowledge of Attachment Theory.
It is for those who want to further develop their understanding by looking at Attachment Theory 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.
What material does this seminar cover?
An understanding of anxiety from an attachment perspective and how to work with clients who are unable to bring their anxiety into psychological and physical rest.
Other key questions which will be addressed include:
How can we help our client’s come to psychological rest to increase their flourishing, rather than living in mere survival and reactivity due to high anxiety.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Appraise the phenomenon of escalating anxiety in society from an attachment perspective.
2. Understand the importance of physical and psychological rest for human flourishing.
3. Assess how anxiety affects:
a. Our body: biological aspects, physiology, and chemistry of anxiety,
b. our mind: psychological (neuroscience and mental processes)
c. our feelings: emotional effects of alarm problems.
4. Be able to work with clients to calm their anxiety and lead them to psychological rest.
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.
Who Should Attend:
As the content of this training builds on what Ruth presented in the Applying Attachment Theory to Clinical Practice workshop, it is highly recommended participants complete this training first.
It is suitable for 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.
If you do not have sufficient numbers within your team, you could open the training up either to other Branch’s of your organisation or other region-based community agencies you work with. We have worked with many organisations this has worked well for.
What others have said about Ruth’s presentations:
“I really appreciate your warm open-hearted style, your research and digestible way of offering complex information. Thank you Ruth.”
“Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge, humour and inspiration with us during your awesome workshop.”
“I was privileged in attending your seminar. I found the whole presentation flowed and you were wonderful in listening and answering everyone.”
"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. Our younger team members loved your presentation style also!"
"Your presentation was top marks for presentation and delivery. Just loved all the work you had put into those slides, and I have heard only favourable comments from my colleagues. So often people have referred to your warmth and lovely personality. Can't better that! Thank you again!!!"
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 11 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 in private practice where she offers specialist supervision on attachment and trauma with adults, and parent consulting on children’s emotional and behavioural issues. Ruth also lectures and has specialist training as a neuropsychotherapy practitioner and a trauma specialist.
ZOOM Date & Details
Monday, 19 May 2025
Workshops run 9am - 4pm
This workshop will be delivered via ZOOM and you will be sent the login in details once you have registered, and emailed 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.
NOTE: This webinar will not be recorded.
Price & Registration Information
Online Workshop
$320.00 inc GST
The price stated is per person. If you are sending 5 or more delegates, please email us for a discounted rate.
Payment online is by 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 or phone 027 607 3000.
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
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.
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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
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