The Relational Past as Lived in the Interpersonal Present: Using Attachment Theory to Understand Early Trauma and Later Troubled Relationships - Paul Renn

Programme

10a.m.              Introductions/Outline of Workshop

10.15a.m.        Handouts: ‘An Introduction to Attachment Theory’ and ‘Transmission of Affect’. Participants are introduced to the basic concepts of attachment theory. This is followed by a discussion of the interpersonal means by which attachment patterns and discrete styles of regulating affect are transmitted across generations.

11.30a.m.         Coffee break

11.45a.m.         Handouts: ‘Contemporary Views of Trauma’ and ‘Four Patterns of Adult Discourse Observed in the Adult Attachment Interview’. Contemporary views of trauma are discussed. This is followed by an exploration of the different discourse styles identified by research utilizing the AAI, and of how these discrete narrative styles reflect secure, dismissing, preoccupied and unresolved states of mind in respect of attachment and trauma.

1.00p.m.          Lunch

2.00p.m.          Handout: ‘Assessing Our Own Attachment Style’. Participants divide into small groups to discuss their early attachment histories and current narrative styles. If it is felt safe enough, they are invited to explore with one another the way in which these relational patterns are being perpetuated in their current interpersonal relationships, for example, with their parents, partners, children and work colleagues.

2.45p.m.          Feedback is invited from the small group task for sharing with the large group.

3.15p.m.          Coffee break

3.30p.m.          Handout: ‘The Therapeutic Process’. Discussion of how attachment theory and research may be applied in our clinical work with traumatized people and the way in which our predominant attachment style may influence the therapeutic alliance that we develop with our clients. Participants are invited to provide examples from their own clinical work, within the constraints of client confidentiality.

4.15p.m.          Plenary

4.30p.m.          Close

Handout: Follow-up reading list

Workshop Leader’s Biography: Paul Renn is a member of the Register of Trauma Specialists, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a UKCP registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice in west London.  He is a member of the Centre for Attachment-based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy where he is a teacher, supervisor and training therapist.  He has a background in the National Probation Service in London, developing a particular interest in assessing and working with violent men and couples from an attachment theory and research perspective.  He is a member of the International Attachment Network, the International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.  He has contributed papers to professional journals in this country and abroad.