Attachment-based Intervention Specialist (ABIS) Level I Training

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.

Gary Sibcy, Ph.D.

Training Modules

• Session 1: The Essence of Attachment Theory: Interpersonal Neurobiology and the Secure Base System
• Session 2: An Integrated Assessment Model: Linking Attachment to Case Formulation and Evidenced-Based Treatment Strategies
• Session 3: The Therapeutic Relationship and Attachment Wound Reenactments: Essential Skills for Establishing and Maintaining a Secure Base
• Session 4: Essential Skills for Revising the Attachment Belief System
• Session 5: Case Studies of Evidence-based Therapeutic Strategies: Applying Attachment Theory to the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and Addiction
• Session 6: Case Studies of Evidenced-based Therapeutic Strategies: Applying Attachment Theory to the Treatment of Childhood Mood Dysregulation and Disruptive Behavior

Summary

Attachment theory holds tremendous potential in the case conceptualization and treatment of various forms of psychopathology, including childhood problems, relationship conflicts, chronic depression, anxiety disorders, and more. This Intensive will explore the inherent power of the therapeutic relationship to literally change the brain’s chemistry, structure, and function. The role of various neurobiological systems will be identified, including the brainstem and vagal tone, sympathetic-parasympathetic balance, the limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, septum), the prefrontal cortex, left vs. right hemisphere activation, mirror neurons, neural integration, and relational neuroplasticity. “Secure Base” Psychotherapy offers an attachment-informed system for assessment and treatment through establishing a curative relationship, navigating treatment resistance, and healing attachment wounds. Clinicians will learn how to accurately assess attachment, along with powerful, evidenced-based techniques for processing strong attachment-related emotions, revising core attachment beliefs, developing emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills, breaking chronic patterns of withdrawal, isolation, hostility and addictions, and generalizing treatment results to situations and relationships outside of therapy. Role plays and case studies will be used throughout for practical application. Specific attention will be given to Christian integration, as well as pertinent multicultural and ethical guidelines.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Study foundational principles of attachment theory through the lens of the secure base system, including exploration, threat, attachment emotions (intimacy, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief), proximity seeking, signaling, and the safe haven experience
2. Identify the core features of interpersonal neurobiology, including Siegel’s triangle of well-being (mind, brain, and relationships); understand brain basics and how various neurobiological systems are activated and changed in the context of restorative relationships
3. Be able to articulate each attachment style, their development across the lifespan, and how they influence emotion regulation, self-worth maintenance, resilience, risk, parenting, romantic intimacy, spiritual growth, and risk and resilience to various forms of psychopathology
4. Name and describe the main tenants of “Secure Base” Psychotherapy, an integrated approach for assessing attachment and linking the assessment results to an integrated, attachment-informed case-formulation system
5. Explore and critique core therapeutic relationship techniques for skillfully establishing and maintaining a strong, curative secure-base therapy relationship; learn the crucial skills needed to detect and manage treatment resistance and potential therapy wounds
6. Adapt six core evidenced-based therapy strategies (including over a dozen specific techniques) within an attachment-informed perspective to common clinical cases, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction in adults, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in children

Intensive Trainers

Gary Sibcy, Ph.D., is Professor of Counseling and Director of the Ph.D. program in Professional Counseling and Pastoral Counseling at the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University, where he teaches courses in advanced psychopathology and its treatment. He is both a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), has been in private clinical practice for over twenty years, and currently works at Piedmont Psychiatric Center. Dr. Sibcy specializes in anxiety disorders, including OCD and panic disorder, and chronic depression in adults, as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of children with severe mood dysregulation. Dr. Sibcy is currently developing an empirically supported treatment within the framework of interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory. He has co-authored several books with Dr. Tim Clinton, Attachments and Why You Do the Things You Do.

Tim Clinton, Ed. D., is President of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. He is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, and Executive Director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Licensed in Virginia as both a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Dr. Clinton now spends a majority of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He is recognized as a world leader in faith and mental health issues and has authored over 20 books including Breakthrough: When to Give In, When to Push Back. Most importantly, he has been married 33 years to his wife, Julie, and together, they have two children, Megan (recently married to Ben Allison) and Zach.