Attachment and Psychopathology:

Course available in: Melbourne | Sydney

On this page: Learning Outcomes | Who Should Attend | Course Cost | Melbourne venue

This three-day course focuses on the development, prevention and treatment of psychological disorder. It weaves together theory, human development, assessment, case examples and treatment applications to reframe maladaptive behaviour as adaptive strategies for self-protection. The course focuses on development from infancy to adulthood, emphasising the process of adaptation and developmental pathways that carry risk for psychopathology.

The model used is the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM) of attachment and adaptation, developed by Dr. Patricia M. Crittenden. The DMM is relevant to individuals who are at risk, who have been exposed to danger, who display disturbed or maladaptive behaviour, or who are diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. A particular emphasis is cultural influences on attachment.

Clark is also delivering Introduction to Attachment-Based Practice with Adults, Children and Families, a 1 day introductory workshop in Adelaide.

Learning Outcomes

New skills:

• Perceiving discrepant behaviour, seeing commonly overlooked clues.
• Identifying false-positive affect and uncovering hidden problems in their early stages.
• Differentiating symptoms and self-protective strategies, specifying how symptoms function.
• Functional formulation: moving beyond symptom-based diagnoses to understanding the underlying function of behaviour (i.e. the needs the person is trying to meet).

Treatment planning, choosing treatment strategies to:

• Increase efficiency
• Lower cost
• Reduce risk of iatrogenic harm 

Take-away tools:

• Level of family functioning scale.
• Gradient of intervention scale. 
• Downloadable materials. 
• Daily text of slides (with registration only).
• Bibliography of numerous published papers.

Who Should Attend

This course is aimed at professionals working within mental health, social work and related fields.  A solid understanding of attachment theory is beneficial.

Course Cost

Register and pay online by credit card, for two or more people, by 5pm (AEST), Friday 2 August to receive 15% off the cost of your total registration.

Early Bird Rate: $855 (incl. GST), register and pay before 17 July

Full Fee: $915 (incl. GST)

Please read our Payment Terms & Conditions

Venue & Time

Berry Street Richmond Office, 1 Salisbury Street, Richmond (course also available in Sydney and Brisbane)

Each day will be held from 9:30am - 4.30pm

Getting there

Tram: Berry Street is conveniently located on tram routes No. 48 or No. 75 (travels down Flinders St and Bridge Rd), Tram route 78 (travels down Church St) and Tram route 109 (travels down Collins St and Victoria St).

Train: Berry Street is also close to both West Richmond and North Richmond train stations, both of which are on the Epping and Hurstbridge lines.

Taxi: Berry Street is just a 10 minute taxi ride from the Melbourne CBD. To book a taxi call Yellow Cabs on 13 22 27.

Parking: There are plenty of 2 hours parking spaces around Berry Street, check Buckingham Street, Kent Street, Laity Street or Lincoln Street. Four hour parking is available in Risley St. An all-day parking option is the Coles Richmond Plaza carpark off Church Street. The cost for all day parking is $16 and is a 10 minute walk from the office.

For more public transport information please visit Public Transport Victoria.

Payment Terms & Conditions

Payment must be made at the time of registration and only credit cards (VISA and Mastercard) will be accepted. Your registration will not be confirmed unless payment has been processed.

A confirmation/tax invoice will be issued upon registration to your nominated email address.

A full refund will be issued for cancellations up until 7 days prior to the workshop. No refunds will be issued after this date however substitutions are welcome.

Please be advised if payment or cancellation notification is not received as per the above terms and conditions your ability to attend future event will be impacted.

Should Berry Street cancel a course for any reason, those registered at this time will be entitled to a full refund of registration fees only, and this will incur no administrative charges or penalties.