How can I become an Attachment Therapist?

We need more trained therapists! There is a lot more to becoming an Attachment Therapist than simply reading a book or attending one weekend seminar! There are estimated to be 1.5 million children with severe Attachment Disorder just in the USA. These children need effective treatment!

A Master’s Degree (or above) in psychology is usually a prerequisite to training in this very specialized field. The next step is to study with an experienced, trained Attachment Therapist. Some of them offer internship/trainings including observation and hands on experience working with clients. Some centers that offer this training are:

The Attachment Center NW
Washington State
(425) 889-8524
attachnw@earthlink.net

The Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
(440) 230-1960
abcofohio@webtv.net

Bill Goble, PhD
North Carolina
(772) 631-8100

This program is one year long. It includes one long week-end each month with hands on experiential work. Video tapes and text books are used through out the training to give an in depth understanding. The program has the best of the best teaching each module of the training.

For instance Dr. Greg Keck from Ohio has the highest success rate in the US (and possibly the world) with older teenagers with Attachment Disorder. He teaches that piece.

Dr. Joanne May has developed a highly successful program with EMDR. She teaches that module. They often have an instructor, from New Zealand that has had tremendous positive results healing sexual offenders, teach that piece. I have seen therapists that have graduated from this comprehensive program. They are fully equipped with a wide variety of powerful tools to help kids with many different problems. They are helping many!

Dr. Joanne May
Family Attachment Counseling Center
Deephaven, Minnesota
(952) 475-2818

Of course a license to practice therapy is required by each State and/or County.

ATTACh is the Association for Treatment and Training of Attachment Disorder in Children. They have an annual conference with outstanding speakers from all over the world sharing the latest research and techniques. Their phone number is (866) 453-8224.

Our children need more help. I hope any of you that are interested will invest in furthering your education in this specialized field. We need more help!