This foundational training is designed for clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of how early relational experiences shape emotional development and influence adult relationships. This webinar introduces the core concepts of attachment theory, including the four primary attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized—and explores how these patterns manifest in clinical settings. Participants will learn how attachment dynamics impact affect regulation, relational conflict, and client-therapist interactions. With an emphasis on developmental roots, neurobiological underpinnings, and culturally responsive practice, this training equips clinicians with the tools to recognize attachment patterns and begin using them as a framework for case conceptualization and therapeutic intervention.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the core principles of attachment theory and the characteristics of the four primary attachment styles.
- Identify how attachment patterns may present in client narratives, relational dynamics, and therapeutic relationships.
- Apply basic attachment-informed strategies to support emotional regulation and build therapeutic alliance.
Syllabus:
- Overview of attachment theory and its role in clinical practice
- Focus on how early relationships shape emotions, brain development, and adult relationships
- Emphasis on practical, culturally responsive application
- Understand key concepts of attachment theory
- Explore internal working models
- Examine impact of early caregiver relationships
- Identify: secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized
- Understand how each shows up in adult relationships
- Explore effects on emotional regulation
- Link attachment to brain development
- Understand stress response and co-regulation
- Recognize long-term relational impacts
- Identify attachment patterns in clients
- Recognize themes in relationships and conflict
- Apply to assessment and therapy dynamics
- Support emotional regulation
- Strengthen therapeutic alliance
- Repair relational ruptures
- Apply to case conceptualization
- Understand cultural influences on attachment
- Use non-pathologizing approaches
- Apply attachment theory ethically
Social workers completing this course receive 1 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: January 22, 2026
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com