Within the unique dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship, it is common for ruptures and attachment wounds to occur. But what happens when one is chronically under-mothered: lacking the nurturing, protection, and guidance sought from the mother figure? In this training, we will explore this aspect of attachment known as the mother wound, and discuss ways to assist clients in the healing process. Based on the book ‘Mother Hunger’ by Kelly McDaniel.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Define mother hunger and how it relates to attachment theory.
- Identify the challenges of clients experiencing mother hunger and how to identify a mother wound
- Apply interventions and exercises for clients to process and heal from mother hunger.
Social workers completing this course will receive 1.5 General recorded distance learning asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 hours of Ethics, Clinical, and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Format: This course is a recorded asynchronous distance learning course delivery with downloadable presentation slides and, if applicable, course supplemental handouts. The learner is required to complete an evaluation assessing the applicability of the course to meet their learning and development needs, and pass a quiz based on course content with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test as needed until a satisfactory score is achieved. Once the learner has completed the evaluation and successfully passed the quiz, they will be able to return to their account dashboard and view/download their certificate.
Target Audience: Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists.
For all other questions not addressed, please visit our FAQs page.
Course Syllabus:
I. Understanding the Mother Wound
- Defined as deep emotional pain from unmet maternal needs in childhood=
- Rooted in loss of nurturance, protection, and guidance
- Often invisible and results from emotional neglect rather than overt abuse
- May be passed through generations and shaped by cultural norms
II. Core Needs: Nurturance, Protection, and Guidance
- Nurturance: unmet needs can lead to emotional starvation and relational craving
- Protection: lack can result in anxiety, insecurity, and hypervigilance
- Guidance: absence may cause confusion, low self-trust, and identity struggles
- These pillars shape attachment styles and relational patterns
III. Attachment Theory and the Mother Wound
- Secure, avoidant, anxious, and disorganized attachment styles
- Lack of maternal attunement linked to insecure attachment
- Clients may internalize blame and feel “unworthy of care”
- Video analysis and cultural references illustrate attachment disruption
IV. Emotional and Behavioral Manifestations
- Common symptoms: perfectionism, self-doubt, abandonment fear, trust issues
- Clients may overcompensate in relationships or seek constant validation
- Experience of emotional hunger and difficulty with boundaries
- Includes concepts like “betrayal blindness” and “apology ache”
V. Third-Degree Mother Hunger
- Severe form linked to disorganized attachment and C-PTSD
- May involve abuse, neglect, or enmeshment with the mother
- When love and fear coexist, confusion and trauma bonding may occur
- Impacts identity, autonomy, and emotional regulation
VI. Challenges in the Clinical Setting
- Shame, cultural expectations, and loyalty to the mother create resistance
- Difficulty forming trust with the therapist
- Clients may lack supportive systems or healthy relational templates
- Clinicians must approach with compassion, not confrontation
VII. Differentiating the Mother Wound from Other Wounds
- Mother wound focuses on emotional nurturance and relational safety
- Father wound often linked to validation, structure, and identity development
- Both can coexist but impact clients differently in therapy
VIII. Clinical Interventions for Healing
- Psychoeducation to normalize under-mothering and reduce shame
- Somatic therapy: grounding, breathwork, body scans, nurturing touch
- Expressive arts: journaling, art, music for pre-verbal or complex trauma
- Self-parenting and inner-child work to re-establish emotional care
IX. Rebuilding Core Pillars
- Reclaiming nurturance: self-care rituals, sensory grounding, compassionate routines
- Replacing protection: boundary-setting, mindful consumption, safe people
- Finding guidance: developing self-trust, values, and long-term vision
- Forgiveness and acceptance: not required, but may arise through healing
X. Case Study Integration and Resources
- Case: Amanda’s relational struggles linked to unmet maternal needs
- Explore nurturance, protection, and guidance deficits in clients
- Use client-led insight, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed tools
- Provide books, apps, support groups, and therapeutic exercises for ongoing support
Recording Date: 10/04/2024
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 1.5hrs General 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.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com