Coalition of Adoption and Foster Family Agencies

Educational Groups for Adoptive Parents - ALL Pre-Post Adoptive Parents are welcome!!

2009 Winter Dates & Locations 6:30pm -8:30pm

NIAGARA COUNTY
2nd Thursday of the Month
6:30pm-8:30pm
Hillside Children's Center
66 Steven's Street
Lockport, NY 14094
RSVP to Jody Hansen-Walker @439-5437
Childcare provided on a limited basis.

ERIE COUNTY
4th Thursday of the Month
6:30-8:30pm
Hillside Children's Center
131 Orchard Park Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
RSVP to Jody Hansen-Walker 848-6412
Childcare provided on a limited basis.

Do you have questions about becoming a foster or adoptive parent?
Did you know there is a significant need in the community for committed families to help children?
Would you like to be invited to our next foster/adoptive parent training group?
If you think you could help…please join us for our next Orientation Meeting!

Location: Gateway-Longview, 605 Niagara St, Buffalo NY 14201

Click here for orientation dates and contact information.

*To be invited to a group, you are first required to attend an orientation meeting.

Dr. Becker-Weidman was the Guest Speaker on the Ask the Expert Web Series
hosted by the Beyond Consequences Institute. His recorded talk can be found at the following link:

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

This workshop is for professionals who have a working knowledge of attachment, how it develops, how attachment disorders develop, and a general knowledge of treatment principals and attachment theory.

Early deprivation, neglect, abuse, significant early health problems and hospitalizations, repeated moves, or more than one year in an orphanage can create attachment problems that require specialized treatment. Traditional forms of therapy are ineffective with attachment-disordered children. This workshop will provide the therapist and other professionals with an opportunity to learn and practice effective treatment methods for trauma-attachment disordered children.

Participants are encouraged to bring in videotapes of sessions or to make arrangements to have a family attend a session for a consultation with the therapist and Dr. Becker-Weidman.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is an evidence-based treatment, effective, and empirically validated treatment that is grounded in current thinking and research on the etiology and treatment of Complex Trauma or Developmental Trauma Disorder. Treatment had an educational dimension, designed to help parents understand their child’s attachment disorder: how the child feels and thinks, and the child’s internal psychological dynamics. Second, teaching parents about attachment-facilitating parenting methods and the importance of attunement and responsive, sensitive parenting is essential. Direct work with the parents regarding their own family or origin issues is another componen5t of treatment. Finally, intensive emotional work with the child in a manner consistent with sound treatment principles is vital.

The workshop is led by Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman, who is certified by the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute as a certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist, Certified Consultant, and Certified Trainer. This workshop provides training hours that may be used by the participant to meet the required training hours necessary to become a Certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist.

This workshop is for therapists who want to learn how to treat trauma-attachment disordered children. Participants will learn effective therapy principals for helping traumatized children. Participants will learn:

Participants will have the opportunity to view videotapes of actual therapy sessions with traumatized children that demonstrate therapeutic principals, present their own video tapes or bring in a client for a consultation, and view live therapy sessions.

SCHEDULE

A Six-month 42-hour Master Class.
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, March 27 – August 28, 2010 (3/27, 4/24, 5/22, 6/26, 8/7, 8/28). The schedule may be adjusted if all the participants agree, so contact the office for the most current schedule. Limited to 7 professionals.

OUTLINE

Evaluation & parenting preparation.
First session, beginnings, attunement, and managing resistance.
Neurobiology of interpersonal experience
Middle phase issues & psychodrama
Facilitating parent-child attachment
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Ending phase issues.

The treatment presented has demonstrated effectiveness. A follow-up study (see our website) clinically and statistically significant reductions in symptoms of attachment disorder, aggression, anti-social behavior, thought disorders, attention problems, mood, and social relationship dysfunction. Over 80% of the children treated had previously been in treatment on three or more occasions, without any noticeable improvement. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced measurable and stable improvements. Treatment averaged 23 sessions over approximately ten months. (Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Child & Adolescent Social Work, vol. 23, pp.137-171, 2006)

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

SCHEDULE

A three-day 25-hour CEU Advanced Class in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

OUTLINE

This advanced training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy will focus on following cases from the initial assessment into the ending phase of treatment. Topics will include use of self, intersubjectivity in work with parents and children, and related topics. Participants are encouraged to bring DVD's or tapes of treatment sessions.

You will find the following list of books helpful. It is strongly recommended that you read the first book before the workshop begins. This will ensure that everyone has a solid foundation of common knowledge.

Creating Capacity: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders, Eds., Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Deborah Shell, MA, LCMHC, Wood ‘N’ Barnes, 2005.
Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. 2md. Ed. Edited by Jude Cassidy and Phillip Shaver. The Guilford Press, 2008.
Building the Bonds of Attachment. 2nd. Ed. Daniel Hughes, Ph.D., 2006
Attachment Across the Life Cycle. Edited by Colin Murray Parkes, Joan Stevenson-Hinde, and Peter Marris. Routledge, 1991.
A Secure Base. John Bowlby, Basic Books, NY, 1988.
John Bowlby & Attachment Theory. Jeremy Holmes, Routledge, NY, 1993.
Attachment-Focused Family Therapy. Daniel Hughes, Norton, 2007.
Steele, H., & Steele, M., (Eds.) (2008) Clinical Applications of the Adult Attachment Interview, Guilford, NY.

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

This workshop is for professionals who have previously attended a Master Class here or with another approved provider, such as Dr. Daniel Hughes. It is expected that participants will have a working knowledge of attachment, how it develops, how attachment disorders develop, and a general knowledge of treatment principals. Early deprivation, neglect, abuse, significant early health problems and hospitalizations, repeated moves, or more than one year in an orphanage can create attachment problems that require specialized treatment. Traditional forms of therapy are ineffective with attachment-disordered children. This workshop will provide the therapist with an opportunity to learn and practice effective treatment methods of trauma-attachment disordered children. Participants are expected to bring in videotapes of sessions, to make arrangements to have a family attend a session for a consultation with the therapist and Dr. Becker-Weidman., or to be prepared to discuss cases they are currently seeing. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, is and evidence-based, effective, and empirically validated treatment that is grounded in current thinking and research on the etiology and treatment of Complex Trauma or Developmental Trauma Disorder. Treatment has an educational dimension, designed to help parents understand their child’s attachment disorder: how the child feels and thinks, and the child’s internal psychological dynamics. Second, teaching parents about attachment-facilitating parenting methods and the importance of attunement and responsive, sensitive parenting is essential. Direct work with the parents regarding their own family or origin issues is another componen5t of treatment. Finally, intensive emotional work with the child in a manner consistent with sound treatment principles is vital.The workshop is led by Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman, who is certified by the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute as a certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist, certified consultant, and certified Trainer. This workshop provides training hours that may be used by the participant to meet the required training hours necessary to become a Certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist. Purpose of Workshop This workshop is for therapists who want to learn how to treat trauma-attachment disordered children. Participants will learn effective therapy principals for helping traumatized children. Participants will learn:

SCHEDULE A Six-month 42-hour CEU Master Class.
10:00 am– 5:00 pm, March 26 – August 27, 2010 (3/26, 4/16, 5/21, 6/25, 8/6, 8/27). The schedule may be adjusted if all the participants agree or for other considerations, so call the office for the current schedule. Limited to 7 therapists

This advanced training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy will focus on following cases from the initial assessment into the ending phase of treatment. Topics will include use of self, intersubjectivity in work with parents and children, and related topics. The workshop is led by Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman, who is certified by the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute as a certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist, Certified Consultant, and Certified Trainer. This workshop provides training hours that may be used by the participant to meet the required training hours necessary to become a Certified Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist.

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

SCHEDULE

A four-day 34-hour Master Class.
8:30 am– 5:00 pm,
A. April 12, 13, 14, 15 or
B. June 7, 8, 9. 10
Limited to 15 professionals.

OUTLINE

Parenting preparation.
First session, beginnings, intersubjectivity, and managing resistance.
Middle phase issues & psychodrama
Facilitating parent-child attachment
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Ending phase issues.

Creating Capacity: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders, Eds., Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Deborah Shell, MA, LCMHC, Wood ‘N’ Barnes, 2005.
Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. Edited by Jude Cassidy and Phillip Shaver. The Guilford Press, 2008.
Building the Bonds of Attachment. 2nd. Ed. Daniel Hughes, Ph.D., 2006
Attachment Across the Life Cycle. Edited by Colin Murray Parkes, Joan Stevenson-Hinde, and Peter Marris. Routledge, 1991.
A Secure Base. John Bowlby, Basic Books, NY, 1988.
John Bowlby & Attachment Theory. Jeremy Holmes, Routledge, NY, 1993.
Attachment-Focused Family Therapy. Daniel Hughes, Norton, 2007.

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

This class is for therapists who are treating trauma-attachment disordered children and adults. It is expected that participants will have previously attended a workshop about Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. It is expected that participants will have a working knowledge of attachment, how it develops, how attachment disorders develop, and a general knowledge of treatment principals.

Center For Family Development
5820 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
[I-90 to Exit 49; north, left, on Transit Rd (RT 78); West, left, on Main St. (RT 5)]
716-810-0790

Participants can participate either in person or by SKYPE conference call. Dr. Becker-Weidman will arrange the conference call. If you must miss a session, you will have the opportunity to make up that hour at another time. Each participant will purchase sessions in blocks of three so that each group has continuity of membership. During the third session of the block of three, the participants who wish to continue, will schedule another block of three sessions and pay for those three sessions ($300).

Each group is Limited to 5.
The specific dates will be based on participants’ schedules.
Each participant will have one hour in which to discuss a case, present a DVD or video-tape, or to discuss an issue or topic of interest to the participant. The other participants will be able to listen in and participate in the discussion. Participants may participate in-person or by SKYPE Conference Call.

You will find the following list of books helpful. It is strongly recommended that you read the first. This will ensure that everyone has a solid foundation of common knowledge.

Creating Capacity: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders, Eds., Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Deborah Shell, MA, LCMHC, Wood ‘N’ Barnes, 2005.
Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. Edited by Jude Cassidy and Phillip Shaver. The Guilford Press, 2008.
Building the Bonds of Attachment. 2nd. Ed. Daniel Hughes, Ph.D., 2006
Attachment Across the Life Cycle. Edited by Colin Murray Parkes, Joan Stevenson-Hinde, and Peter Marris. Routledge, 1991.
A Secure Base. John Bowlby, Basic Books, NY, 1988.
John Bowlby & Attachment Theory. Jeremy Holmes, Routledge, NY, 1993.
Attachment-Focused Family Therapy. Daniel Hughes, Norton, 2007.

Training for Therapists in the Treatment of Children with Trauma-Attachment Problems

This internship is for professionals who want to develop a working knowledge of attachment, how it develops, how attachment disorders develop, and practical experience and knowledge of treatment principals and attachment theory.

Early deprivation, neglect, abuse, significant early health problems and hospitalizations, repeated moves, or more than one year in an orphanage can create attachment problems that require specialized treatment. This internship will provide the therapist and other professionals with an opportunity to learn and practice Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy®, which is an evidence-based, effective, and empirically validated treatment.

Each internship will be individually developed to suit the specific needs and interests of the intern. Internships can be one or more weeks in length. During the internship, the intern will have the opportunity to participate in and observe evaluation and treatment sessions with several therapists. There will be assigned readings, lectures, and consultations.

SCHEDULE

Each week will involve at least twenty hours of observation of ongoing evaluations and cases, five hours of lecture and consultation, and other experiences, based on the interns learning needs. Each week will consist of thirty to forty hours of training.

OUTLINE

The specific topics covered in the internship will be based on the interns needs and interests and may include such topics as:
Assessing children, families, and parent capacity
Complex Trauma
Parenting preparation.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy treatment
Advanced methods of practice.
Middle phase issues & psychodrama
Facilitating parent-child attachment
Ending phase issues.

You will find the following list of books helpful. It is strongly recommended that you read the first book before the internship begins.

Creating Capacity: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders, Eds., Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Deborah Shell, MA, LCMHC, Wood ‘N’ Barnes, 2005.
Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. Edited by Jude Cassidy and Phillip Shaver. The Guilford Press, 2008.
Building the Bonds of Attachment. 2nd. Ed. Daniel Hughes, Ph.D., 2006
Attachment Across the Life Cycle. Edited by Colin Murray Parkes, Joan Stevenson-Hinde, and Peter Marris. Routledge, 1991.
A Secure Base. John Bowlby, Basic Books, NY, 1988.
John Bowlby & Attachment Theory. Jeremy Holmes, Routledge, NY, 1993.
Attachment-Focused Family Therapy. Daniel Hughes, Norton, 2007.

New Directions Youth and Family Services is forming a new support group for foster and adoptive parents. Parents from any agency may attend. Those attending will support each other on issues they all face as foster and adoptive parents.

The meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Global Village North office, 4511 Harlem Rd, Amherst NY 14226.

Child care will be available. To register for child care or for more information, call Gala Sanford, parent and chair of the group, at 837-4643.

East Aurora Union Free School District Presents
Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman
February 1 and February 3, 2010
430 Main Street, East Aurora, NY
Trauma & Attachment in the School: What can be done

The purpose of this workshop is to provide a brief overview of what is attachment and how it normally develops, the effects of complex trauma on development and development, cumulative cognitive deficit, and what can school social workers, psychologists, and counselors do to help.

Complex Developmental Trauma
April 24, 2010
Omaha Nebraska
Therapeutic Parenting Seminar
sponsored by ATTACh.

This workshop will provide an overview of Complex Developmental Trauma, how it develops, and its effects on development and behavior. The workshop is for parents, caregivers, and professionals. For more information contact www.attach.org.