As humans, we are wired to seek and build loving bonds, and when our trust is betrayed by someone we care about, it is truly devastating. This type of relational trauma is called an “attachment injury” because it damages the fabric of the secure bond between people who matter to each other. This workshop will define an attachment injury and address the many and varied ways that trust can be broken in close relationships such as monogamous and non-monogamous romantic relationships, as well as in friendships and family relationships. The key aim of this workshop is to provide a pathway for therapists to guide them in their work as they assist their clients to repair broken bonds and to move beyond betrayal.
It is possible to heal from ruptured trust and to emerge more strongly bonded for having weathered this threat to the security of a relationship. However, this can be some of the most difficult work in couples and relationship therapy, so, understandably, therapists need tools to support them! This workshop will outline the Attachment Injury Resolution Model, which is an evidence-based model for repairing ruptures of trust that is embedded within Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and relationships. Presented by an internationally certified EFT Trainer and the author of the book Repairing Attachment Injuries in Close Relationships: An Emotionally Focused Guide to Moving Beyond Betrayal, this workshop will provide practical strategies and resources to guide and assist therapists in their work. Finally, to illustrate the repair process, the presenter will show video-recorded segments from live therapy sessions so that the change process can be witnessed.