Attachment, Trauma and Adoption: Clinical techniques to enhance reflective functioning

ADVANCED SEMINAR IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ANALYSIS

Thursday, October 26, 2017
8:00 pm

Presenter: Miriam Steele, Ph.D.

This seminar will present a dialogue between developmental research and clinical intervention which in recent years has been elucidated in adult treatment but has received less attention in child clinical work. The focus of this talk will be to present a psychodynamically-oriented treatment case of an 9 year old girl who suffered trauma as young child, with multiple moves in foster care until she was adopted at age 7. Paying close attention to specific aspects of a psychotherapeutic intervention can point to the way that developmental research can complement clinical understanding and alert us to some possible sources for promoting therapeutic action.

2 CME/ CE credits offered.

No charge. Child candidates are expected to attend.

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Miriam Steele, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research. She bridges the world of psychoanalytic thinking and clinical practice with contemporary research in child development. She trained as a child analyst at the Anna Freud Centre London and received her Ph.D. from University College London. Her research began with the study of “Intergenerational Patterns of Attachment” which embodied one of the first prospective longitudinal studies incorporating the Adult Attachment Interview and Strange Situation protocols. This work was important in initiating the concept of reflective functioning and providing empirical data to demonstrate the importance of parental states of mind in the social and emotional development of the their children with a longitudinal focus on their development into adulthood. Currently, Dr. Steele is a co-investigator on a federally funded grant “Birth to Three: A Pragmatic Clinical Trial for Child Maltreatment Prevention.” Her other projects include studies exploring attachment and body representations in adults and mother-child dyads, and studies of child development in foster care and adoptive families.

Educational Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1) become familiar with pertinent developmental research which has implications for adult and child treatment
2) become familiar with treatment approaches when working with children who have suffered early trauma and specific themes that arise within an adoption context
3) become familiar with treatment approaches aimed at facilitating a capacity for reflective functioning

Psychologists: New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education programs for psychologists. New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Workers: New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0317.

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of (2) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program has any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Persons with disabilities: The building is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator. Please notify the registrar in advance if you require accommodations.