Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Levels 1 & 2

Training in Psychological Interventions and Therapeutic Parenting with Children and Adolescents with Trauma-Attachment Problems and their Families

AFKA Cymru work in conjunction with the UK DDP Network to run both Level 1 & 2 DDP courses.

Level 1 is an introductory 4-day training on Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an intervention model for families with a child whom has trauma-attachment problems, developed by Dan Hughes, Clinical Psychologist, USA. In this training, theory and research in the areas of developmental trauma, child development and attachment theory are integrated to produce a therapeutic approach and parenting model used for relationship development and trauma resolution. DDP recognises the vital role which adoptive parents and foster carers play as primary attachment figures in the recovery of traumatised, attachment-resistant children.

The principles and interventions are presented through formal presentations, discussion, video tape of sessions, role play and handouts.

Objectives
By the end of this course participants will understand:

• The impact of secure developmental attachment on neurological, affective, cognitive and behavioural development
• How developmental trauma (abuse and neglect) create insecure and disorganised attachment patterns which impede normal development
• Principles of psychotherapy with children and young people that facilitate the development of attachment security and recovery from developmental trauma
• Specific strategies of parenting that facilitate attachment security and support care-givers in helping children recover from the impact of developmental trauma

Trainer for Level 1 in October 2026 – Anna Binnie Dawson 

Level 2 is a 4-day course is open to those professionals who have undertaken the 4-day Dyadic Developmental Practice and Psychotherapy (DDP) Level One training. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is an intervention model developed by Dan Hughes, Clinical Psychologist, USA.
This approach helps social workers, clinical psychologists, therapists, and other practitioners to understand and effectively support children, young people and their families. In this model, theory and research in the areas of developmental trauma, child development and attachment theory are integrated to produce a ways of working that help with relationship development and trauma resolution. DDP recognises the vital role that adoptive parents, foster carers, residential workers and social workers play in the recovery of traumatised, attachment-resistant children.

Objectives:

• To gain a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of the interventions and parenting principles used in this approach and introduced in DDP Level One
• For each participant to have opportunities to focus on the successes and barriers they have experienced in applying the model in their practice. It is expected that participants will bring examples of their own work for discussion, such as via case studies and/or audio or video recordings
• To provide participants with the opportunity to explore (in small groups of 3) how their own attachment experiences may inform and impact on their work.
  Participants will have an opportunity to receive consultation about their work. It is hoped that people have been able to audio or video record their work to get direct consultation using clips. If this isn’t possible, this is done via case discussion and/or using practice in action, with participants taking the role of a child, parent or practitioner.
• During the 4 days, practitioners will have opportunities to further develop their skills in this area of work using these approaches as well as talk through work they feel is going well and work where they feel stuck. Julie Hudson, the trainer, will tailor to course to meet the consultation and skills training needs of the group.

Trainer – Alison Keith 

Who should attend?
The training is relevant and open to therapist and practitioners who have experience in working with children and young people with trauma-attachment problems and their foster, adoptive or birth families. This includes for example, Clinical and Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Play Therapists, Art Therapists, Psychiatrists, Social Worker and Residential Care Social Workers.

Adoptive Parents & Foster Carers are welcome to attend with the understanding that the training focuses on how to provide services to children and their families. It is not appropriate to see this training as an alternative or a supplement to adoption support services, parenting support or therapeutic intervention that should be provided in the parent’s or foster carer’s local area.

Upcoming Dates