Trauma and Attachment Disorders
This trauma and attachment disorders training helps your team understand how trauma and disrupted attachment affect children, teenagers and adults. They learn to apply trauma-informed, attachment-aware approaches in everyday practice. Delivered on-site by our experienced trainers.
About the course
Apply trauma-informed, attachment-aware approaches
By the end of the course, delegates will:
- Understand what trauma is and how it can occur
- Recognise how trauma presents differently in young children and teenagers
- Understand attachment trauma and the three insecure attachment styles
- Recognise symptoms of trauma in adulthood, including dysregulation, hypervigilance and C-PTSD
- Understand the difference between RAD and DSED, in children and adults
- Can explain the window of tolerance and how to support someone within it
- Apply trauma-informed communication techniques, including DEAR MAN, NVC and grounding
- Know when and how to seek further support or specialist referral
What you’ll cover
Full course content
Everything the course covers, exactly as our trainers deliver it:
Understanding Trauma — What Is Trauma?
- Definition of trauma
- Examples of traumatic events
- Trauma from health problems or childbirth
- War, conflict & torture
- Early childhood trauma (ages 0–6)
- Limited ability to anticipate danger
- Developmental processing of trauma
- Effect on the brain cortex
How Trauma Presents — Young Children
- Clingy & easily frightened
- Sleep & developmental regression
- Aggressive or impulsive behaviour
- Signs at ages 0–2
- Signs at ages 3–6
How Trauma Presents — Teenagers
- Intense emotional reactions
- Turning to peers over family
- Seesawing independence & insecurity
- Reluctance to share feelings
- Confusion about their own feelings
Attachment Trauma — Causes
- Overt causes (abuse & neglect)
- Covert causes (emotional unavailability)
- Parentification
- Sudden loss of a caregiver
Attachment Trauma — Attachment Styles
- Anxious-preoccupied
- Dismissive-avoidant
- Disorganised (fearful-avoidant)
- Internal working models
- Stability & change over time
Symptoms in Adulthood — Emotional & Behavioural
- Emotional dysregulation
- Low self-esteem
- Hypervigilance
- Extreme startle response
- Increased risk of depression & anxiety
- Fight-flight-freeze state
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- Somatic symptoms
- Trauma-blocking coping behaviours
Attachment Disorders: RAD & DSED
- Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)
- RAD in adulthood
- Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED)
- DSED in adulthood
- Both stem from early relational trauma
The Window of Tolerance
- Within the window
- Hyperarousal (above)
- Hypoarousal (below)
- Narrowed capacity from trauma
- Grounding techniques
- Mindfulness & therapeutic approaches
Trauma-Informed Communication
- Signs of trauma-impacted communication
- Hyper-reactivity & fear of vulnerability
- Defensive responses
- Earned secure attachment
- The DEAR MAN technique (DBT)
- Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
- Self-regulation & grounding
- The ’no-exit’ rule
- Identifying triggers together
Keep exploring
Related courses
These subjects sit naturally alongside this course — and we can combine courses into one visit.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Where is the training delivered?
All of our training is delivered on-site at your service, anywhere in the UK — we come to you, so there are no travel costs or venue hire for your team. This course is theory-based, so we can also deliver it virtually over Zoom if that suits your team better.
How long is the Trauma and Attachment Disorders course?
It runs as a half day – 3 hours course, delivered in one visit unless stated otherwise.
How many delegates can attend?
Up to 15 delegates per session.
Do delegates receive a certificate?
Yes — every delegate receives a certificate on completion. We recommend refreshing every year.
How much does the course cost?
We price every course on application, based on your dates, location and delegate numbers. Use the contact buttons below — we reply quickly with a quote.
Can we combine courses into one visit?
Yes. Many clients build a full training day from shorter courses, and we can deliver several subjects in one visit — just tell us what your team needs.
Do you only train care providers?
No. This course suits care & nursing homes, home care & domiciliary, supported living, day services, hospices. If your sector isn’t listed, ask — we’ll tailor the course to your setting.
Book this course
We bring Trauma and Attachment Disorders training to your service
Delivered on-site at your service, nationwide, with pricing on application. Tell us your dates and delegate numbers and we’ll reply quickly with a quote.
Part of our specialist training range. Also explore mandatory training and clinical training.