Certification in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
Certification
The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute was founded by Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., the Founder and Director of the Center for Family Development, to provide training and certification in treatment methods based on attachment theory. The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute is a collaborative venture of the Academy For Human Development's Graduate Counseling Program and the Center For Family Development. The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute certifies practitioners in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. CEU’s are awarded through the University and the Board of Psychology, Indiana.

Attachment-Focused Therapy includes psychotherapy, family therapy, and work by other professionals using the principles of attachment theory to guide interventions, treatment, and programs. Attachment-Focused Therapy is grounded in attachment theory, the neurobiology of interpersonal experience, and uses methods and principles from Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is an 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 and Attachment Disorder. It is now recognized as a general approach to treatment. Therapy is primarily experiential.

The basic purpose of treatment is to help the child resolve a dysfunctional attachment and develop a healthy attachment. The goal is to help the child bond to the parents and to come to grips with the disappointment and anger at his/her first attachment figure(s) and their failure to parent (well). Said another way, the goal is to resolve the fear of loving and being loved. These children often have authority or control issues. Control, trust, and intimacy issues are prominent features of their pathology and the resolution of these issues is a major treatment objective.

Learn more about DDP...

There are four certifications offered: .

DDP Certified Attachment-Focused Therapist

DDP Certified Attachment-Focused Family Therapist

DDP Certified Attachment-Focused Professional

DDP Certified Attachment-Focused Organization

Man on Zoom
Steps to Become Certified

There are two components to certification. The first is completion of the required number of approved training hours (48), which can be completed through the Zoom Master Class.

The second is the consultation component in which the applicant's work is reviewed to assess how the material is being applied in practice.

Visit our sister site, The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute for more detailed information and lists of Certified Attachment-Focused therapists, family therapists, professional, and organizations.

Contact the Institute's founder, Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D. with questions regarding the Institute and to start your journey to become certified in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

716 636 6243
Aweidman@gmail.com

NOTE: The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute and ATTACh have begun a collaboration that will make it easier for clinicians to become a Certified Attachment-Focused Family Therapist/Psychotherapist.

Any clinician who is a Registered Clinician with ATTACh does not have to submit an application to the Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute to begin the practicum to become a Certified Attachment-Focused Family Therapist or a Certified Attachment-Focused Psychotherapist. In addition, the application fee to begin the practicum is waived. So, if you are a Registered Clinician with ATTACh and wish to begin the Practicum to become a Certified Attachment-Focused Family Therapist or Psychotherapist, all you need to do is email your request to Aweidman@gmail.com to begin the Practicum and then select your consultant!