Reflective Parenting Program Level 1 Training: Fundamentals

This two-day intensive training Level 1 workshop is designed for infant mental health and early childhood specialists. Participants will learn about a new approach to early intervention with parents that is based on a theoretical model of cognitive and emotional development emphasizing reflective functioning or parental mentalization. This essential processing mechanism enables parents to understand that mental activity such as thoughts, feelings, needs, intentions, and desires (within both their children and themselves), which are not directly observable, underlie all human behavior. The ability to understand and respond to children’s behavior in terms of the mental states that motivate it is essential for strong parent-child bonds (i.e. secure attachment). 

The training will provide participants with a base of knowledge, a new way to work with the central issues in parent-child relationships, and a step-by-step method that can be utilized to help parents think about their children in a more reflective way. Parents are thereby supported to resist the temptation to seek quick or non-reflective behavioral solutions to the conflicts or problems they experience in relationship with their children.

Day 1: June 9, 2020: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Day 2: June 12, 2020: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Learning Objectives

As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of attachment research and theory, psychoanalytic developmental theory, and the importance of the concept of parental reflective functioning.
• Describe the concept of Reflective Functioning, and its relationship to enhancing secure attachment and preventing negative parental behavior.
• Discuss new ways to conceptualize parenting styles. Use examples of specific attachment patterns to learn how to tailor effective interventions when working with parents of different cultural origins.
• Explore practical application of parental mentalization theory in designing treatment strategies addressing a variety of issues that may emerge when conducting parent workshops.
• Apply techniques and exercises that facilitate inquiry and reflection in parents. Tailor interventions in order to be most effective when working with parents manifesting a variety of attachment and parenting styles.
• Distinguish high and low Reflective Functioning (RF) and the relationship of RF to attachment styles and parenting behavior. Describe reflective and non-reflective states of mind.
• Identify the strengths of the Reflective Parenting Program as a treatment intervention for developing secure parent-child relationships. Describe Reflective Parenting Program structure and the role of facilitator.
• Apply a working understanding of RF, attachment styles / states of mind, and Core Components of the Reflective Parenting Program to clinical cases.

Training Facilitator:

Margaret (Peggy) Matson MA, LMFT, Psy.D is a psychotherapist with 12 years of experience working in private practice and community mental health. She is a senior analytic candidate with a Psy.D in psychoanalysis.  Peggy is a former Critical Care Nurse and Early Childhood educator. She currently works in private practice with children of all ages, adults, families and couples. Peggy is a supervisor at both the Center for Reflective Communities and the Maple Counseling Center.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 and Friday, June 12, 2020 – 12 CE credits

No CME Credit

You must register with the Center for Reflective Communities.

For questions, please contact: info@reflectivecommunities.org or (323)275-4805

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT 

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

PSYCHOLOGISTS: The New Center for Psychoanalysis is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. New Center for Psychoanalysis maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Full attendance is required for psychologists to receive credit; partial credit may not be awarded based on APA guidelines. For the psychologists’ records, certificates of attendance are provided at the completion of the course.  

SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE and FAMILY THERAPISTS (LCSW, LMFT, ASW, IMF, LEP, LPCC, PCCI) 

The New Center for Psychoanalysis is a continuing education provider that has been approved by the American Psychological Association, a California Board of Behavioral Sciences recognized approval agency. 

REGISTERED NURSES: The New Center for Psychoanalysis is an accredited provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider #CEP1112). Registered Nurses may claim only the actual number of hours spent in the educational activity for credit.