35th Annual Childhood Trauma and Attachment Conference
October 12-14, 2023 | Virginia Beach, VA

2023 Request for Presentations
Submission Guidelines and Objectives Listed Below.
Link to Submit RFP: https://tinyurl.com/ATTAChRFP23
(Deadline – February 6, 2023)

Focus:

The objective of the annual ATTACh Conference is to address the most recent innovations in the treatment of attachment injury and the resulting effects on development. This call for presentations asks for interventions that focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit in evidence-based protocols as well as effective models that you are using in the field. Our conference brings together professionals and parents who seek to enhance their skills and ability to achieve effective human connections with those who have struggled with adversity. They want to hear from you and know what it is that you are doing to help families in your area of expertise.

Advanced-level presentations on:

  • Exploration of how trauma affects development
  • How to heal family systems
  • In depth etiology of the neurobiology of attachment
  • Sensorimotor interventions for the treatment of trauma
  • Evidence-based treatments in attachment disturbances
  • Implications and best practice for education around attachment, trauma, and neurobehavioral challenges

Special topics:

  • Culture and Diversity, including LGBTQ community and youth identifying as LGBTQ
  • Legal issues: Divorce, Custody and Facilitating Attachment
  • Social policy pertaining to trauma and attachment practice
  • Advanced workshops with practical application
  • Evidenced based, new practice methods
  • Sensory, OT and wholistic approaches
  • Youth and Young Adults, lived experiences

Please know that you are welcome to submit topics for special consideration that are not listed here.

Our conference is divided into different tracks. Please carefully select the appropriate target audience and track for your workshop. Please consult with ATTACh about your selection if you are not sure. Workshops offered at the post-graduate level will be eligible for CE credits.

  • Parent Track: these workshops pertain to supporting caregivers in their lived experiences with extra focus and preference on hands-on that are intermediate in knowledge base.
  • Prevention and Early Intervention Track: These workshops are for presentations focusing on actions
  • and interventions prior to the development of serious attachment and trauma issues that will identify these issues in their earliest states to prevent long-term effects.
  • Sensorimotor Approaches Track: For parents and professionals to understand the link between sensory integration issues in children
  • Child Welfare Track: Presentations should use evidence-based practice specific to enhancing understanding and practices in child welfare around trauma informed care.
  • Intermediate Professional Track: These workshops are for those who are furthering their knowledge of attachment issues, may be broader in scope.
  • Advanced Clinical Track: These workshops provide in depth coverage of specialized topics without reviewing introductory material. Presentations must establish the bridge between program content and the elements of the criteria using appropriate evidence. Program content should build upon the foundation of a completed doctoral program in psychology. They should focus application and skills to use in practice.
  • Youth Track: Young people are a critical part of the movement toward healing trauma, attachment and other issues impacting young people. This track will provide an opportunity to hear from presenters about lived experiences, how other young people are working to address specific issues, and where to find resources.

Target Audience: Parents, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health clinicians, social workers, residential treatment staff, registered nurses, child welfare professionals, adoption and foster care agency staff and administrators, educators, advocates, juvenile justice personnel, researchers and others interested in the wellbeing of children and young people.