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Stuck in self-fulfilling cycles of mistrust, many clients expect abandonment and inadvertently create situations that reinforce those expectations.
As therapists our role is to dive into the heart of those abandonment fears, and help them heal the traumatic childhood wounds impacting their adult lives and relationships.
But for some clients “trusting” is a place where they’ve been hurt before, making deep therapeutic work difficult to get off the ground. Others can be too clingy, looking for you to meet their intense need for reassurance and connection.
That’s why expert Ellen Biros created this training -- to provide you a roadmap to navigate the complexities of abandonment trauma so you can offer your clients direction, hope, and the keys to healing.
In just one day, she’ll guide you through the practical and effective approaches you need to build trust with these clients, help them overcome their abandonment fears, and forge a path toward lasting healing and better relationships.
With specific exercises from CBT and DBT you can use right away, you’ll end this course ready to help your clients set healthy boundaries, reduce their exposure to toxic relationships, and reframe the negative thought patterns about self-worth and rejection that have been holding them back.
This training is a valuable addition to any therapists’ treatment toolkit and in person seats are limited – register today!
Abandonment, Attachment, and Early Experiences
Trauma and the Spectrum of Abandonment
Recognize Signs and Symptoms
The Abandonment Trauma Treatment Toolbox: CBT and DBT Strategies and Exercises to Repair Inner Child Wounds
Therapeutic Relationship and Therapist Self-Care
"Hands-down, this is the BEST training I have ever had!!"
–Jennifer S, Counselor
"Excellent presentation, information, and presenter!"
–Regina F, Counselor
"The most cohesive, coherent, and informative summation of trauma and its treatment I have ever seen. Best CE webinar I have ever attended."
–Robert M, Psychologist
"A very helpful seminar. Filled with pertinent and useful information regarding abandonment, attachment, the inner child, therapy techniques and studies."
–Cynthia O, Psychotherapist
"Great presentation. So helpful for my practice. Happy I took this course."
–Julie K, Social Worker
"The course was very helpful for my practice working with clients with attachment issues. It clarified a lot of questions I had."
–Ellen H, Counselor
Clayton, MO puts you in the heart of the St. Louis metro—just minutes from world-class attractions like Forest Park, the renowned St. Louis Zoo, and the Gateway Arch, plus excellent dining and shopping. The Clayton Plaza Hotel offers complimentary breakfast, on-site parking, and comfortable accommodations to make your training getaway seamless.
Is this training suitable for my experience level?
Whether you're newer to attachment work or a seasoned clinician looking to deepen your skills, this training provides practical, evidence-based strategies you can implement immediately. Ellen breaks down complex concepts into actionable techniques while offering the clinical depth experienced therapists appreciate. You'll walk away with concrete tools—not just theory—that work across client populations and practice settings.
Will I really be able to apply this with my clients right away?
Absolutely. This isn't a theoretical overview—it's a hands-on treatment toolkit. You'll learn specific CBT and DBT exercises, cognitive restructuring techniques, and graded exposure protocols designed for abandonment trauma. Ellen provides real clinical examples and step-by-step interventions you can use in your very next session with clients struggling with trust, attachment wounds, or relationship patterns rooted in abandonment fears.
How is this different from other attachment trainings?
This training goes beyond attachment theory basics to give you the "how" of treatment. Ellen focuses specifically on the intersection of abandonment trauma and inner child work—teaching you how to navigate the unique challenges these clients present, from difficulty trusting the therapeutic relationship to clingy or avoidant behaviors. You'll get targeted interventions for the specific fears, thought patterns, and relational struggles that keep abandonment-wounded clients stuck.
What will the schedule look like?
September 14, 2026 from 8-4pm Central Time
There will be a 70-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch and break times will be announced by the speaker and at their discretion. A more detailed schedule is available upon request.
Please note: You will have access for 90 days after the program for review. For live CE credit, you must watch the live presentation in its entirety at its scheduled time and complete the CE quiz and evaluation within one week. Please note that this requirement may vary by credit type. Please see detailed credit information for specific requirements for each credit type.
Who was this training designed for?
Should I attend in-person or online?
If you want face-to-face connection, and potential networking opportunities, come in person. But if travel isn’t possible, you can still get the same world-class training via live webcast or self-study.
