‘Recent Advances in Understanding and Supporting Attachment in At-Risk Infants’
We are delighted to be hosting a line-up of experts, skilled in using the latest approaches for assessing and supporting attachment in at-risk infants., focusing on two main models; The Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM) and The Infant Care Index
The conference will give participants an introduction to approaches which can support professionals’ understanding of relational dynamics between parents and their babies. Importantly, the application of these approaches will be brought alive by case examples and we will be given a fascinating insight into how professional bias can blind us to what we think we ‘see’.
This conference will introduce participants to key approaches that enhance professionals’ understanding of relational dynamics between parents and their babies. Through real-world case examples, we will explore how these approaches come to life in practice and gain a compelling insight into how professional biases can sometimes distort our perceptions.
What to Expect:
- An introduction to the Infant CARE-Index (ICI) and its core patterns, offering insights into how the ICI can help identify interactional risks in parent-child relationships.
- A discussion on how cultural and professional biases can shape—sometimes misleadingly—our understanding of what we observe in Infant Mental Health work. The ICI provides a structured approach to carefully observe, recognise discrepancies, and better understand parent-infant interactions.
- A case presentation demonstrating how the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM) can be applied to tailor treatment plans for parents and infants, increasing the effectiveness of interventions.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and interact with the speakers, making this a rich and practice-enhancing learning experience.
Why Attend?
This event will expand our understanding of parent-infant attachment and support the development of best practices in the field.
Key Models Explored:
The Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM)
The DMM builds on John Bowlby’s attachment theory, emphasizing the role of early relationships in shaping emotional and social development. Developed by Patricia Crittenden, the DMM integrates neuroscience and developmental research to explain how infants’ attachment strategies evolve for safety and protection. It highlights how early experiences shape emotional regulation, perception, and behavior, while also considering cultural and environmental influences.
The Infant CARE-Index (ICI)
As one of the most accessible tools within the DMM framework, the ICI is a brief observational assessment designed by Patricia Crittenden to evaluate parent-infant interactions from birth to around 15 months. Based on a short video-recorded play session, the ICI measures parental sensitivity, responsiveness, and potential relational risks. Unlike attachment assessments that examine stress responses, the ICI captures the best functioning moments of the parent-infant dyad.
By integrating the ICI within the DMM framework, professionals can detect early relational risks and implement interventions that foster healthier attachment and emotional development.
Join us for this insightful event and deepen your understanding of parent-infant relationships!
Programme of the event
9:30 Jane Barlow, President of AiMH UK
Welcome
9:35 Rebecca Carr-Hopkins, Director: Independent Social Work Matters Ltd.
Introduction to the DMM and the various methods for assessing attachment, focusing in on the Infant CARE-Index as a risk assessment. Videos will be used to illustrate how ’Things aren’t always how they seem’.
10.30 BREAK
10:45 Dr Katrin Braune-Krickau, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist
Cultural Bias and other factors that influence what we see, demonstrated with film footage.
11:30 Helen Johnson, qualified Social worker
Using the understanding that the DMM assessments provide to strengthen parenting capacity & reduce risk. Case study.
12:15 Questions
12.30 Programme close
CPD HOURS 3
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