All members of the Center for Family Development are licensed, skilled, and highly trained professionals with at least twenty years experience helping families.
Dr. Becker-Weidman has been treating the families of adoptive and foster children for over two decades. He uses an attachment-focused family therapy approach, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). As Director of the Center for Family Development he consults with Departments of Social Services, Residential Treatment Centers, and Mental Health Clinics throughout the world.
Read MoreSusan Becker-Weidman, LCSW-R provides counseling services to older adolescents and adults. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from Catholic University. Susan has expertise in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health and relationship issues.
Read MoreDr. Becker-Weidman has trained in a variety of evidence-based and research-informed therapies. When working with a child who has experienced complex trauma or disruption in attachment Dr. Emily Becker-Weidman uses an attachment-focused family therapy approach, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).
Read MoreAttachment develops from the deep and lasting connection between a child and parent and forms the basis for all other relationships and a healthy personality. Early chronic maltreatment (Complex Trauma) in a caregiving relationship can often results in significant impairment of a child's emotional and neurological development.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is an evidence-based treatment for children who have Trauma Attachment Disorder and other disorders of attachment that are complicated by severe trauma. The goal of treatment is to help children develop healthy, trusting, and secure relationships with their caregiver.
The Center for Family Development conducted a study in the March 2006 issue of Child and Adolescent Social Work, a professional peer-reviewed journal. This demonstrates that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is an evidence-based effective treatment for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder.
Our workshops and training events in DDP are specifically tailored to the particular needs and requirements of each organization. We work with your training committee or program manager to prepare a training outline that will provide your staff with the desired outcomes needed. Half-day, full-day, or multi-day programs can be arranged.
The Attachment-Focused Treatment Institute
was founded by Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman to provide training and certification in treatment methods based on attachment theory. The training includes DDP, family therapy and work by other professionals using the principles of attachment theory to guide intervention.
Our products include books and dvds with titles such as DDP Primer, Creating Capacity for Attachment, Attachment Parenting, Assessing Children with Complex Trauma and Attachment Disorder and Assessing Caregiver Reflective Capacity, Commitment, Insightfulness and Sensitivity.