Description
CBT emphasizes cognitive restructuring and present-focused skills training, while attachment-based interventions delve into relational history and emotional healing. Often CBT is the only modality new clinicians are equipped with when they begin their practice. As clinicians gain experience, many recognize that applying CBT protocols in real-life therapeutic settings is challenging and seek alternative approaches. This gives rise to “eclectic” approaches which involve attachment-based interventions, such as emotion-focused therapy (EFT) or dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP). Those who identify as “eclectic” may not know how to effectively integrate the two theories effectively in practice.
This training will highlight intersections of CBT and attachment-based interventions in terms of their underlying drivers of distress, mechanisms of change, value of therapeutic relationship, and even strategies. Attendees will learn to draw on the strength of both theories to develop a comprehensive case conceptualization and use integrated strategies to address both symptomatic distress and deeply rooted attachment wounds. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support their clients with strategies that emphasize cognitions and interpersonal connections equally.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how principles of CBT and Attachment Theory have been seen as mutually exclusive historically.
- Recognize shared principles between CBT and Attachment Theory, including their focus on internal beliefs, emotional regulation, and interpersonal patterns.
- Develop a comprehensive case conceptualization that integrates both CBT and attachment-informed approaches in the client treatment plan.
- Implement practical, integrative strategies in therapy for a range of presentations.
Who Should Attend
This course is recommended for mental health professionals, clinicians, and other client facing professionals with intermediate experience. This may include registered psychotherapists, registered social workers, psychological associates, psychologists, counsellors, child and youth workers, registered nurses who provide counselling.
Course Dates & Format
December 10 & 11, 2025
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.
Instructor: Dr. Rana Pishva, C. Psych.
Rana Pishva is a clinical psychologist who makes the complexities of mental health more approachable for professionals and the public alike. She works with children, teens, and adults through significant life transitions, especially those that seem too complex or scary to navigate alone. Rana’s approach centers on compassion, curiosity, and evidence-based practice. She draws in her background in CBT, attachment and narrative therapy to support clients and fellow therapists in making sense of their experiences and sorting through personal narratives.
Beyond the therapy room, Rana writes about her work, offers professional consultation and supervision, and delivers tailored workshops on a number of topics such as attachment and trauma, psychotherapy skills, and parenting. Her goal is to make evidence-based psychological science accessible and equip others with practical tools to gain insight and motivate meaningful change.
Training Fee
Member Fee: $195.00 + $25.35 (HST) = $220.35
Non-Member Fee: $235.00 + $30.55 (HST) = $265.55
Group Registration: Save 20% off regular individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.
Continuing Education Information
Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.
In-Service
This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.
