Core Training Program

In terms of structure and format, here is how the Core Training program works:

Each weekend, we will begin on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9am and end each evening at 6pm. We will take an hour break for lunch and schedule briefer morning and afternoon breaks as well.

Saturday mornings begin with the Senior Faculty member’s didactic presentation. The subject matter for the didactic portion will include the following topics:

  • Attachment theory (creating a secure attachment bond)
  • Intersubjectivity, affirmation, and delight (as a stance)
  • Moment-to-Moment dyadic regulation of affective experiencing
  • Moment-to-Moment tracking of somatic experiencing
  • Working with defenses
  • Working with trauma/traumatic relational histories
  • Working with the pathogenic affects of fear and shame
  • Working with different ego states
  • Working with deep, intense, previously overwhelming emotions
  • The three states and two state transformations of AEDP
  • Bringing emotion work to completion
  • Working with positive affect
  • Focusing on the experience of transformation
  • Fostering of True Self experiences
  • Promoting Core State

The bulk of the weekend will then be dedicated to individual clinical supervision sessions for each member of the Core Training. At the end of each weekend, we will take time to process our experience together, address any concerns, and deal with "housekeeping" matters.

At least one weekend out of the five yearly Core Training weekends will be facilitated by a guest supervisor from the Institute’s Senior Faculty. This ensures that trainees will receive exposure to different ways of thinking and practicing AEDP, as well as to the work and personal style of leaders in the field of this model of treatment.