Attachment in a Nutshell: A Bite-sized Introduction to Attachment Therapy
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM PST
This presentation breaks down how attachment theory forms the foundation of clinical mental health across the lifespan. We'll look at the neurobiological balance between play and fear states—tracing the concept from Bowlby and Ainsworth to modern neuroscience.
Location: Online
Continuing Education: 1 (Applied through NASW Oregon)
Cost: Free to RVP Volunteers and partnering clinics who are listed in our directory and who have an active MOU with RVP. We also welcome our OR/WA Vet Center and VA staff to join for free. All other community providers, please pay $29 (or apply to become a RVP volunteer provider).
Who Should Attend:
This training is open to all RVP Volunteer Providers, social workers, mental health counselors, and community providers.
What You Will Learn:
Grounded in the foundational work of Bowlby and Ainsworth alongside modern affective neuroscience, attachment theory offers clinicians a powerful framework for understanding how early experiences shape adult neural pathways and relational dynamics. This presentation highlights the interplay between fear-based survival mechanisms and play based social engagement systems (Panksepp), showing how safe therapeutic environments foster emotional flexibility and growth. Clinicians will learn practical ways to integrate Attunement, Responsiveness, and Engagement (A.R.E.) to cultivate co-regulation, deliver corrective emotional experiences, and guide clients toward secure, adaptive
relationships.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will become familiar with some of the core principles of attachment theory.
- Attendees will become familiar with ways that childhood attachment experiences impact adult relationships
- Explain the dichotomy between fear-based and play-based circuitry as described by researchers like Panksepp, and its impact on a client’s ability to learn and change.
- Identify the components of self-reinforcing cycles of distress that limit relational flexibility.
- Understand that the foundation of building secure attachment is having experiences with others who demonstrateA.R.E.(Attuned, Responsive, Engaged).
CE Faculty
Cat Bice, LCSW, LICSW brings many years of experience to her role as a therapist. She has a warm, down-to-earth approach to therapy—especially for those who aren’t entirely sure therapy is for them. She understands that opening up can feel daunting, and she meets clients with a straight-forward, transparent style. Cat specializes in using EMDR for trauma processing and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with both individuals and couples to strengthen relationships and rebuild core connection and trust.
Licensure & Credentials
Credential: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Oregon #L3689, Washington #LW00008164, Hawaii #LCSW-4337), Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland.
Experience & Clinical Focus
Modalities: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
Specialties: Couples, occupational trauma, including first responders and health care workers. Relationship
Client Care: Goal-oriented, evidence-based therapy for individuals and couples, focusing on the role of attachment and belonging in our well being.
Professional Accomplishments
EFT Certification: Certified as an EFT therapist working with both individuals and couples. Clinical Leadership & Supervision: Provides expert clinical supervision and leadership for associates, pre-licensed clinicians, and students
Volunteer Work: In her spare time, Cat volunteers with the local fire service as an EMT and incident response support.
Want to attend our trainings for free? Become an RVP Volunteer and gain access to free CE trainings and other great benefits!
Learn more about volunteering >
Contact: Jennifer Keeling, RVP Director of Retention and Recruitment .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
503-954-2259
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