Presented by: Philip J. Flores, Ph.D., ABPP, CGP, FAGPA

The emergence of Modern Attachment Theory reflects a conceptual revolution that has evolved over the last ten years which synthesizes the best ideas of the relational models of psychodynamic theory, the cognitive sciences, child development, and neurobiology. Not only has attachment theory helped shift psychoanalytic thinking from classical drive or instinct theory to a relational approach, it also furnishes an all encompassing theoretical formula for understanding addiction and the difficulties that the typical addict and alcoholic brings to treatment. This workshop will address the ways that Modern Attachment Theory and Affect Regulation Theory provide an effective theoretical formula for informing the delivery of therapy and the treatment of addiction.

Learning Objectives: As a result of the workshop, participants will gain knowledge of:

1. ways that attachment theory and self psychology applied to therapy, especially with patients who suffer from character pathology, and substance abuse;
2. how early treatment strategies need to differ from later stage treatment strategies;
3. different styles of attachment (Avoidant, Ambivalent, Disorganized, & Secure) and their relationship to treatment;
4. identify the ways that secure base and exploration are intricately connected; and
5. the relationship between the neurobiology of attachment and the neurobiology of addiction.

Philip J. Flores, Ph.D, ABPP, CGP, FAGPA is a clinical psychologist who has worked extensively for the past thirty years in the area of addictive disorders and group psychotherapy. He is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and is a Diplomate in Group Psychology, a certification issued by the American Board of Professional Psychology.  Dr. Flores is also Adjunct Faculty at Georgia State University, the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University and is supervisor of group psychotherapy at Emory University. In addition to his two books, Group Psychotherapy With Addiction Populations by Haworth Press (3^rd ED), and Addiction as an Attachment Disorder by Jason Aronson Press, he was also Consensus Panel Chair for Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy, A Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP #41) issued by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. Dr. Flores is the lead author on the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s treatment manual, Group Psychotherapy of Substance Abuse and Addiction. Dr. Flores is co-chair and contributing member of the Science to Service Task Force of American Group Psychotherapy Association that produced the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Group Psychotherapy. Dr. Flores’ latest book, Addiction as an Attachment Disorder was the 2005 Gradiva Award Winner issued by The National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis. He has also presented numerous workshops nationally and internationally on these two subjects. Dr. Flores and his wife, Lisa Mahon, Ph.D., continue to run several outpatient psychotherapy groups a week in their private practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

Limited scholarships are available. Click here for information.

General Registration: $50 ($70 at the door)
Agency Employee: $40 ($60 at the door)
New Professional (graduated 3 years ago or less)/ Student: $30 ($50 at the door)

Add $20 for non-members of AGPS.

Click here for online registration.