These moments, seemingly small at the time, accumulate into what we now recognise as cumulative attachment trauma—a series of silent wounds that shape the nervous system, alter emotional regulation, and imprint patterns of mistrust and insecurity. The repeated rupture of connection teaches a child’s brain to expect absence, to anticipate loss, and to guard against closeness, creating adults who struggle to navigate intimacy and trust.

For such individuals, and perhaps for many of us at a subconscious level, the recent pandemic has only served to exacerbate this separation anxiety and fear of losing, thus creating an additional challenging layer in navigating relationships. The new dynamics of relationships that now get formed, get conducted as well as get fractured, abandoned or ghosted through digital media adds a new dimensional depth to the therapeutic challenges that we, as therapists, must help the clients navigate and come to terms with.

As therapists, we encounter these legacies daily—clients whose fears of abandonment, inability to sustain relationships, or profound sense of emotional disconnection trace back to these early experiences.

• How do we untangle these hidden patterns, buried deep within the psyche?
• How do we guide our clients from the dark terror of separation to the resilience of connection?
• How do we address the often-overlooked systemic factors, such as institutional caregiving or societal expectations, that contribute to these lasting impacts?
• How do we help clients navigate the complicated landscape of forming and maintaining relationships through digital media?

This training offers a unique opportunity to explore these questions in-depth, drawing on Relational Trauma theory, Attachment-focused therapy, and the latest neurobiological insights to illuminate the profound impact of early separations. By combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications, the seminar will provide attendees with a roadmap to understand, identify, and repair these patterns in their clients’ lives.

Led by Dr Jan McGregor Hepburn, an expert in relational trauma, and Michaela Chamberlain, a seasoned attachment-focused therapist, the training will weave together systemic analysis, clinical experience, and case vignettes to bring these concepts to life. Participants will learn not only to recognise the hidden legacies of separation anxiety but also to engage clients with interventions that foster trust, resilience, and lasting growth.

Key Topics Covered

The Roots of Separation Anxiety

• Cumulative Trauma in Early Experiences: How repeated separations in childhood—nurseries, boarding schools, caregiving transitions—create lasting impacts on emotional and relational development.
• Attachment and the Nervous System: Explore the neurobiological toll of chronic stress caused by early separations, including its effects on emotional regulation, attachment styles, and behavioural patterns.

Institutional Trauma and Attachment Disruptions

• Hidden Legacies of Boarding Schools: Through biographical and literary accounts, uncover the emotional complexities of institutional caregiving settings and their long-term effects on trust, intimacy, and identity.
• Nursery Settings and Family Dynamics: Examine how caregiving practices in early childhood shape attachment patterns, highlighting the impact of seemingly benign experiences like daycare separations.

Separation in Therapy

• Manifestation in the Therapeutic Frame: How separation anxiety shows up in therapy—through resistance, ruptures, and fears of abandonment.
• Navigating Breaks and Transitions: Practical strategies for managing therapeutic breaks, addressing client resistance, and fostering repair and resilience.
• Clinician-Client Dynamics: The parallel experiences of separation anxiety for therapists and clients, and how these dynamics influence the therapeutic relationship.

Post-Pandemic Attachment Challenges

• The New Face of Anxiety: Explore how the pandemic has exacerbated attachment insecurities and separation anxiety, creating new relational challenges for clients and therapists alike.
• Digital Therapy and Connection: Learn how to adapt to the unique anxieties of virtual therapy, from managing therapeutic presence to maintaining the relational bond in a digital space.

What You Will Learn

Participants will leave with:

• Deep Understanding: Grasp the roots of separation anxiety and cumulative trauma, exploring how early disconnections impact emotional regulation and relational patterns.
• Systemic Insights: Recognise the role of nurseries, boarding schools, and family dynamics in shaping attachment styles and relational behaviours.
• Practical Strategies: Master specific techniques for managing separation anxiety in therapy, navigating resistance, and fostering repair during therapeutic breaks.
• Post-Pandemic Tools: Adapt to the evolving challenges of post-pandemic attachment dynamics and digital therapy, equipping clients to navigate separation with resilience.
• Clinical Confidence: Integrate relational trauma insights into practice, transforming clients’ fear of separation into opportunities for trust and growth.

Separation anxiety may be an invisible thread, but its impact on relationships, trust, and therapeutic processes is profound. This seminar isn’t just another professional development opportunity—it’s your chance to transform your clinical practice and gain tools to help clients heal their most hidden wounds.

Don’t wait. Spaces are limited—secure your spot today and join us for this compelling and transformative learning experience.

© nscience 2025 / 26