Parent-Child Attachment Play (PCAP) Professional CPD

Parent-Child Attachment Play (PCAP) is an innovative early help model that focuses on strengthening the parent/carer (or other adult) – child relationship.

The PCAP practitioner primarily works with the parent/carer (or other adult) in a one to one or group-based setting. The intervention is aimed at children 3+ to late teens. It can be offered to both neurotypical and neurodiverse children and adapted according to the child’s need.

The PCAP model integrates both theory and practice so that practitioners are confident in ‘the Why and the How’ in delivering this innovative, creative and effective intervention.

Aims of the course

PCAP training provides:

A strong grounding in the latest attachment, neuroscience and child psychology research and theory that underpins the model
Understanding of the intergenerational transmission of attachment and how PCAP can play a role in creating long -lasting meaningful change in familial relationships
Understanding of a 10-step method that integrates 3 fundamental attachment focused mechanisms; reflective functioning, child led play and containment
A clear structure/plan that can be adapted based on your setting
An experiential and creative learning experience which guides and empowers you as a practitioner
A reflective space to develop your own authentic style of facilitation
A range of pre and post outcome measures to support evaluation and commissioning requirements
Access to a hub of research articles, videos and resources including example session plans so that you are ready to start offering PCAP sessions on completion of the course!

PCAP online is now available!

We are thrilled to share that PCAP is now available as an online offering.

Click here to find out more

With practitioners in Australia, Malaysia and beyond travelling overseas to learn the PCAP approach and returning eager to share it with their colleagues, it was vital we worked to offer this training virtually. Whether you’re based in the UK or overseas, you can now access this training from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s what other PCAP practitioners have to say about the course and intervention…

“A playful, gentle and nurturing approach that provides you with the skills to support the development of attachment in an honest and genuine way”

“Every therapist should do this course!”

“Attachment theory was explained very clearly and the best I’ve ever heard it explained”

“The training offers a practical framework to practitioners, that supports strong attachments between parent and child.”

Train as a PCAP Practitioner online

PCAP Online – CPD accreditation pending

Who is this course for?

This 2 day CPD accredited training weekend is suitable for practitioners working closely with parents / carers and children / teens, such as play therapists, social workers, teaching and support staff, charity workers, family outreach workers and nursery staff.

All of our Attachment Play Practitioner Courses are available to book as full courses in lots of locations across the UK and Ireland. If you have 10 or more people then please contact us on [email protected] with your requirements.

When is this course?

Dublin – 21-22 September 2024 Book Here

Online – any time! Book here

Be the first to find out about future training dates. Register your interest here

Location

Dublin – Courtyard Hotel, Leixlip, Co. Kildare

Online – Anywhere! Book here

Course leaders

Linsey McNelis works mainly as a Play Therapist in Galway city. Ruth McDonagh works as a project worker for Barnardos in a family support project in Athlone and part time as a Play Therapist. They have always been interested in supporting the parents of the children they work with and when they first came across Big Toes Little Toes work in the form of Baby Bonding in 2012 they became hooked! They went on to study in the three Attachment programmes and found these to be invaluable in their work in strengthening the parent- child relationship.

Jacqui Shankly, has worked for over 20 years supporting babies, children and their families. She began her career making music with babies and their parents throughout Staffordshire and the West Midlands on behalf of local charities and Children’s Centres. “I loved my work, and what fascinated me most was the power of music to stimulate playfulness and connection between children and their parents and carers. Thus began two decades of interest and research into early childhood development and attachment, culminating in a Masters in Play Therapy. I founded Moonbeams CIC, an organisation dedicated to promoting positive childhood mental health through direct work with children, and support and information for the adults around them”.

Jude Brown has over 30 years of experience working in education and early years. A former Head Teacher and Early Years Consultant, she now divides her time between lecturing at CU University Coventry and running her business, Nurture in Mind, which delivers mindfulness training to the early years sector, parents and professionals. Jude has continued to develop her own evidence- based through research to complete her masters degree in attachment and nurture, and now through her PhD studies exploring the practice of mindfulness and meditation for parents of children under 3.