ATTACh

What is ATTACh?

The Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children (ATTACh) was founded 30 years ago to train mental health professionals, therapists, parents, and others who work with or care for children facing trauma or attachment issues.  We are a Minnesota-based nonprofit serving thousands of people here and across North America in the areas of childhood trauma and attachment issues.

ATTACh sponsors an internationally attended Annual Conference each fall for professionals and parents.  Additionally, in 2019, ATTACh trained over 1,000 mental health professionals and parents through webinars, small group trainings, and keynotes at other conferences. ATTACh has published two books: “Hope for Healing – A Parent’s Guide to Trauma and Attachment” and “The Attachment Therapy Companion – Key Practices for Treating Children and Families.” 

ATTACh membership provides a variety of benefits including free access to monthly webinars, discount for annual conference, discounted online and regional trainings (professionals), access to Private ListServ, live one-on-one support (parents), confidential Facebook group (parents), and free online weekly caregiver support meetings (parents).  Explore ATTACh membership HERE.

Why support ATTACh?

 ATTACh receives hundreds of requests for referrals to trauma- and attachment-trained therapists and professionals. Currently, we can only fulfill one out of every five requests for trauma- and attachment-trained professionals. 

"We have no way of predicting the long term effects of the pandemic on children. Covid-19 is an unprecedented natural experiment in and of itself. Some kids may come out the other end with increased resilience. Others may experience the type of long-term trauma that impairs their development and keeps them overly cautious in the future."

Why is ATTACh so important during COVID?

"One of the top three health concerns for children is stress.  Adults' preoccupation with the implications of COVID-19 might compromise their ability to sensitively recognize and respond to children's cues or distress. Children are well attuned to adults' emotional states; exposure to unexplained and unpredictable behavior is perceived by children as a threat, resulting in a state of anxiety.  During times of stress and crisis, it is common for children to seek more attachment and be more demanding on parents."

As children begin to resume school and childcare, we expect requests to increase significantly as the mental health effects of COVID and related shutdowns, quarantines, job losses, and social isolation emerge. The potential for vast mental health implications – in Minnesota, and nationwide – has created a need for our services more than ever before. 

Your donation will bring hope for healing to children and families through ATTACh’s innovative training, resources, and support, dedicated to parents and professionals facing the deeply-rooted effects of trauma and abuse. 

ATTACh is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, EIN# 84-1153488, and your contribution is tax-deductible.