308 | Pain Cycle to Peace Cycle: Advancing the Treatment of Attachment with Restoration Therapy for Couples and Families

Couples and families in conflict often become entrenched in blame, shame, control, and withdrawal, perpetuating destructive cycles. Restoration Therapy integrates attachment theory, emotional regulation, and mindfulness in a structured approach that can benefit both professionals and clients identify old patterns and promote lasting change. This approach highlights the differences between adult attachment and parent-child attachment, and gives clinicians the specific insights into fostering the adult attachment in the client’s life. Licensed mental health professionals and ministry leaders will identify advances in adult attachment theory and the advantages of moving partners toward self-regulation, rather than relying on co-regulation, when working with couples. Participants will discover how to construct a “pain cycle” to help clients identify the roles in conflict and emotional dysregulation, as well as formulate a “peace cycle” that shifts couples from conflict to intimacy. Additionally, participants will assess case examples and hand-on practice, while also be given tools for working with couples, families, blended families, and leaders.