Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute® (DDPI®)

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy™ (DDP™) is a method of psychotherapy that was developed in the 1990s for the treatment of children and youth who manifested serious psychological problems secondary to intrafamilial trauma and serious failure to establish stable attachment patterns. Most of the clients receiving this treatment were residing in foster homes, adoptive homes, or—at times—residential treatment centers. DDP was—and is—highly influenced by the theory and research findings related to attachment and intersubjectivity (Bowlby 1988, Holmes, 1993, Hughes 1997, 1998).
Over the past 10 years, DDP has continued to maintain its attachment-focused, family-centered stance while continuing to refine its theoretical foundations and treatment interventions (Becker-Weidman & Shell, 2005; Hughes, 2004, 2006) and to broaden its focus to include the treatment of all families (Hughes, 2007). At the same time there have been two empirical studies that have begun to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of this treatment model (Becker-Weidman, 2006a, 2006b, Becker-Weidman, 2007). The broader evidence-base for this effective treatment was recently described in an article (Becker-Weidman & Hughes, 2008) While DDP continues to develop its theoretical and practice base and although more research would be quite beneficial, its framework is now well enough established to warrant greater efforts to standardize its use, and to insure that those practicing DDP are remaining faithful to its core principles and practices. For these reasons DDPI is now being established.
DDPI will provide a certification process for those clinicians who are utilizing the DDP model of treatment and who wish to become certified in having demonstrated their knowledge of its core principles and their competence in its implementation in their practice. To be certified clinicians will have completed a minimum number of hours both in DDP course participation as well as in receiving consultation of their utilization of DDP in their treatment (through video review). Clinicians will also be certified to be DDP consultants, who are responsible for the providing consultation to those applying to become DDP certified therapists.
DDPI is currently in the process of establishing a board as well as finalizing the certification processes. Art Becker-Weidman has been securing legal advice so that DDPI can meet the regulatory requirements to become a nonprofit organization and to establish necessary trademarks for the organization. He also has agreed to manage the initial administrative responsibilities of DDPI. In 2009, DDPI will be developing training and treatment manuals that will further operationalize the core principles and interventions of DDP, while still remembering that any such efforts must always be inherently flexible since the central features of each dyadic relationship are unique and often emerge in a nonlinear fashion.
Information regarding DDPI, the certification requirements for clinicians and consultants, and other information can be found on my website: (www.danielhughes.org) as well as Art Becker-Weidman’s website: (www.Center4FamilyDevelop.com). In the near future DDPI will have its own website.
If you have any questions or comments about DDPI please contact me (dhughes202@comcast.net) or Art (aweidman@aweidman.cnc.net).

Dan Hughes, Ph.D.

Becker-Weidman, A. (2006a). Treatment for children with trauma-attachment disorders:
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, March, 2006.
Becker-Weidman, A. (2006b). Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: a multi-year
follow-up. In New Developments in Child Abuse Research. S.M. Sturt, Ed.
Nova Science Publishers.
Becker-Weidman, A., (2007) “Treatment For Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy,” http://www.center4familydevelop.com/research.pdf
Becker-Weidman, A., & Hughes, D., (2008) “Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: An evidence-based treatment for children with complex trauma and disorders of attachment,” Child & Adolescent Social Work, 13, pp.329-337.
Becker-Weidman, A. & Shell, D. Eds. (2005, 2nd Printing 2008). Creating Capacity for Attachment. Oklahoma City, OK: Wood ‘N’ Barnes, Williamsville, NY: Center For Family Development
Bowlby, J., (1988). A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development. NY: Basic.
Holmes, J., (1993). John Bowlby & Attachment Theory. London: Routledge.
Hughes, D. (1997). Facilitating Developmental Attachment: The Road to Emotional
Recovery and Behavioral Change in Foster and Adopted Children (1997).
Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Hughes, D. (1998). Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply
Troubled Children. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Hughes, D. (2003). Psychological Interventions for the Spectrum of Attachment
Disorders and Intrafamilial Trauma. Attachment and Human Development, 5,
271-277.
Hughes, D. (2004). An Attachment-Based Treatment for Maltreated Children and Youth.
Attachment and Human Development, 6, 263-278.
Hughes, D. (2006). Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply
Troubled Children.2nd Edition. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Hughes, D. (2007). Attachment-focused family therapy. New York: WW Norton.

regards

It is not unusual for a child to be initially hesisitant about being away from the child’s parent on first going to school. That apprehension is quite normal. If it persists, then there may be a problem. Sometimes children reflect their parent’s anxieties and fears and the child’s apprehension about separation may reflect the parent’s anxieties about separation. Of course, separation anxiety can also have other causes as well.

regards

Art

art

Abandoning a child is a difficult and painful event (for all involved). Being able to safely abandon a new born is actually a good thing as it allows for just what you are suggesting: allowing the child to be taken in and adopted by a family that care adequately care for the infant.

thanks for your comments, I appreciate it.

Art

Autism can manifest itself before 18 months of age. As far as I am aware, there is no increased incidence of Autism among adopted children. Actually, if we think about it, that should not be a surprise. Since Autism is largely a neurological disorder, it’s incidence may be expected to be similar across various methods of forming a family.

Good question.

regards

Art

You may have to contact someone in a nearby state to find a closer resource. Try someone in any of the neighboring states and see if they have a recommendation for you. It can be very difficult to find the right person in your town. I sometimes have people traveling four hours each way each week for treatment and we have families coming from all across the US and internationally for our two-week intensive treatment program…so I do understand what you may be up against.
You can always feel free to call me to discuss any of this in more detail.
regards
Art

Yes, it can be a real struggle. That is why it is so important to be sure that you get an excellent and thorough evaluation and then appropriate treatment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is an evidence-based and effective treatment for complex trauma and disorders of attachment. You may be able to find someone in your area on the list of registered clinicians at attach. org. I hope this helps.

regards

art

What a beautiful and lovely story. Thank you so much for sharing this. Sometimes we get caught up on only thinking about the problems. There are many joys as well. As an adoptive parent I am in complete agreement with you on this point.

regards

Art

You raise an interesting point. I suppose we also have to consider the fact that permanency for a child is very important and a lack of permanency is one factor in a variety of mental health problems. Having a forever family makes a significant positive difference in a child’s life, especially when that child has a history of chronic maltreatment and is now in the child welfare system.
Thanks for the comment.

Art