Welcome to ABFT International
We provide attachment-based training for clinicians and organizations to help families heal, connect, and thrive
Our Mission
ABFT International Training Institute provides worldwide training in family based mental health care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Our programs are empirically based, attachment informed, and trauma focused interventions. Most programs are transdiagnostic and deliverable in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient, hospital, residential, and home-based care. Our training programs can be delivered live in-person, live online, as well as online asynchronously.
Our Training Services
Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT)
ABFT is our flagship intervention training program. We teach therapists how to deliver brief, depth focused family therapy in a variety of settings for a range of clinical problems. We offer workshops, webinars, case consultation, video review, and more.
Family-Based Suicide Risk Management
Learn state of the art, empirically supported clinical strategies to help mental health professionals and others who come in contact with suicidal youth manage crises related to suicidal ideation and attempts. Training focuses on risk assessment, safety planning, and family engagement.
Attachment Based Care for Teams (ABC4T)
When working in a contained clinical setting (e.g., hospital or residential program), all staff should share a common philosophical approach to care. ABC4T brings attachment and learning informed thinking to administration, psychiatry, nurses and line staff.
What is Attachment-Based Family Therapy?
- Brief, emotion-focused, and trauma-informed family therapy
- Flexible and structured
- Transdiagnostic and age diverse
- Quickly identify and discuss attachment ruptures
- Improve interpersonal problem solving, emotional regulation and secure base attachment
- Extensive research base of support
The ABFT Manual
Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is the only empirically supported family therapy model designed to treat adolescent depression. This book describes clinical strategies for therapists, as well as the theoretical basis of the approach and the evidence base that supports it.
With its unique emphasis on the depressed adolescent’s need for attachment and autonomy, this book will show family therapists how to create in-session, corrective attachment experiences where adolescents seek — and parents provide — love and support.
Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults and Their Nonaccepting Parents
Attachment-based family therapy for sexual and gender minority young adults (ABFT-SGM) helps reduce parental rejection, facilitate parental acceptance, and ultimately promote safer, closer, and more mutually respectful relationships between LGBTQ+ young adults and their parents. This informative book combines step-by-step guidance, real-life examples, and an empirically based approach to help therapists conduct transformative attachment experiences to keep these families connected.
Reach Out to Us
Looking for more info about our training programs?
Interested in hosting a training for your organization or community?