Insecure attachments form neural behavioural pathways that manifest throughout childhood and are replicated in adult loving relationships. In addition, infant trauma and the vandalisation of the sexual template during critical periods in the development of the brain may lead to the later development of paraphilias and inappropriate sexual behaviour. Similar maladaptive strategies can lead to codependent relationships, domestic violence and sometimes into psychopathology. In a synthesis of neuroscience, developmental, and social psychology this masterclass offers a fresh perspective as to the reasons that may precipitate some individuals into adult attachment pathology. It will then elaborate on the neural pathways that lead to sexual, and in particular, Internet, addiction, and can lead to online offending, and will highlight how neurodiverse clients may be predisposed to develop Internet addiction.

Day 1 will cover the development of an infant’s brain, pre-programmed emotional circuits, poly-vagal theory, attachment circuitry, the development of the sexual template, adolescent neural pruning and neurodiversity.

Day 2 will cover adult presentations of attachment styles, co-dependent relationships, and will link attachment theory into domestic violence and psychopathy. It will cover the consequences of infant trauma, vandalisation of the sexual template and predispositions for sexual addiction and online offending.

This workshop is based on the book Infant Losses; Adult Searches (2011) by Glyn Hudson-Allez (Karnac).

The workshop will be live via zoom over two Saturdays and will provide an interaction between dyadic learning, group conversations and Q&A sessions.

The aims of the Masterclass are:

• To introduce our understanding of the development of an infant’s brain, neural pathways and the concept of left-brain right-brain dynamic.
• To link Bowlby’s concept of attachments into the neural pathways and to discuss how things can go wrong at critical periods of brain development
• To elaborate on the common behavioural manifestations of adults with insecure attachments in loving relationships and how they can malfunction.
• To compare and contrast neurodiverse behaviours with insecure attachment behaviours to offer an hypothesis of common linkage.
• To understand the predispositions for sexual addiction and online offending following the vandalisation of the sexual template.
• To link this understanding into the therapist’s own way of working

Glyn Hudson-Allez has a BSc (Hons) and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Bristol, and an MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology from the University of Leicester. She is a Psychosexual Therapist on the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) Supervisory Register, and works with individuals, couples and supervisees. She undertook her Cognitive Behavioural Training in California, but works with an integrative style using attachments and neuropsychology as an underpinning.  She has a diploma in Adult Education, and has lectured in the UK, Germany and Hong Kong. Glyn has two Fellowships: from The Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists in Primary Care (CPC), and The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT). She is also a Trustee of The Specialist Treatment Organisation for the Prevention of Sexual Offending (StopSo)

In her clinical work, Glyn specialises in working with people with sexual diversity issues, Internet addiction, and online Offending and is an expert witness in court procedures.