Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the training scheduled to take place on the 10th, 11th and 12th May. However, we will be adding some alternative dates in the next couple of weeks.
About the course
The training will take place online, and details of how to join will be shared with registrants close to the event.
The Reflective Functioning on Adult Attachment Interviews course focuses on the coding of ‘reflective functioning’ of adult attachment interviews (AAI-RF).
Coding of 'reflective functioning' is a way to operationalize the concept of mentalization, which Peter Fonagy and colleagues have developed into a core theoretical concept in our model of normal and pathological emotional and self-development. The coding involves looking at thinking as revealed in interview narratives about important emotional attachment relationships, to see how far the person draws on a psychological model of motivation, of what happens in close relationships - to what extent they think in terms of their own and other people's minds, feelings, attitudes, intentions and so on, when they try to understand their experiences.

This use of mental state understanding has been shown to predict attachment status in an infant from the parent's Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), and to predict important aspects of that infant's later development. It is not necessary to have learned AAI coding or administration to do the AAI-RF training, although for those who are trained attachment coders the RF scale functions as an additional AAI scale. This course does not provide training in how to code attachment representations.
- Who is this course suitable for?
Mental health professionals, researchers, social workers and teachers working with adult personality and psychopathology. Some experience of interviewing adults would be an advantage, as would some familiarity with attachment theory, methods or research. However, nothing beyond interest in learning about the method is required.
- Aims of course
To teach the rationale and technique of applying the RF coding protocol to AAI in order to assess the capacity to mentalise in adults. This includes the teaching of the manualised method of coding and reviewing various interviews, providing practice in the coding of RF. Administration of the AAI will be briefly explained in order to understand the coding procedure.
- Reliability Test
In order to receive AAI-RF accreditation, participants are required to complete the Reliability Test which includes the additional coding of 10-15 Adult Attachment interviews. Those that choose to do the Reliability Test will be sent a zip file containing 15 Adult Attachment Interviews and instructions at the end of the Reflective Functioning on Adult Attachment Interview training. On successful completion of the Reliability Test you will be authorised to use the Reflective Functioning Scale for clinical or research purposes.
Please note, accreditation will only be given to those who successfully complete the Reliability Test. There is an additional £125 reliability fee if you wish to receive AAI-RF accreditation.
- System requirements for online training
The online platform Zoom will be used to deliver this training. Prior to booking on, please ensure you meet the system requirements so you're able to join this training.
Before the training, please test your equipment is working by going to Zoom.us/test and follow the instructions.
8th November 2023 - 10th November 2023
- Online – live via Zoom (Joining instructions will be sent to the email address you booked on with at least one working day before the event)
- 3 days
- 09:00 - 17:00 (UK time)
Price
£750.00
Training fee without reliability
£875.00
Training fee with reliability
Tutors
22nd May 2024 - 24th May 2024
- Online – live via Zoom (Joining instructions will be sent to the email address you booked on with at least one working day before the event)
- 3 days
- 09:00 - 17:00 (UK time)
Price
£750.00
Training fee without reliability
£875.00
Training fee with reliability
Tutors
The Anna Freud Centre brings together those with a stake in the mental health of children and young people. Please subscribe to our mailing list to receive a bi-monthly e-newsletter and occasional updates about the Centre's training and events.