So say the organizers of an “attachment conference” to be led by experts from across North America gathering at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ in the spring of 2011.

Conference is first of its kind

, PhD, director of

, PhD, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ associate professor of

, PhD, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ associate professor of

“Conversations on Attachment: Integrating the Science of Love and Spirituality,” a first of its kind, will bring together five internationally-recognized experts from a variety of disciplines to apply key insights from attachment theory to current research and practice.

The conference will be held March 31-April 1, 2011 and is open to the public.

“We hope hundreds of people will join us for three days of life-changing conversation that is sure to change how you see yourself, your relationships and the larger world,” says , PhD, director of , one of the conference sponsors.

Necessity of attachment in life

Program planner , PhD, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ associate professor of , believes this conference “is sorely needed as well as timely.”

Recent neuroscience demonstrates that “healthy attachments, particularly people-to-people connections, are crucial for society to survive and flourish,” says Kishbaugh.

“One of our most important tasks is to learn how to form healthy attachments – with each other, with the earth and with God.”

, PhD, associate professor of , first had the idea for 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to host such a conference.

“Attachment theory gives us a specific handle on the development of our sense of self, the dynamics of love, and the hope for repair after rupture,” he notes.

“This conference provides an open space – stretching from neuroscience to spirituality – to talk about what it means to be human.”

Attachment Conference Speakers

Confirmed conference speakers include highly sought after experts who are bestselling authors in their fields. They include:

Sue Johnson, EdD

Sue Johnson, EdD: Professor of clinical psychology at The University of Ottawa, director of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute Inc., and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Dr. Johnson has published numerous books, chapters and articles in the field of relationships and therapy. Her most recent book is written for the general public and is entitled “Hold Me Tight – Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.”

James Coan, PhD

James Coan, PhD: Assistant professor of psychology, member of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and director of the Virginia Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Virginia, co-editor of Handbook of Emotion Elicitation and Assessment

Daniel J. Siegel, MD

Daniel J. Siegel, MD: Clinical professor of psychiatry, UCLA’s Center for Culture, Brain, and Development; co-director, Mindful Awareness Research Center and co-author of the bestseller, “Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive.”

John Paul Lederach, PhD

John Paul Lederach, PhD: Professor of international peacebuilding at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame and author of numerous books, including “The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace.”

Nancey Murphy, PhD

Nancey Murphy, PhD: Professor of Christian philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif., and author of “Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies?”

Pre-conference training with Sue Johnson

A will be offered March 31 by the originator of Emotion Focused Therapy, Dr. Susan Johnson, EdD. Dr. Johnson’s 2004 book (2nd Ed).

The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Creating Connection is the basic text on this form of therapy and her more popular book Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love is used for enrichment and insight into the dance of attachment.

The training is open to mental health professionals, pastors and interested community members who want a formal introduction to Emotion Focused Therapy by the originator of this approach.

It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Martin Chapel of Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Signature sponsorship

is the signature sponsor for the event. 91¶ÌÊÓƵ is grateful for the collaboration with this local partner. Learn more…

Conference schedule and costs

More information about the conference schedule and costs, as well as online registration and blog postings by presenters, is available at .

Inquiries can also be sent to conference coordinator Cheryl Doss at attachment@emu.edu or phone 540-432-4400.

Supporters who made the conference possible

The conference is funded by a grant from Metanexus Global Network Initiative to the Shenandoah Anabaptist Science Society (SASS).

SASS is an inter-disciplinary, area-wide organization which creates space for dialogue and promotes education on issues at the intersection of science and religion.

SASS () is housed at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and open to all interested persons.