This course does not offer CE Credits. The same course is available for purchase and offers 1.5 CE hours for behavioral health clinicians. See "related products" below.
When the parent-child bond is shattered by forced separation, the psychological damage can last a lifetime. This course equips clinicians with the tools to recognize and treat the deep trauma that results when immigration policy disrupts attachment.
Informed by both clinical theory and real-world advocacy, this training invites you to deepen your understanding of attachment trauma in the context of U.S. immigration policy—and learn how to support the recovery and resilience of affected children and families.
Laura Groshong, LICSW, brings over four decades of clinical expertise and a distinguished career in mental health policy to this timely and essential topic. As Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association and a former lobbyist involved in landmark legislation such as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act, Laura offers both clinical insight and policy acumen to this complex issue.
Through a rich integration of attachment theory, clinical case examples, and legislative context, Laura empowers clinicians to assess and treat disordered attachment in children who have experienced forced separation. Her approach emphasizes compassion, ethical practice, and effective therapeutic engagement.
This course explores the stages and styles of attachment, symptoms and subtypes of attachment disorders, the specific consequences of family separation at the U.S. border, and the ethical responsibilities of clinicians working with this population. Participants will gain a deep understanding of both the psychological and systemic dynamics at play—and how to respond with skill and empathy.
Key Takeaways:
Recognize developmental impact: Understand how disrupted attachment in early childhood shapes emotional regulation, trust, and future relationships.
Implement effective treatment: Apply therapeutic approaches for helping children and families heal from separation trauma and attachment disorders.
Connect policy to practice: Identify how legislative actions contribute to clinical outcomes and advocate for trauma-informed reforms.
Why This Course?
Expert-led training: Laura Groshong is uniquely positioned to bridge the clinical and policy dimensions of this issue, providing both depth and practicality.
Clinically grounded and ethically focused: The course aligns with the Clinical Social Work Association’s Code of Ethics and helps clinicians safeguard their own wellbeing.
A trusted CE provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is known for delivering exceptional continuing education that meets the evolving needs of behavioral health professionals.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the importance of child-parent bonding through early childhood
Identify the problems of disordered attachment that occur when children are separated from parents in childhood
Describe the treatment methods that can help resolve the trauma of disordered attachment
Explain how legislative policies contribute to attachment disorders
This self-paced 1.5-hour course provides a powerful lens through which to view immigration-related trauma and practical strategies for clinical intervention. Join us in supporting the healing process for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities.
Add this course to your cart to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.
This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 1.5 hours of video instruction and an evaluation.
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services. This continuing education course is designed for licensed behavioral health professionals and provides training in suicide prevention using expressive arts as an integrative approach. However, this is not a creative arts therapy course and does not provide training in creative arts therapy.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
Laura Groshong, LICSW
Laura Groshong, LICSW, has been in clinical practice for the past 43 years. She was also a Registered Lobbyist in Washington for five mental health organizations for 25 years. She has been the Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association nationally since 2006 and, through the Mental Health Liaison Group, worked on passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and many other pieces of legislation that support and benefit LCSWs. Laura, a dynamic and engaging speaker, has written and lectured extensively on clinical and legislative issues around the country.
Disclosure Statement: The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
This course does not offer CE credits, just great content.
The same course is available for purchase and offers 1.5 CE hours for behavioral health clinicians. See "related products" below.
This course is a non-interactive, online self-study.
Participants may request a printed version of their certificate of completion to be delivered by mail. A shipping/handling fee of $6.95 will be charged per request. Shipping internationally may require an additional charge.
