AAIMH Vic Event
Dr Tommie Forslund
The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health, Victorian Branch is thrilled to invite you to a special one-day event with Dr Tommie Forslund, psychologist and Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work at Uppsala University.
Presenter
Dr Tommie Forslund's research focuses on attachment theory, early caregiving relationships, children’s socioemotional development, and the application of attachment research and assessments in professional practice, particularly within social work and child welfare contexts. Dr Forslund has published empirical studies on attachment quality and children’s development, professionals’ understanding and use of attachment theory, and the use of attachment theory in court documentation. He also contributes actively to knowledge dissemination, including organizing the work on the international consensus statement regarding the use of attachment theory in child protection and custody proceedings, titled Attachment Goes to Court. He is a certified coder of attachment patterns using both the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) and the Separation Anxiety Test (SAT), and has taught attachment coding and assessment in professional training settings. He has also published two books: Attachment Theory and Research: A Reader and The Psychology of Attachment.
The day will consist of two sessions with Dr Forslund presenting on his research and practice in attachment and supporting neurodiverse parents and their young children. Each session will also include a panel discussion to further extend thinking and practice in the Australian and Victorian contexts.
Session 1 (9am-12.30pm): Attachment
Attachment theory has become highly influential across infant mental health, child protection, health care, education, and family services. At the same time, attachment concepts are often simplified or used in ways that are not fully consistent with contemporary research evidence. This half-day workshop will provide an updated overview of attachment theory and research, with a particular focus on how attachment knowledge can be used responsibly and constructively in applied settings. The first part of the session will provide a contemporary introduction to attachment theory and research, including current understanding of attachment relationships, caregiving behaviour, attachment networks, and children’s development in the context of close relationships. The workshop will also address contemporary evidence concerning children’s relationships with multiple caregivers. The remainder of the workshop will focus on the application of attachment theory and research in professional contexts, particularly within child protection and family court settings. Central themes include how attachment theory can inform supportive interventions and decision-making, the opportunities and limitations of attachment observations and assessments, and the importance of focusing on observable caregiving behaviour and children’s broader caregiving environments. The final part of the workshop will involve participant discussion through a panel representing a range of stakeholders to discuss how to apply the information to the local context and identify strategies to upskill the judicial, mental health and welfare system.
Session 2 (1.30pm-5pm): Supporting Neurodiverse Parents and Their Young Children: Research, Context, and Evidence-Informed Practice
Neurodiverse parents, including parents with intellectual disability, ADHD, and autistic parents, are often overrepresented in child welfare and support systems, yet professional understanding remains limited. This workshop will present contemporary research concerning caregiving, child development, contextual adversity, and parenting support in families headed by neurodiverse parents. Drawing on longitudinal studies, observational research, interview studies, systematic reviews, and intervention research, the seminar will examine both strengths and vulnerabilities within these families. Particular attention will be given to caregiving behaviour (e.g., parental sensitivity and mentalizing), child development (e.g., attachment security and socioemotional development), and the substantial heterogeneity among both parents and children. The workshop will also focus on the central role of contextual factors that influence caregiving and child development, including poverty, social isolation, and parental exposure to maltreatment and abuse, highlighting the importance of holistic models that move beyond parents’ cognitive functioning alone. Research findings on parents’ experiences of maternal and child health services, professional encounters, adaptations requested by parents themselves will be presented, along with recent evaluations of adapted home-based parenting support interventions. The seminar will conclude with a group discussion regarding how the research might be applicable to the Australian context, with a focus on identifying opportunities for change to better serve this population.
Event Details
When: Friday, 31st July 2026 | 9am- 5pm
Venue: Vibe Hotel, 443 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008
Cost: Session 1 9am (registrations open) - 12.30pm
$195 (AAIMH Members) | $250 non-members
Session 2 1.30pm (for a 2pm start) - 5pm
$195 (AAIMH Members) | $250 non-members
All day ticket: $360
AAIMH members, $450 non-members.
Morning and afternoon tea included. Lunch is self-catered.
Click here to register.
Please email info-vic@aaimh.org.au if you have any questions or inquiries.
