Intergenerational Trauma and Parenting: Clinical Insight into Attachment, Risk, and Repair
Dr Gwen Adshead brings decades of experience in forensic psychiatry and psychotherapy to this workshop, with a deep focus on the emotional world of early caregiving. Drawing from her clinical work with individuals who have experienced early trauma and attachment disruptions, she invites professionals to reflect on how parenthood reshapes the mind and emotional development of both parent and child.
This two-day workshop explores the psychological impact of the transition to parenthood and how trauma, attachment patterns, and early relational experiences influence the caregiver–infant bond. Dr Adshead will also explore how these dynamics may lead to emotional vulnerability or risk, and how professionals can support families through repair, safety and connection.
Participants Will Gain
- A deeper understanding of early attachment and caregiver–infant dynamics
- Insight into how the parent mind develops during the transition into parenthood
- A trauma-informed lens on vulnerability and risk in family relationships
- Tools for reflective practice in emotionally complex caregiving situations
- Space for shared learning, professional reflection, and growth
Agenda
Friday 22 May 2026
Includes breakfast, coffee break and lunch
7.5 CPD Hours
Saturday 23 May 2026
Includes breakfast and lunch
6 CPD Hours
A detailed agenda will be shared with participants on the day of the workshop.
The workshop was ideal for professionals working in:
- Psychology and counselling, including individual, couples, and family therapy
- Psychiatry, mental health nursing, and psychotherapy
- Social work, perinatal and infant mental health services
- General practice, paediatrics, obstetrics, and gynaecology
- Midwifery, health visiting, and early years services
- Students and trainees in psychology, social work, counselling, psychiatry, or other mental health related fields
A CPD Certificate of Attendance was issued to participants who attended the training.
📍 Location
Kunvent San Guzepp, VCCV 77V, Żebbuġ
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🅿️ Parking
Parking may be available along the road in the valley area near Ta’ Għaqba.
View the area on Google Maps
🚌 Shuttle Service
A shuttle bus will run from the valley area to the venue at 8:30, 8:40 and 8:50 AM.
Return transport will also be available after the event, or attendees may take a short 4 minute walk back to the same area.
Day One
Friday 22nd May 2026
08:30 to 16:00
Day Two
Saturday 23rd May 2026
08:30 to 14:00
Register your interest below
Reserve Your Seat at the Workshop:
Intergenerational Trauma and Parenting: Clinical Insight into Attachment, Risk, and Repair
Dr Gwen Adshead
Forensic Psychiatrist · Psychotherapist · Author
Dr Gwen Adshead is a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist who has spent over thirty years working in secure hospitals and prisons, offering therapy to people often feared, dismissed, or marginalised. Her clinical work is rooted in compassion, curiosity and an unwavering belief that every person’s story matters.
She trained in forensic psychiatry at St George’s Hospital and in trauma psychiatry at the Maudsley. She is also a qualified group analyst and trained in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mentalisation-based therapy. Her therapeutic approach focuses on early attachment, trauma, and how emotional development is shaped by the presence or absence of care.
Much of her work explores the effects of early trauma, attachment insecurity, and the parent–child bond in the development of empathy, relational resilience and risk. She has published extensively on the psychology of violence, moral reasoning, and ethics in forensic psychotherapy.
In 2021, she co-authored The Devil You Know, a critically acclaimed book that challenges the way we view those who cause harm. In 2024, she delivered the BBC Reith Lectures, exploring the complexity of violence and its human context. She is currently working on her next book, which focuses on trauma.
This May, Dr Adshead returns to Malta to lead a two-day professional CPD workshop exploring the transition to parenthood, attachment, and the emotional world of new parents.
Selected Publications and Work
- Adshead G. (2013). Clinical Topics in Personality Disorder. Co-edited with Dr Jay Sarkar.
- Adshead G., Jacob C. (2010). Personality Disorder: The Definitive Collection.
- Adshead G., Brown C. (2003). Ethical Issues in Forensic Mental Health Research.
- Adshead G., Pfafflin F. (2004). A Matter of Security: Attachment Theory in Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.
- Over 100 articles published in peer-reviewed journals and chapters in edited books.
Featured Articles and Media
- Gwen Adshead: Talking to killers in Broadmoor calls for radical empathy – The Guardian (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/aug/29/gwen-adshead-talking-to-killers-in-broadmoor-calls-for-radical-empathy
- BBC Reith Lectures 2024: Five things I’ve learned from working with violent perpetrators: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1dh6Wd9vmhyPW9khW45Wpmd/five-things-ive-learned-from-working-with-violent-perpetrators
- Evil and the Criminal Justice System – Interview with Church Times (2025): https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/24-october/features/features/evil-and-the-criminal-justice-system-an-interview-with-dr-gwen-adshead
- Revenge Is Not an Emotion We Can Afford – Premier Christianity: https://www.premierchristianity.com/interviews/dr-gwen-adshead-revenge-is-not-an-emotion-we-can-afford/19946.article
- Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer – Woman Magazine NZ: https://womanmagazine.co.nz/inside-the-mind-of-a-serial-killer/
- Gwen Adshead on Psychiatry and Violent Crime – The Telegraph (2025): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/17/gwen-adshead-psychiatrist-violent-crime/
Willingness is a Maltese therapeutic team that brings together over 65 dedicated professionals. Since 2011, we have worked across the fields of family, sex, and health to support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of individuals, couples, and families. Our approach is rooted in compassion and backed by science, and we are proud to have received the Leaders in Mental Health Award at the Malta Business Awards.
Our team includes psychologists, psychotherapists, sex therapists, social workers, family therapists, physiotherapists, and medical professionals. We also support the growth of future practitioners through our training and internship programmes.
At Willingness, we aim to reduce stigma and make mental health care more accessible. Whether you are navigating challenges related to trauma, relationships, parenting, sexual health, or emotional wellbeing, our therapy clinics are here to help. Our services are delivered in a safe, welcoming space by people who genuinely care.
We offer support through our clinics: Family Clinic, Sex Clinic, Health Clinic, and Trauma Clinic.