Neufeld Intensive II: The Separation Complex
Sessions: 15
Lecture: 17h 45m
Certificate: 30+ hrs
750 CAD
Given that threats to togetherness constitute the essence of distress, the syndrome arising from this condition – the separation complex - plagues many of us including our children, altering behaviour and camouflaging true personality. Without an understanding the roots of this complex, we tend to engage in endless battles against symptoms. This course is foundational for understanding the instinctive and emotional roots of troubling dynamics and behaviour and absolutely essential for those who would wish to master the attachment-based developmental approach.
- The prerequisite for Neufeld Intensive II is Neufeld Intensive I: Making Sense of Kids which can be taken anytime on your own - or as a scheduled class (when available).
As is the case with all our courses, this course features lectures by Dr. Neufeld, carefully curated support for enriched study, study aides, the opportunity to ask questions of trained faculty or course facilitators, a year's access to the campus to enable study at one's own pace, and a certificate of attendance upon completion. For more information, consult the 'about our courses' page.
A special scheduled class offering* of this course begins October 16, 2025
Intensive II: The Separation Complex
Starts October 16, 2025
Thursdays 11:00AM - 12:30PM PT
Runs for 17 weeks
With Genevieve Schreier
$750 CAD
Building on Intensive I, this course sheds light upon the impact of separation on a child's personality and behavior. When the developmental antecedents are understood, the path to effective intervention becomes clear.
* although students can take this course anytime on their own, this is a special opportunity to benefit from a guided learning experience with Neufeld Institute Faculty. Former and current registrants can enroll in this class for an additional $50 CAD only.
COURSE SUMMARY
Building on the foundations of Neufeld's Intensive I (the required prerequisite), this course sheds light upon the profound impact of continual threats to togetherness on personality and behavior, with special attention given to the some of the resulting problems including aggression, resistance, oppositionality, bullying, distractability, impulsiveness, anxiety, alarm problems, alpha problems, and more. If the preference is to take one overall course that covers the territory, as opposed to taking a number of shorter problem-focused courses, this is the course to take.
Although facing separation in the context of attachment has profound impact on our emotions, instincts, and defensive systems, our appreciation of the dynamics involved will only be as deep and comprehensive as our understanding of attachment. Dr. Neufeld's vast clinical experience together with his ability to unravel the most perplexing problems to reveal the contributing dynamics, render the troubling behaviours not only understandable but surprisingly treatable. The objective of this course is to reveal the roots of the most challenging problems of childhood. The resulting insight prepares the way for effective and long-lasting intervention.
SUITABILITY/APPLICABILITY
The course is primarily addressed to those who are seeking understanding and not just advice, although the implications for practice are profound for parents and professionals alike. No previous background or formal education in the social sciences is required although the ability to handle university-level instruction helps. Although the focus is primarily on children and those responsible for them, this course has also been found useful by therapists treating adults as well. The material applies to children of all ages and to all settings and venues involving children, but will be especially useful to those involved with children and youth who are experiencing trouble learning or behaving.
SAMPLE TOPICS
- facing separation as the epicenter of troubling behavior of all kinds
- the three systems of defense against separations that are intolerable
- a three-pronged approach to addressing the underlying issue of separation
- the many manifestations of separation-triggered pursuit and the accompanying problems of insecurity, depersonalization, and neurosis
- the anatomy of alarm; including perceptions, feelings, impulses, emotions, physiology, and chemistry
- the implications for addressing anxiety-based alarm problems, including obsessions, compulsions, neurotic behaviors,
- understanding and addressing agitation and adrenalin-based alarm problems, including attention problems, reckless behavior, delinquent activity
- uncovering frustration at the root of depression and aggression problems and the implications for addressing these problems.
- recognizing the signs of stuck alpha including bullying, aggression, eating problems, elevated counterwill and chronic alarm
- understanding and addressing detachment and counterwill problems
- how to help adults with the challenging children in their care
COURSE OUTLINE
The course is structured into 15 sessions with each session including approximately 1 – 1¼ hours of instructional video from Dr. Neufeld.
- The Separation Complex
Session 1: The Separation Complex Introduced
Session 2: Facing Separation
Session 3: Problems Rooted in Separation - Triggered Pursuit - Problems Rooted in Alarm
Session 4: Making Sense of Alarm
Session 5: Making Sense of Alarm Problems
Session 6: Addressing Alarm Problems - Problems Rooted in Frustration
Session 7: Making Sense of Frustration
Session 8: Addressing Aggression Problems - Addressing Separation
Session 9: The PANACEA: Reducing Separation - Problems Rooted in the Attachment Defences
Session 10: Defensive Re-Attachment
Session 11: Defensive Dominance
Session 12: Defensive Detachment - Problems with Multiple Roots in the Separation Complex
Session 13: Attention Problems
Session 14: Counterwill Problems - Session 15: Conclusion
Inquiries
If you have questions or require additional information that you cannot find on our website or FAQ page, you may contact our office on our Inquiries page.
Charity & Non-Profit Status
The Neufeld Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the name Neufeld Institute Foundation and is also registered as a NPO in British Columbia. If you would like to make a contribution to us, please go to our donation page.
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The Neufeld Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the name Neufeld Institute Foundation and is also registered as a NPO in British Columbia.
2155 West 36th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6M 1L3
Canada
Vancouver, BC V6M 1L3
Canada
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