FREE ATTACHMENT QUIZ
Dr. Diane Poole Heller smiling in a living room.

Meet Dr. Diane Poole Heller

HEAL & RECONNECT

Restore the broken connections caused by trauma and regain strength, joy and resilience.

DISCOVER YOUR INNATE HEALING ABILITY

As a therapist and practitioner in the field of attachment theory and trauma resolution, my driving passion and life’s mission have been dedicated to helping people understand how to create deep and lasting relationships by strengthening secure attachment skills, repairing attachment wounds and supporting resilience and post-traumatic growth.

I’ve spent over 30 years discovering, practicing and teaching new tools, approaches and strategies that alleviate suffering and foster healing—from corrective exercises that resolve trauma to complete frameworks and training that “repatterns” insecure attachment adaptations.

I’ve helped clients diminish the intensity of their symptoms, shift their behaviors, enhance resilience and often recover completely—and I’ve spent decades guiding and training other therapists in this work.

And after working with thousands of clients and therapists worldwide, I am convinced that not only do we all have the potential and capability to heal and build resilience—but that we are in fact innately designed to do so!

What is your attachment style?
A smiling woman sitting at home.

MY HEALING JOURNEY

Like many in the therapy field, I came to the work looking for healing and resolution for my own trauma and attachment wounds.

After suffering a terrible car accident and traumatic brain injury in 1988 just two weeks before my wedding, I started to experience trauma symptoms––not only from the event itself, but also from painful experiences from my past.

My experience was not uncommon. Trauma often works this way, linking or pulling other traumas into consciousness…bringing past childhood or relational wounding to the present. 

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In searching for relief from my trauma, I discovered Dr. Peter Levine and his Somatic Experiencing work. Here, I learned why symptoms bind excess arousal from overwhelming events, how to work with autonomic nervous system regulation and how to evoke (and complete) unfinished or inhibited self-protective responses.

As I discovered how to apply straightforward strategies, tools and corrective exercises, my trauma symptoms reduced significantly. And as I began to feel better, I re-learned how to reconnect with myself and my loved ones.

It was such a powerful experience that I trained as a Somatic Experiencing facilitator and spent the next 25 years training other therapists worldwide––developing many of the same trauma and attachment strategies, tools and methods I still use today to teach clinicians and individuals how to support and facilitate healing from trauma and early attachment wounds.

The Relationship Between Trauma & Attachment

As I worked with clients and therapists over time, I  noticed the important connection between relational or attachment wounding and trauma—and I shifted my focus to helping people reconnect the broken connections that can arise in the face of isolation and dissociation that accompanies most trauma. 

I developed my signature framework and training––DARe (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience) as a way to help reshape the unhealthy patterns, adaptations and behaviors we learned in less-than-ideal childhood circumstances. 

The DARe approach guides clinicians and individuals toward greater intimacy, wholeness and fulfilling lives by integrating simple strategies, relevant skills and corrective experiences that strengthen secure attachment skills and support new, healthier ways of relating to ourselves and others in the present.

I wrote my book, The Power of Attachment: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships, to encourage people to understand that it is possible to restore and reconnect at all levels, regardless of our past. We are biologically programmed for secure attachment––and our job (on our healing journey) is to simply find out what’s interfering with it and learn what we can do to make those secure tendencies more dominant.

Whether you’re a therapist, a counselor, a coach, or just someone who wants to understand and heal your own painful experiences, you’ll find a wide array of resources and supportive training material. 

I thank you for doing this important work to help people and truly transform the world––and I’m here to support you in any way I can!

A woman is smiling at a group of people in a meeting.

Learn About Attachment

HELP YOURSELF & OTHERS HEAL FROM TRAUMA

We can restore and reconnect at all levels—no matter our past history or less-than-ideal childhood.

WHY ATTACHMENT?

What Are THE FOUR Attachment Styles?

Curious why people behave and respond the way they do? Learn more about each of the four main adult attachment styles…

A black man and woman hugging in the kitchen.

Secure Attachment

Secure attachment is attunement—or the ability to form trusting, meaningful and lasting relationships. Securely attached adults seek social support and have the ability to share feelings.

LEARN MORE
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Avoidant Attachment

Adults with avoidant attachment may avoid intimacy, may be unwilling or unable to share their innermost feelings or have trouble investing emotionally in any type of relationship.

LEARN MORE
A woman covering her face while a man is walking down the street.

Ambivalent Attachment

Adults with ambivalent (preoccupied) attachment tend often crave emotional intimacy but worry that others don’t want to be with them, which can result in needy or clingy behaviors.

LEARN MORE
A man and woman are sitting on a couch talking to each other.

Disorganized Attachment

Adults with disorganized attachment often experienced abuse, neglect or trauma as a child and tend to find intimate relationships confusing and unsettling because they feel unworthy and are terrified of getting hurt.

LEARN MORE
EXPLORE ATTACHMENT STYLES
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The Power of Attachment Work

OVERCOME TRAUMA & BUILD RESILIENCE

  • Recognize Unhealthy Patterns

    When we understand how and why insecure attachment adaptations form, we can begin to approach our emotions and experiences with greater curiosity, understanding and compassion.

  • Practice New Habits & Behaviors

    Did you know you can learn and practice secure attachment skills? Insights from attachment theory can help us discover new, more rewarding ways of interacting with ourselves and others.

  • Build Resilience, Heal & Thrive

    Trauma and attachment wounds can leave us feeling isolated and disconnected. The good news? We are innately wired for connection—and this work enables us to build resilience and heal.
A group of people at home in a video conference on a laptop.

WAYS YOU CAN LEARN ATTACHMENT

Online Trauma & Attachment Training

Choose Your Path to Success

What if you could draw from attachment theory to promote healing and strengthen relationships?

HARDWIRED TO HEAL

The foundation for all of our training rests on Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s firm belief that we are all hardwired to heal. Our bodies and our brains store memories of early experiences, creating patterns that deeply affect our relationships and behaviors in adult life.

And when you can discover the source of those patterns––to get to the root of unresolved trauma––you can turn theoretical insights into practical help and healing to deepen intimacy and restore secure attachment.

Whether you’re ready to broaden your thinking and deepen your clinical toolbox or you’re simply curious how an understanding of attachment styles can support psychological, emotional and behavioral growth, there’s a training program right for you…

An older man and woman hugging each other.

Adult Attachment Styles

INTRODUCTION TO ATTACHMENT

In this 2-hour, 4-part self-paced video training series, Dr. Diane Poole Heller delivers a quick, yet thorough primer on the four attachment styles: secure, avoidant, ambivalent and disorganized.

For only $67, you’ll learn:

  • How attachment styles develop––and what it means to have a healthy attachment system.
  • How to identify (and understand) each of the different attachment adaptations, including their language and behavior patterns.
  • Ways that attachment styles can negatively and positively affect relationships (both in our present and our past).
  • Tools, tips and exercises to begin the healing process and help you move yourself and your relationships back towards secure attachment.

This video training includes a short welcome––plus four video and audio recordings, transcripts and a follow-along workbook filled with experiential exercises, tips, and space for reflection––all designed to help you begin your healing journey as you strengthen secure attachment skills.

SPECIAL BONUS

To help you better understand how each of the four attachments presents in your life and relationships, you’ll also get the Attachment for Everyone eBook and the Adult Attachment Styles Reference Guide for FREE as our way of saying thanks for registering!

Buy Now

Attachment & Trauma Mastery Training

TWO WAYS TO LEARN DARe

Your clients need help now more than ever before. But few of us expect the work to be easy. 

In everyday therapeutic sessions, you need more than theory alone to get to the root of unresolved trauma to help yourself and others heal.

Using the framework of Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s signature DARe approach (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience), we offer a variety of courses and programs that help you apply concrete skills, interventions and strategies to clinical sessions––integrate the work with existing modalities to strengthen secure attachment and bring healing to any relationship.

Choose how you want to learn…

  • 3-Day DARe Live Intensives

    A series of live, online 3-day workshops taught by DARe faculty and offered quarterly throughout the calendar year.

    By combining live training, informative teaching lectures, practical demonstrations, experiential exercises and supplementary support material––participants leave each workshop clearly understanding how to integrate and apply attachment and trauma principles, techniques and corrective experiences to a clinical setting.
  • Attachment & Trauma Mastery Program

    In a hybrid approach to learning, our 6-week Attachment & Trauma Mastery courses combine self-paced online learning with live training led by Dr. Diane Poole Heller.

    Each week, access pre-recorded training videos in your learning portal––along with audio recordings, transcripts and supplementary resources like worksheets, demos and exercises.

    Plus, join Dr. Heller for LIVE weekly training calls and Q&A sessions where you learn experiential exercises, review the week’s teachings and discuss cases and client demos.

    Can’t attend live? All sessions are recorded and posted to your personal learning dashboard within 48 hours, where they’re yours to keep (and revisit) for the lifetime of the program.

No matter which way you choose to learn DARe, you’ll quickly identify the relationship or coping patterns that underlie the dynamics of a person’s emotional difficulties––and discover practical ways to integrate and apply training that’s highly applicable to your personal and professional life.

See All Upcoming Training

Advanced Training for Clinicians

DARe CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Elevate your clinical skills and work more effectively with clients. Discover how to address unresolved trauma, heal attachment wounds and restore and strengthen secure attachment skills––to support healing and resilience for any type of relationship.

Using the framework of Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s signature Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience approach (DARe), the Certificate Program combines psychotherapeutic modalities, scientific and spiritual perspectives with attachment and  trauma-informed tools, techniques and strategies.

Gain skills you need to work more effectively with clients…

  • Tap into your own potential for recovery and growth so you can embody the practices to better serve your clients.
  • Learn how to recognize and address different attachment styles and adaptations in real-time.
  • Become an expert in a unique therapeutic approach that gets to the root of trauma and supports permanent changes that alleviate suffering and bring joy and fulfillment.
  • Work with the relational field and the nervous system, which is the key paradigm when working with attachment wounds and trauma.
  • Receive practical, experiential training that emphasizes integration of practical, clinical knowledge with existing modalities you already use.
  • Access valuable tools and exercises to experience and embody the work for yourself.
Learn More + Apply

Monthly Training for Clinicians

Therapy Mastermind Circle

Join a monthly online membership program where we explore relevant topics, share expert learning and gain practical skills and interventions that help you and your clients grow and thrive.

  • Explore a variety of deep and complex topics that aren’t often covered in traditional training programs.
  • Learn directly from Dr. Diane Poole Heller and other renowned express, ready to share years of professional, clinical experience.
  • Integrate new skills, corrective exercises and interventions that help clients grow and thrive despite their trauma.
  • Join an engaged and friendly community that supports you while you support others in their healing.
Read More

The Power of Attachment Book

CREATE DEEP AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

Why do we experience recurring struggles in our relationships? And why do traumatic events often awaken or amplify our fear, anger, isolation and helplessness?

Overwhelming experiences can disrupt our most important connections––parts of ourselves (within), the physical world around us and with others. And in the wake of trauma, your attachment style deeply influences what happens next. 

With expert guidance, this book teaches the principles and practices for finding your way back to wholeness, resilience and connection––based on the unique way you connect with others.

Here, you’ll learn key insights and practices to help you:

  • Restore broken connections caused by trauma
  • Become more embodied and grounded in your body
  • Integrate the parts of you that feel wounded and fragmented
  • Emerge from grief, fear and powerlessness to regain strength, joy and resilience
  • Reclaim access to your inner resources and spiritual nature
Buy the Book

Adult Attachment Styles

INTRODUCTION TO ATTACHMENT

In this 2-hour, 4-part self-paced video training series, Dr. Diane Poole Heller delivers a quick, yet thorough primer on the four attachment styles: secure, avoidant, ambivalent and disorganized.

For only $67, you’ll learn:

  • How attachment styles develop––and what it means to have a healthy attachment system.
  • How to identify (and understand) each of the different attachment adaptations, including their language and behavior patterns.
  • Ways that attachment styles can negatively and positively affect relationships (both in our present and our past).
  • Tools, tips and exercises to begin the healing process and help you move yourself and your relationships back towards secure attachment.

This video training includes a short welcome––plus four video and audio recordings, transcripts and a follow-along workbook filled with experiential exercises, tips, and space for reflection––all designed to help you begin your healing journey as you strengthen secure attachment skills.

SPECIAL BONUS

To help you better understand how each of the four attachments presents in your life and relationships, you’ll also get the Attachment for Everyone eBook and the Adult Attachment Styles Reference Guide for FREE as our way of saying thanks for registering!

Buy Now

Attachment & Trauma Mastery Training

TWO WAYS TO LEARN DARe

Your clients need help now more than ever before. But few of us expect the work to be easy. 

In everyday therapeutic sessions, you need more than theory alone to get to the root of unresolved trauma to help yourself and others heal.

Using the framework of Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s signature DARe approach (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience), we offer a variety of courses and programs that help you apply concrete skills, interventions and strategies to clinical sessions––integrate the work with existing modalities to strengthen secure attachment and bring healing to any relationship.

Choose how you want to learn…

  • 3-Day DARe Live Intensives

    A series of live, online 3-day workshops taught by DARe faculty and offered quarterly throughout the calendar year.

    By combining live training, informative teaching lectures, practical demonstrations, experiential exercises and supplementary support material––participants leave each workshop clearly understanding how to integrate and apply attachment and trauma principles, techniques and corrective experiences to a clinical setting.
  • Attachment & Trauma Mastery Program

    In a hybrid approach to learning, our 6-week Attachment & Trauma Mastery courses combine self-paced online learning with live training led by Dr. Diane Poole Heller.

    Each week, access pre-recorded training videos in your learning portal––along with audio recordings, transcripts and supplementary resources like worksheets, demos and exercises.

    Plus, join Dr. Heller for LIVE weekly training calls and Q&A sessions where you learn experiential exercises, review the week’s teachings and discuss cases and client demos.

    Can’t attend live? All sessions are recorded and posted to your personal learning dashboard within 48 hours, where they’re yours to keep (and revisit) for the lifetime of the program.

No matter which way you choose to learn DARe, you’ll quickly identify the relationship or coping patterns that underlie the dynamics of a person’s emotional difficulties––and discover practical ways to integrate and apply training that’s highly applicable to your personal and professional life.

See All Upcoming Training

Advanced Training for Clinicians

DARe CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Elevate your clinical skills and work more effectively with clients. Discover how to address unresolved trauma, heal attachment wounds and restore and strengthen secure attachment skills––to support healing and resilience for any type of relationship.

Using the framework of Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s signature Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience approach (DARe), the Certificate Program combines psychotherapeutic modalities, scientific and spiritual perspectives with attachment and  trauma-informed tools, techniques and strategies.

Gain skills you need to work more effectively with clients…

  • Tap into your own potential for recovery and growth so you can embody the practices to better serve your clients.
  • Learn how to recognize and address different attachment styles and adaptations in real-time.
  • Become an expert in a unique therapeutic approach that gets to the root of trauma and supports permanent changes that alleviate suffering and bring joy and fulfillment.
  • Work with the relational field and the nervous system, which is the key paradigm when working with attachment wounds and trauma.
  • Receive practical, experiential training that emphasizes integration of practical, clinical knowledge with existing modalities you already use.
  • Access valuable tools and exercises to experience and embody the work for yourself.
Learn More + Apply

Monthly Training for Clinicians

Therapy Mastermind Circle

Join a monthly online membership program where we explore relevant topics, share expert learning and gain practical skills and interventions that help you and your clients grow and thrive.

  • Explore a variety of deep and complex topics that aren’t often covered in traditional training programs.
  • Learn directly from Dr. Diane Poole Heller and other renowned express, ready to share years of professional, clinical experience.
  • Integrate new skills, corrective exercises and interventions that help clients grow and thrive despite their trauma.
  • Join an engaged and friendly community that supports you while you support others in their healing.
Read More

The Power of Attachment Book

CREATE DEEP AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

Why do we experience recurring struggles in our relationships? And why do traumatic events often awaken or amplify our fear, anger, isolation and helplessness?

Overwhelming experiences can disrupt our most important connections––parts of ourselves (within), the physical world around us and with others. And in the wake of trauma, your attachment style deeply influences what happens next. 

With expert guidance, this book teaches the principles and practices for finding your way back to wholeness, resilience and connection––based on the unique way you connect with others.

Here, you’ll learn key insights and practices to help you:

  • Restore broken connections caused by trauma
  • Become more embodied and grounded in your body
  • Integrate the parts of you that feel wounded and fragmented
  • Emerge from grief, fear and powerlessness to regain strength, joy and resilience
  • Reclaim access to your inner resources and spiritual nature
Buy the Book
SEE UPCOMING TRAINING

OUR SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS

“Classes with Diane are so rich and full. She presents the material so that anyone can ‘get it’ and it doesn’t make the client wrong—or feel that something’s wrong with them.”
JULIE MANWILLERSeattle, WA
“Diane’s demos are amazing––the most powerful and rewarding learning experience for being present with clients and also amazingly healing (personally). It is true as Diane says that if attachment and trauma are present, attachment issues need to be addressed first—safety and recovery are so helpful for the rest of the work.”
JUDI GOGOLENLPCC, Ohio
“Diane’s demos are amazing––the most powerful and rewarding learning experience for being present with clients and also amazingly healing (personally). It is true as Diane says that if attachment and trauma are present, attachment issues need to be addressed first—safety and recovery are so helpful for the rest of the work.”
NINA ALLREDSandy Hook, CT
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Free Attachment Test + Results

DO YOU KNOW YOUR ATTACHMENT TYPE?

If you’re a therapist––or work with one, take our free quiz to learn your attachment style and discover ways to communicate more effectively.
TAKE THE QUIZ