
If you work with kids, families, or clients impacted by trauma, you’re in the right place.
The Attachment Theory in Action Podcast is your go-to podcast for real conversations about trauma, attachment, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve.
Every other week, host Kirsty Nolan sits down with experts in attachment, trauma, and child development to talk about the stuff that really matters—how trauma shapes behavior and development, how to build stronger relationships, and how to bring these insights into your daily work.
Looking for practical tips you can actually use? Wondering how to better support your clients? Curious about the latest research in attachment and trauma? We’ve got you covered.
With nearly 2 million downloads, over 300 episodes, and a loyal community of listeners, the Attachment Theory in Action Podcast helps professionals like you grow and learn—all in under an hour, every other week.
Whether you’re a therapist, counselor, social worker, parent, or simply someone who cares deeply about helping others, this is a space for learning, growth, and inspiration. Hit follow, and let’s dive into the work that changes lives.
The Attachment Theory in Action Podcast is brought to you by Chaddock. Chaddock equips thousands of educators, clinicians, and helping professionals on the latest trauma-informed, attachment based strategies. Visit www.Chaddock.org/learn to learn more.
Want to jump behind the mic and share your expertise? Visit AttachmentTheoryInAction.com to fill out our form to be a guest.
Episodes

Aug 11, 2020
Aug 11, 2020
29 min
Karen welcomes author Bethany Saltman to the show for part one of their discussion of how Bethany, a mother with no formal training or education in the attachment arena, began down the path of researching attachment theory. Part 2 will be released on Tuesday, August 18th.
Bethany Saltman is an author, award-winning editor, and researcher. Her work can be seen in magazines like the New Yorker, New York Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Parents, Town & Country, and many others. Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment (Ballantine, April 21, 2020) is her first book. Bethany also serves as a bestselling book partner and in-demand mindfulness mentor, helping writers and entrepreneurs at all stages of the creative process envision and execute their projects, including book proposals, books, content development, big ideas, messaging, and more. In 1992, Bethany graduated from Antioch College where she was one of the architects of the nation’s first Affirmative Consent Policy. She went on to receive her M.F.A in poetry from Brooklyn College in 1994, where she studied with Allen Ginsberg. A longtime Zen student, Bethany is devoted to the fine art and game-changing effects of paying attention. She lives in a small town in the Catskills with her family.

Aug 4, 2020
Aug 4, 2020
31 min
Karen Doyle Buckwalter welcomes Dr. Kirk Austin to the show for the conclusion of their discussion on understanding attachment within the complex care and intervention model.
Dr. Kirk Austin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in the province of British Columbia, Canada. He is actively involved in training foster parents, psychotherapists, social workers and educators in the effective use of the Complex Care & Intervention (CCI) model. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Trinity Western University before completing his M.A in Counselling Psychology at Liberty University. Prior to earning his doctorate in the field of positive psychology, at the University of South Africa, he completed a Diploma in adult education at Vancouver Community College. He currently works in psychosocial oncology at the BC Cancer Agency, is adjunct faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has served as Training Director of Complex Trauma Resources since 2012.

Jul 28, 2020
Jul 28, 2020
25 min
Karen Doyle Buckwalter welcomes Dr. Kirk Austin to the show for part one of their discussion on understanding attachment within the complex care and intervention model. Part two will be released on Tuesday, August 4th.
Dr. Kirk Austin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in the province of British Columbia, Canada. He is actively involved in training foster parents, psychotherapists, social workers and educators in the effective use of the Complex Care & Intervention (CCI) model. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Trinity Western University before completing his M.A in Counselling Psychology at Liberty University. Prior to earning his doctorate in the field of positive psychology, at the University of South Africa, he completed a Diploma in adult education at Vancouver Community College. He currently works in psychosocial oncology at the BC Cancer Agency, is adjunct faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has served as Training Director of Complex Trauma Resources since 2012.

Jul 21, 2020
Jul 21, 2020
34 min
Karen welcomes Dr. Robert T. Muller of York University to the show to conclude their discussion on applying the attachment lens to trauma treatment.
Dr. Robert T. Muller trained at Harvard, was on faculty at the University of Massachusetts, and is currently at York University in Toronto. Dr. Muller is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) for his work on trauma treatment. His recently-released "Trauma & the Struggle to Open Up" was awarded the 2019 ISSTD award for year's best written work on trauma. And his award-winning bestseller, "Trauma & the Avoidant Client" has been translated widely. As lead investigator on several multi-site programs to treat interpersonal trauma, Dr. Muller has lectured internationally (Australia, UK, Europe, USA), and has been keynote speaker at mental health conferences in New Zealand and Canada. He founded an online magazine, "The Trauma & Mental Health Report," that is now visited by over 100,000 readers a year. With over 25 years in the field, he practices in Toronto.

Jul 14, 2020
Jul 14, 2020
31 min
Karen welcomes Dr. Robert T. Muller of York University to the show for part one of their discussion on applying the attachment lens to trauma treatment. Part two of the conversation will be released on Tuesday, July 21st.
Dr. Robert T. Muller trained at Harvard, was on faculty at the University of Massachusetts, and is currently at York University in Toronto. Dr. Muller is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) for his work on trauma treatment. His recently-released "Trauma & the Struggle to Open Up" was awarded the 2019 ISSTD award for year's best written work on trauma. And his award-winning bestseller, "Trauma & the Avoidant Client" has been translated widely. As lead investigator on several multi-site programs to treat interpersonal trauma, Dr. Muller has lectured internationally (Australia, UK, Europe, USA), and has been keynote speaker at mental health conferences in New Zealand and Canada. He founded an online magazine, "The Trauma & Mental Health Report," that is now visited by over 100,000 readers a year. With over 25 years in the field, he practices in Toronto.

Jul 7, 2020
Jul 7, 2020
31 min
Karen welcomes Paula Scatoloni & Rachel Lewis-Marlow, both of whom specialize in eating disorder treatment, discuss how attachment theory can be applied to the treatment of eating disorders. Part two of their conversation will be released on Tuesday, July 7th.
Paula Scatoloni is a somatic-based psychotherapist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and Somatic Experiencing™ practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC. She has worked in the field of eating disorders for over two decades. Paula served as the Eating Disorder Coordinator at Duke University CAPS for nine years and has taught extensively on the etiology and treatment of eating disorders through workshops, professional trainings, and conferences. She co-developed the first intensive outpatient program for eating disorders in the U.S with Dr. Anita Johnston. Paula is passionate about increasing awareness of the effectiveness of somatic modalities in the treatment of disordered eating and hopes to pursue research on the effectiveness of somatic therapy within the eating disorders population in the near future.
Rachel Lewis-Marlow is a somatically integrative psychotherapist, dually licensed in counseling and therapeutic massage and bodywork. She is a Certified Advanced Practitioner in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and has advanced training and 25 + years experience in diverse somatic therapies including Craniosacral Therapy, Energetic Osteopathy, Oncology massage and Aromatherapy. Rachel is a private consultant to eating disorder treatment facilities. She provides ongoing training and supervision to clinical and support staff in the programmatic implementation of the EMBODIED RECOVERY model. In her private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, Rachel works with trauma, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders.

Jun 30, 2020
Jun 30, 2020
27 min
Karen welcomes Paula Scatoloni & Rachel Lewis-Marlow, both of whom specialize in eating disorder treatment, discuss how attachment theory can be applied to the treatment of eating disorders. Part two of their conversation will be released on Tuesday, July 7th.
Paula Scatoloni is a somatic-based psychotherapist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and Somatic Experiencing™ practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC. She has worked in the field of eating disorders for over two decades. Paula served as the Eating Disorder Coordinator at Duke University CAPS for nine years and has taught extensively on the etiology and treatment of eating disorders through workshops, professional trainings, and conferences. She co-developed the first intensive outpatient program for eating disorders in the U.S with Dr. Anita Johnston. Paula is passionate about increasing awareness of the effectiveness of somatic modalities in the treatment of disordered eating and hopes to pursue research on the effectiveness of somatic therapy within the eating disorders population in the near future.
Rachel Lewis-Marlow is a somatically integrative psychotherapist, dually licensed in counseling and therapeutic massage and bodywork. She is a Certified Advanced Practitioner in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and has advanced training and 25 + years experience in diverse somatic therapies including Craniosacral Therapy, Energetic Osteopathy, Oncology massage and Aromatherapy. Rachel is a private consultant to eating disorder treatment facilities. She provides ongoing training and supervision to clinical and support staff in the programmatic implementation of the EMBODIED RECOVERY model. In her private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, Rachel works with trauma, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders.

Jun 23, 2020
Jun 23, 2020
32 min
Karen welcomes Mark Vander Ley, Ph.D, LCPC, to the show for part one of their two part conversation about how attachment theory relates to fatherhood.
Mark Vander Ley Ph.D., LCPC is the owner of Connections Family Counseling, LLC a group counseling practice focused on building resilient kids, strong marriages, and connected families. He is also clinical faculty in Adams State University’s Master of Counseling Program. Mark has been working with children and families for 20 years serving as direct care staff, youth pastor, therapist, and clinical supervisor. He is particularly passionate about fatherhood and the role of fathers in their childrens’ physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Mark writes about fatherhood on his blog www.parentingboysraisingmen.com and is the host and producer of The Connected Family podcast. In his free time you will find Mark running, reading, and exploring the family farm with his wife and four children.

Jun 16, 2020
Jun 16, 2020
29 min
Karen welcomes Mark Vander Ley, Ph.D, LCPC, to the show for part one of their two part conversation about how attachment theory relates to fatherhood. Part two of the conversation will be released on Tuesday, June 23rd.
Mark Vander Ley Ph.D., LCPC is the owner of Connections Family Counseling, LLC a group counseling practice focused on building resilient kids, strong marriages, and connected families. He is also clinical faculty in Adams State University’s Master of Counseling Program. Mark has been working with children and families for 20 years serving as direct care staff, youth pastor, therapist, and clinical supervisor. He is particularly passionate about fatherhood and the role of fathers in their childrens’ physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Mark writes about fatherhood on his blog www.parentingboysraisingmen.com and is the host and producer of The Connected Family podcast. In his free time you will find Mark running, reading, and exploring the family farm with his wife and four children.

May 26, 2020
May 26, 2020
29 min
Karen Doyle Buckwalter concludes her discussion with Dr. Jody Russon about Dr. Russon's work in Attachment-Based Family Therapy.
Dr. Russon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Virginia Tech. She is a translational scientist and family therapist contributing to psychotherapy and suicide research. Dr. Russon’s line of research specifically focuses on the adaptation, dissemination and implementation (AD&I) of relationship-based suicide interventions and prevention strategies. To support these efforts, Dr. Russon recently launched a transdisciplinary research initiative, called the Alliance for the Study of Suicide Prevention and Intervention through Relationship Enrichment, ASPIRE.
Dr. Russon’s teaching and supervisory experience is focused on applied skills for family therapy researchers and practitioners. She is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor and a Person-of-the-Therapist (POTT) instructor. She is also a certified trainer and supervisor in Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) and has received advanced clinical training in emotionally focused therapy for couples (EFT).
