MotC Practice Pathway - using the MotC to understand families and plan intervention (requires intro training)
2026-02-23 10:00 - 2026-02-24 16:30 UTC | Cambridge Centre for Attachment, Cambridge Centre for Attachment, Station Road, Cambridge, CB24 3DS, United Kingdom
NEW: redesigned to coincide with publication of The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-child Relationships (ed. by Ben Grey, Palgrave texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy).
23-24th February 2026
This 2 day online course (taught live on Zoom) will teach participants how to use the MotC as a model for applying attachment and caregiving theory in child welfare, safeguarding or mental health practice. It offers a pathway for practitioners to think with their clients about the difficulties they encounter and come up with solutions.
Report writing and feedback to parents will also be covered.
Attendance at the MotC intro course (Principles of practice) is required. Attendance at the Coding the MotC course or previous full MotC training is recommended. You do not need to be a reliable coder, however this course can lead to accreditation as an experienced coder upon submission of a coding report, confirmation of peer support/cpd arrangements, and a year of coding for others.
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
Teaching is online through provision of course materials and videos taken from live teaching. Participants can move forward at their own pace and there is no end date.
The approach of the MotC is not about providing a ‘diagnosis’ of generalised pathology but rather building an in depth understanding of resources and difficulties in the context in which they occur, from which to think about support, intervention, and in some cases, risk. This 2-day course will focus on using information gained from the MotC and/or case history and practice observations, to think about families and how to help them. It will not teach or recommend a specific therapeutic approach but rather support practitioners in whatever service or context they work in to use the MotC to make sense of parent-child relationships in ways that allow them to make the best use of whatever tools, powers or resources at their disposal to improve life for children and their families.

New: Coding the Meaning of the Child course (requires intro training)
2025-12-01 10:00 - 2025-12-03 16:30 | online
Newly redesigned to take account of the publication of ‘The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-Child Relationships’ (B. Grey ed. expected July 2025). Requires MotC intro – Principles of Practice course
This course is aimed at teaching participants the skills and understanding to use the Meaning of the Child Interview as an assessment tool in practice. It teaches the formal process of analysing parental discourse, elicited by an interview, to make sense of the parent-child relationship.
It may also be useful to those who have done previous MotC training and now wish to work on reliability (select ‘refresher training ticket’).
The course is delivered in 2 parts, with practice interview coding (analysis) offered between each part and after part 2. If completed, this can lead to a reliability test and accreditation.
Part 1: 1-3 December 2025. 10am – 4.30pm UK time
Part 2: 2-3 February 2026. 10am – 4.30pm UK time
The course will be delivered live online by zoom and recorded where possible. All 5 days must be attended (or recordings viewed).
REQUIRES Introduction to the MotC course (Principles of Practice), or previous MotC Training
This course is aimed at teaching people to analyse the MotC to the point of becoming accredited reliable coders in the procedure.
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
This extends learning from the intro course, giving train participants in becoming proficient in coding (formally classifying and interpreting) the MotC. Upon completing the reliability test to a set standard, participants may be accredited as reliable coders of the MotC and code for themselves or others.
INTRO COURSE (PRINCIPLES of PRACTICE) required (or previous MotC Part 1).
The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) is a method of understanding the parent-child relationship, though evaluating the way parents think about their child. It makes use of a semi-structured interview in which parents talk about their child, their relationship with their child, and their parenting, which is then carefully analysed using a manualised system.
For further information on the MotC please click here.
Costs
EARLY BIRD £695 per person if book before October 31st 2026 (£750 full price)
including 5 days equivalent of online live teaching, course materials, and practice tuition supported by email, and accreditation of reliability test.
A reduced price of £395 is available to students, unwaged, and those who have previously undertaken the MotC course.
Events can be booked online by choosing the appropriate ticket and paying securely using Paypal, with either a Paypal account or a credit or debit card. There is no fee for this. If you need us to invoice your employer or wish to pay by bank transfer please email us.
Cancellation
Should CCA need to cancel a training for any reason a full refund will be issued.

New - The Meaning of the Child Interview Introduction: Principles of Practice
2025-11-03 10:00 - 2025-11-04 16:30 | online
NEW! Redesigned course to coincide with the publication of ‘The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-child Relationships’ edited by Ben Grey, Palgrave texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy, expected July 2025
This 2 day training is a standalone training in using the principles of the MotC in child welfare practice, It is also a necessary introduction to learning to analyse, interpret and formally classify parenting interviews using the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) coding system (for which further training is needed)
The course is live online Monday 3rd November & Tuesday 4th November 2025
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and colleagues
THIS COURSE IS live online via Zoom 10am – 4.30pm UK time
(recordings will be made available to participants where possible)
Course materials will be provided electronically.
The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) is a method of understanding the parent-child relationship, though evaluating the way parents think about their child. Formal use of the MotC makes use of a semi-structured interview in which parents talk about their child, their relationship with their child, and their parenting, which is then carefully analysed using a manualised system. This course teaches the basic principles of how the MotC makes sense of parent-child relationships
Participants will gain sufficient understanding to develop a MotC informed practice – that is to use the principles of the MotC in their work, in terms of developing awareness and understanding of how parents talk and mentalise for their children & their caregiving, and the implications of this for the parent-child relationship. The course will be a mixture of direct teaching and looking at actual interviews with parents, and is a standalone course, as well as being the first stage of learning to administer, code and use the MotC. Further training is needed to use the MotC as a formal tool (MotC coding training). For dates and further information about click here.
For further information on the MotC please click here.

………..
‘The MotC training was pivotal in increasing my knowledge of both attachment and the assessment of psychological risks posed to a child by their parent.’
Barry Tilzey, Consultant Practice Development Lead – London Borough of Wandsworth
“The Meaning of the Child Interview has proved to be one of the most powerful and informative clinical tools used in our clinical practice, and has helped make sense of some very complex cases. Dr Grey and Juliet Kesteven have a particularly engaging and effective teaching style, and a generous approach to sharing their extensive clinical and academic knowledge and experience. I would highly recommend attending training / seminars at the Cambridge Centre for Attachment.”
Dr Emma Hunnisett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Child and Family Psychology Clinic, Norwich
[For more testimonials, click here]
………..
Whilst the MotC has a solid foundation in academic research and psychological theory, particularly in the area of attachment and reflective functioning, it requires neither an academic background nor a psychological qualification to learn to use. It has been successfully taught to social workers, family centre workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists alike. Learning to classify parenting interviews using the MotC does require commitment and self motivation to make use of the email tuition and practice, as it needs to be learned by ‘doing’ as well as by attending face-to-face training. It requires a willingness to engage with the theoretical content, but as a means to understanding particular parent-child relationships, rather than in the abstract.

The Meaning of the Child Interview Book Launch Evening
2025-10-17 17:30 - 21:00 | University of Hertfordshrie, College Lane, Hatfield, United Kingdom
The University of Hertfordshire Doctorate in Clinical Psychology invites you to an evening workshop to celebrate the publication of ‘The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-Child Relationships’ by Dr Ben Grey, Principal Lecturer (for Research).
We hope for an informal and informative evening, including an interview with Dr Grey about the book by Arlene Vetere, Professor Emeritus of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo and a panel-led discussion on how attachment theory can best contribute to clinical and child welfare practice. The panel will include guest experts in the field of adult and child attachment in practice and research, and is likely to include:

Rudi Dallos , Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth, author of Attachment Narrative Therapy, and Don’t Blame the Parents.
Robbie Duschinsky, Professor of Social Science & Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge
Dr Steve Farnfield, course founder, Attachment Studies postgraduate programme, University of Roehampton, co-editor ‘The Routledge Handbook of Attachment’
Eadaoin Bhreathnach, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Director of the Sensory Attachment Intervention Centre, Northern Ireland.

and others, in addition to Professor Vetere and Dr Grey.
Please go here to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-meaning-of-the-child-interview-book-launch-evening-tickets-1601884753419?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
A light meal and refreshments will be provided (including vegetarian and gluten free options). Information on how to get to the campus can be found here: https://www.herts.ac.uk/contact-us/where-to-find-us/college-lane-maps-and-directions.
This workshop is free, but please book a ticket on Eventbrite to register your attendance (and amend if your plans change) so we have accurate catering numbers.
Parking is free after 5pm (if you arrive earlier you will need to register with the Hozah app and will be charged £3). Please use a Visitor car park (see map)
Further information will be provided to ticket holders.
The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-Child relationships
The Meaning of the Child Interview is the most important development in the field of attachment and caregiving since the Adult Attachment Interview.
Dr Steve Farnfield, course founder, Attachment Studies postgraduate programme, University of Roehampton, co-editor ‘The Routledge Handbook of Attachment’
This handbook provides an accessible and thought-provoking guide to the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC), a tool for understanding family relationships. It is edited and written by the MotC’s developer, with contributions from leading researchers and practitioners using the MotC in innovative contexts to support families. This book offers a practical guide to applying attachment and caregiving research for child welfare and mental health professionals. By focussing upon how parents story their experience, and their child’s, in the context of ongoing challenges, this book facilitates practice based on understanding struggling parenting as a relationship situated in adversity, rather than an individual failing, worthy of blame.
Dr Ben Grey is a social worker, psychologist, and Principal Lecturer (for Research) on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Hertfordshire. He has conducted training, worked in, and published widely on attachment, parenting assessment, family court, and child-welfare practice, developing the Meaning of the Child Interview within this practice context.

Using the MotC - Drop in Workshop
2025-07-01 10:00 - 16:30 | online
1.7.25 Online 10am – 4.30pm UK time

What is is it?
A workshop designed to support those trained and involved in, or actively interested in using the MotC. Its aim is to continue the development of an active network of those interested in the MotC, to facilitate ‘peer supervision’ & the sharing of ideas, experience and expertise.
Who is it for?
Anyone trained (or training) in the MotC, whether reliable or not, who is actively using the MotC or looking to do so in the near future.
What will happen?
The day will comprise of:

An update on new & current developments regarding the MotC
‘live’, supported, classification of an MotC interview (provided by a participant)
How is the MotC being used? Discussion of participant’s use of the MotC and the opportunity to pool experience

Costs
£80 per person online

The Meaning of the Child: Making Sense of Parent-Child Relationships Dublin Book launch
2025-06-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Technical University Dublin
Ireland book launch – The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-Child Relationships. 24.6.25: 2-5pm, TU Dublin, Grangegorman Campus
This is a live, in-person event with Dr Grey and a panel of experts looking at the use of the MotC in child-welfare and family court practice in Ireland.
Please book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meaning-of-the-child-book-launch-and-panel-discussion-tickets-1349778567029?aff=oddtdtcreator

MotC Part 4: Formulation - using the MotC to understand families and plan intervention
2024-11-25 10:00 - 2024-11-26 16:30 | online
25 and 26 November 2024, 10 am – 4.30 pm UK time
This 2 day live online course will teach participants how to use the MotC to think with their clients about the difficulties they encounter and come up with solutions. NB: previous MotC training is required.
It will look at how to take MotC classifications and use them to understand parents and parent-child relationships in ways that inform intervention planning. Report writing and feedback to parents will also be covered.
Attendance at Part 1 and Part 2 or previous full MotC training is required. You do not need to be a reliable coder, however this course can lead to accreditation as an experienced coder upon submission of a coding report, confirmation of peer support/cpd arrangements, and a year of coding for others.
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
Teaching is online through live teaching on Zoom.
Cost £295 including materials
The approach of the MotC is not about providing a ‘diagnosis’ of generalised pathology but rather building an in depth understanding of resources and difficulties in the context in which they occur, from which to think about support, intervention, and in some cases, risk. This 2-day course will focus on using information gained from the MotC to think about families and how to help them. It will not teach or recommend a specific therapeutic approach but rather support practitioners in whatever service or context they work in to use the MotC to make sense of parent-child relationships in ways that allow them to make the best use of whatever tools, powers or resources at their disposal to improve life for children and their families.
Requires Parts 1 and 2, or previous full MotC training (Participants do NOT need to be reliable coders of the MotC, however those who are, have been coding for more than a year, and submit a coding report, may be accredited as experienced coders of the MotC).
The MotC can offer help in these forensic and therapeutic settings by bringing to light the positive intentions of parents to offer love and nurture to their children; giving insight into some of the obstacles that the relationship faces (in particular the impact of traumatic experiences); and guiding work with parents to tackle problems in their lives and parenting, rather than blaming them for complex and multi-faceted difficulties (White et al. 2019). A more systemic and relational understanding of ‘risk’ and ‘mental health’ can help contribute to the broadest possible understanding of the challenges faced by all those concerned with the welfare of a particular child or adults, without glossing over the need for effective action where it is warranted. Smith et al.’s 2018 study of the Norfolk PIMAP project shows how this kind of formulation-based approach using the MotC can achieve significant reductions in children coming into care and the need for child protective services with children at high risk of removal, whilst also helping make better decisions around risk (see also McPherson et al. 2018).

MotC Part 3 - Coding the MotC LIVE online: 11-12 November 2024
2024-11-11 10:00 - 2024-11-12 16:30 | online
This course is aimed at teaching people to become reliable coders in the MotC. It may also be useful to those who have done previous MotC training and now wish to work on reliability (select ‘refresher training ticket’). REQUIRES Parts 1 and 2, or previous MotC Training
Attendance at Part 1 and Part 2 (or previous full MotC training) is a pre-requisite to this course
This course is aimed at teaching people to become reliable coders in the MotC. It may also be useful to those who have done previous MotC training and now wish to work on reliability (select ‘refresher training ticket’).
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
2 days online training provided live on Zoom together with email tuition, practice and certification of reliability test (if wanted).
This extends learning from Parts 1 and 2, giving participants the support and teaching to become proficient in coding (formally classifying and interpreting) the MotC. Upon completing the reliability test to a set standard, participants may be accredited as reliable coders of the MotC and code for themselves or others.
Parts 1 and 2 are required.
The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) is a method of understanding the parent-child relationship, though evaluating the way parents think about their child. It makes use of a semi-structured interview in which parents talk about their child, their relationship with their child, and their parenting, which is then carefully analysed using a manualised system.
For further information on the MotC please click here.
Costs
£295 per person including 2 days face-to-face online teaching, course materials, and practice tuition supported by email, and accreditation of reliability test.
A reduced price of £150 is available to students, unwaged, and those who have previously undertaken the MotC course.
Events can be booked online by choosing the appropriate ticket and paying securely using Paypal, with either a Paypal account or a credit or debit card. There is no fee for this. If you need us to invoice your employer or wish to pay by bank transfer please email us.
Cancellation
Should CCA need to cancel a training for any reason a full refund will be issued.

MotC Practice Pathway - using the MotC to understand families and plan intervention. Self-Taught
2023-08-31 00:00 - 2026-01-31 23:59 | online
NEW: redesigned to coincide with publication of The Meaning of the Child Interview: Making Sense of Parent-child Relationships (ed. by Ben Grey, Palgrave texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy).
This 2 day online course will teach participants how to use the MotC as a model for applying attachment and caregiving theory to child welfare, safeguarding or mental health practice. It offers a pathway for practitioners to think with their clients about the difficulties they encounter and come up with solutions. This course is online self-directed (from videos / no live teaching) – previous MotC training is required.
Report writing and feedback to parents will also be covered.
Attendance at the MotC intro course (Principles of practice) is required. Attendance at the Coding the MotC course or previous full MotC training is recommended. You do not need to be a reliable coder, however this course can lead to accreditation as an experienced coder upon submission of a coding report, confirmation of peer support/cpd arrangements, and a year of coding for others.
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
Teaching is online through provision of course materials and videos taken from live teaching. Participants can move forward at their own pace and there is no end date.
Cost £250 including materials
The approach of the MotC is not about providing a ‘diagnosis’ of generalised pathology but rather building an in depth understanding of resources and difficulties in the context in which they occur, from which to think about support, intervention, and in some cases, risk. This 2-day course will focus on using information gained from the MotC and/or case history and practice observations, to think about families and how to help them. It will not teach or recommend a specific therapeutic approach but rather support practitioners in whatever service or context they work in to use the MotC to make sense of parent-child relationships in ways that allow them to make the best use of whatever tools, powers or resources at their disposal to improve life for children and their families.
Requires MotC Introduction (Principles of Practice course) (Participants do NOT need to be reliable coders of the MotC, however those who are, have been coding for more than a year, and submit a coding report, may be accredited as experienced coders of the MotC).
The MotC can offer help in these forensic and therapeutic settings by bringing to light the positive intentions of parents to offer love and nurture to their children; giving insight into some of the obstacles that the relationship faces (in particular the impact of traumatic experiences); and guiding work with parents to tackle problems in their lives and parenting, rather than blaming them for complex and multi-faceted difficulties (White et al. 2019). A more systemic and relational understanding of ‘risk’ and ‘mental health’ can help contribute to the broadest possible understanding of the challenges faced by all those concerned with the welfare of a particular child or adults, without glossing over the need for effective action where it is warranted. Smith et al.’s 2018 study of the Norfolk PIMAP project shows how this kind of formulation-based approach using the MotC can achieve significant reductions in children coming into care and the need for child protective services with children at high risk of removal, whilst also helping make better decisions around risk (see also McPherson et al. 2018).

Meaning of the Child Interview Part 2: Using the MotC - Self Taught
2023-08-01 - 2025-03-31 | online
This course will extend learning from Part 1, to teach participants to administer and use the MotC in their work, and give a basic understanding of how the MotC is coded.
Attendance at Part 1 (or previous MotC training) is a pre-requisite to this course
THIS COURSE IS AN ONLINE SELF-DIRECTED (ASYNCHRONOUS) COURSE.
Participants will be given access to nearly 8 hours of video recorded material together with course materials. They will also be allocated a mentor to support them through coding 4 practice interviews (provided), as well as if wanted, offering accreditation in the administration of the interview.
Course Tutors: Dr Ben Grey and Juliet Kesteven
(Full group sessions are recorded for later viewing)
approx. 8 hours training videos + email practice and submission of practice interview (if interviewing accreditation wanted).
Engagement in the practice and submission of a codable interview will allow participants to be accredited as a MotC practitioner – this enables participants to give the interview, using it either for their own reflection or, having it coded by a reliable coder (which will require completion of Part 3 and a reliability test), using the findings in their work.
Course will be a mixture of lectures and analysis of interview transcripts. Part 1 is required.
The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) is a method of understanding the parent-child relationship, though evaluating the way parents think about their child. It makes use of a semi-structured interview in which parents talk about their child, their relationship with their child, and their parenting, which is then carefully analysed using a manualised system.
For further information on the MotC please click here.
Further training is needed to to reliably classify this MotC (Part 3). For dates and further information about Part 3 click here.
………..
‘The MotC training was pivotal in increasing my knowledge of both attachment and the assessment of psychological risks posed to a child by their parent.’
Barry Tilzey, Consultant Practice Development Lead – London Borough of Wandsworth
“The Meaning of the Child Interview has proved to be one of the most powerful and informative clinical tools used in our clinical practice, and has helped make sense of some very complex cases. Dr Grey and Juliet Kesteven have a particularly engaging and effective teaching style, and a generous approach to sharing their extensive clinical and academic knowledge and experience. I would highly recommend attending training / seminars at the Cambridge Centre for Attachment.”
Dr Emma Hunnisett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Child and Family Psychology Clinic, Norwich
[For more testimonials, click here]
………..
Whilst the MotC has a solid foundation in academic research and psychological theory, particularly in the area of attachment and reflective functioning, it requires neither an academic background nor a psychological qualification to learn to use. It has been successfully taught to social workers, family centre workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists alike. Learning to classify parenting interviews using the MotC does require commitment and self motivation to make use of the email tuition and practice, as it needs to be learned by ‘doing’ as well as by attending face-to-face training. It requires a willingness to engage with the theoretical content, but as a means to understanding particular parent-child relationships, rather than in the abstract.
………..
Costs
£295 per person including approx 8 hours videos, course materials, and practice tuition supported by email, and accreditation of interviewing.
A reduced price of £150 is available to students, unwaged, and those who have previously undertaken the MotC course (mentors will not be assigned to those taking the course as a refresher course).
Events can be booked online by choosing the appropriate ticket and paying securely using Paypal, with either a Paypal account or a credit or debit card. There is no fee for this. If you need us to invoice your employer or wish to pay by bank transfer please email us.
Cancellation
In the event of a cancellation up to 48 hours before the event, we will either offer access to a video and audio recording of the event (and all materials) if made, or free attendance at a future similarly priced event. If the cancellation is within 48 hours access to recordings will be given, if available.
Should CCA need to cancel a training for any reason a full refund will be issued.
