Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is an attachment-focused, trauma-informed model designed to support children and young people who have experienced early adversity, disrupted caregiving, or developmental trauma. Developed by Dr Dan Hughes, DDP has become a foundational approach for professionals working with vulnerable children and their families—particularly those in out-of-home care or adoption contexts.
But who should consider undertaking DDP training? Whether you’re a therapist, educator, caseworker or residential care professional, this blog will help you determine if DDP aligns with your professional needs and goals.
What is DDP Training?
DDP training provides a structured pathway for professionals to learn how to use relationship-based approaches in therapeutic and caregiving work. Training is typically offered in two levels:
- Level One: Introduces the core principles of DDP, including the PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy), the impact of trauma on attachment, and strategies for building emotional safety.
- Level Two: Designed for professionals who have completed Level One and want to deepen their integration of DDP into clinical or support work through experiential learning and reflective practice.
The training is grounded in attachment theory, intersubjectivity, and neuroscience, and it supports professionals in building trusting, healing relationships with children and families.
Mental Health Practitioners
DDP training is highly relevant for mental health professionals who work therapeutically with children and adolescents. This includes:
- Psychologists
- Clinical social workers
- Counsellors and psychotherapists
- Mental health nurses
These practitioners often support children with complex trauma, attachment difficulties, and disrupted relational histories. DDP offers a powerful framework for engaging both children and their caregivers in the healing process, particularly in settings where traditional talk therapy may be insufficient.
If you’re working in child and adolescent mental health and looking to enhance your relational practice, explore upcoming DDP learning opportunities through Compass Australia, where training is tailored for professionals supporting children with developmental trauma.
Professionals in Out-of-Home Care and Adoption
Those working within foster care, kinship care, or adoption services will find DDP highly applicable. Caseworkers, placement support teams, and post-adoption practitioners often face the challenge of supporting children who struggle with trust, emotional regulation, and behavioural responses rooted in early trauma.
DDP training helps these professionals:
- Understand the child’s internal world through an attachment lens
- Work more effectively with carers
- Apply PACE in conversations with children and their support networks
Therapeutic and Residential Care Staff
Residential and therapeutic care environments present complex relational dynamics. DDP supports youth workers, house supervisors, therapeutic care teams, and support staff in creating safe, connected relationships with young people.
DDP training enhances team capacity to:
- Provide consistent emotional attunement
- Support co-regulation during behavioural crises
- Reflect on relational ruptures and repair
The relational foundation of DDP is especially helpful in care environments where children may struggle with authority or resist closeness.
Educators and School Counsellors
For educators, learning support staff, and school counsellors, DDP offers tools to work more compassionately and effectively with students affected by trauma.
While these professionals may not deliver therapy, DDP principles—especially the use of PACE—can be applied in:
- Behaviour support and pastoral care
- Classroom management
- Whole-school approaches to wellbeing
- Supporting re-engagement with learning
Family Support and Early Intervention Professionals
Family support workers, parent coaches, and early childhood specialists regularly assist caregivers and young children facing attachment disruption or adversity. DDP training supports these professionals to:
- Model attuned caregiving strategies
- Build trust with families in distress
- Guide parents in using PACE to strengthen relationships with their children
The approach is particularly useful in the early years, when relational repair and resilience-building can have long-lasting effects.
Who Might Not Be Ready for DDP Training?
While DDP is widely applicable, it may not suit everyone at every stage of their career. DDP training is best suited to those with a foundational understanding of trauma, attachment, and child development.
Professionals looking for highly structured, manualised models or those new to reflective, relational work may find DDP challenging without prior experience. Openness to experiential learning and reflective practice is essential.
In Closing
DDP training is suitable for a broad range of professionals who support children and families—especially those working in therapeutic, caregiving, and educational settings. Whether you’re helping children in foster care, engaging families in early intervention, or offering therapy for complex trauma, DDP offers a transformative, relationship-based framework.
If you support children and families affected by trauma or disrupted attachment, consider how DDP training might enhance your practice. It’s a powerful way to bring safety, connection, and healing into the heart of your work.