DDP- Dyadic Developmental Psychotherpay

DDP is an attachment focused therapy developed by Dr Daniel Hughes. It is an evidence-based treatment for complex trauma, and issues relating to attachment. DDP focuses on creating safety through relationships, helping the child to heal from trauma, and supporting families in developing healthy patterns of relating and communicating.

DDP holds the parent-child relationship in high regard and uses this “dyad” as the platform for healing. During treatment, parents are taught a specialised, trauma-informed parenting approach while children learn emotional regulation and interpersonal relationship skills. DDP addresses both processes simultaneously to facilitate a trusting and secure relationship between parent and child. The parenting approach utilised in DDP is that of PACE, Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.

The key principles and concepts of DDP are:

Attachment: Attachment is a blanket term that describes a type of emotional relationship that develops between child and caregiver, in which the child seeks psychological and physical safety. Successful attachment provides the child with comfort, security, and an environment in which to thrive. Secure attachment positively affects the child's cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
Developmental Trauma: This term refers to early childhood trauma that directly impacts a child's development. This often involves traumatic events, abuse, or neglect that took place because of the parent's inability to fulfil the role of protector. Developmental trauma can cause problems for a child later in life, including impaired development, relational problems, and behavioural issues.
Intersubjectivity: This term refers to a dynamic that plays out between two people who share a mutual experience. In other words, intersubjectivity occurs within a reciprocal relationship in which each person influences the experience of the other.
Relationship-Focused: The treatment is primarily a family therapy and relationship-focused treatment.

Proposed outcomes

The child will feel safer and more secure with their parents. The child has a more secure attachment
Controlling behaviours will reduce.
The child will find relationships easier.
The child will regulate emotions more easily.
The child will manage stress better.
The child will understand their emotional experience better.
As the child is helped to heal from the past trauma they will become more emotionally healthy