Introduction to the Meaning of the Child Interview: Principles of Practice

Redesigned to complement 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, 2026).

This two-day training is a standalone introduction to using the principles of the MotC in child welfare practice. It is also the necessary first stage for anyone going on to analyse, interpret and formally classify parenting interviews using the MotC coding system, for which further training is needed.

Live online via Zoom, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November 2026, 10am to 4.30pm UK time. Recordings are made available to participants where possible, and course materials are provided electronically.

Course tutors: Dr Ben Grey and colleagues.

About the Meaning of the Child Interview

The MotC is a method of understanding the parent-child relationship through evaluating the way parents think about their child. It uses 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 gain enough understanding to develop MotC-informed practice: an awareness of how parents talk and mentalise for their children and their caregiving, and of what this implies for the parent-child relationship. The course mixes direct teaching with work on actual interviews with parents.

Whilst the MotC has a solid foundation in academic research and psychological theory, particularly attachment and reflective functioning, it requires neither an academic background nor a psychological qualification to learn to use. It has been taught successfully to social workers, family centre workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists alike.

What participants say

“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.”

Dr Emma Hunnisett
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Child and Family Psychology Clinic, Norwich

Booking and payment

Tickets are paid securely by credit or debit card. A reduced rate is available to students, those who are unwaged, and those returning to the course as a refresher. If you need us to invoice your employer, or would prefer to pay by bank transfer, please email enquiries@attachment.services.

Cancellation

Should Cambridge Centre for Attachment need to cancel a training for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

Further information about the MotC is at meaningofthechild.org.