254. Attachment Theory in the Classroom with Patti Sutherland and Monique Gougeon

School Counseling Simplified Podcast

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! We’re continuing our special Summer Summit speaker series, and today I’m joined by an incredible pair: Monique and Patti, two clinical social workers and certified play therapists who specialize in attachment and child development. They recently spoke at Summer Summit about a topic that’s essential for every educator and school counselor: Attachment Theory in the Classroom.

If you missed Summer Summit, it’s not too late. When you join IMPACT, my monthly school counselor membership, you’ll gain access to all of the Summer Summit recordings and PD hours—including Monique and Patti’s impactful session.

Monique Gougeon, MSW, RSW, CPTS, CTPS has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and is a Certified Child Therapist and Play Therapist Supervisor with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy. Monique is certified as Theraplay Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor with Theraplay Canada. She is also certified in Circle of Security Individual and Group models and is a Certified EMDR practitioner, specializing in Child and adolescent treatment. Monique has extensive experience working with children and families in community agencies and has worked for 20+ years in the field of children’s therapy. She is the owner of Alloway Therapy Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she practices alongside her talented colleagues. Monique has special interests in supporting children who have experienced loss, developmental trauma, and attachment disruption. She regularly facilitates training and presentations for caregivers and professionals regarding child trauma and attachment disruption.

Patti has a Masters in Social Work and has been a social worker for over 30 years. She has worked with children in women's shelter's, family violence programs, schools and spent 12 years in private practice. She is a Certified Play therapist with The Canadian Association of Play Therapy. She enjoys providing training for educators in the area of developmental trauma in the classroom and is currently a school social worker in the Winnipeg School Division in Winnipeg, Canada. About a year ago Patti decided she would try her hand at creating resources for school counselors and opened a TPT shop. A major learning curve, but an exciting new adventure.

In This Episode:

Monique and Patti dive into how we can apply attachment theory and the Circle of Security framework within the classroom and school counseling settings.

We talk about:

• Why attachment-based practices aren’t just for “high-need” students but benefit all kids

• How the Circle of Security model, originally created for caregivers, can be adapted for educators and school counselors

• Ways to support students as they explore their world while also providing a secure base

• Shifting from behavior-based approaches to relational ones

• How restorative practices can preserve relationships, rather than relying on punitive systems

• A framework to help counselors and teachers feel more confident and less burned out

They also share the PACE model—a mindset for working with children:

• Playful

• Accepting

• Curious

• Empathic

By embodying these qualities, educators can create safer, more nurturing environments for all students.

A Day in the Life (Patti):

Patti shares a glimpse into her workweek, which includes:

• Direct client work 3 days per week, supporting children and caregivers

• Teaching play therapy curriculum through Therapy Canada Institute

• Providing supervision and training in therapeutic models: her work centers around integrating play, attachment, and trauma-informed practices to support school-aged children.

Want to Learn More?

Monique and Patti are hosting a 2-day training on August 18th and 19th. This is a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into Circle of Security and attachment-informed practices for schools. Pre-register now to save your spot!

Don’t miss out!

Want access to this session and more? Join the IMPACT membership to get all Summer Summit replays, monthly PD trainings, downloadable resources, and a community of fellow school counselors.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join IMPACT

• Pre-Registration for 3Rs: Attachment in the Classroom August 18 &19, 2025

Connect with Rachel:

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

Connect with Patti:

• Teachers Pay Teachers

• Email Patti: [email protected]

• PS Counseling Matters Newsletter

Connect with Monique:

• Email Monique: [email protected]

More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!