Welcome to the
Neufeld Institute
We are a non-profit organization named after Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a renowned developmental psychologist with over 40 years of experience. He founded the Neufeld Institute and is recognized for his attachment and developmental psychology expertise. Dr. Neufeld co-authored the best-selling book "Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers." His work has significantly influenced parenting and education practices worldwide.
The Neufeld Institute offers a range of courses, workshops, and resources designed to help parents, educators, and professionals apply the principles of the Neufeld Approach. With a focus on providing comprehensive, research-based guidance, the Institute empowers individuals to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of children.
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
By Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté
This essential book by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté has for more than 20 years been a cornerstone in parenting literature. The book explores the crucial role of parental attachment in child development.
With the 2024 edition, updated insights and practical advice help parents navigate today's challenges, reinforcing the vital bond between parents and their children to foster emotional health and resilience. Reclaim your pivotal role in your child's life with this timeless guide.
Hold On To Your Kids has now been translated in over thirty-five languages.
A personal invitation from Gordon Neufeld
I want to invite you to take a look at our courses. A good starting place for many is the Power to parent series which you can read about in details here.
Our mission is to use developmental science to make sense of children to the adults responsible for them. Our instrument is the attachment-based developmental approach
Our hope is that the insights provided by this evidence-based theory will rejoin parents, teachers and helping professionals to their natural intuition. Our evidence-based belief is that children are meant to be raised in the context of relationship to those who are responsible for them.
Upcoming Live Classes (another option)
- January 30 – April 3, 2025
Making Sense of Adolescence I
Seven Rites of Passage
The task of turning children into adults has never been more daunting.An adolescent is neither child nor adult - and therein lies much of the difficulty, turbulence, confusion, and challenge.They need us, yet need to not need us. We are their best bet, yet their instincts are to resist us.
Crossing the bridge from childhood to adulthood has never been so daunting. The time of adolescence is longer than ever and yet society today offers little support in understanding or facilitating this transition. This course is designed to be used by parents, grandparents, teachers, administrators, professionals – anyone who desires to make sense of adolescence. Parents of pre- teens will find this course invaluable as preparation for what lies ahead.
- Online Scheduled Class
- Facilitated by Robin Brooks-Sherriff and Lisa Weiner
- January 30 – April 3, 2025
- Thursdays for 10 weeks
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm PT
- April 10 - June 19, 2025
Making Sense of Adolescence II
Adolescence and Sexuality
Part II of the Adolescence course focuses on adolescence and sexuality. How is sexuality meant to develop? What is happening today that is different than in previous generations? How does sex affect the brain and bonding? In this course, Dr. Neufeld will be examining sexuality through the lenses of attachment, maturation and vulnerability. He will shed light on why adolescents are losing their timidity, why sexual interaction is on the rise, and why sexual bullying is becoming a problem. He will also explore the meaning of safe sex when viewed psychologically and provide suggestions for contributing to the healthy unfolding of sexuality in our youth.
Prerequisite: Making Sense of Adolescence Part I: Seven Rites of Passage
- Online Scheduled Class
- Facilitated by Robin Brooks-Sherriff and Lisa Weiner
- April 10 - June 19th, 2025
- Thursdays for 10 weeks
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm PT
Events and Conferences
This event schedule consists of talks, webinars, and presentations by Dr. Neufeld and the Neufeld Institute Faculty. See the schedule for our Live Scheduled Classes here.
IN PERSON
December 2nd - December 4th, 2024
The Edmonton Conference on Behavioural, Developmental & Emotional Challenges (Jack Hirose event)
Details & registration at JackHirose.com
ONLINE
May 7th - May 8th, 2025
Dr. Gordon Neufeld presents at The Biology of Belonging
Details｜Register
May 16th - May 18th, 2025
Dr. Neufeld Presents in Prague
Details｜Register
May 22nd - May 23rd, 2025
Warsaw Neufeld Conference 2025
Details｜Register
July 14th - 17th, 2025
Parksville: Four Days with Gordon & Faculty
Details｜Please contact our office to if interested.
Vancouver, BC V6M 1L3
Canada
