On Tuesday, 2 June 2026, we will replay all three video sessions of Shanna Donhauser’s 2021 series on how she uses the adult attachment interview (AAI) in couples counseling. Shanna obtained a Masters of Science in Attachment at Roehampton University and her thesis paper was on this topic. While Shanna tackled the tricky topics of both attachment and couples counseling, she took her project even further. With the help of attachment experts Ben Grey and Clark Baim, she developed the first ever DMM-based Couples Attachment Interview (CoAI) using a developmental framework based on the work of John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, and Patricia Crittenden. Shanna uses the approach of the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM-AAI), which is the advanced model of attachment theory and science.
Each of the three Zoom sessions is about an hour. In the first two sessions Shanna focuses on “Danicka’s” and “Peter’s” AAI, and their individual relationships with their own parents. In those two sessions she, along with participation from an experienced group of attachment professionals and researchers experienced with the DMM-AAI, explore what the AAI’s show us about their individual attachment patterns. In the third session, Shanna focuses on the CoAI, and together, the group piece together what is likely going on for Danicka and Peter individually and as a couple. Then they explore the significance — what might a therapist do with all of this information.
Over the last two months, we have watched the first two sessions. We will start the first session two hours before the usual DMM Coffee House start time for those who missed them or who want to re-watch them. The third session will start at the usual time.
Danicka and Peter were one of three couples Shanna investigated in her dissertation (currently unpublished). One of her interesting findings is that the attachment pattern for each participant in relation to their parent, was at least slightly different from their attachment pattern with their intimate partner.
The Couples Attachment Interview is an experimental concept created by Shanna. You won’t find any information about it online yet. There is another couples attachment assessment similarly called the Couple Attachment Interview which was developed in the 2000’s, and was based on Mary Main’s Berkeley model of attachment (ABC+D). Send us a note if you think that assessment has gained traction and is still being used.
| Date | Tuesday, 2 June 2026 |
| Start time, Part I & II | 7:00 am in Seattle; 10:00 am in Miami; 3:00 pm in London; 5:00 pm in Cairo; 10:00 pm in Hong Kong |
| Start time, Part III | 9:00 am in Seattle; noon in Miami; 5:00 pm in London; 7:00 pm in Cairo; midnight in Hong Kong |
| Total time | For all three sessions, and follow up discussion the total time for this session will be about 4 hours |
| Host | Shanna Donhauser, by video replay |
| Cost & CE | Free, as always. (If you are looking for CE credit, we don’t provide that, but we can provide proof of attendance.) |
| For | All DMM Group Talk listserv members, and anyone else interested by request |
| Recording | This session is a video replay. Recording of the session is prohibited, for privacy reasons, and all attendees agree to this restriction. |
| Registration | Use the contact button, and let us know which session(s) you want to attend. |
We don’t always publicly post notices about DMM Coffee House sessions. We always post notices in the DMM Group Talk Listserv. DMM Coffee House has run continuously since May 2020. For the last several years they have been monthly. Shanna’s session will be the 6th anniversary session for DMM Coffee House.
We hope you can join us for this very special 3-part set of Zoom meetings.