Dr. Lois A. Ehrmann is a psychologist specializing in attachment trauma treatment for children and families. She earned her PhD from Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on the treatment needs of maltreated children and their families.
In 2008, Dr. Ehrmann developed an innovative outpatient trauma center, and in 2009 launched the Individual and Family CHOICES Program, which she directed for over a decade. The program integrated cutting-edge empirically supported therapeutic modalities including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), neurofeedback, somatic therapies, art therapy, play therapy, sand tray therapy, and attachment-focused family therapy. Under her clinical leadership, the CHOICES Program served clients of all ages while training mental health professionals in trauma-informed treatment approaches.
Dr. Ehrmann has specialized expertise in adapting the Internal Family Systems model for work with young clients, integrating parts-based interventions with developmentally appropriate modalities like sand tray and play therapy. She developed comprehensive assessment protocols for evaluating caregiver readiness in attachment-focused work, including the Caregiver Protocol, Internal Working Model assessment, and Integrated Attachment and Trauma Timeline (IATTS) protocol.
Since 2021, Dr. Ehrmann has focused exclusively on clinical consultation and professional training in trauma reduction and resolution. She provides specialized training to mental health professionals on working with attachment trauma in children and families, teaching practitioners how to determine appropriate levels of care and implement IFS-informed interventions across developmental stages.
Her clinical protocols and assessment tools are designed for immediate practical application, helping therapists navigate the complex dynamics that emerge when a child's source of comfort is also their source of terror.