Psychology students strengthen peer coaching skills in attachment-focused seminar

A total of 103 students and alumni participated in a daylong psychology seminar organized by the CAS Psychological Society to strengthen peer coaching skills and improve relationship awareness through attachment theory and schema understanding.

The seminar gathered 48 psychology students, 46 society members, and nine alumni and aimed to train peer coaches in handling relational concerns, provide a safe space for discussions on romantic and platonic relationships, and promote personal growth and emotional awareness.

The program formally opened at around 8:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks from organization president Bon Ramniel B. Morales. Hosts Cyril Ramel and Ara Mhae Amparo facilitated the flow of activities and presented the workshop objectives and psychological safety agreements.

Dr. Marco Rodas delivered two mini-lectures focusing on adult attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and fearful—and common maladaptive schemas such as abandonment, defectiveness, and unrelenting standards. Participants engaged in interactive self-assessment activities that helped them identify attachment patterns, reflect on personal values, and understand coping styles.

A key highlight was the peer coaching segment, where participants practiced mental wellness exercises under Dr. Rodas’ guidance. Activities emphasized boundary-setting, repair scripts, and emotional attunement strategies contextualized within Filipino culture. The session concluded with an open forum, feedback collection, and the distribution of referral directories and certificates.

In the afternoon, the core lectures and activities were repeated for another group of participants, followed by a second open forum and a photo opportunity with the speaker.

Organizers said the seminar was successful, citing active engagement from both students and alumni. The activity achieved its objectives of increasing awareness of attachment styles and schemas, equipping participants with practical emotional regulation tools, and strengthening peer support within the Psychology Department.

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The seminar supports Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation’s mission of holistic and student-centered education by addressing students’ emotional, relational, and psychological well-being. It reflects the core values of Mindfulness through self-awareness and emotional regulation, Service through peer coaching and support, Excellence by grounding practice in psychological theory, and Unity by fostering safe and collaborative learning spaces.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – By promoting mental health awareness, emotional regulation, and peer support.

• SDG 4: Quality Education – By providing applied, experiential learning in psychology beyond the classroom.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – By strengthening respectful re