Attachment Focused Therapy

Attachment theory is focused on the relationships and bonds between people, particularly long-term relationships, including those between a parent and child and between romantic partners.

Attachment is the emotional bond we form with another person. John Bowlby who first identified the important of attachment between children and their caregivers; believed those earliest bonds formed have a tremendous impact that continues throughout life.

Children who form secure attachments have their needs met as infants and begin to learn a sense of safety and security thus forming a secure base for that child to grow and experience the world. They also have been shown to have stronger self esteem and increased self reliance as they grow older.

Attachment focused therapy works with both the parent and the child to create that sense of safety and security. The primary focus is to enable the person to form secure, reciprocal relationships and work toward healing from past trauma’s and/or other psychological issues. Once a secure emotional attachment has been created then the healing from the past begins.

Attachment Therapy can encompass and integrate a variety of treatment interventions and is based on treatment theories drawn from a variety of relevant therapeutic approaches including behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic. Attachment therapy can be used with cases which range from simple to complex. As in other therapies, complex cases are often best supported by an integrated team approach.