Our therapists use a range of different treatment options. Many of them use, or are informed by, attachment thearpy. There are different types of attachment therapy for individuals and couples.
What Is Attachment Therapy?
Attachment therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the emotional attachment between an individual and their primary caregiver, usually their parents. This therapy approach is based on attachment theory, which suggests that the quality of the emotional bond between the caregiver and child can impact the child’s emotional and social development throughout their life.
In attachment theory, there are typically four main types of attachment that individuals may develop with their primary caregiver. These are:
Anxious-preoccupied attachment
This is characterized by a strong desire for closeness and attention from the caregiver, along with fear of rejection or abandonment. Individuals with anxious-preoccupied attachment may become overly dependent on their caregiver and struggle with self-esteem.
Avoidant-dismissive attachment
This is characterized by a desire for independence and a tendency to minimize the importance of close relationships. Individuals with avoidant-dismissive attachment may avoid expressing their emotions or seeking support from others.
Disorganized attachment
This is characterized by conflicting feelings of fear and attachment towards the caregiver. Individuals with disorganized attachment may struggle with self-regulation and may have experienced trauma or abuse in their early life.
Secure attachment
This is characterized by a sense of trust and safety in the relationship. Individuals with secure attachment feel comfortable expressing their emotions and seeking support from their caregiver.
Attachment therapy can help individuals and families develop a more secure attachment style and improve the quality of their relationships. The therapy process typically involves assessing the individual, couple’s or family’s attachment style and developing strategies for addressing any issues that may be impacting their emotional bonds and communication patterns.
What Happens In Attachment Therapy?
Attachment therapy typically involves a combination of talk therapy and activities designed to help the individual, couple, or family build stronger emotional bonds and improve communication. Here are some common elements of attachment therapy:
Assessing attachment patterns
The therapist will assess the attachment patterns of the individual or family and identify any issues that may be impacting the quality of their relationships.
Building emotional bonds
Attachment therapy may involve activities designed to help the individual or family build stronger emotional bonds, such as playing games, engaging in activities together, or practicing communication exercises.
Addressing trauma
If the individual or family has experienced trauma, attachment therapy may involve trauma-focused therapy techniques to help them process and heal from their experiences.
Improving communication
Attachment therapy can help individuals and families improve their communication skills, learn to express their emotions more effectively, and develop more positive and constructive ways of interacting with each other.
Addressing negative behaviors
If negative behaviors are impacting the quality of the individual or family’s relationships, attachment therapy may involve strategies for addressing these behaviors and developing more positive behaviors.
Attachment Therapy and Other Issues
Attachment therapy can be used to address a range of issues related to attachment, including:
Relationship challenges
Attachment therapy can help individuals and families improve the quality of their relationships by building stronger emotional bonds, improving communication, and developing more positive and constructive ways of interacting with each other.
Anxiety
Attachment therapy can help individuals who struggle with anxiety by addressing underlying attachment issues that may be contributing to their anxiety symptoms.
Depression
Attachment therapy can help individuals who struggle with depression by addressing underlying attachment issues that may be contributing to their depression symptoms.
Trauma
Attachment therapy can help individuals and families who have experienced trauma by addressing the impact of the trauma on their attachment patterns and helping them develop more positive and healthy relationships.
Behavioral challenges
Attachment therapy can help individuals and families address negative behaviors that may be impacting the quality of their relationships and develop more positive and constructive ways of interacting with each other.
Types of Attachment Therapy
There are different types of attachment therapy for children, teens, adults, and couples. They include:
Theraplay
This is a play-based attachment therapy that involves structured play activities designed to build stronger emotional bonds and improve communication between the child and caregiver.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
This is a form of attachment therapy that focuses on helping children and their caregivers develop a stronger emotional bond by addressing attachment trauma and improving communication.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
This is a form of couples therapy that is based on attachment theory. It helps couples identify negative patterns of interaction and develop more positive and constructive ways of relating to each other.
Circle of Security
This is a parenting intervention that is designed to help parents improve their understanding of their child’s needs and build stronger emotional bonds with their child.
Attachment-focused Family Therapy (AFFT)
This is a family-based attachment therapy that helps families improve their communication, build stronger emotional bonds, and address negative patterns of interaction.
Next Steps: Seeking Attachment Therapy?
Many of our therapists work with attachment theory and attachment therapy. You can contact us today for a consultation or to ask questions about attachment therapists.
Alternatively, browse our therapist directory to find the therapist who is right for you. You can use the dropdown boxes in the directory to filter for therapists who work with attachment under the “how we help” category.
Note: ChatGPT generates some of our content for us on this website. However, all articles are edited and supplemented with original content by one of our professional writers who has a Masters degree in psychological studies.