Attachment Theory

I became enamored with Attachment Theory in graduate school including joining a group of psychologists studying Daniel Siegel's book The Developing Mind (one of the earliest books on interpersonal neurobiology). Afterwards I sought out trainings from Daniel Siegel as well as others like Carol George and Diana Fosha for years. Attachment theory is the foundation of my approach to therapy, particularly the centrality of safety in relationships in order to explore, expand, and face challenges.

My treatment modalities are rooted in attachment theory and the idea that early life experiences do impact us as we move through life

Everyone needs healthy attachment bonds. Attachment is a deep human, and even mammalian need. We literally need to be securely attached to others in order to feel safe, supported and live a fulfilling life. Our survival actually depended on it in human history. Most relationship challenges arise from the fact that people feel their safe and secure attachment to a loved one is threatened. This activates survival alarms in the brain. Healthy attachment is vital in relationships.

I will help you understand how attachment patterns impact your current relationships and emotional well-being. By recognizing and addressing maladaptive attachment patterns, we can begin to foster healthier, more comforting relationships with self and other. By understanding and processing past attachment-related experiences, you learn to build trust, improve communication, and develop a greater capacity for intimacy and emotional connection.

I utilize attachment theory to help us understand our positive and negative interpretations of life experiences. "Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Ainsworth, 1973; Bowlby, 1969)." We will look at your childhood attachments and how the influence your life, your child's life, your partner's life now.

An attachment-based approach to therapy looks at the connection between an client's early attachment experiences with primary caregivers and the client's ability to form healthy emotional and physical relationships as an adult. Attachment-based therapy aims to build a trusting, supportive client-counselor relationship that will serve as a blueprint for other relationships and help alleviate mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Working with attachment theory means I pay close attention to how a person shows up in relationships which includes strangers.

I am trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention and Theraplay, which center around how interpersonal experience support or harm how our sense of self develops, which is the basis of attachment theory. This gives me a clear lens to evaluate why your experience of yourself and others may not be satisfying to you, and to determine what shifts could be beneficial as you work toward your hopes for yourself.

I have worked extensively with families where attachment trauma has impacted relationships and connectedness. I work with families to identify where attachment styles may be harming the relationship and addressing alternative approaches.

Both parent child interaction therapy and child parent psychotherapy are rooted in attachment theory. These therapies help strengthen attachment between a parent and a child so the child feels more secure and acts out less. I am certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy through Children's Institute Inc. and roster eligible (equivalent of certification) in Child Parent Psychotherapy. I have used both modalities successfully with clients over the past 2-3 years.

I start with the Dynamic Maturation Model of attachment, which treats all forms of attachment behavior as adaptive within specific threat/relational contexts. I apply this understanding of the DMM when working with clients to guide therapy and help clients to design attachment responses to better fit their current environment.

I am a Certified Becoming Safely Embodied practitioner, taught by Deirdre Fay. It is a program that is grounded in attachment theory research. Brainspotting is also a powerful modality in supporting clients who struggle with attachment and relationship challenges and wounds.

I love working within the lens of attachment because it allows us to identify connections between how we were taught to form relationships and how we are currently forming relationships. There is a lot of insight to be gained when you examine early development. Naming your attachment style can help you clarify your needs, triggers, ideal traits in a partner, and so much more.