Attachment Theory

Our early relationships give us a sense of whether or not we are safe and welcomed in the world. Whether or not we are worthy of being treated with kindness, love, and respect. Attachment-informed trauma therapy can help to repair the psychological wounds from childhood, providing relief from cycles of shame, blame, guilt, doubt, and emotional overwhelm. Outcomes of healing these early wounds can include improved health, relationships, and boundaries, and reduced anxiety, stress, and depression.

Thought patterns form based off our environment as children that influence us for the rest of our lives, often on a subconscious level. I refer to it a blueprint that we follow without ever questioning if the blueprint works for us. Examination of these patterns can help in the addressing of individual and relational breakdowns. I utilizing assessments that identify the patterns and tools that are designed to address those patterns. Besides, it's what counselor's do - talk about mom and dad!

Attachment theory tells us that how we grew up, how we related to our caregivers effects us as adults. Through a process called compassionate inquiry we look at your childhood through new lenses to uncover what might be holding you back today. Some people come to therapy expecting to go to a couple of sessions until the counselor tells them what to do about their problem. I don’t do that. I do help guide you to your own answers.

My career has been focused on understanding & working from an attachment-based perspective. My trainings, my research, & my readings are generally related to attachment (& trauma). It's challenging for me NOT to view the struggles that clients experience as being mostly relational & rooted in attachment in one way or another. As they say, "Before labeling yourself with depression, make sure you're not just surrounded by a**holes," (it's not quite so simple, but there's some truth to it).

Attachment, connection, belonging and community are as necessary for human existence as water and food. It is within loving and caring relationships that we learn how to cope with and manage our feelings, find motivation and initiative to pursue our goals and intentions, and learn empathy and compassion. Being hurt, abused, violated or betrayed within a trusted relationship, especially our earliest relationships with our caregivers, often create future relationship insecurities and anxieties.

Attachment-based therapy is a process-oriented form of psychological counseling. The client-therapist relationship is based on developing or rebuilding trust and centers on expressing emotions. An attachment-based approach to therapy looks at the connection between your early attachment experiences with primary caregivers and your current ability to develop meaningful and healthy attachments now.

My experience working with attachment disorders stem from experience working with adolescents and families in a family therapy setting, as well as group therapy for individuals in an IOP setting where I taught a Family Systems course as part of the intensive outpatient curriculum. The course included themes on attachment, "fair fighting", transitioning out of treatment, and non-violent communication.

In my therapeutic approach, I integrate Attachment Theory as a foundational framework to understand the dynamics of early attachment patterns and their impact on present day emotional well-being. This exploration allows for the development of healthier relational strategies, encouraging secure connections and addressing any underlying attachment-related challenges. The goal is to enhance clients' relational capacities, promote a sense of security, and improve resilience.

Some of the best research in the psychological field was able to help understand what we all now is crucial to our lives - connection. Understanding how we connect to others and ourselves helps us have the kind of healthy relationships we all want to have.

Fundamentally, I am an attachment theorist. I have extensively studied Interpersonal Neurobiology, and frequently use IPNB approaches in treatment. Our ability to regulate stems directly from the co-regulation we experienced (or did not experience) in early childhood, and affects our regulation and relationships today. In sessions we explore this relationship toward optimal relationships--internally and with others.

Attachment theory explores the inner working model of how you relate to yourself, others, and the world. When you are aware of your attachment style, you can understand the reasons you feel the way you do and act the way you do in relationships. Working from an attachment lens in therapy gives you the power to understand the core beliefs influencing your experiences in relationships and shift those beliefs and experiences to being more secure.

I have extensive experience in working with parents and families through an attachment lens. I understand that a strong, safe relationship, rooted in connection, is the key to lasting change, and emboldens you to build the life you want.

All of our counselors focus in attachment theory. Not only is the relationship in counseling important but the relationships to those around us. Oftentimes issues arise when our caregivers weren't there for us and caused issues that still plague people as adults. Let's heal together!

Humans are wired for connection and relationship. Attachment wounds can impact feeling comfortable in relationships. Exploring your attachment identity can provide insight into how you navigate your interactions with others and working on developing more attachment security can improve your satisfaction in those relationships.

Understanding one's attachment style alongside other attachment styles, generally known as anxious, avoidant, and secure attachment styles, helps illuminate great opportunities for interpersonal and personal growth in one's life. This is determined through assessment, bibliotherapy, insight into one's condition, and experiencing growth through the integration of one's Self within their efforts to connect and bond with others.

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.