What is Attachment Informed Therapy?

Attachment theory gives us the framework to consider how the patterns of relating to others we developed early in life influence what we expect from ourselves and others in relationships now, what strategies we use to deal with our emotions, our sense of ourselves as worthy of care, and how we balance safety and exploration, among other things.

When can it be helpful?

Attachment theory helps shed light on how our earlier interactions with important others color our perceptions of interactions with significant others right now, and as a result, is often relied on in couples’ therapy.

However, there are significant benefits of exploring attachment patterns for individual therapy as well, particularly if your concerns include troublesome patterns of relationships with others, too rigid or too fluid personal boundaries, personality adaptations, complicated grief, parenting challenges, impulsivity or feeling overwhelmed by a hurricane of emotions, or, on the contrary, relying mostly on rational thought and logic to the exclusion of feelings.

What does it involve?

Attachment framework in therapy serves as a map and creates a sense of direction– improved understanding of ourselves and what we bring to relationships, making sense of life experiences, and realizing how they affect our choices today. 

At the same time, it also allows the therapist to weave in helpful practices from other therapeutic approaches into the course of therapy (for example, borrowing tools from Emotionally Focused Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy that can help along the way).

How can I get started with Attachment Informed Therapy?

If you are interested in Attachment Informed Therapy to support your journey, you can reach out to book a free consultation with any of the therapists listed below.

Team Members that offer Attachment Informed Therapy

Natalia
M. Psy Student, ​RP (Qualifying)

Stacey
BA, Dip., RPC-C