Attachment-basedTherapy

Question 1

Theory of Change

Answer 1

Change occurs through exploration of past and current relational attachments and trauma in the environment of a healing, secure and reliable relationship.

Question 2

Role of the Therapist

Answer 2

• Provide a sufficiently secure base to enable a person to explore emotional experiences of the past and the present
• Create a secure, accepting, caring,non-judgmental, and reliable environment where the patient can feel comfortable sharing their most traumatic experiences and exploring the nature of the client’s attachment pattern

Question 3

Treatment Goals

Answer 3

• Raise awareness of client’s problematic behavioral and emotional patterns, formed in early childhood as attempts to maintain attachment to primary caregivers
• Repair the capacity to regulate affects
• Resolve any emotional or social disruptions within the patient’s life
• Improve quality of attachment with others

Question 4

Key Concepts

Answer 4

Attachment behavior system:
Secure Attachment
Preoccupied/Anxious Attachment
Dismissive/Avoidant Attachment
Fearful/Avoidant Attachment

Question 5

Phases of Treatment and Interventions

Beginning

Answer 5

Attunement is the key intervention in the early stage and consists of forging of a personal relationship between the therapist and the patient.
The therapist provides a secure base by reliably demonstrating empathy and care.
Collaboratively identifying client’s “attachment style,” that is, problematic behavioral and emotional patterns formed in early childhood as attempts to maintain attachment to primary caregivers.

Question 6

Phases of Treatment and Interventions

Middle

Answer 6

Disruptions are explored in the middle phase. Disruptions include those in the early life of the client as well as those in current relationships, including the relationship with the therapist. Support client’s ability regulate and express emotions in relationally difficult situations, teaching clients to have a reflective stance toward themselves.

Question 7

Phases of Treatment and Interventions

END

Answer 7

Repair occurs during the late middle phase and the end of treatment. Repair stage of the therapy aims to alter the patient’s current reactions to the events that cause them emotional distress by sharing their own interpretations of the event.
The therapist helps create a new reality of the painful events for the patient in order to get rid of unwanted emotions and reactions.