Attachment Therapy

Early attachment experiences form a template for our lives - how we view the world, others, and ourselves. Receiving care and nurture from an attuned caregiver supports a child to develop 'secure attachment', setting them up to thrive relationally. Secure attachment is characterized by a healthy balance of emotional intimacy and independence. The hallmarks of secure attachment include: a positive sense of self-worth, the ability to communicate openly, effective emotion regulation, and comfort both with being depended upon and allowing oneself to depend on others.

​

In contrast, mis-attuned caregiving may cause a child to feel overlooked, alone, or frightened, leading to 'insecure attachment'. Mis-attunement can be nuanced, from a minor oversight of a child's need to a significant breach of trust in the form of abuse or neglect. Any of these experiences can cause a child to feel unsafe in the world, and over time, may lead to relational difficulties. Some hallmarks of insecure attachment are: difficulty trusting others, an intense fear of rejection or abandonment, and poor emotional regulation during relationship conflicts. Like invisible software running in the background of our lives, early attachment experiences form an emotional template that continues to impact how we perceive and interact with the world.

​

The good news is, insecure attachment is not a fixed state. We can develop greater attachment security at any age through new experiences with a trustworthy, reliable attachment figure. This is where Attachment Therapy comes in. Attachment Therapy is a counselling approach that promotes secure attachment by providing a reparative relationship in which to heal. I offer an attuned, caring presence that supports you to undo feelings of aloneness and build trust in a reliable other. This experiential process can help you recover from the emotional and relational conditioning of your early childhood and, ultimately, heal your attachment wounds.

 

If you are interested in starting Attachment Therapy in Vancouver, I invite you to reach out for a consultation.