Attachment-Based Therapy in Edmonton, St. Albert and Leduc
What Is Attachment Therapy?
Attachment therapy is based on Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory (external link with more information on attachment theory and attachment styles. Basically we develop attachment styles based on our interactions with primary caregiver(s) in infancy. These attachment styles continue into childhood and can define how we interact in relationships as adults. The goal in attachment therapy is to support positive and secure attachment to an adult or “caregiver”. Attachment therapy is beneficial for parents, children and adults as it provides psychoeducation to parents to support attachment with their children, or can allow a space for children, teens and adults to experience a positive, supportive relationship that can provide corrective and reparative experiences to challenge unhelpful attachment styles and develop a secure attachment style. Whether working with kids or adults, attachment work is crucial in developing safety within ourselves in order for us to maintain healthy and fulfilling relationships.
As kids attachment can be affected by conflict in home, parental separation, high conflict divorce, parents who don’t know or understand that their actions where harmful (remember – we are all doing the best we can with the information we have right now).
As adults, maybe you’re starting to see a pattern in the types of people you date, or a pattern in how you feel in your relationships. Do you keep dating people that are sooooo into you then poof… ghosted? Are you that person who thinks this is THE one, then …. you run? One minute your end game and the next all feelings are just… gone? Do you text a new partner who doesn’t respond right away and by the time they get back to you several hours later saying they were busy and missed you, you’ve already assumed they hate you and will never speak to you again and have had a full spiral panic attack about it? These are reactions that can be attributed to your attachment style. Okay so maybe this paragraph is hitting a little too close to home for some, but no worries, we are here to help. Step 1 – we figure out your attachment style Step 2- we explore what childhood experiences may have helped shape that attachment style Step 3 – Challenge, support, correct, repair. Just like that! (After several months of hard work both inside and outside the therapy office. None of this is easy, but it’s worth it).
What Can Attachment Therapy Help With?
Developing meaningful relationships
Parental support in creating secure attachments with their children
Create a safe space to experience emotions and vulnerability
Work through anxiety and fear of people leaving us/abandonment
Work through cycle of leaving a relationship early due to fear
Break the cycle of unhealthy dating/relationships
Support children develop safe and healthy attachments
Trauma
Processing adverse childhood experiences
Summit Counselling Therapists Who Utilize attachment-based therapy:
Virtual Registered Psychologist
Edmonton and St.Albert Registered Provisional Psychologist
Edmonton and St.Albert Registered Provisional Psychologist
St.Albert Registered Provisional Psychologist
St.Albert Registered Provisional Psychologist
Edmonton Registered Psychologist
To learn more about our team members, click here.
To book online with one of our therapists, click on the image above.
Summit Counselling Services is a counselling clinic located in Central Edmonton, Leduc and St. Albert. We provide clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families. We have a talented team of Edmonton psychologists, therapists and counsellors with a wide range of specializations and trainings at Summit Counselling Services who would be honoured to walk beside you on your journey. At Summit, we believe in therapy your way. Our goal is to customize your psychotherapy and counselling sessions to best suit your needs. We believe in the differences and unique perspectives each person brings to therapy and incorporate these into our work with you.