Parent-child attachment refers to the emotional bond we develop with our primary caregivers, typically parents, during infancy and early childhood. The quality of this relationship forms the foundation for our understanding of love, trust, and safety throughout our lives.
Attachment theory provides the framework for explaining how early experiences with caregivers shape our patterns of relating to others in adulthood.
In therapy you can explore the root of your relationship problems and learn to develop stronger and more fulfilling connections with your partner, friends, and family members.
Whether you are seeking to strengthen existing relationships, navigate trust issues, or heal from past experiences, Attachment-Based Therapy provides a guide for your journey. You will learn tools to handle present and future relationships and build stronger connections with loved ones. Reach out today to learn more.
With attachment-based therapy, you can take small, manageable steps towards learning to trust again. It makes sense to be guarded if you have been let down in the past. Keeping your guard up is like a protective shield. Opening up and being vulnerable can feel terrifying.
It’s not that you don’t want connections; it’s that the fear of being disappointed is too intense and overwhelming.
It is possible to find the balance between opening up and protecting yourself from being hurt. Reach out today and schedule an appointment to learn more. Your first step towards making a change in your life begins with a call.
Attachment styles refers to the quality of the relationship between an individual and their primary caregiver. It is based on how caregivers responded to their child’s needs. The parent-child attachment shapes our ability to seek support and embrace life challenges with a sense of security.
By understanding your attachment style and addressing attachment-related issues, you can break free from unhealthy relationship patterns.
Why does it matter beyond childhood? Individuals with a secure attachment style often develop healthier and more stable relationships, are able to navigate stress, and exhibit greater emotional resilience.
It’s important to understand that attachment styles exist on a continuum. Attachment styles are not fixed and can be changed by new experiences and therapeutic interventions. It’s possible to grow and have fulfilling relationships. If the idea of developing meaningful connections with others resonates with you, reach out today and schedule an appointment.
Attachment therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to explore your difficulties, create solutions to problems, and develop strategies that will help you live a happier and fulfilling life. Through attachment therapy, you can learn to:
Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, identifies four main attachment styles formed during early childhood. These styles profoundly influence our behavior in relationships throughout life. These styles are:
Secure Attachment: Developed through consistent and responsive caregiving, leading to healthy, trusting relationships in adulthood, with a comfortable balance of intimacy and independence.
Avoidant Attachment: Formed when caregivers are emotionally distant, resulting in adults who value independence and often struggle with emotional closeness and vulnerability.
Anxious Attachment: Arises from inconsistent caregiver responsiveness, leading to adults who crave high levels of intimacy and approval, and may experience anxiety about rejection or abandonment in relationships.
Disorganized Attachment: Typically stems from a background of trauma or neglect, leading to adults with erratic relationship behaviors, difficulties in emotional regulation, and challenges in forming stable, trusting relationships.
Secure attachment style is characterized by a consistent and responsive caregiving environment, where the caregiver meets the child’s needs for comfort, security, and emotional connection.
In a securely attached relationship, the child develops a fundamental sense of trust and safety. They feel confident that their caregiver will respond to their needs during times of distress.
Children who experience consistent care internalize a sense of worthiness and feel valued within their relationships. Here are some characteristics and examples of secure attachment:
Avoidant attachment may develop when caregivers provide inconsistent responses to the child’s needs. That is, sometimes they may provide comfort, but at other times, they might be emotionally unavailable or dismissive. The child learns that expressing needs or seeking comfort does not always result in emotional support.
Individuals with avoidant attachment may prioritize independence and self-reliance, often downplaying the need for emotional support.
They may be uncomfortable with intimacy and prefer to maintain physical or emotional distance in close relationships. Further, they find it challenging to express vulnerability to others and avoid seeking emotional support or reassurance.
It’s important to note that the development of avoidant attachment is not solely determined by parenting styles. It can also be influenced by the child’s temperament and the broader social and environmental context. Here are some characteristics and examples of avoidant attachment:
Disorganized attachment often results from caregivers who are abusive, neglectful or frightening. The hallmark of disorganized attachment is the coexistence of a strong desire for closeness and an intense fear of intimacy. Children with disorganized attachment may exhibit erratic behavior, struggle with emotion regulation, and face challenges in forming stable relationships.
Therapeutic interventions, such as trauma-informed approaches, CBT therapy, and attachment-focused therapies, can help individuals with disorganized attachment patterns navigate and make changes to the way they relate to others. Here are some characteristics and examples of avoidant attachment:
An inconsistent caregiving environment contributes to insecure attachment styles. Similar to avoidant attachment, individuals with an anxious attachment style experienced caregivers who were unreliable. As a result of their early experiences, they may become overly dependent on relationships, need to seek constant reassurance, and worry excessively about rejection.
An individual with this attachment style may be clingy or demanding in relationships, which can push partners away. People with anxious attachment tend to be very worried about their relationships and fear rejection and/or abandonment.
Finally, they may want intimacy and closeness, but also fear it at the same time. Here are some characteristics and examples of anxious attachment:
In my practice, I combine Attachment Theory with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We explore how your early experiences shape your beliefs about yourself, others, and the world. This is done through guided conversations in our sessions.
The goal is to gain insight into the “why” of your emotional struggles, while at the same time, provide you with tools to learn “how to” address issues.
CBT and attachment therapy offer together a comprehensive framework for developing skills and emotional resilience.
Treatment is individualized and specifically tailored to your needs. We work together as a team. I will take your feedback into account and make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. I’m warm, friendly, and will make sure that you will feel comfortable in our session. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
To create a safe and nurturing space where you feel valued, accepted, and empowered.
Your story matters and your strengths are honored. In therapy, you can expect empathy, respect, trust, and collaboration.
An integrative fusion of CBT and other evidence-based therapeutic interventions including DBT, Attachment-Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Vanessa Gomes, PhD
New York Licensed Psychologist
Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician
