What is attachment theory?
ATTACHMENT THEORY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Integrate attachment theory principles into your practice––address patterns that can undermine connection and intimacy.
WHAT IS ATTACHMENT
THEORY?
Attachment theory, developed by therapist John Bowlby, seeks to provide the framework for how the attachment system develops, presents and connects––and disconnects––in our relationships.
Babies are born pre-programmed to form attachment to others to ensure survival. In human evolution, babies who remained close to their caregivers were more likely to grow into adulthood (and in turn reproduce).
When primary caregivers are available and respond to an infant’s needs and cues, the infant learns the caregiver is dependable, which allows the child to develop a sense of security that is the base for the child to then explore the world.
If we grow up with mostly responsive, pro-social and consistent caregivers, that tends to prime us for secure attachment.
If, as children, our needs are not met or we experience neglect, birth trauma, illness or disadvantageous socio-economic conditions, we likely developed attachment injuries or adaptations––less healthy patterns, emotions and behaviors that allowed us to survive and cope with less-than-ideal circumstances.
Why is it so important to learn about the attachment system?
Unfortunately, we had no say or control in whether our needs would be met or unmet. We simply responded or adapted to the experience instinctively. That means this adaptation or attachment style is the “original blueprint” for how we perceive, connect with and relate to others and the world around us––and it often informs our adult relationships unconsciously.
Our attachment system is rooted in an instinctual, evolutionary urge to connect to our caregivers, as it ensures our chances for survival.
Why is that important? Because it means that we are already biologically wired for secure attachment.
Our innate attachment system is highly adaptable, which means we can all learn new skills and tools to help us return to our dominant state of secure attachment, enabling us to experience authentic connection, safety and joy in our lives and relationships.
The Origins and Development of Attachment Theory
My work builds upon the foundations and lineage of John Bowlby, who defined the “attachment behavioral system” in the 1960s, during his research into the distress children experience when separated from their caregivers.
Mary Ainsworth’s work divided the attachment system into distinct styles: secure, insecure avoidant, insecure ambivalent. Main and Solomon later added the category of insecure disorganized.
Contemporary research shows that these early experiences in childhood create a “blueprint” for how we interact in adult relationships—and can affect our behaviors, expectations and perceptions, often unconsciously. Many of our “triggers” or reactions are rooted in this relational template
Attachment Theory and Hope for Healing
Current work in the attachment field, as well as revelations of modern neuroscience on brain plasticity, give us the exciting opportunity to shift destructive relationship patterns into constructive behaviors.
The good news is that no matter what our early caregiving situation or past relationships looked like, it’s possible to restore secure attachment, radically change the nature of our relationships and experience greater intimacy, wholeness and resilience.
- Tap into your potential for recovery and growth
- Get to the root of trauma and support permanent change
- Restore a sense of safety, trust and wholeness
- Build stronger relationships based on empathy & communication
- Grow resilience and discover greater joy and fulfillment
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EXPLORE ATTACHMENT STYLES
Attachment Issues in Relationships
OVERCOME TRAUMA. RESTORE CONNECTION.
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Recover Secure Attachment
Attachment tools help us see unhealthy behaviors in the context they were created—knowledge that gives us hope and sets us on a healing path toward healthier, more loving relationships.
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Grow More Resilient
Trauma or relational wounding can leave you struggling with a variety of challenging feelings and emotions. Despite our past, it’s possible to strengthen our innate ability to heal, reconnect and thrive!
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Repair & Reconnect
An attachment framework helps us see how early experiences shape current patterns and behaviors––insights that help us learn how to reconnect to ourselves, others and the world around us.
WAYS YOU CAN LEARN ATTACHMENT
Online Trauma & Attachment Training
Choose Your Path to Success
What if you could draw from attachment theory to promote healing and strengthen relationships?
HARDWIRED TO HEAL
The foundation for all of our training rests on Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s firm belief that we are all hardwired to heal. Our bodies and our brains store memories of early experiences, creating patterns that deeply affect our relationships and behaviors in adult life.
And when you can discover the source of those patterns––to get to the root of unresolved trauma––you can turn theoretical insights into practical help and healing to deepen intimacy and restore secure attachment.
Whether you’re ready to broaden your thinking and deepen your clinical toolbox or you’re simply curious how an understanding of attachment styles can support psychological, emotional and behavioral growth, there’s a training program right for you…
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See UPCOMING TRAINING
FIND SUPPORT IN A HEALING COMMUNITY
Trauma and attachment training for therapists & individuals
- Discover how (and why) attachment styles affect adult relationships.
- Strengthen and support secure attachment for yourself and others.
- Learn and practice new habits that overcome unhealthy insecure attachment patterns.
- Expand your clinical expertise with attachment and trauma-informed tools, strategies and interventions.
- Integrate a proven approach that helps you navigate even the most complex or challenging relationship dynamics.
WHY ATTACHMENT?
“I’ve been working as a Somatic Experiencing practitioner for a while now. I really like that work but needed an extra piece that complemented the somatic piece to help clients with attachment wounds and trauma. I had the training this past weekend and I’ve already started to use it with my clients! It’s been wonderful to see my clients have some movement and healing with their attachment issues.”
JULIELOREN ROTH MANWILLERWaynesville, NC
“I felt so safe in the learning environment that it allowed me to play with attachment theory and really develop my skills. I can’t say enough about the training. It really brought a new level of understanding about myself and how I interact with others, which was always kind of a mystery in the past.”
RICK C.Tucson, AZ
“I do believe that anyone can actually become a better person with this type of training. Understanding how we build relationships… how we work through them… and how we navigate them is quite important. Diane does a great job, not only outlining the adaptations, but showing us how to put the skills into practice––so that we not only understand each other, but are able to connect and make better communication a possibility.”
ERIKA FAETHCosta Rica
Free Attachment Styles Quiz
FIND OUT YOUR ATTACHMENT TYPE
Take this free quiz to discover your attachment style and better understand the roots of relationship issues.