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Attachment-based therapy
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Attachment-based therapy
Attachment-based therapy applies to interventions or approaches based on attachment theory, originated by John Bowlby. Therapeutic approaches include working with individuals, couples, families, social systems, public health programs, and interventions specifically designed for adoption and foster care. Attachment theory has become a major scientific theory of biopsychosocial development with one of the broadest, deepest research lines in modern psychology and has and continues to spawn approaches to improving human health.
Attachment is a complex concept which continues to evolve. There are at least five attachment theories and several attachment assessments. These are generally in the developmental psychology or the social psychology disciplines which can differ in their understanding of relational problems and terminology describing the attachment concept. It's helpful to know which theory a therapy relies on, what part of the theory the therapy is addressing, and if the therapy is modifying the underlying theory. Failure to be clear about that has, in the past, led to coercive and harmful therapies allegedly based on attachment. Some attachment therapies utilize attachment assessments and some don’t.
There may be a difference between the terms attachment based/focused/influenced/related, although it is likely hard to draw distinct lines. Because attachment describes a fundamental and universal human biopsychosocial system, most modern therapeutic models incorporate attachment to at least some degree. Not every such therapy can be identified in this article.
The definition of attachment varies by theory and within theory branches. Theories vary in the breadth of issues which are or can be identified. This relates in part to the amount and quality of assessment methods the theory relies on.
Broadly, attachment describes a human system to support survival, reproduction, and protection of progeny. It's not unlike the fight-flight-freeze system albeit more complex, involving a collection of neurobiological systems working to optimize survival in relationship contexts. The attachment behavioral system starts to develop at around 7 months, or at least becomes observable, develops into patterns in the first several years of life, and continues to be an active and patterned system throughout the lifespan. Patterns sometimes change throughout.
Attachment is thought to involve a mix of interacting factors including neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, emotion, affective and cognitive systems, memory systems, relationship experiences, and social and environmental factors. These all interact to influence responses by humans (and mammals and other animals) to danger across domains of emotions, behavior, thoughts, information processing, communication styles, the use of memory systems, and experience of trauma and loss. Attachment experiences can create biases in any of those domains.
Attachment theories describe the significance and effect of loss and trauma. Some theories describe attachment as a system relevant to understanding adult and romantic partner interactions. Some focus on a child or adult need for safety and the impact on defense mechanisms. Some on the need for protection from danger and need for comfort after exposure to danger and the impact on information processing and self-protective strategies.
Attachment and bonding share elements in common but they are distinguishable terms. Bonding-specific therapies are not necessarily identified in this article.
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Attachment-based therapy
Attachment-based therapy applies to interventions or approaches based on attachment theory, originated by John Bowlby. Therapeutic approaches include working with individuals, couples, families, social systems, public health programs, and interventions specifically designed for adoption and foster care. Attachment theory has become a major scientific theory of biopsychosocial development with one of the broadest, deepest research lines in modern psychology and has and continues to spawn approaches to improving human health.
Attachment is a complex concept which continues to evolve. There are at least five attachment theories and several attachment assessments. These are generally in the developmental psychology or the social psychology disciplines which can differ in their understanding of relational problems and terminology describing the attachment concept. It's helpful to know which theory a therapy relies on, what part of the theory the therapy is addressing, and if the therapy is modifying the underlying theory. Failure to be clear about that has, in the past, led to coercive and harmful therapies allegedly based on attachment. Some attachment therapies utilize attachment assessments and some don’t.
There may be a difference between the terms attachment based/focused/influenced/related, although it is likely hard to draw distinct lines. Because attachment describes a fundamental and universal human biopsychosocial system, most modern therapeutic models incorporate attachment to at least some degree. Not every such therapy can be identified in this article.
The definition of attachment varies by theory and within theory branches. Theories vary in the breadth of issues which are or can be identified. This relates in part to the amount and quality of assessment methods the theory relies on.
Broadly, attachment describes a human system to support survival, reproduction, and protection of progeny. It's not unlike the fight-flight-freeze system albeit more complex, involving a collection of neurobiological systems working to optimize survival in relationship contexts. The attachment behavioral system starts to develop at around 7 months, or at least becomes observable, develops into patterns in the first several years of life, and continues to be an active and patterned system throughout the lifespan. Patterns sometimes change throughout.
Attachment is thought to involve a mix of interacting factors including neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, emotion, affective and cognitive systems, memory systems, relationship experiences, and social and environmental factors. These all interact to influence responses by humans (and mammals and other animals) to danger across domains of emotions, behavior, thoughts, information processing, communication styles, the use of memory systems, and experience of trauma and loss. Attachment experiences can create biases in any of those domains.
Attachment theories describe the significance and effect of loss and trauma. Some theories describe attachment as a system relevant to understanding adult and romantic partner interactions. Some focus on a child or adult need for safety and the impact on defense mechanisms. Some on the need for protection from danger and need for comfort after exposure to danger and the impact on information processing and self-protective strategies.
Attachment and bonding share elements in common but they are distinguishable terms. Bonding-specific therapies are not necessarily identified in this article.