Attachment-Based Therapy - Lotus Recovery Services

Attachment-Based Therapy in Thousand Oaks: Building Bonds, Healing Hearts.

Attachment-based therapy is a therapeutic approach rooted in attachment theory, which was initially developed by John Bowlby and further expanded by Mary Ainsworth. This therapy focuses on the importance of secure attachment bonds in the development of healthy emotional and relational functioning. It is used to address a range of mental health issues, particularly those that stem from early attachment disruptions or trauma.

Here at Lotus Recovery, many of the clients we work with discover that they have unhealthy attachments due to trauma in their early life. These unhealthy attachments often don’t become noticeable until adulthood when the person has trouble forming healthy relationships with friends, family, coworkers or significant others. As a result, they may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope.

Without intervention, it’s difficult to recover from unhealthy attachments. You will likely keep repeating the same misjudgments and end up in the same harmful relationships. Fortunately, various therapies, including attachment-based therapy, can help you work through past issues and develop a healthier approach toward relationships going forward.

What are the Key Concepts of Attachment-Based Therapy?

Attachment-based therapy is rooted in the attachment theory, which suggests that humans are born with a need to form a close emotional bond with a caregiver. Therefore, the emotional bonds we form with our caregivers can influence interpersonal relationships in later life.

Secure attachments are healthy attachment bonds where an individual feels safe, understood and supported.
Insecure attachments are unhealthy attachment bonds where individuals may feel anxious, avoidant or disorganized in their relationships due to inconsistent or inadequate caregiving.

There are four main types of attachment styles. Secure attachment is characterized by trust and a sense of security in relationships. Anxious attachment is marked by worry about being abandoned or unloved. Avoidant attachment involves difficulty in trusting others and a tendency to maintain emotional distance. Finally, disorganized attachment exhibits a lack of coherent strategy in relationships, often due to trauma or inconsistent caregiving.

Goals of Attachment-Based Therapy

If you experienced trauma, abuse or neglect in your childhood and are now having difficulties in your interpersonal relationships, you can likely benefit from attachment-based therapy. The benefits to this type of therapy include:

Fostering secure attachments to develop or restore secure attachment patterns
Improving relationships by enhancing their quality and stability
Healing attachment wounds resulting from early attachment disruptions
Strengthening emotional regulation so that you can manage and express emotions healthily

Techniques Used in Attachment-Based Therapy

There are specific techniques used in attachment-based therapy. These include:

Building a safe therapeutic relationship

The goal is to create a safe and trusting therapeutic environment where you feel secure and supported. You will also receive consistent emotional support to foster a secure attachment with the therapist.

Corrective emotional experiences

It’s important to go through new experiences that challenge and change maladaptive attachment patterns. This will help you approach new relationships with more confidence and trust. After all, there are good people in the world who truly love and care for you.

Exploring early attachment experiences

It’s important to examine your early life experiences and their impact on current attachment patterns. For example, you may work on better understanding your family relationships and their influence on your attachment behaviors.

Strengthening interpersonal skills

You will also learn effective communication strategies to improve relational interactions. Conflict is normal in every relationship, but by developing the right skills, you can resolve it in a healthy and constructive manner.

Emotion-focused techniques

Attachment-based therapy helps you recognize and understand your emotions. You will also be encouraged to express your emotions in a safe and non-judgmental space. When you have healthy ways to cope, you don’t have to push your feelings away.

Benefits of Attachment-Based Therapy

Attachment-based therapy is effective for individuals struggling in their current relationships due to attachment wounds. This therapy addresses the root causes of emotional and relationship difficulties, fosters healthier and more secure relationships and makes it easier to manage and express emotions effectively. While attachment-based therapy is often used to improve relationship dynamics, it can also be used to heal from the effects of trauma and abuse, address underlying attachment issues contributing to anxiety and depression and build stronger families.

How Attachment-Based Therapy Works

When you start attachment-based therapy, your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your attachment history and current relational patterns. What was your childhood like? What types of issues are you experiencing in your current relationships? Next, they will help you set goals for therapy based on your need and desired outcomes. Do you want to be more confident in your relationships? More present? Less reactive?

All therapy sessions are done in a safe and supportive setting. As you learn about your attachment styles and how to reinforce new attachment behaviors, your therapist will provide ongoing support and adjustments to your recovery plan. By applying the right skills, you will improve your relationships and build healthier attachments. Most importantly, having strong, dependable relationships with others reduces the risk for mental health and substance use disorders.

Secure Attachments, Stronger Relationships

Attachment-based therapy offers a powerful approach to understanding and improving emotional and relational health. By focusing on the importance of secure attachments, this therapy helps individuals heal from past attachment disruptions, develop healthier relationships and enhance their overall well-being. If you or a loved one is struggling with attachment-related issues, consider exploring attachment-based therapy as a potential path to healing and growth. Contact Lotus Recovery to learn more about our innovative therapies.