Attachment focused therapy provided at the Center follows the Dyadic
Developmental Psychotherapy, Attachment, Self Regulation and
Competency (ARC) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment models, uses components of Family Attachment Narrative
Therapy and Theraplay and follows these ATTACh standards.
2. Attachment therapy focuses on trust, empathy, reciprocal behaviors, attunement, touch, communication, physical and emotional closeness and humor and playfulness between the parent/s and child.
3. Attachment therapy involves the family and parent participation is essential to the success of treatment.
4. A comprehensive evaluation on the child, parent and the parent/child relationship is completed in order to have an appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
5. The therapist’s role is to assists the parents in developing parenting strategies and philosophies which support the development of healthy attachments and to serve as a consultant to the parents on issues and interventions, including but not limited to
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Supporting the parents’ authority and need to maintain control over the
family environment while assisting the child to feel safe enough to
relinquish his/her compulsive need to be in control .
Increasing the child’s readiness to rely on the parent for safety, help,
comforting, nurturing.
Encouraging a positive, supportive, family atmosphere.
Increasing reciprocal, positive interactions between parent and child.
Helping the child make choices that are in his own best interest, and in the
best interest of his family, and to accept the consequences of those
choices.
Treatment involves two or more sessions weekly that focus on addressing the core issues that cause unhealthy behaviors, thoughts and moods in the individuals and within the relationship. One session is with the child and parent and the second session is with the parent. Free resources are provided to parents involved in attachment therapy including a parenting e-book, videos, email and phone support, handouts and more.
Over 772,000 children experienced neglect and/or physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse each year with children 4 and younger being at the highest risk. More than 80% of maltreatment is committed by a parent.