Attachment: Its foundation and impact through the

lifespanAlison D. Peak LCSW

What is Attachment??

Attachment is the relationship that develops between an infant and a primary caregiver between the age of birth and 3

Attachment, once developed, becomes the infant’s primary understanding of the world and all adults

Types of Attachment

Secure-baseInsecure

◦Avoidant◦Ambivalent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH1m_ZMO7GUDisorganized

◦Approximately 85% of children from high risk/high poverty backgrounds have a disorganized attachment

◦Early histories of neglect/abuse/disruption of attachment

Disorganized Attachment

These children view themselves and intrinsically worthless

Their inner-working model causes them to want to “show you” just how awful they “know” they are

Due to fear and history of loss these children will often push away those that they want to be closest to

Other considerations

Attachment as a survival skillHow does fight/flight/freeze impact

attachmentAttachment style vs. temperament

Attachment through the lifespan

Avoidant◦Characterized as difficult to build relationships

with◦Refrain from showing emotion◦Often avoid situations that are known to cause

emotion◦Minimize

Ambivalent◦Need for increased comfort◦“Dramatic”◦Often seek affirmation from multiple people

Attachment through the lifespan

Disorganized attachment is most individualized by an inability to “organize” one’s self to express a need.◦May be erratic◦Difficulties following through◦Unable to articulate or maintain a goal for

therapy◦Difficulties with perspective taking/areas of

responsibility housed in the frontal cortex◦Personality disorder

Genetics vs. Attachment

Genetic predisposition vs. attachment style in relation to mental health diagnoses.

The impact of a parent with a diagnosis on the development of their child.

Epigenetic link between attachment and genetics.

Neurological Impact

The neglect/abuse/disruption of attachment in early life fosters a feeling that adults are unsafe and untrustworthy

Children become in need to control their surroundings and interactions to ensure survival

The brain becomes re-wired to anticipate negative reactions and disappointment

Attachment and brain functioning

Attachment and brain functioning

Interventions

Attachment difficulties have great room to be improved-throughout the lifespan!!!!

Angels in the nursery

Child-Parent Psychotherapy◦Preventative work when we know there is risk

Utilizing an attachment perspective with clients of all ages

Relational theory

Interventions

Becoming the external frontal cortex

Providing words to the experience

Social emotional vs. Chronological age

Modulating our own reactions and internal states

Self-care