Monday, September 28, 2009

What Attachment Therapy looks like

Attachment therapy is different than other kinds of therapy for a couple of reasons. If someone has the title of Attachment Therapist they should have received special training in the field from a clinic, psychologist, or experienced attachment therapist. I feel they need to have done more than read a few books or attend some workshops. Here is how attachment therapy is done in our area.

The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska uses a team approach. The attachment therapist works on educating the family about attachment, provides them with strong emotional support and trains them in attachment parenting. He/she also works with the child on the cognitive (thinking) part of their RAD. They work on separating the birth mom from the current mom in the child's mom. They work on helping the child realize they really can love, trust and feel safe.
The EMDR therapist works with the child on the trauma they have suffered. This is a very loving, calming form of therapy that helps take the disturbing feelings out of the events of their past.

Both types of therapy are done with mom in the room, close by and are very loving in their approach. It is not the therapy of the past that was seen as confrontational and controversial.

We drove an hour and a half for over a year for Attachment Therapy. I credit this type of therapy for helping Taz and bringing him and us to the point where we are today. Eventually it may still help Bear even though he has not been back because it has given him an understanding of what has happened and what is holding him back.

To the right are some sites that might help you locate an attachment therapist in your area. It is worth the time and investment.

Have a healing day!

5 comments:

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

A good resource is the list of Registered Clinicians/Agencies at www.attach.org

Therapists and agencies on that list have met certain standards regarding proper post grad training, adherence to principles, such as the ATTACh White Paper on Coercion and their Professional Practice Manual and Therapeutic Parent Manual, and receive continuing education to ensure they keep current on the latest developments in assessment and treatment.

Brenda said...

I think the White Paper on Coercian is important for every parent read before seeking out treatment for their child.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

I also highly recommend the ATTACh Therapeutic Parent Manual. It has lots of very practical advice for parents that is grounded in attachment theory and the ATTACh White Paper, and this is very helpful.

Brenda said...

I have not read the ATTACH Therapeutic Manual. I need to read that one. It looks very worthwhile.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhD said...

I think you will find it a wonderful resource for parents.