The focus of Attachment Based Therapy is to understand the connection between a person's early attachment during infantry, and their primary caregivers. This connection leads to how a person will develop, and if they're able to form healthy emotional and physical relationships later on in life as an adult. When a caregiver is neglectful or gives unreliable care, it creates a feeling of separation and trauma for the child that can eventually lead to attachment issues. With Attachment Based Therapy, your therapist will explore these early connections and aim to help the patient be able to build strong, supportive, and trusting relationships.(Psychology Today).
Having these types of relationships in your life greatly impacts both your mental and physical health, research suggests that healthy social relationships can lead to a longer life by lowering blood pressure, alleviating stress, and even contributing to faster healing time. When you're in a healthy relationship, it's also a great motivation for healthier behaviors such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, etc. You're more likely to commit to a healthier lifestyle when you have friends or loved ones who encourage you to do so.
Attachment-Based Therapy (aka: EFT, EFIT, EFFC) works by addressing the foundation of how an individual's relationship with their caregiver was formed, and for clients to overcome the negative effects of early attachment issues. This is done by rebuilding the bond through the relationship between the therapist and client so that the client can become more secure in how they build and maintain relationships. Attachment therapy can be used for individuals, couples, family, and group therapy. Oftentimes, a clinician may combine individual therapy with family or group therapy in order to work through foundational attachment issues that a client may have. Here at Transformative Growth Counseling, we have clinicians who specialize in treating Attachment Issues. ALL therapists, interns and coaches are well versed in Attachment, as this approach is a cornerstone here at TGC.
It's important to note that both adults and children can experience symptoms of an Attachment Issue, some common signs are :
We've gone over how Attachment Issues begin at a young age, between a child and primary caregiver(s). Here are some common reasons for why attachment disorders form :
Some of our most frequently asked questions about Attachment Disorders.
Attachment-based therapy focuses on understanding the connection between your early relationships — particularly with caregivers during childhood — and how those experiences shape the way you relate to others today. By exploring those early patterns in a safe and supportive space, your therapist helps you build healthier, more secure relationships going forward.
Both adults and children can benefit from attachment-based therapy. It’s especially helpful for people who struggle with emotional regulation, forming close relationships, trust issues, fear of abandonment, or patterns of self-destructive behavior. It’s also widely used in couples and family therapy. At TGC, attachment is a cornerstone of how all of our therapists work — so you’ll be in good hands regardless of where you’re starting from.
Common signs include difficulty regulating emotions, mood swings, intense anger or anxiety, trouble forming or maintaining close relationships, isolation, self-destructive behavior, impulsive behavior, and difficulty setting or respecting boundaries. These patterns often develop in childhood but can show up throughout adulthood in ways that affect your relationships and quality of life.
Absolutely — attachment issues can be treated at any age. While these patterns often begin in childhood, they don’t have to define you forever. Many adults find attachment-based therapy to be life-changing, especially when they’ve struggled with the same relationship patterns for years without understanding why.
Sessions are collaborative and supportive. Your therapist will work with you to explore your relationship history, identify emotional triggers, and develop new ways of connecting with yourself and others. Depending on your needs, this may be combined with other approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) or mindfulness-based practices. The pace is always guided by what feels right for you.
Both. Attachment-based therapy is highly effective for individuals, couples, and families. A clinician may combine individual sessions with family or group therapy depending on what’s most helpful for your situation. We’ll work with you to find the right structure.
Yes — we accept insurance for therapy services. Coverage depends on your individual plan, so the best first step is to give us a call at (630) 423-6010 or email us at Contact@transformativegrowth.org and we’ll run a benefits check for you before you get started.
There’s no fixed timeline — it depends on your goals, your history, and how you’re progressing. Some people experience meaningful shifts in a matter of months, while others benefit from longer-term work. Your therapist will work with you to build a plan that makes sense for where you are and where you want to go.
Give us a call at (630) 423-6010, email us at Contact@transformativegrowth.org, or reach out through our contact page. Our team will answer your questions, run a benefits check if needed, and get you matched with the right therapist — we’re here to make the first step as simple as possible.
