attachment and bonding center of ohio
gregory c. keck phd
Treatment
.
The Evolution of Attachment Therapy
By Dianne Allred and Gregory C. Keck, Ph. D.
We've
been hearing some confusion being expressed by folks across the country
regarding attachment work, specific techniques, and "who" does
"what."
There are many attachment therapists and attachment programs in Colorado,
and a growing number around the country. Each practitioner has his/her
own philosophies and methods, which may or may not be similar to others
who are also doing attachment work.
For example, there seems to be a fair amount of confusion and misinformation
about a therapeutic technique called "holding therapy." Over
the years, therapists have developed their own versions of this technique
(which often don't even resemble the original holding therapy), but most
of them call it by the same name. Television programs which have depicted
particular methods of certain therapists, have misled the public into
believing that everything called holding therapy looks the same, and is
practiced in the same way - by every therapist - for every child.
Many people have also been misinformed by well meaning child activists
who have either never actually seen our work, or have seen small clips
of old tapes taken completely out of context. They have mistakenly generalized
all attachment therapies and therapists. As a result of these overzealous
attempts to protect (and the passing on of outdated or incorrect information),
some children and families may not get the help they need.
Like any other field of work, attachment therapy has evolved with time.
Techniques that worked with children 25 (or even 5) years ago have evolved
into different techniques that have been developed to help children today.
Methods that will be used 5 or 10 years from now might look entirely different
as well.
Constant research, study and self-evaluation is necessary to be able to
find the best ways of reaching each child's heart. At Institute for Attachment
and Child Development, and at The Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio,
a thorough assessment is done of each child and family. Therapeutic and
parenting techniques are designed around the needs of that family. These
may include; reparenting, inner child work, cognitive restructuring, psychodrama,
holding therapy, EMDR, sensory integration work, auditory reprocessing,
offender treatment, therapeutic foster parenting, and/or a number of other
methods that can be accessed to facilitate healing.
All work is done in a safe, nurturing manner and environment, by highly
skilled professionals.
When holding therapy is used, the therapists cradle the child in their
arms, much the same way you would hold a small infant.
All of the key components of bonding are present: eye contact, smiles,
touch, movement, voice. This facilitates "connection," physically,
verbally, visually and emotionally. It recreates the feeling of security
that a baby experiences with a nurturing, consistent caretaker.
It also initiates the reprocessing of the infant bonding cycle, which
was interrupted for children with attachment disorder. It allows the child
to safely release, and receive help to resolve, the emotional trauma which
has prevented them from developing trust and love and the ability to experience
joy in their lives.
Some people have referred to holding therapy as "rage reduction"
therapy. This has been a source of much misinformation, as well. We think
it is a limited description of what is accomplished during the therapeutic
process. While reducing rage that a child may be feeling is a desirable
and necessary outcome, not all children who have attachment issues operate
out of a rage state. For those who do, the releasing process helps to
clear away the rubble so they can begin to experience other feelings.
Emotions that they often attempt to ignore - sadness, hurt and fear -
can surface within a safe context, with safe people.
The majority of the process is spent using a variety of other interventions
and strategies to facilitate healing of core issues of abandonment, grief
and loss. to opening their hearts to trust and love, developing reciprocal
relationships and responsible behavior.
Institute for Attachment and Child Development, Inc. has been involved
in Attachment Therapy since 1972. Next year will be ACE's 25th anniversary
of helping children and families. The mission of the center is "...a
commitment to transforming the lives of children with attachment disorder
and their families, and promoting healthy parent/child attachments."
The
Institute published book, "Give Them Roots, Then Let Them Fly,"
is available by calling the office of Institute for Attachment and Child
Development.
The Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio has been doing Attachment Therapy
since 1990. It has an adoption sensitive focus, and strives to support
the adoptive family. Maintaining adoptive families is a clear focus, as
children who grow up in institutional or other non-permanent situations
are consistently over-represented in both the penal system and the homeless
population. ABC of Ohio also provides training and educational services
to a wide array of parents and professional groups in an effort to familiarize
people with the unique difficulties associated with children/adolescents
experiencing attachment difficulties.
Dr. Greg Keck and Regina Kupecky, LSW, have published two books, "Adopting
the Hurt Child," and "Parenting the Hurt Child" both available
through bookstores as well as through their office. Anyone with questions
about the programs or therapeutic techniques is invited to call Institute
for Attachment and Child Development at (303) 674-1910, or The Attachment
and Bonding Center of Ohio at (216) 230-1960.
ABC of Ohio's work is in
compliance with the recommendations of the Report of the APSAC Task
Force on Attachment Therapy, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Attachment
Problems.
Adopting the
Hurt Child
Parenting the
Hurt Child
Gregory Keck
Regina M. Kupecky
Click covers
for details
Gregory Keck, PhD
Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
Cleveland
Office 440-230-1960
12608 State Road
Suite 1
Cleveland, Ohio 44133
Columbus
Office 614-850-9800
3966
Brown Park Drive
Suite H
Columbus, OH 43026
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