Healing Attachment Trauma Through Attachment-Focused EMDR
The experience of attachment in our relationships serves as a foundation in our emotional lives. From the moment we enter this world, we seek connection, a primal urge woven into the very fabric of our existence. Attachment, rooted in our earliest experiences with our primary caregivers, shapes our perceptions of ourselves and others, our relationships, and our overall well-being. However, when this delicate bond is disrupted or marred by trauma, its profound impact can reverberate throughout our lives, often manifesting in various forms of psychological distress.
Why Healing Attachment is Important
Attachment trauma stems from experiences of neglect, abuse, or inconsistent caregiving during infancy and childhood, and impacts us as adults. Its effects can linger, shaping our beliefs about ourselves and others, and influencing how we navigate relationships and the world around us. Our Attachment Focus EMDR therapists are trained in recognizing the intricate interplay between attachment and trauma which is essential in understanding and addressing the deep-seated wounds that accompany such experiences.
The 4 Attachment Styles
There are four primary attachment styles that an individual may have: Secure, Anxious-Preoccupied, Dismissive-Avoidant, and Fearful-Avoidant.
Secure Attachment can look like:
Comfortable with intimacy and autonomy
Able to communicate needs and boundaries effectively
Responsive to the needs of others without sacrificing personal well-being
Maintains a positive view of oneself and others
Recovers quickly from relational setbacks or conflicts
Anxious-Preoccupied Attachment can look like:
Craves intimacy and validation from others
Fears of abandonment or rejection
Tends to be overly sensitive to relational cues or changes in behavior
Struggles with self-esteem and self-worth
May engage in behaviors to elicit attention or reassurance from partners
Dismissive-avoidant attachment can look like:
Values of independence and self-reliance
Avoids emotional intimacy or vulnerability
Dismisses the importance of relationships or downplays their significance
Struggles with acknowledging or expressing emotions
May withdraw or become defensive in response to relational closeness
Fearful-avoidant attachment can look like:
Experiences intense ambivalence toward relationships
Alternates between seeking closeness and withdrawing from intimacy
May exhibit unpredictable or volatile behavior in relationships
Struggles with trust and vulnerability
Often has a history of trauma or unstable caregiving experiences
How EMDR Can Help Heal Attachment Wounds and Trauma
EMDR, (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) originally developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, has proven to be effective in treating trauma, and has now evolved over time to include attachment-focused adaptations, emerging as a powerful tool in healing attachment trauma.
Unlike traditional EMDR, which primarily focuses on targeting specific traumatic memories, attachment-focused EMDR expands its scope to encompass the broader relational context within which these traumas occurred. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to explore how early attachment dynamics continue to influence their present-day relationships and functioning, fostering insight and understanding.
A strong therapeutic alliance with your therapist, characterized by trust, empathy, and attunement, is also key to this kind of therapy. Your attachment-focused EMDR therapist will encourage you to explore your attachment experiences, express vulnerable emotions, and challenge maladaptive beliefs and patterns of relating. Through the combination of this therapeutic relationship and the use of EMDR to process past events, individuals can experience corrective emotional experiences that facilitate healing and the cultivation of more secure attachment bonds.
Benefits of Attachment-Focused EMDR Therapy
Attachment-focused EMDR includes adaptions that allow for reprocessing the day-to-day injuries to an attachment that can occur for people raised by emotionally immature parents. Once these clusters of experiences are reprocessed the nervous system can regulate and the mind quiet. This enhancement of emotional regulation allows individuals to engage more fully in the therapeutic process and then experience greater empowerment and agency in their lives.
EMDR helps your nervous system and mind understand that what happened in the past can stay there and that relationships in the present can be and feel better than what you experienced when you were young.
Through the bilateral stimulation characteristic of EMDR, which typically involves guided eye movements, tactile sensations, or auditory cues, individuals are guided to access and process distressing memories, emotions, and beliefs associated with attachment trauma. This process enables them to reprocess these experiences in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, facilitating adaptive resolution and integration.
Research has shown promising results regarding the efficacy of attachment-focused EMDR in treating attachment trauma and related symptoms. Studies indicate reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with improvements in overall functioning and quality of life. Furthermore, clients often report enhanced self-awareness, increased capacity for intimacy, and a greater sense of security within themselves and their relationships.
Work with an Attachment-Focused EMDR Therapist
Attachment-focused EMDR offers a nuanced and integrative approach to healing attachment trauma and fostering relational resilience. Book a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles Attachment-Focused EMDR therapists today to learn if this approach to therapy may be right for you.
At Highland Park Holistic Therapy, our holistic Los Angeles therapists, our holistic therapists consider the whole person—mind, body, and soul—as we support individuals who are healing attachment wounds.
Interested in learning more about our therapists and the next steps? Contact our Care Coordinator today to get started!
Start Attachment-Focused EMDR in Los Angeles, CA
At Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy in Los Angeles, we have a wonderful team of therapists who offer EMDR therapy. We provide support in learning coping strategies to help HSPs navigate a highly sensitive world. Follow these simple steps to help get started:
Contact us for a free consultation
Meet with one of our skilled EMDR therapists
Begin to understand and heal attachment wounds
Other Services Offered with Highland Park Therapy
Our team of holistic LA therapists is here to support you on your healing journey. We provide a wide range of mental health services in addition to EMDR therapy. We are happy to offer online therapy statewide in California and in person at our Los Angeles, CA office. Other services offered include depression treatment, teen therapy, grief counseling, eating disorders, stress management therapy, and LGBTQ+ therapy. We also offer couples therapy, HSP counseling, and trauma therapy. You can also read more by visiting our blog, FAQ, about us, or groups page.