Case Study Of Laura's Attachment Theory

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Recommended: Analyse the significance of attachment on children's development

I will be using Attachment Theory to discuss Laura’s issues regarding relationships with others. Attachment Theory explores how a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver can influence that individual’s sense of self as well as their relationship in later years. According to Bowlby, the developer of Attachment Theory, a key concept is a secure base (Coady & Lehmann, 2008). If a young child feels as if they have a secure base as a child, it means that they have established a relationship with their caregiver that promotes nurturing experiences so that child feels safe and confident enough to explore the world around them When this type of experience is not provided and a child has a unhealthy experience with a caregiver, the child develops …show more content…

As a therapist, I would work with Laura, the client, to build a strong sense of trust so that she may feel secure enough to see me as a base “from which clients can explore painful aspects of their lives and find new ways to understand themselves and others” (Coady & Lehmann, 2008 pg. 161). After engaging with Laura, I would move to assessment and intervention. I would explore with Laura how here parent’s treatment of her led to her development of her own inner representation model and how that has effected her current relationships. I would encourage her to explore her emotions and to work through hard memories to allow herself to explore her feelings. In the final stage of termination, I would work with Laura to make sure she fully understands what the termination of the therapy relationship meant and explore and thoughts or feelings that either have or may …show more content…

Secure children are able to understand themself when they are validated by their parent’s ability to recognize the child’s as its own person. This process of mentalization is key in development a self-identity and self-understanding. Growing up, Laura was taught that she was not important or worthy enough through the actions and lack of attention and loved shown to her by her parents. This has become part of her self-identity and shows itself now through her social identity. Laura reports not wanting to participate in social situations due to her fear of rejection by her peers. The fear is manifested in the thoughts that Laura is not interesting enough or worthy of people’s time. These ideas are formed when her parents did not provide her with the love and attention that she needed as a

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