The Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style
So far in this series of articles we have covered an Introduction to Attachment Styles and the Preoccupied Attachment Style and Dismissive Attachment Style. Taking the time to read these articles before continuing into the current topic may be helpful as they help to lay a foundation of attachment styles and how these styles play a role in romantic relationships. As a brief refresher, attachment refers to the unique bond that is formed in infancy with a primary caregiver and has been expanded to also include and reflect how we attach romantically as adults. Our attachment style is influenced by our thoughts of self and our thoughts of others. The fearful-avoidant attachment style is characterized by a negative view of self and a negative view of others. In some ways, this fearful attachment style resembles the dismissive attachment style, as they both result in the person being avoidant of attachments. Understanding this attachment style can be difficult. Related Posts:
Psychotherapy Brown Bag: Weblogs
I don't normally post twice in a single day, but I wanted to post links to a few mental health resources that have recently caught my attention and our standard daily articles don't really afford me an opportunity to do so. Jonathan Kaplan's blog on mindfulness is one of our favorites. In addition to general information on mindfulness, the blog provides insightful thoughts on how to be mindful amidst the chaos of urban living. Kaplan was recently named the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) featured therapist. I am actually mildly conflicted in posting this one. This site is a message board for graduate students in Ph.D. or Psy.D psychology programs or individuals considering applying to such programs. We have referenced this site numerous times on PBB. This blog provides information on bipolar spectrum disorders from a first person perspective. A new favorite of mine, the Dare to Dream blog features articles on research in clinical psychology.
Attachment to God, Part 3: Attachment Styles and God
From our last post it appears that relationship with God may be fruitfully explored using attachment theory. However, to do so, we need to explore the literature on what are known as attachment styles. The attachment bond does not simply vary in intensity, going from a strong attachment to a weak attachment. Rather, one of the discoveries of attachment theory is that attachment is a multidimensional construct, a mix of features which combine to create a unique attachment experience, the attachment style. Attachment styles were initially investigated in the laboratory of Mary Ainsworth. Is there any way to make these sense of these differences? These models were cognitive and emotional representations of Self and Other. If you think through the attachment styles and their associated working models the mapping makes good sense: You're Securely attached if you have a healthy view of both yourself and your attachment figure. You're Fearful in your attachment if you think everyone is trashy.
Seeking Safety
Soci?t? Fran?aise de Psychologie
Numbing the Pain: The Link Between Trauma,Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,and Substance Abuse
“The more I drink, the more I won’t feel anything. The pain is so bad you just want to die. There is no other way out. If you talk about it, it will hurt too much. So instead, keep it a secret. No one will know.” — A client 1 This client lives a terrible but common truth: many survivors of trauma use drugs or alcohol to cope with their pain. After experiencing a trauma, many people heal naturally over time. Assessment Assessment of PTSD and SUD presents notable challenges. Routinely assess for trauma, PTSD, and substance abuse. If a client shows up high or inebriated, delay the assessment. Provide a supportive yet direct style to help clients feel safe in revealing both their PTSD and SUD. Ask only minimal information to assess trauma. Consider a self-report trauma checklist, which may be less upsetting for the client than an interview and is also less time-intensive. Give clients feedback about the assessment if they are interested (e.g., the PTSD and/or SUD diagnosis). Counseling models2
Teaching Tools for Mindfulness Training Site Map
think of now | “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” -Thich Nhat Hanh
Parenting Gay Teens: Deciphering the Coming Out Process
The coming out process for a GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) adolescent can be a challenging moment for not only the teenager, but also their family and friends. It is a time of high emotions that can run the gamut from confusion, shock, disbelief, rejection, and anger, to acceptance, calmness, understanding, and concern. It is important at this potentially fragile time for parents and teens to be kind to each other and create room for this new information and identity to be processed. Adolescence is a time when feelings and thoughts of sexuality become intense and confusing. For many gay teens, feeling different from their friends creates a pressure to fit in and keep their sexual orientation secret. The process of coming out usually starts with the sharing of feelings with a close friend or family member. With all of these questions and others filling a gay teen’s thoughts, it may be challenging to come out in a well thought out and structured manner.
