A Clinical Model for the Comprehensive Treatment of Trauma Using an Affect

Experiencing-Attachment Theory Approach

By: Daniel R. Gaita, MA
Summary
Amazingly, this reading reiterates the substantial and long-term effects of
insecure attachments, both intergenerational and during our early life neurologic
development. Delving deeper into the consequences of parental neglect and abuse (in
its many forms) we are made aware of their impact on our ability, or lack thereof, to
transcend the dilemmas of various forms of trauma. Whether they are large acute
traumas such as September 11th, 2001 or the steady drip of fear, helplessness,
abandonment, shame and humiliation experienced during our early life.
What we now know, is that improper or dysfunctional attachment early in life
leads to a multiplier effect in the probability of our development of behavioral,
social, biologic and cognitive disorders, and tendency towards neuroticism such that
our conscious capability to digest trauma is retarded and maladaptive,
Conversely, successful early life attachment results in a healthy and sustained
ability to adapt to various traumas. Furthermore, that effective, and in many cases,
short term dynamic psychotherapeutic treatment can enable corrections of such
attachment deficits by reconnecting the conscious mind of the present to the
unconscious pain and emotions from the past.
Response
This was both, a fascinating and reinforcing view of attachment theory and
the intergenerational epigenetics of trauma and abuse. Coupled with a descriptive six
hour attachment-based psychotherapy tool which highlights the precise techniques

used to unlock the unconscious such that healing can begin through greater
understanding of self and how our feelings work to either entangle or untangle our
dilemmas through greater coping skills.
Reference
Neborsky, R. (2002). A clinical model for the comprehensive treatment of trauma using an
affect experiencing-attachment theory approach. In M. Solomon & D. Siegel (Eds.),
Healing trauma (pp. 282321). New York, NY: Guilford Press.