Complicated Grief and Attachment

Summary ~ Failure to develop a primary attachment relationship can be viewed as a loss (or something that was needed that was never achieved) ~ When examining the behaviors of adult or adolescent clients whose primary attachment was disrupted, the traumatic impact can be seen. ~ In order to help people reconcile the trauma it is essential to help them ~ Identify and grieve the losses ~ Review and remember realistically what happened (to combat inaccurate schema) ~ Review the assumptive world (if I just…then she will be love me) ~ Develop a new loving relationship with the self ~ Learn how to trust the self and others to form meaningful and supportive relationships