Unhealthy or toxic intimate relationships can aggravate depression, anxiety, and heightened our stress levels. Whereas research shows healthy interpersonal relationships can improve our mental health. So, why do we struggle to soothe or centre ourself when we need to separate from our toddler for the first time or let go of a toxic relationship and finally let go of that ex-boyfriend or girlfriend?

Perhaps, attachment theory (originated from John Bowlby, 1958, under the evolutionary perscpetive that infants form early emotional bonds with their caregivers and need to in order to survive and adapt).

After hearing from numerous young adult clients about their relationship difficulties and googling insecure attachment styles and thinking this explained the dynamic going on, I knew that I needed to understand this dynamic better. 

So, in 2021, I completed my first clinical level Attachment-Based training, through SickKids Hospital in Toronto, with Annette Kussin (trained in John Bowlby Attachment Founder Model who worked Mary Ainsworth, alongside Mary Main). Then, I completed an intensive Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) Course informed by UC Berkley’s Attachment Centre facilitated by Howard and Miriam Steele, PhD (Centre for Attachment Research in New York City). Currently, I am undergoing rigorous reliability testing through submissions to UC Berkley to be officially certificated to administer your Adult Attachment Interview.

I have started a wait list and am accepting bookings for your personalized adult attachment interview with two follow up sessions to discuss results. This specific interview will help you identify your intergenerational attachment pattern (secure vs. insecure (anxious/preoccupied, dismissive, unresolved trauma). This is the gateway to pinpointing what interpersonal relationship difficulties may be occurring between you and your parents, you and your imagined or real children, and further exploration for connections in romantic relationships with self reporting measures.

The good news of course is that just because you suspect you have an insecure attachment based on what type of love was modelled to you as a child, you do have the opportunity to develop an “earned” secure attachment.” Subscribe to my email newsletter to learn more about attachment.