Attachment and Developmental Concerns in Trauma Treatment

This chapter focuses on the provision of counseling treatment to address early life trauma. It begins with a case illustration that is interwoven into the subsequent conceptualization. Descriptions and research related to the function, typical clinical presentations, and impacts of various attachment styles are presented. A normative developmental trajectory is summarized, which includes an in-depth analysis of how a child’s relationship with others influences the growth process. This is followed by an exploration of the effects of early childhood trauma on a person’s psychological growth, including the formation of attachment wounds and their influence on subsequent psychological development. Furthermore, this chapter reviews current best practices associated with the assessment of past trauma and provides treatment-informed guidelines. Lastly, it includes a discussion of applicable cultural, legal, and ethical considerations that one must take into account when working with clients impacted by early trauma.