Attachment is a biological process. We all come into the world with the need to belong, to be understood and accepted. The quality of our early interactions with our primary caregivers will play a role in the way we will develop emotionally and will lead to the development of secure or insecure attachment styles. Rather than being a diagnosis, an insecure attachment style represents our survival strategy and our attempt at maintaining a connection with adults who might have been emotionally unavailable, neglecting, rejecting, or abusive. Our attachment style will influence how we will perceive ourselves, our sense of self and self-esteem, how we deal with emotions and emotional needs, the way we will form and build relationships, and how we will face and resolve conflict. It will function as a template for being in the world. Many of us will continue to carry unresolved attachment wounds that will restrict our functioning. Understanding how our earlier experiences play a role in our current relational struggles and allowing ourselves to explore the vulnerabilities of our inner child in the safe space of the therapeutic relationship can be the first step toward healing.
