Case Study Of Laura's Attachment Theory

I will be using Attachment Theory to discuss Laura’s issues regarding relationships with others. Attachment Theory explores how a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver can influence that individual’s sense of self as well as their relationship in later years. According to Bowlby, the developer of Attachment Theory, a key concept is a secure base (Coady & Lehmann, 2008). If a young child feels as if they have a secure base as a child, it means that they have established a relationship with their caregiver that promotes nurturing experiences so that child feels safe and confident enough to explore the world around them When this type of experience is not provided and a child has a unhealthy experience with a caregiver, the child develops

a negative internal model of themselves and the world around them (Coady & Lehmann, 2008). According to this theory, this is a root cause of psychological problems later in life (Coady & Lehmann, 2008). These psychological problems lead to the attachment issues being expressed through behavior. An adult who was not given a sense of emotional security as a child may look for someone as an adult to provide him or her a sense of security when under stress. The goal of the therapist is to create a healthy secure base with the patient so that they feel confident and support enough to explore their emotions (Coady & Lehmann, 2008).
I would apply the Attachment Theory model beginning with engagement of the client.

As a therapist, I would work with Laura, the client, to build a strong sense of trust so that she may feel secure enough to see me as a base “from which clients can explore painful aspects of their lives and find new ways to understand themselves and others” (Coady & Lehmann, 2008 pg. 161). After engaging with Laura, I would move to assessment and intervention. I would explore with Laura how here parent’s treatment of her led to her development of her own inner representation model and how that has effected her current relationships. I would encourage her to explore her emotions and to work through hard memories to allow herself to explore her feelings. In the final stage of termination, I would work with Laura to make sure she fully understands what the termination of the therapy relationship meant and explore and thoughts or feelings that either have or may

occur.
The key concepts of the Attachment Theory Model can be applied to Laura’s case in a multitude of ways. First, we would explore if Laura has a secure base growing up. Through that we would discover that her parents were cold and distant to her. She received no physical affection and was also meant to believe that she was a bad child. Rather then recognize her own needs and reactions to her parents; she would cope by trying to be extra good. As a result, Laura developed what would be classified as an avoidant attachment. Like most avoidant children, Laura never learned how to properly express her needs or emotion. Later in life this affected Laura in her personal relationships. She was unable to disclose her issues or troubles to friends or her romantic partner and the surmounted stress led to lost friendships and added pressure to her relationship.
The concept of inner representational model also applies to Laura’s relationship with her parents as the primary caregivers.

Secure children are able to understand themself when they are validated by their parent’s ability to recognize the child’s as its own person. This process of mentalization is key in development a self-identity and self-understanding. Growing up, Laura was taught that she was not important or worthy enough through the actions and lack of attention and loved shown to her by her parents. This has become part of her self-identity and shows itself now through her social identity. Laura reports not wanting to participate in social situations due to her fear of rejection by her peers. The fear is manifested in the thoughts that Laura is not interesting enough or worthy of people’s time. These ideas are formed when her parents did not provide her with the love and attention that she needed as a

child.
When parents mirror affect to children, they are able to calm and sooth them and through this, children learn to becoming “self regulating agents” by understanding and controlling their own emotions (pg. 160). If a child does not receive that from their parents, they have less control over their emotions and are less equipped to handle distress. This can also lead the individual to struggle to understand the emotions and feelings of other. The inability to read others can be seen in the example given above where Laura is mostly likely misjudging the level or interest or annoyance of others by her presence. This idea also comes into play with Laura’s coping of her social anxiety. If a child does not learn they are able to self regulate as a child, they are at risk for not being able to understand or control the emotions they have as an adult. This comes into play with Laura’s anxiety that she is currently experiencing. Laura recognizes the anxiety negatively impacts her in the work place as well as with making new friends. Yet while Laura realizes the negative impact of the anxiety she is unable to work through the anxiety. Her inability to self regulate her emotion stems from never learning to as a child.