Development of children and youth is dependent upon and highly influenced by the nature of the parent-child relationship. Such a relationship, especially with regard to the child's attachment security and emotional development, requires ongoing, dyadic (reciprocal) experiences between parent and child.
~Daniel Hughes, Phd
Attachment and Adoption
The central theme of attachment theory is that caregivers who are available and responsive to their infant's needs establish a sense of security between them called attunement. If an infant knows that a caregiver is dependable, this creates a secure base for the child to explore the world, and a safe place to return to when the world feels unsafe. With secure attachment, the caregiver is attuned to the child's experience, helps makes sense of experiences, and communicates them back to the child. When a child’s early attachment history consists of abuse, neglect, and or multiple placements, normal development is impacted.
Adoption, even when entered into with heartfelt love, can impact attachment and there can be a felt sense of loss for the adopted child. Identity can be questioned, mastery and control impacted, and there can be a vague sense of something being wrong, even in very loving families. Adoption not only affects the adopted person but also birth parents, adoptive parents, and birth and adoptive siblings, called the adoption constellation.
My approach to treating Attachment and Adoption Wounds
My approach to treating attachment and adoption wounds is influenced by Daniel Hughes, PhD, creator of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy model. I work with parents and children to create attunement between the child and caregiver and a felt sense of safety. Without such actual and perceived safety, the child's neurological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning is compromised. Following Hughes’ lead I help caregivers use playfulness, love, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy, to help children regulate their emotions. In my psychotherapy practice, any or all members of the adoption constellation are treated with thoughtful interventions to help repair attachment and adoption wounds.
To find out more about my approach to helping you heal from attachment or adoption wounds call me, Sharon Riley, MFT at 831.320.2397
~Daniel Hughes, Phd
Attachment and Adoption
The central theme of attachment theory is that caregivers who are available and responsive to their infant's needs establish a sense of security between them called attunement. If an infant knows that a caregiver is dependable, this creates a secure base for the child to explore the world, and a safe place to return to when the world feels unsafe. With secure attachment, the caregiver is attuned to the child's experience, helps makes sense of experiences, and communicates them back to the child. When a child’s early attachment history consists of abuse, neglect, and or multiple placements, normal development is impacted.
Adoption, even when entered into with heartfelt love, can impact attachment and there can be a felt sense of loss for the adopted child. Identity can be questioned, mastery and control impacted, and there can be a vague sense of something being wrong, even in very loving families. Adoption not only affects the adopted person but also birth parents, adoptive parents, and birth and adoptive siblings, called the adoption constellation.
My approach to treating Attachment and Adoption Wounds
My approach to treating attachment and adoption wounds is influenced by Daniel Hughes, PhD, creator of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy model. I work with parents and children to create attunement between the child and caregiver and a felt sense of safety. Without such actual and perceived safety, the child's neurological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning is compromised. Following Hughes’ lead I help caregivers use playfulness, love, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy, to help children regulate their emotions. In my psychotherapy practice, any or all members of the adoption constellation are treated with thoughtful interventions to help repair attachment and adoption wounds.
To find out more about my approach to helping you heal from attachment or adoption wounds call me, Sharon Riley, MFT at 831.320.2397
