attachment and bonding center of ohio
gregory c. keck phd
Books and Articles -- Table of Contents
Girdles, Laxatives, and Respite
Affirming the Hurt Adoptee's Reality
The Evolution of Attachment Therapy
**NOW AVAILABLE**
Families in Australia who are interested in ordering books by Gregory C. Keck, Ph. D. & Regina M. Kupecky, LSW can do so by contacting: Adoptions International of Western Australia. You may visit their Website at: www.multiline.com.au/~aiwa or contact them via email at: aiwa@multiline.com.au
The Evolution of Attachment Therapy
By Dianne Allred and Gregory C. Keck, Ph. D.
We've been hearing some confusion being expressed by folks across the country regarding
attachment work, specific techniques, and "who" does "what."
There are many attachment therapists and attachment programs in Colorado, and a growing
number around the country. Each practitioner has his/her own philosophies and methods,
which may or may not be similar to others who are also doing attachment work.
For example, there seems to be a fair amount of confusion and misinformation about a
therapeutic technique called "holding therapy." Over the years, therapists have
developed their own versions of this technique (which often don't even resemble the
original holding therapy), but most of them call it by the same name. Television programs
which have depicted particular methods of certain therapists, have misled the public into
believing that everything called holding therapy looks the same, and is practiced in the
same way - by every therapist - for every child.
Many people have also been misinformed by well meaning child activists who have either
never actually seen our work, or have seen small clips of old tapes taken completely out
of context. They have mistakenly generalized all attachment therapies and therapists. As a
result of these overzealous attempts to protect (and the passing on of outdated or
incorrect information), some children and families may not get the help they need.
Like any other field of work, attachment therapy has evolved with time. Techniques that
worked with children 25 (or even 5) years ago have evolved into different techniques that
have been developed to help children today. Methods that will be used 5 or 10 years from
now might look entirely different as well.
Constant research, study and self-evaluation is necessary to be able to find the best ways
of reaching each child's heart. At The Attachment Center at Evergreen, and at The
Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, a thorough assessment is done of each child and
family. Therapeutic and parenting techniques are designed around the needs of that family.
These may include; reparenting, inner child work, cognitive restructuring, psychodrama,
holding therapy, EMDR, sensory integration work, auditory reprocessing, offender
treatment, therapeutic foster parenting, and/or a number of other methods that can be
accessed to facilitate healing.
All work is done in a safe, nurturing manner and environment, by highly skilled
professionals.
When holding therapy is used, the therapists cradle the child in their arms, much the same
way you would hold a small infant.
All of the key components of bonding are present: eye contact, smiles, touch, movement,
voice. This facilitates "connection," physically, verbally, visually and
emotionally. It recreates the feeling of security that a baby experiences with a
nurturing, consistent caretaker.
It also initiates the reprocessing of the infant bonding cycle, which was interrupted for
children with attachment disorder. It allows the child to safely release, and receive help
to resolve, the emotional trauma which has prevented them from developing trust and love
and the ability to experience joy in their lives.
Some people have referred to holding therapy as "rage reduction" therapy. This
has been a source of much misinformation, as well. We think it is a limited description of
what is accomplished during the therapeutic process. While reducing rage that a child may
be feeling is a desirable and necessary outcome, not all children who have attachment
issues operate out of a rage state. For those who do, the releasing process helps to clear
away the rubble so they can begin to experience other feelings. Emotions that they often
attempt to ignore - sadness, hurt and fear - can surface within a safe context, with safe
people.
The majority of the process is spent using a variety of other interventions and strategies
to facilitate healing of core issues of abandonment, grief and loss. to opening their
hearts to trust and love, developing reciprocal relationships and responsible behavior.
The Attachment Center at Evergreen, Inc. has been involved in Attachment Therapy since
1972. Next year will be ACE's 25th anniversary of helping children and families. The
mission of the center is "...a commitment to transforming the lives of children with
attachment disorder and their families, and promoting healthy parent/child
attachments."
ACE's recently published book, "Give Them Roots, Then Let Them Fly," is
available by calling the office of The Attachment Center at Evergreen.
The Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio has been doing Attachment Therapy since 1990. It
has an adoption sensitive focus, and strives to support the adoptive family. Maintaining
adoptive families is a clear focus, as children who grow up in institutional or other
non-permanent situations are consistently over-represented in both the penal system and
the homeless population. ABC of Ohio also provides training and educational services to a
wide array of parents and professional groups in an effort to familiarize people with the
unique difficulties associated with children/adolescents experiencing attachment
difficulties.
Dr. Greg Keck and Regina Kupecky, LSW, have published a book, "Adopting the Hurt
Child," which is available through bookstores as well as through their office. Anyone
with questions about the programs or therapeutic techniques is invited to call The
Attachment Center at Evergreen at (303) 674-1910, or The Attachment and Bonding Center of
Ohio at (216) 230-1960.
Gregory Keck, PhD
Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
Cleveland
Office 440-230-1960
12608 State Road
Suite 1
Cleveland, Ohio 44133
Columbus
Office 614-850-9800
3966
Brown Park Drive
Suite H
Columbus, OH 43026
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