Traditional therapy techniques are usually unproductive with children with attachment impairment/Developmental Trauma Disorder, since those techniques rely on the child's ability to form trusting relationships, which an attachment impaired child is unable to do. Unlike traditional therapy, attachment & trauma therapy seeks to build the bonds of trust between a parent and child, not between the therapist and child. Attachment & trauma therapy involves the parents and the child working together, so that the child does not need to confront her past trauma alone. Attachment & trauma therapy is directive, experiential and confrontational, in that it deals with the drama, trauma and truth of the child's life.

The Center for Attachment & Trauma Therapy, LLC provides treatment fitted to the specific needs of each individual, child and family. This multi-faceted approach may include any or all of the following:

• Assessment and evaluation of the child for Developmental Trauma Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other post-institutional and adoption issues
• Assessment and evaluation of the parents, for attachment & trauma history, parenting styles and need for support
• Assessment, evaluation and treatment of individuals (adolescents and adults) for complex and simple traumas occurring in the past or present
• Experiential education in High Nurture/High Structure Parenting
• Trauma therapy using EMDR, Narrative & Bibliotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Art Therapy, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
• Family Therapy
• Cognitive restructuring for adoption and trauma issues, including Life-book creation

A Multifaceted Approach

This Approach takes into account the body/mind connection. There are many food allergies and intolerances, which can cause irritability, hyperactivity and even rages in children. In addition, many children were deprived of the sensory input which infants need to develop normally. Many of my clients have shown dramatic improvement when the following were integrated into trauma & attachment therapy:

• Examination for food allergies
• Insensitivities to foods, artificial dyes and artificial preservatives
• Elimination of heavy metal toxicity and other metabolic imbalances
• Work with an Occupational Therapist or Chiropractic Neurologist for Sensory Processing Disorder

Additional Adoption & Attachment Services

• Pre-adoption counseling: to learn about attachment issues and prepare for parenting an adopted child. Available for individuals and groups.
• Attachment checkup: when the adoptive child joins the family. Includes an assessment for attachment and trauma issues, and education on facilitating attachment through specific attachment therapy techniques.